Lucia Griggi

Driven by a love of surfing and a long-held dream to see the world, Canon Ambassador Lucia Griggi began her photography journey chasing perilous waves. Although the last wild places of our polar regions satisfy her desire for adventure today, water has always been a theme in the British-Italian travel and wildlife photographer's work.

"The ocean links every country and has so many different faces," says Lucia. "You never know how a wave will be when shooting it or what sort of wildlife you'll see on the ocean or underneath it. It keeps me intrigued and I love being in the water."

An adrenaline-filled career in action sports followed, beginning with magazine assignments which involved documenting surfing events. She covered the World Surf League Tour for seven years from 2008. As her international reputation and editorial and commercial client base grew, Lucia became one of only a few who dared to swim out and photograph one of the most dangerous barreling waves on the planet – Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline off the North Shore of O'ahu.

"Photography is an extension of who I am," says Lucia, whose skills also include aerial photography, a niche that has seen her shoot ice shelves, glaciers and braided rivers from the air. "It is the way I express myself. I don't know what I'd do without it.

"I love the adventure – hanging out of helicopters or swimming underwater with huge waves above my head," she continues. "I get a rush from that, but I can also get that feeling when I'm sitting still for hours waiting for wildlife."

With appearances in more than a dozen books and exhibitions from New York to London, Lucia's talent has led her to work with the BBC, Warner Brothers, Disney, Patagonia, Red Bull, Rip Curl and Billabong. She won an award in the 2012 National Geographic Traveler awards with her underwater image of a surfer in Fiji, and in 2015 she progressed into filmmaking, directing movie trailers for Hollywood films such as Mad Max, alongside UK documentaries.

Expeditions to remote and often hostile locations such as Antarctica, Alaska, the Galápagos Islands, the Russian Far East and Siberia have seen Lucia explore the luxury travel sector through moving images and stills. Capturing cultures and wildlife unique to these destinations has become the core of her business and she now works full time in the travel industry.

"The hard switch [came] when I felt I wanted to be more peaceful," says Lucia. "Spending time in nature was a transition in my life." Canon prime lenses have been a go-to for her during this career shift, helping to focus her eye in nature settings, she says.

"Wildlife is a layer of travel," she adds. "The whole world is becoming more aware of conservation and environmental issues and I feel an obligation to contribute to that. Not everyone has the luxury of seeing the world and it means a lot to be able to help [raise] awareness about where you can see these beautiful creatures – under the water or from above."

What's your photography philosophy?
"Photography is the only constant in my life. It brings me back to me."

What keeps your passion for photography alive?
"Travelling to remote, wild destinations that are the last frontiers. We're running out of time. These places are altering rapidly. It's an ever-changing environment. There is a race to get there and experience them before irreversible change happens."

What have been your experiences of forging a photography career in a male-dominated field?
"Action sports, whether that's surfing, snowboarding or whatever, are male-dominated. It is becoming more popular for women, but I don't see many coming into professional work full time. I have definitely had to work extra hard to be accepted, acknowledged or get published. I put myself in the right places at the right time and was determined to pursue my passion. Eventually it paid off. Persistence is what's needed and then at some point you become part of the furniture."

What are the key components of a powerful image for you?
"Light is everything. Timing is impeccable, as is framing and composition. It's about making your subject feel comfortable, whether that's wildlife or people. Getting it right first time in the camera using manual settings is also important, and really understanding the camera."

Where do you hope to take your photography?
"[What I've been doing over] the last three or four years is exactly where I want to be. I love working in wild places and polar regions and I'd like to develop that. I still haven't swum underwater while photographing killer whales in Norway, and I'd like to swim with humpback whales too. I circumnavigated the Northeast Passage in the Russian Arctic so now I'd also like to shoot the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic."

"It takes a lifetime to become a photographer. It takes a lifetime to master anything. I think experience is everything. I look forward to learning more and carrying on that journey."

Instagram: @luciagriggi

Facebook: @luciagriggiphotographer

Twitter: @LuciaGriggi

Website: www.luciagriggi.com