I am a professional wildlife photographer with the Kekexili Wildlife Conservation Association. My passion for photography and my love for animals started at a young age. I began to photograph in childhood, using photography as my instrument of speech - to tell stories and voice my beliefs.
I completed my Visual Arts degree majoring in analog photography at the University of Sydney and have worked in photography jobs in varied fields, such as fashion editorials, portraiture and corporate events in both Australia and abroad.
In 2015, I had the opportunity to embark on and document the "Origin of Three Rivers" Expedition with National Geographics China. We ventured into the sacred Tanggula snow mountain range in the northwestern region of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau of China, reaching Peak Gelalandong at 6,600 meters above sea level.
The expedition was guided by the captain of the Kekexili Mountain patrol, who led the team through the vast Kekexili Wildlife Conservation, which gave me the greatest opportunity to see Kekexili for the first time - a place that I have only dreamt of going to after watching the film "Kekexili: Mountain Patrol" - the tales of the heroic Bsod nams dar rgys who sacrificed his life trying to save the endangered Tibetan antelopes from a band of ruthless hunters.
After hearing many hardships of the Kekexili Mountain patrol and seeing the beautiful Tibetan plateau and its endemic wildlife, I stayed in the Kekexili Wildlife Conservaion after the expedition, experiencing and capturing the life of a member of the Kekexili Mountain patrol for a year.
With the images I have captured in the conservation, I want to tell the stories of the Kekexili Wildlife Conservation with its unique landscape and majestic wild animals, and the compassionate nature of the Tibetan culture.
Thank you for your interest and embarking on this journey with me.
- Nelly Xiao
Solo Exhibition
•2015 Kekexili Wildlife Photography Exhibition in Golmud, Qinghat-Tibet China
Group Exhibitions
•2013 "The New Age" Contemporary Media Art Exhibition, Beijing China
•2011 Sydney College of the Arts Photography Show
•2010 Camera Obscura Photography Exhibition
Publications
•2013 Maiba.Wanshan (Liqueur), 2013 Campaign Shoot, featuring Hongkong actor Danny Kwok-kwan Chan
•2012 Rayli Magazine 12 Years Anniversary Special Edition Shoot
•2012 Vogue Woolmark Prize 2012, Beijing
•2012 Black Ice ‘Wet’ Summer Campaign
•2012 Documentary Photographer for Chinese Contemporary Artist Zhujia’s art work, in collaboration with American Actress Josephine Silu Yu
•2012 Bentley Model Agency Promotional Campaign
•2012 On The Sixth Day Flower Arrange Summer Collection
•2012 Appointed photographer for the China's "Golden Globe" Film Festival Opening
•2011 Blondin “TWENTYTWELVE” Collection/ Catalogue
•2010 Australia’s Year in Music (2010 Edition), The AU Review
•2009, 2010 Mardi Gras Official, Sydney NSW
•2009 Rosemount Fashion Week, Sydney NSW