One of the few streets we visited upon arriving at Port Said.

Tommy walking past a fruit stand.

On the transit from Southampton to Australia to begin Operation Divine Wind in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary, we stopped off at Port Said in Egypt.  We didn’t stay long, just enough to have a look around and take a few photos.

Eva and a very messy street.

This man tried to sell me a cow.

locals casually conversing along the dock.

Street butcher.

Model: Laura Brockbank.
View her portfolio here

So, the Sea Shepherd fleet, consisting of their three vessels, the Steve Irwin, Bob Barker and Brigitte Bardot (Formally Gojira) will be heading for Antarctica as soon as the Japanese leave, to directly intervene and stop them from attempting massacre.

This is the 8th year that Sea Shepherd will be heading down to Antarctica to defend the whales against the Japanese, and hopefully it’ll be the last. Nearly 100 volunteers from all around the world will be headed to Antarctica on the vessels, and each and every one of us are full of passion and determination to end Japan’s illegal acts.

Hoka Hey, Japan. Hoka Hey.

Sea Shepherd's vessel, M/Y Steve Irwin entering a fjord in the Faeroe islands.

The most incredible thing happened the other month.
No, I didn’t win the lottery.  No, I wasn’t given the secret to life. Better:  I became a crew member for Sea Shepherd.

What’s Sea Shepherd, you ask?  Sea Shepherd is a non profit marine wildlife conservation society.    Their goal?  To end habitat destruction and wildlife slaughter in the world’s oceans in order to protect and conserve eco-systems and species.  (Okay, so, I kind of copied and pasted that part.  But, regardless, it’s true: SeaShepherd.org)

And how did I manage to get myself involved?  Well, for the International Whaling Commission, one of Sea Shepherd’s vessels, the MV Brigitte Bardot (previously named Gojira), and her crew came over to Jersey.  Kerry and I, being avid supporters of Sea Shepherd, went down to the docks to be inspired and meet the crew.

 The next morning (the first day of the IWC) Kerry and I went down so that Kerry could purchase a t-shirt.  While there, I spoke to Paul Watson, and I asked him how I could leave with them when they left. I was told that if I filled in an application, and handed it in by 5pm (because they were leaving the next day) they’d take a look at it.

At 4.55pm, after hours of running around photocopying passports and filling in application forms, I handed in my application form.  13 hours later, stomach filled with butterflies, I was onboard ready to Leave Jersey for Lerwick with the crew.

Beautiful high cliffs surrounded the Faroe islands.

The campaign that Sea Shepherd were ready for next was the Faroe islands campaign.

 Every year the Faroese  slaughter up to a thousand Pilot Whales as they’re migrating.  The islanders see this slaughter as a part of their culture, saying that it’s a tradition.   Refusing to even consider the fact that the cruel and inhumane way in which they’re slaughtering these whales is completely unethical; not only are these cetaceans beautiful and intelligent, but they’re fully capable of feeling the stress and pain of not only being herded into Fjords or beached by the islanders, unnaturally and confusingly, but also being barbarically murdered.

Pilot Whales in the Faeroe Islands

At one point during the campaign, we had the incredible experience of being surrounded by a pod of Pilot Whales.

As hundreds of Pilot whales surrounded the ship, three in particular stopped just off of the bow, we hung over the side, in amazement, as they looked up at us. Emotions and excitement burst as we were treated to a grand finale of the pod surfacing. Several by several they appeared, and dove, followed by another family member, all creating waves of beauty in the ocean and tears in our eyes and smiles on our faces. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen, or experenced, in my life.

During the campaign, not a single Pilot Whale was slaughtered.  We were very successful.

Ryan and Erwin off of the bow, watching the pilot whales.

Sea Shepherd's Helicopter, Nancy Burnett, in action.

Model:  Rebecca Hewlett. 
Clothing: Pebble Boutique.

It is a truly beautiful feeling
when you discover that that creative block you’ve been suffering from has finally released you from its grip.

It felt wonderful to finally be able to confidently shoot with Becca the other day, after not having photographed in so long.
I’d found myself coming down with a photography related artblock shortly after the last shoot I did, about two months ago.   And soon found it nearly impossible to do anything photography related, including simply editing.  It was like my ability to recognise little things like composition and lighting had just totally gone.   Like someone had stripped me of any competency I had where photography was concerned.

Needless to say, I’m glad it’s back.  I’m glad I’m back.

Model: Rebecca Hewlett

Clothing: Pebble Boutique

The other day was so incredibly beautiful and summer-y that I couldn’t not plan a last minute shoot.   I asked Becca to model for me and we found this perfect, flower-filled location, where we climbed trees and Becca lay down among flowers for pretty pictures. Sometimes I love being a photographer, simply because it’s an excuse to run around and be a child agian.     It’s so wonderfully priceless.

Model: Rebecca Hewlett
Makeup Artist:  Hayley Bisson @ Feel Unique

I really owe Becca a huge thanks for this one, it was freezing and windy out, and she modelled in no more than a thin dress + jacket with tights.  So, thank you Becca. You’re an awesome model. [:

The last image is Pebble Boutique’s clothing range.  Check out their stuff, here: ilovepebble.com

Model is Becca.

I phoned Becca this morning real early and woke her up, I was eager to shoot something or someone, and so I asked her to model for me.  I put eye liner on her cheeks and flowers and feathers in her hair and we walked around the Sand Dunes and climbed trees and acted like children and we laughed and, of course, photographed.

T’was the first time I’ve photographed in 2011.  It felt to horrible having not picked up my camera in so long, but it felt so beautiful to finally indulge.  <3