Award Winning Photographers Franco Banfi & Daisy Gilardini Join Aqua-Firma's Forthcoming Antarctic Wildlife Voyages

Aqua-Firma are pleased to announce that 5 of their forthcoming Antarctic Wildlife Voyages will be accompanied by world renowned award-winning polar photographers, Franco Banfi and Daisy Gilardini, who will run specialised workshops for passengers onboard.  Photographic opportunities for wildlife and scenery abound in this, the world's  largest and most pristine wilderness, so the presence of specialist photographers will greatly enhance these already spellbinding Antarctic voyages.

In February, Aqua-Firma are embarking on two 11 day Antarctic Wildlife, Marine Life & Photography Expeditions, both of which will be accompanied by award winning wildlife and underwater photographer, Franco Banfi.  Franco is a true polar photographer both above and below the Antarctic waters and has been honoured in photographic competitions around the world.

Daisy Gilardini, will be joining 3 of Aqua-Firma's Antarctic Peninsula voyages, departing 28th November, 8th and 18th December.  Daisy has spent more than a decade specializing in polar photography and has won numerous prestigious awards in international photographic competitions.  Her concern for environmental issues and passion for adventure is reflected in her inspirational photographic style and in her new book entitled Polar Wonders.

Both Franco and Daisy will be keen to assist guests onboard with their own photography and will advise how to get the very best from their camera, however basic or specialised the model.  They will be on hand to offer photographic tips and advice, be that choosing the correct settings or sharing ideas on how to capture the dramatic scenery and fascinating wildlife of Antarctica.

In March, Aqua-Firma will be offering further photography workshops in their 12 day

Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea – Wildlife, Marine Life & Adventure Voyage.  Photography will be one element of an action packed ‘adventure voyage', including such activities as field camping on the ice, snow shoe trekking, glacier walking and sea kayaking.  For experienced drysuit divers, a full programme of diving is available. Whilst Antarctica boasts some of the most dramatic polar landscapes on the planet, the Weddell Sea is home to the world's largest penguin (the Emperor penguin) and the world's largest icebergs.  Among the experts onboard will be Aqua-Firma Marine Scientist, Charlotte Caffrey, and former British Antarctic Survey Dive Officer, Kelvin Murray. Whether you dive or not,  these leaders will make use of film and photographic footage brought to the surface by divers to provide an insight into the diverse and colourful marine life of Antarctica.

Notes to Editors

1. Scenically the Antarctic Peninsula is dominated by breathtaking mountains, spectacular glacial formations and huge icebergs.  The icy waters of the Antarctic Peninsula are home to an abundance of marine life, including orcas, humpback, sperm and blue whales.  It is also an important breeding ground for macaroni, chinstrap and gentoo penguins.  Seals can also be spotted in large numbers here, including the crab eater, Weddell and the largest of them all – the leopard seal, which at up to about 3 ½ metres in length is one of the continent's two main predators.

1. Aqua-Firma specialises in expert led tailor made and small group exploration of wilderness and wildlife where land meets water.  Their modes of exploration include inspiring combinations of:

1.  
   1. Polar sailing and small ship Voyages
   2. Wildlife & Marine Life Safaris
   3. Expert led Photography Holidays
   4. Canoe & Lodge Safaris
   5. Rafting Expeditions
   6. Yacht Charters
   7. Conservation in Action experiences
   8. Snorkelling & Scuba diving
   9. Family Adventures

1. Aqua-Firma's experiences have been created with the input of marine and environmental scientists, professional sailors and divers, conservationists and leading naturalist guides; people who have a passion to communicate the environments they know best.  The result is the opportunity to experience wilderness locations in ways which are invigorating, enlightening and responsible.

1. Daisy Gilardini has been photographing the polar regions for more than a decade and has been published in National Geographic, Audobon, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Smithsonian and more. She is currently a judge for the Wildlife Photographer if the Year competition, so she is uniquely placed to advise photographers, both amateur and professional, what magazine editors and competition judges look for in wildlife photographs.  Daisy's new book entitled Polar Wonders contains photographs for her many months patiently photographing the polar world.

1. Franco Banfi is a regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife, National Geographic, Dive Magazine, Marine Diver, Ocean Realm and more. He is one of a few photographers that is a true master of photography above water and below. Franco joined Aqua-Firma with great success on an Arctic voyage and many of his photographs feature on the company's website. One of his most widely published series of images recently has been from another of Aqua-Firma's destinations and marine life targets: the Giant Manta Rays of Mexico's Socorro Island.

1. Aqua-Firma is the only travel company to offset the carbon emissions of its clients' polar voyages, and flights booked through the company in joining its polar journeys. Aqua-Firma does this in partnership with Rainforest Concern's Forest Credits programme which Aqua-Firma Director, Ralph Pannell helped the charity to set up.

For further press information and photography please contact Ralph Pannell at

Aqua-Firma Worldwide Ltd. on 0844 412 0848 / 01428 620012 or email

ralph@aqua-firma.co.uk