DOCUMENTING THE WORK OF GREENVIET FOR SYNCHRONICITY EARTH
JUNE 2024
ON ASSIGNMENT FOR SYNCHRONICITY EARTH IN VIETNAM
While filming and photographing the vital conservation efforts of the NGO GreenViet in Vietnam, I was very impressed by their commitment to protecting the critically endangered grey-shanked and red-shanked douc langurs. These stunning primates, known for their vibrant colors, face significant threats from habitat loss and poaching.
I was in Vietnam on assignment for the NGO Synchronicity Earth, documenting GreenViet’s work to highlight their incredible impact. Their dedication to community-based conservation was particularly inspiring, especially their collaboration with local community rangers in Tam My Tay. By empowering these rangers with training and resources, GreenViet not only safeguards these incredible species but also fosters local pride and ownership in protecting their natural heritage. It was a privilege to document their impactful work and witness firsthand the difference they are making for both wildlife and people.
Working as a cinematographer for the PBS documentary When Whales Walked: Journeys in Deep Time was an unforgettable experience that brought together my love for wildlife storytelling and conservation. This documentary delves into the evolutionary history of some of Earth's most iconic creatures, including whales, birds, elephants, and crocodiles, unraveling how these species adapted and flourished over millions of years.
It’s always a privilege to work on projects that aim to make a difference, and the upcoming film I’ve had the honor of filming for Planet Wild is no exception. Planet Wild is a nature protection organization dedicated to restoring our planet’s ecosystems by bringing back endangered species, cleaning up oceans, and rewilding forests. They build a global community of people who care deeply about the planet and want to give back to nature. 
The team behind Planet Wild is truly refreshing in their approach to wildlife conservation—focusing not only on the big-picture global issues but also on supporting local grassroots organizations that are often the true drivers of change. This unique blend of local empowerment and conservation focus sets them apart.
The crew on this project was fantastic—professional, passionate, and dedicated to telling the story with authenticity. But it wasn’t just about the crew. The local communities we worked with were incredibly welcoming,
I’m thrilled to share that I have been invited once again to join the judging panel for the 2025 US International Awards. After witnessing the incredible talent and creativity showcased by last year’s winners, I know this year’s nominees have a lot to live up to!
The first time Michel Strogoff saw a great white shark, he was pulling it out of his net. He wasn’t in awe of its power or beauty—he was thinking about survival. Strogoff grew up in Andavadoaka, a remote fishing village on Madagascar’s southwest coast, where the Vezo people rely on the ocean for their livelihood. As a teenager, he left school and became a shark fisherman, killing up to 50 sharks a day to support his family.
On assignment for Synchronicity Earth, I had the honor of filming and photographing WildAct’s vital conservation efforts in Vietnam. From combating the devastating impact of wildlife traps to promoting gender equality, WildAct is driving change for both biodiversity and communities.
I recently had the pleasure of photographing Jessica Pita, PADI’s first blind scuba diver from South Africa, for an article for The Guardian newspaper. Her journey is a testament to resilience, humour, and the power of embracing the unknown.
It was an absolute honor to judge the 2024 US International Awards, where the standard of documentaries was nothing short of extraordinary. The incredible quality of storytelling made it almost impossible to separate the entries, reflecting the immense talent and dedication of all the filmmakers involved.
I had an incredible time in Borneo documenting the fantastic work of Taskforce Against Kaiduan Dam (TAKAD) a community movement which is working to protect community rights and biodiversity in Sabah, Malaysia. The principal purpose for this trip was to create high quality media that can be used by both TAKAD and Synchronicity Earth to aid in defending the rights of the Dusun community and their customary land against the creation of a mega-dam known as the Ulu Papar/Kaiduan Dam.
I spent some time recently in Rwanda researching for a project into the pros and cons of wildlife tourism in primates. The topic is a very emotive one and a subject I know well having produced and directed the investigative documentary Eyes of the Orangutan which aired recently on National Geographic. Therefore I was very curious to see how the gorilla trek and visit to the habituated group of golden monkeys compared to what I had witnessed in the orangutan wildlife tourism industry. Along the way I spoke with a range of people involved in this highly lucrative industry to try and better understand the conservation and community positives and negatives of these operations.
Editing these photos has brought back great memories of a recent trip to cover the conservation work of the Malagasy NGO GERP. I was there on assignment for Maliasili for the first in a series of photography projects that will highlight the work of some of the partner organisations that they support in Madagascar. The principal purpose for each of these trips is to create high quality media that can be used by each local partner organisation to help with impact, educational and funding campaigns.
