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With their infinitely curious spirit, Nova works across a wide variety of disciplines with strong proficiency. They are available for permanent, contract, long-term, and short-term work as a cinematographer, photographer, science communicator, educator, film and photography editor, director, producer, post production manager, artist, illustrator, and graphic designer. Within their visual expertise, they have ample experience in underwater, topside, aerial, macro, sync, digital, traditional, ceramic, ink, colored pencil, and watercolor mediums. They have practiced their crafts across office, remote, travel, backcountry, at-sea, and expedition settings, often in extreme or dynamic environments. A strong aspect of Nova's character avoids limitation in what they can dream, create, and achieve, which allows them to tell stories in the capacity and medium that calls them. This sense of wonder has led them to learning a vast base of well-rounded skill sets that fundamentally inform and refine each other, positioning them for anything but stagnancy and orienting them towards exponential growth and refinement in their beloved crafts.
From office work to sailing across the sea, Nova recognizes that who you work with truly matters, and being a kind and compassionate human is just as important as the visuals they create. On every assignment, Nova strives to be a joyful and hardworking presence that leaves collaborators with a sense of accomplishment and comradery. You can read more about what it's like to work with Nova here. |
Nova posing with ROV Hercules while working as a Documentarian aboard the E/V Nautilus.
Photo by Marley Parker
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Skill Grid
Below is a non-exhaustive quick reference guide of Nova's skills, specialties, and applications.
As a jack of all trades, Nova learns new skills quickly; if you don't see something listed that you're looking for, please ask!
As a jack of all trades, Nova learns new skills quickly; if you don't see something listed that you're looking for, please ask!
 Nova on assignment for Ocean Exploration Trust. Photo by Jennie Berglund
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CertificationsFAA Part 107 Drone Pilot | 2022, 2024
PADI Rescue Diver | 2020 PADI Enriched Air Diver | 2020 American Red Cross First Aid and CPR | 2019 American Red Cross Certified First Responder | 2016 Wolf Ridge Certified Wilderness First Aid | 2016 Wolf Ridge Certified Wilderness Water Safety | 2016 Project WET | 2017 Project Wild | 2016 Project Learning Tree | 2015 |
Gear + Tech Proficiency
Owned
Panasonic Lumix GH5
Lumix G Vario 7-14 M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Canon 24-105mm Metabones EF-MFT T Cine XL 0.64x Speed Booster Nauticam Underwater Housing GoPro 11 + Accessories AC/DIT Kit Scuba/Freedive Kit |
Operated
RED Komodo
Canon 5D Mk iii + iv, C300 Sony A1, A7siii, FX3, FS7, & FX9 Ronin Gimbals Rode Mic Kits DJI Drones EZ Rig Dana Dolly |
Software
Adobe Suite
Microsoft Office Synology Shotput Pro DaVinci Resolve Windows PC and Mac OS |
Grants + Awards
Conservation Nation Firefly Grant | 2024
iLCP Emerging League Member | 2024 Ocean Culture Life Storyteller Grant | 2024 National Geographic Storytelling Explorer Grant | 2023 Jackson Wild Media Lab Fellow | 2023 San Diego Environmental Film Festival People’s Choice Award | 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards, Penguin Town | 2021-2022 Conservation Nation Emerging Conservationist Grant | 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards, Secrets of the Whales | 2020-2021 You can learn more about Nova's grant projects here!
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Nova West, Nicole Morris, and Angel Morris presenting Diving for Rays at the first annual San Diego Environmental Film Festival
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Nova speaking at the 2023 Jackson Wild Summit.
Photo by Angel Morris
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Speaking Engagements
National Geographic Slingshot Challenge Mentor | 2025
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Gen-Sea: Inclusivity Under the Waves Panelist | 2024 Wildscreen Festival, Bristol Photo Camp Team Lead | 2024 National Geographic Photo Camp, Indiana Photographic Storytelling Workshop Presenter | 2024 2892 Miles to Go, National Geographic Ship-to-Shore Interaction Educator | 2021 - 2024 Ocean Exploration Trust aboard the E/V Nautilus Out in the Wild Panelist | 2023 Jackson Wild Summit Presenter and Film Premiere | 2022 Texas A&M University, Galveston Explore Your Ocean Panelist | 2022 Explore Your Universe, UCLA Youth Advisory Council Speaker | 2022 Conservation Nation You can learn more about Nova's speaking engagements here!
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Across their career, Nova has been invited to speak on several podcasts covering their story, work, adventures, projects, and personal anecdotes.
Click the tiles below to listen to the episodes released to date, and check out the 'News' tab to read more about their recent engagements.
Click the tiles below to listen to the episodes released to date, and check out the 'News' tab to read more about their recent engagements.
Take the Last Bite is a podcast directly countering the Midwest Nice mentality, highlighting advocacy and activism by queer/trans communities in the Midwest.
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Earth to Humans is a podcast about the interconnected nature of our planet’s overlapping crises, and the amazing humans who are fighting for a better future for all of Earth’s inhabitants.
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LGBT Outdoors is a podcast serving as a tool to connect the LGBTQ+ community to the outdoors and to each other while creating a more diverse and inclusive outdoor space.
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4Earth Podcast interviews guests from all over the world who share a passion for the environment, are raising environmental awareness, and are taking action to protect the environment.
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Impact Storytelling is a podcast featuring accomplished professionals in the realms of conservation, filmmaking, photography, and arts who share diverse paths to creating a positive impact on our planet.
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The Closing the Gap podcast highlights women and nonbinary professionals who are working in STEM & Trades fields to provide visibility for young people looking to enter the field.
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Education
University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN
Bachelor of Applied Science, concentration in music performance Major: Environmental and Outdoor Education Minor: General Studio Art |
Nova on a 9 day backpacking trip in the Badlands of South Dakota to finish their degree in Environmental and Outdoor Education
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Nova finishing a mural for Radical Empathy Now during the protests of 2020 in Washington, DC.
Photo by Ty Kitchen
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Volunteering
Camp Brave Trails | 2023 - 2024
Camp Photographer Jackson Wild LGBTQ+ Initiative | 2022 - 2024 Board Member Radical Empathy | 2020 Mural Artist Potomac Riverkeeper Network | 2020 Volunteer Scientific Scuba Diver: 50 Million Mussels Project National Geographic Diversity and Inclusion Board | 2018 - 2019 PRIDE Co-Chair Representative National Geographic PRIDE Founders Board | 2018 - 2019 Board Co-Chair Partners in Education | 2017 Classroom Educator Queer and Allied Students Union Board | 2016 Publicity Coordinator 800 hours of service Speakers Bureau | 2016 Panelist 50 hours of service |
Questions · Comments · Business
Website created and updated by Nova West
