Annika Hipple is a freelance writer and photographer who has covered outdoors-related topics for Lonely Planet, BBC Travel, Atlas Obscura, Sierra Magazine, Northwest Travel & Life, Bats Magazine, and many other publications. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Sweden, she was raised in the Boston and Stockholm areas and now lives in Seattle, Washington. Her recent outdoor adventures include an 11-day wilderness rafting expedition through remote British Columbia and Alaska, a six-day sea kayaking trip off northern Vancouver Island, and small-ship expedition cruises in Hawaii and Antarctica.
What are your areas of Outdoor Communication?
I write about outdoor adventure, wildlife, conservation, and sustainability for publications, nonprofit organizations, and other clients. I also do a lot of outdoor and conservation photography and am working on making this a larger part of my business.
What drew you to the field?
I have a B.A. in environmental studies and an M.A. in Latin American studies with an environmental focus. After grad school I had initially planned to go into the nonprofit world but began doing freelance writing work while looking for a full-time job. Eventually I managed to focus my writing more and more on topics I care about, so I stuck with freelancing and never did get that full-time job.
What enticed you to join OWAA?
I have known Chez* for a long time through my involvement with the Adventure Travel Trade Association and became aware of OWAA when he became the executive director. After learning more about the organization through his Facebook posts I decided to join when a new member discount was offered.
*Chez Chesak is OWAA’s Executive Director.
What is your favorite outdoor activity and how did you get into it?
Anything that gets me into or onto the water. During my childhood summers in Sweden we spent a lot of time swimming in the Baltic Sea and some of the country’s nearly 100,000 lakes. During a college semester abroad in Ecuador I had my first opportunity to snorkel (in the Galapagos Islands), and that quickly became another favorite activity, which I indulge in every chance I get.
What are you currently working on?
In addition to writing outdoor stories for various publications, I am working on adding more well-funded nonprofit conservation organizations to my client list, as well as expanding my efforts to market my photography.
What have you gained from the organization?
For various reasons I haven’t yet been as actively involved as I’d like, but I have gained contacts within the outdoor industry and had some interesting press trip opportunities come my way. I have enjoyed connecting with other members online and hope to attend an OWAA conference soon.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking of joining OWAA?
If you write about the outdoors and are looking to join a community of highly qualified communicators with similar interests, don’t hesitate. Once you join, be as active a participant as you can and attend online and in-person events as your budget and schedule allow.
Anything else you’d like to add?
OWAA is an organization that is growing in membership and reach, so I encourage any writer who covers the outdoors in any way, shape, or form to consider joining.
Check out some of Annika Hipple’s work.
12 best things to do in Sweden for The Lonely Planet.
OWAA membership
Do you work in the outdoor communication space? See if an OWAA membership is right for you.