By Ashley Sim
On most weekends, while many wind down in cafés or stroll through malls, Julia Cheong and Pui Wee Yang can be found exploring the green edges of Kuching, with one behind the camera and the other scanning the surroundings for signs of wildlife.
The 30-year-olds are not professional photographers by trade, nor conservationists by title. By day, they work full-time office jobs. But during their free time, they turn their shared passion for wildlife into something far more meaningful.
“Wildlife photography is our favourite pastime together,” Julia said during an exclusive interview with DayakDaily. “We do it wherever and whenever we can, usually on weekends when the weather is good.”
High school sweethearts and animal lovers since childhood, the Kuching-based couple are the duo behind @twobehindthelens, a humble Instagram page with over 5,000 followers that has grown into a quiet but powerful voice for wildlife awareness in Sarawak.
Backyard discoveries during lockdown
Their journey began not with ambition, but with a moment of stillness during the Covid-19 lockdown. As the world slowed down, Julia began noticing unexpected visitors in her own backyard, including the Long-tailed Shrike, Greater Coucal, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Paradise Tree Snake, and more.
But one moment truly changed everything.
“We came across a Stork-billed Kingfisher casually perched near a storm drain in a neighbourhood,” she recalled. “That moment made us take wildlife photography seriously. We felt we had to share this.”
Soon after, they began posting their photos online. Their goal was simple: to raise public awareness of the wildlife quietly living among us.
Ethics before the shutter
For Julia and Yang, how a photo is taken matters just as much as the photo itself.
“We follow ethical wildlife photography values by photographing animals in their natural habitats and observing them respectfully from a safe distance,” Julia explained. “There are people who don’t follow these values, and we strongly disagree with that.”
One of Julia’s favourite photos captures a Collared Kingfisher feasting on a Brahminy Blind Snake. Its vivid blue feathers and swift movements made the moment unforgettable.
Yang remembered a more intense scene: the cries of a frog led them to a Spotted Keelback mid-hunt, its jaws locked around a Brown Kerangas Frog.
“It was the first time we witnessed a wild event like that,” he said. “We were just lucky to be in the right place at the right time.”
What’s missing in the wild
As their photography deepened, so did their understanding of what’s at stake.
In Kuching, wildlife often appears more timid and elusive than in other countries they’ve visited, such as Japan, Singapore, and Australia.
“Here, animals seem constantly afraid. Even the sound of leaves rustling can send them fleeing,” Yang noted.
“In contrast, other countries have effective conservation strategies. You’ll find parks in almost every corner, and those green spaces are alive with the sounds of birds and insects,” Julia added. “It was like music to our ears.”
They believe Kuching would benefit from more parks and reserves that allow wildlife to thrive close to the city. Well-managed spaces like Samajaya Nature Reserve and Kubah National Park are examples they say should be expanded, not only to support biodiversity but also to draw nature-loving visitors from abroad.
“We used to visit one spot that had a wide variety of wildlife. Then the trees were cut down, the shade disappeared, and so did the animals,” Julia said. “There’s no such thing as too many trees.”
A spider’s big moment
One of their most unexpected achievements came from a tiny creature. While walking a trail at Bako National Park, they spotted a Long-horned Spiny Orb Weaver Spider with spines three times the length of its body.
That spontaneous shot later won a consolation prize in the Colours of Sarawak Photography Contest 2024, selected from more than 1,500 entries. The photo was exhibited publicly, sparking curiosity about a species few had ever heard of.
“We didn’t expect anything from it,” Julia said. “We were just happy to have found it. But seeing it displayed for others to appreciate really meant something.”
More than just a gallery
Since then, @twobehindthelens has grown beyond a collection of images. The couple has collaborated on a non-profit basis with Nikon Malaysia and has been featured by international wildlife photography platforms. Their photos have helped put Sarawak’s biodiversity in front of global audiences.
But some of their most rewarding moments are more personal.
“We often get messages from people asking for photography tips or where to find certain wildlife, whether in Kuching or places we’ve travelled to like Japan and Australia,” Yang said. “Some have even shared their artwork with us, saying they used our photos as inspiration for their drawings. It’s nice to know our work is encouraging others to connect with nature in their own way.”
Everyone has a role to play
Julia and Yang believe that conservation should not be left to scientists or policymakers alone. Anyone can make a difference.
“You don’t even need a camera. Just spend time in nature, look around, and notice the beauty around you. You’ll be amazed by what you find,” Julia said.
For those who take up photography, she urges them to do so ethically, without disturbing animals or their habitats.
The couple credits their inspiration to figures like David Attenborough, Steve Irwin, and closer to home, Chien Lee and his wife, both based in Kuching and known for their conservation photography.
To Sarawak’s leaders and people
To policymakers, Julia and Yang’s message is clear: lead by example.
“Support those who are already doing the work, including photographers, researchers, and conservationists,” they said. “When the public sees that someone in power genuinely cares, they will follow.”
They also urged authorities to protect and expand natural green spaces in and around Kuching before more is lost to unchecked development.
“Preserve the wild elements. A well-kept park offers a view far more beautiful than any building or shopping mall,” they said.
To the young, they offer this: “Be curious. Explore. If you’ve played Pokémon, this is the real-life version. Your Pokédex will be filled with birds, reptiles, and insects. It’s fun, and it’s real.”
To the older generation: “Educate the young. Lead by example.”
And to anyone wondering if they can make a difference?
“Start small. Reach out to people like us. Let’s be friends. Use your voice or your lens. The world needs more people who care.”
A dream in focus
Julia and Yang’s dream for @twobehindthelens is to inspire others to see the wild, care about it, and take part in its protection.
They hope their photos find homes not only on social media, but also on the walls of cafés, offices, and living rooms, as quiet yet powerful reminders of what still exists and what is worth saving.
“We want people to look at our photos and go, ‘Wow.’ Whether it’s ‘What a beautiful animal’ or ‘What a nice photo,’ that kind of reaction means something,” Julia said.
“If our photography makes someone stop, take a closer look, and start to care, then our dream has already come true.”
In their own words: All wildlife matter. They don’t have a voice, so let us be their voice.
Bring nature home
For those inspired by their work, selected wildlife prints from their collection, featuring species from Sarawak and beyond, are available for purchase.
To place an order, fill out the form. For enquiries, reach out to them on Instagram or Facebook at @twobehindthelens, or email twobehindthelens@gmail.com.
— DayakDaily
