Riding copilot on the flight out of Ambergris Caye to Belize City.
Ever noticed how, when you break out of the routine and just “make things happen,” other things tend to happen? Good or bad, action begets action. Whenever you decide to try something different; to really throw your heart into a project, usually good things come of it.
A few weeks ago, I was pulling off the Missouri River at Pelican Point right as dusk fell. We’d had a long day—leaving Bozeman well before the sun rose, and floating a good twelve hours on the mighty Mo. I’d watched Bozeman guides Ken Stock and Jacob Hinshaw ply their craft on the big waters of the river, and even been able to fish my old familiar stretches a bit. Good for the soul. We were tired, sunburned (at least I was), and feeling pretty good about life.
So when my phone buzzed telling me we were back in service and I had emails waiting, I was a bit surprised to find an interesting query in my inbox. Did I have any interest in going to a remote atoll in French Polynesia in four weeks to photograph and document an exploratory expedition / conservation project with Costa and the Indifly Foundation?
Short answer: yes.
Several weeks later, I’m getting the gear together to go spend a few weeks in the South Pacific, wading through all the logistics of international travel and getting my underwater photography gear together. (And maybe dreading the 24+ hours of travel… just a bit.) I leave on the 19th and return around 1 June; won’t have contact with the outside world for the majority of the trip, but be sure to stay tuned for reports as I come back and wade through assets.
Bonefish. GTs. Marlin on the fly. And a whole new local culture to document. I’m a little stoked.
Huge thanks to the gang behind the project for thinking of me, to my team at Orvis for letting me continue to grow Fire Girl Photography while still holding down a full-time roll at HQ, and to all my awesome editorial clients (some tropical images coming your way soon). And to all you readers who take the time to follow along on these weird photographic adventures—well, you make it all worthwhile.
Tags: Assignments
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What an awesome spur of the moment trip. Life is awefully short, you must take advantage of every opportunity. Love the photo’s , love the stories through the lens. Look forward to your expose on the GT’s and marlin. Exciting….
You nailed it, Brian—life is very short indeed. Here’s to taking all the chances we can!
Oh My can’t wait for the upcoming report,Orvis has really worked out well for you
Ups and downs like everything, Victor, but some very good people here. Thanks for following along!