In January 2020, just before the Covid pandemic became a reality where I live, I volunteered for a 3-week photography position in Zambia, for the Fall of 2021, with Game Rangers International. I would be living in a tent at the orphaned elephant rescue camps and photographing wildlife, camp life, elephant keepers and, elephants.
Travelling in the middle of a worldwide pandemic can be problematic. My flights were booked in September 2020 for travel in August and September 2021. I considered postponing my trip but unfortunately, this photography opportunity would no longer be available.
So for 11 months, my flights were repeatedly cancelled as various countries closed their borders. Then I would find a new route available and rebook. The morning of my departure, as I sat eating a hurried breakfast, I received an email that ALL of my outgoing flights were cancelled. Incredibly, I was able to connect with my airline quickly and get an entirely new route rebooked just as we were racing out the door to catch the now earlier than anticipated flight. Everything from that point on went relatively smoothly and the experience was INCREDIBLE!
After returning home, I wondered what to do with the thousands of images I now had. I was approached by someone in our local arts group to see if I could put together a presentation of my experiences to share on the opening locals night of our town’s three-night showings of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival on March 10, 2022.
This film is the little presentation that I put together for that event. I hope you enjoy it.