As a multidisciplinary artistic, I used to be introduced on by Craghoppers UK a few years in the past to assist execute a model refresh. The model’s appear and feel had misplaced its consistency, so my position was to realign its identification. This concerned establishing new typefaces, colour palettes, and a complete toolkit that may information future artistic selections.
Concurrently, I art-directed campaigns and shoots whereas contributing to their content material creation efforts. One of many key initiatives on the desk was centered round Craghoppers’ partnership with the Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT). I used to be requested to overview and form this initiative, which led to my agreeing to develop three documentary-style brief movies specializing in three protagonists and their tales within the Galapagos Islands.
This marked the start of a year-long mission, together with two journeys to the Galapagos Islands in December 2023 and August 2024. Over the course of this journey, we produced quite a few movie drafts, captured 1000’s of photographs, and excitingly and proudly launched the primary movie simply final week.
The place LIFE Thrives focuses on the story of Lucia Norris who was born in Quito however spent a lot of her childhood on San Cristobal Island within the Galapagos. Lucia’s profession spans varied roles with NGOs and conservation organizations, however her coronary heart stays near the Galapagos.
At present the Programmes & Coverage Supervisor at GCT, she walks us via her position and the worldwide significance of the Galapagos Islands, and she or he introduces us to locals who’re adapting their work to assist protect the islands’ distinctive magnificence.
Working alongside the native manufacturing firm, Archipiélago Films, I served because the Director of the movie(s), within the latter a part of the manufacturing because the Producer, whereas all through additionally taking over the roles of Stills Photographer and Wildlife/Environmental Cinematographer.
You usually hear tales in regards to the abundance of life in these distant Pacific islands, and after spending a complete of 4 weeks there—totally on the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal—I can actually attest to how mind-blowing the expertise is.
A glimpse into this world will be seen within the photos however to say that after arriving the primary time, I headed straight to the seashore to refresh after an epic 40-hour journey. Nestled inside the Nationwide Park—as many of the islands are—the seashore was teeming with marine iguanas and Zayapa crabs, innocent but endlessly fascinating creatures.
The oceans have been ample with life. A lot in order that I used to be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of black-striped salemas and barracuda that surrounded me on one explicit dive.
Swimming and filming with sea turtles was such a gorgeous and surreal expertise – one I’ve longed to come across, and the primary time actually lived as much as expectations. They’re such stunning, swish creatures – as docile as Discovering Nemo actually made out.
I had moments of pure awe, like diving with hammerhead sharks overhead and being chased out of the water by a protecting sea lion father guarding his pup (awe-fully scary). I spent hours ready to seize a (Pterodactyl-like) Frigate chook perched on a tree and making an attempt to catch an iguana within the act of snorting. I tracked an American Oystercatcher because it pecked a Ghost crab from the sand (will be seen within the movie above) and found a surprising Moorish Idol lurking within the corals. We visited a tortoise sanctuary and filmed Tortoises that have been 80 years previous and recoiled on the sheer stink that emanated from the Pelicans.
Each encounter was unforgettable, however what actually set this expertise aside was the connection I constructed with the locals. In contrast to the typical vacationer who comes and goes, I had the privilege of working carefully with the island’s individuals, growing relationships that may endure.
I met native entrepreneurs working tirelessly to guard their islands, fishermen who’ve transitioned into conservationists, and a marine biologist who began a membership to teach younger ladies on conservation—serving to to boost the subsequent era of island caretakers.
These are the tales that made the mission not solely visually gorgeous but additionally deeply significant.
I left the Galapagos in August feeling virtually native, and it’s a spot that if I could make it again to I actually will.
In the event you are you able to undoubtedly ought to. Its life altering.
Concerning the creator: Charlie Pinder is a multi-disciplinary artistic with a give attention to images and video manufacturing. Throughout his profession, he has labored at Canon and Pink Bull in command of images, in addition to for plenty of environmental and outside shoppers. You will discover extra of his work and join with him on Instagram and LinkedIn.
