PHOTOGRAPHER PRODUCTION
When it came to editing the episode, Vasarhelyi was spoilt for choice, forced to fit striking visuals into the overall narrative. “The images are gorgeous – it’s almost an embarrassment of riches – but even though the images are beautiful, it must always serve the story,” she stresses. “I think if you look at all of [mine and Jimmy’s] work, it shines a light on something we believe is meaningful,” Vasarhelyi continues. “Our films focus on character; people going to extraordinary lengths to do incredible things.” Being a National Geographic photojournalist – or, more generally, a creative – is a dream job for many. Often unpredictable and intimidating, it’s something that can seem unattainable from the outside, but once you’re in, it’s
incredibly rewarding. “Being at National Geographic allows you to open all sorts of doors,” reveals Mittermeier. “It’s the summit of Mount Everest, so it’s a long journey. It takes many years, but you have to start somewhere.” Chin, who has also worked for National Geographic, agrees: “It requires this incredible passion and obsessiveness in a way. You really have to believe in what you’re doing because you bleed for these projects,” he says. “We share some of that in this story.” For Pritz, working alongside Mittermeier and Nicklen was itself an opportunity not to be missed; “Honestly, this was a dream project just to be part of.” No matter your field, he argues, “they are an example to us all.”
DREAM TEAM Mittermeier and Nicklen founded SeaLegacy, combining their love of conservation and photography
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