HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene

It focuses on the invisible animals in our lives: those with whom we have a close relationship and yet fail to see. They are the animals we eat and the animals we wear. They are the animals used in research and for entertainment, as well as the animals we sacrifice in the name of tradition and religion. The stories within its pages are revelatory and brutal.

The Anthropocene is the proposed name for the current geological epoch. In this era, human activity is the dominant influence on climate, the environment, and all life on earth. As we enter a new decade, an estimated 80 billion land animals continue to be used and consumed by humans each year. The majority of these animals are raised and killed within industrial agricultural systems. Fish and other marine life are measured by tonnes.

HIDDEN adopts an unashamedly pro-animal perspective, yet also understands the important role community leaders, educators, policy makers and activists play in determining a future relationship with animals based upon a compassionate and humane co-existence.

The strength of this book is in its contributing photographers. HIDDEN represents the work of 40 photojournalists who have – and continue to – document animal stories. These photographers are the heroes who work globally to investigate and expose animal use. Their exhaustive and in-depth work has resulted in some of the most compelling and historic images of animals that we have seen. 

The work of our contributors has been celebrated by Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Nature Photographer of the Year, Festival della Fotographia Etica, Alfred Fried Peace Award, the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, World Press Photo, NPPA’s Best of Photojournalism, Sony World Photography Awards, Picture of the Year International, Latin International Photography Award, DAYS Japan, and Prix de la Photographie.

Our photographers have also been published in and interviewed by publications such as National Geographic, GEO, BBC Discover Wildlife, The Guardian, CNN, Telegraph, New Scientist, Newsweek, The Sunday Times, Nikon Pro, Black+White Photography, Vice, La Repubblica and The Washington Post. Additionally, their work has been used in animal advocacy campaigns worldwide. 

“I want the aesthetics of a photo and its beauty to catch the viewer’s gaze and thus serve to understand horror and injustice.”

AITOR GARMENDIA  |  Read More

“Whilst it can feel isolating doing this kind of work, HIDDEN serves as a reminder of how each investigator inspires others to continue, and that we’re in this together for animals.”

AMY JONES  |  Read More

“We’re at such a stage of evolution that we don’t have to kill animals. The fact that we still eat meat is just a matter of convenience.”

ANDREW SKOWRON  |  Read More

“To move towards a society where the interests of animals are respected and not discriminated against, it is necessary to know the serious situation they are suffering. And our duty is to expose it.”

CARLOTA SAORSA  |  Read More

“I use my photographic language, my personal way to tell stories, because I want to make these terrible images more understandable—to let people be more empathic.”

FRANCESCO PISTILLI  |  Read More

“When I take photos, I try to think of images as open wounds that can’t be ignored. They should communicate pain.”

KONRAD LOZINSKI  |  Read More

“I believe that raising the status of animals so that animal issues are on the political agenda is maybe the most important task of the animal rights movement.”

KRISTO MUURIMAA  |  Read More

“I’m certain that future generations will look back at our current attitudes towards and treatment of animals with great shame.”

LOUISE JORGENSEN  |  Read More

“We must respect all species and protect them ferociously because ultimately, all life depends on it. Without the complex web of life, we all die. It’s that simple.”

PAUL HILTON  |  Read More

“I always keep an eye on the animals; their comfort comes first. I don’t want them to get stressed, so I do it fast. There is no room for emotions.”

SABINE GROOTENDORST  |  Read More

“We must always remember that those animals portrayed in the photos will be dead when the public sees them. I feel a big responsibility when I think about that.”

STEFANO BELACCHI  |  Read More

“Freedom has always depended on our ability to identify systems of injustice. I see it as our duty as artists and photographers to make the issues of our time visible.”

TIMO STAMMBERGER |  Read More

Help spread the word! Download the full series of shareable actions from “The Way Forward” here. 

Please see our full media kit for HIDDEN here. For specific inquiries regarding interviews and other media opportunities, please email media@weanimals.org

HIDDEN is published by We Animals and Lantern Publishing and Media is the global distributor.