Esha Chiocchio

I am first and foremost a documentary photographer, however the presentation of my work evolves in service to its subject, with form and media shaped by the message I aim to reveal. My series Good Earth combines photography with interviews by Mary-Charlotte Domandi to illuminate the beauty and urgency of regenerative agriculture in New Mexico and beyond. Recognizing that still images alone could not convey the depth of the work of these soil stewards, I created short films and cyanotype prints to honor their vision and labor. Restoring Earth’s Canvas continues this exploration, documenting how degraded lands are revived through innovative practices that rebalance terrestrial and atmospheric cycles. The core project follows the NM Department of Transportation-funded restoration of grasslands on Lordsburg Playa in southwestern New Mexico. Drone imagery of Gordon Tooley’s KIS (Keyline Imprint Seed) tractor marks reveals intricate surface patterns that I use to underscore soil’s role as “black gold”. Alongside archival pigment prints and a video, I created gilded photographs on translucent paper with moon gold, emphasizing soil’s precious value. My current project, Theobroma, extends my fascination with dark chocolate into an inquiry about cacao as a conduit for restoring rainforests and livelihoods. Still emerging, the series will take shape through multimedia vignettes, photographic prints, and three-dimensional installations.

Esha Chiocchio is a National Geographic Explorer, documentary photographer, filmmaker, and visual artist whose work weaves narratives about land, culture, and climate solutions. Grounded in storytelling, her practice pays homage to ancestral wisdom and regenerative approaches that honor balance between people and nature. Motivated by a deep commitment to the planet and its communities, she seeks to amplify the voices of those restoring and protecting the natural world. Her photography and films have served editorial, nonprofit, and commercial clients - including National Geographic Magazine - and her artwork has been exhibited internationally. While rooted in documentary traditions, Chiocchio embraces tactile experimentation, working with cyanotypes, gilding, and mixed media alongside digital photography and video. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she is represented by EVOKE Contemporary gallery. Chiocchio holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Communities and bachelor’s degrees in Cultural Anthropology and French. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, she speaks French, Spanish, and Bambara, and is a certified drone pilot.

2-D, Film/Video, Installation, Interdisciplinary/social engagement, Multi-Media, Photography