Walter Perez

Walter was born in a very small town on the mainland of Ecuador. His first trip to the Galápagos was when he was 12 years old, visiting friends and aunt, who had moved to the islands. From the first moment he saw the Islands, he fell in love with them and knew then where his future home would be.

In high school, Walter excelled in agricultural studies. When he went on to university, he combined this interest with studies in chemistry. While there, Walter focused on chemical agronomy, writing his thesis on the unique landscape of the Galápagos. After receiving his degree, Walter left mainland Ecuador and promptly moved to the Galápagos. There he held a variety of jobs before accepting a position as a crewmember aboard a tourist vessel.  Soon thereafter he learned how to dive, becoming a PADI Dive Master.

In 2005, Walter leapt at the opportunity to take the Galapagos National Park Service entrance exam to become a Naturalist. After much studying and hard work, he realized his dream. He received his Photo Instructor certification in a multi-day training workshop.  Developed and taught by National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions photographers, the workshop helped him develop additional insight and skills necessary to help you better understand your camera and the basics of composition — to better capture the moments at the heart of your expedition.

Walter is author with professor Michael Weisberg of Galápagos: Life in Motion. Published by Princeton University Press in August 2018, this lavishly illustrated hardcover book features Walter’s detailed, close-up photographs of Galápagos animals in action as they feed, play, fight, court, mate, build nests, give birth, raise their young, and cooperate and clash with other species.