What's the secret to photographing someone you've just met for the first time?
"Always respect the places and the people. Use photography as a universal language to get closer to people, and avoid the urge to become a hunter who sees them as prey. The more respectful you are, the richer your results, opportunities and personal growth will be."
Do you do anything different to other photographers who work in these remote locations?
"I like to print the photos and give them to the people while I'm there; it's just fair that you give something back whenever you can."
Do you have a go-to shooting setup?
"Every time I go out, I react and I learn something new, I adapt and change my ways. It's a dynamic process and every situation requires a different technique. First one must find the subject, the light and the story. Only after that comes whichever technique yields the best result."
How do you decide where to go and what or whom to photograph?
"First, I decide what I feel passionate about. Then I do my best to scout, not only in my office beforehand, but mostly while travelling, leaving my senses open to something that I see, hear or feel."
Is aerial photography difficult?
"Don't trust drone marketing statements like 'it's easy'. Flying is easier than ever, but they only work in optimal circumstances. Fly safely, practice a lot and learn everything you can about piloting a drone and its maintenance. Soon you'll know about winds, navigation, the operational limits of batteries in hot and cold climates, etc and develop quicker reactions."
What piece of Canon kit can you not live without, and why?
"The Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z would probably be the one lens I would refuse to leave behind. It is incredibly versatile, allowing me to move from environmental portraits and intimate details to landscapes and fast-moving documentary situations without interrupting the moment. That flexibility is especially important in my work, where photography and filmmaking often happen side by side and there is rarely a second chance to capture what is happening. It has become a lens I trust for everything, from remote expeditions to TV documentaries."
What else could we discover in your kitbag that helps you elevate your work?
"My kitbag is an unusual mix of highly specialised photography equipment and a surprising amount of very ordinary stuff – probably more than most people would consider strictly necessary, but all carefully chosen. Alongside the cameras and lenses, you’ll find a ridiculously powerful mini flashlight, a compact power bank, a handheld PC that doubles as my mobile workstation (and, on very long flights, my gaming console) and, inevitably, a roll of gaffer tape. After years of chasing stories in some fairly unforgiving places, I've learned to anticipate the chaos before it happens. The weather changes, plans change and something will eventually need fixing – which is why I like having the right solution ready before I need it. Gaffer tape has probably saved the day more times than I'd like to admit."