FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:MJ Viederman Lindblad Expeditions (413) 549-3950 [email protected]
New York, NY (May 12, 2005) — Ask any photographer what the words “National Geographic” bring to mind and they are likely to offer a response that includes great photographs. From the inside covers of the magazine known for bringing us “the world and all that is in it,” photographers of all levels have only dreamed about going to the exotic, wild and remote places seen on the glossy pages of National Geographic magazine—until now, that is.
Lindblad Expeditions, together with National Geographic, is offering Photo Expeditions and Workshops that will inspire photographers, experienced and novice alike. The Photo Expeditions and Workshops are offered year round in remote and pristine regions such as Arctic Norway (July 2005), Alaska (September 2005), the Galapagos Islands (November/December 2005), Antarctica (December 2005) and Baja (March/April 2006).
“The growth of our Photo Expeditions over the past six years has mirrored the explosion in digital photography,” says Ralph Lee Hopkins, Lindblad’s Director of Photographic Expeditions. “Today, the majority of our photo guests come on board with new digital cameras and are eager to learn. Our programs are designed to help jump-start photographers into the digital age while traveling to some of the top photographic destinations in the world.”
These educational adventures feature exceptional wildlife and dramatic scenery with a team of professional photographers working to tailor each day’s activities to maximize the best
photographic opportunities. Essential elements of each expedition include special sunrise and sunset landings to capture the best light, onshore walks for photography coaching in the field, and expert maneuvering of the nimble expedition ships and Zodiacs to get even closer to wildlife subjects.
Back on board, photographic experts provide instructional sessions geared to help participants refine digital photos, improve composition, discuss the technical and creative aspects of photography and learn from world-renowned photographers who have traveled the globe. While the focus is on photography, each Photo Expedition and Workshop offers a full contingent of naturalist guides and non-photo activities so that friends and families of photographers can join in the fun. For details and a complete schedule of photographic experts joining each expedition, visit www.expeditions.com.
Photographic Experts
Some of the photography experts scheduled to join Lindblad’s seasoned photo staff in 2005 include Paul Nicklen, a National Geographic photographer and wildlife biologist who grew up in the Canadian Arctic. Nicklen spent much of his career studying and photographing polar bears and is committed to wildlife conservation and education. Art Wolfe, an internationally acclaimed and highly published nature photographer, will be joining the Arctic Norway Photo Expedition team in July 2005. Bob Krist, a freelance photographer who works regularly on assignments for magazines such as National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian, Islands, and Endless Vacation will join the Alaska Photo Expedition in September 2005 and Photo Workshops in 2006. Joining the Antarctic Photo Expedition team in December 2005 will be Tom Mangelsen, one of the world’s premier nature photographers.
About National Geographic
The 117-year-old National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. It reaches more than 280 million people each month through its five magazines, the National Geographic Channel, books, films, videos, maps and interactive media. The Society has funded more than 8,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. National Geographic’s travel products and services include National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic Adventure magazines, travel guidebooks, maps and National Geographic Expeditions, the Society’s travel program that operates more than 100 trips each year to destinations around the globe.
About Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions was founded in 1979, originally as a division of Lindblad Travel, which was founded in 1958 by Lars-Eric Lindblad, the pioneer of expedition travel. Lindblad operates a fleet of six ships in regions such as Galapagos, Antarctica, Arctic Norway, Alaska and Baja California, to name a few. The company is known for its commitment to sustainable tourism and is the recipient of many environmental awards, including the Condé Nast Traveler Ecotourism Award (2002) and the ASTA/Smithsonian Magazine Environmental Award (1993). Sven Lindblad is a member of the General Assembly of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands; he serves on the National Council of the World Wildlife Fund and the Board of Directors of the Mexican Fund for the Conservation for Nature. He is a founding member of the Galapagos Conservation Fund and is a recipient of the United Nations Environmental Programme Global 500 Award (2001).