Guy Templeton: Climate Solvers

Master of Arts Photography

Domain: Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Project: Climate Solvers

Guy Templeton’s practice-led project for the Master of Arts – Photography explores how documentary photography can inspire action on climate change by focusing on solutions rather than damage. The project profiles Australians across industry, science, agriculture and community initiatives who are actively reducing emissions or adapting to climate impacts. By centring on people at work, Climate Solvers seeks to convey hope, agency and practical possibility.

From his exegesis documenting the project’s development:

“Climate imagery often focuses on crisis and harm, which can generate anxiety or disengagement. Climate Solvers instead profiles relatable people implementing real solutions, framing climate action as local, visible and underway. The project draws on cognitive theory to test whether hopeful, people-centred imagery can move audiences beyond awareness and toward constructive action.”

The project culminated in over 70 images covering 18 subjects being publicly exhibited at the University of Technology Sydney, December 2025 to January 2026. The exhibition was complemented by a zine, captions, story sheets, and a project website.

A centrepiece work, The Leaving (2025), which reflects community-level climate adaptation following flooding in Lismore, NSW, was awarded Australian Runner-Up in the Head On Exposure Awards 2025 and Top 15 in The Capture Awards 2025, with another image being Highly Commended.

Biography

Guy Templeton is a Sydney-based documentary photographer with a background in engineering and executive leadership. His work focuses on people, work and systems, particularly where industry, technology and society intersect.

Website: climatesolvers.com.au

Instagram: @templeton.guy