“THROUGH THE LENS” OF THREE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHERS

National Geographic Channels International and South African Tourism have announced the launch of their latest ‘Through the Lens’ campaign.

The ‘Through the Lens’ campaign aims to take the viewer on a journey, delving into three of South Africa’s most landmark destinations; Cape Town, Drakensburg and Durban, discovering some of the most breath-taking scenery on earth. National Geographic Channel (NGC) has set out to film three remarkable short films, in which some of the finest National Geographic Photographers capture and portray the beauty of South Africa and the warm nature of its people.

Following the shoot NGC will create three short content pieces, which will air on NGC around the globe in January 2013.

“National Geographic Channel has a long history with South African Tourism and we’re delighted to be extending our partnership to 2014, which will be our 10th year of working together. ‘Through the Lens’ is a flagship partnership for National Geographic Channel and we are excited to air the next three films of the series, especially in China and Brazil, which are new markets for this partnership,” said Deborah Armstrong, National Geographic Channel’s Snr VP, Media Sales andPartnerships.

Lalie Ngozi, General Manager, South African Tourism Australasia, adds “We at South African Tourism have had a long-standing relationship with National Geographic, culminating in South African Tourism winning the M&M Global Award for Nation and Destination Branding, for our work together on the ‘Adventurers Wanted’ campaign last year.”

“Through the Lens is another amazing campaign, in which the world’s premier photographers are capturing our destination, its people and its spirit in a manner that’s unparalleled and unique,” added Ms Ngozi.

Introducing the Photographers

Lola Akerstrom: Durban
Nigerian born, Stockholm-based, Lola Akerstrom, an award-winning writer and photographer, has appeared in publications such as National Geographic Traveler, Forbes, Vogue, Travel + Leisure and New York Times, documenting projects in countries such as Nicaragua, Sweden, and Cambodia. Lola describes herself as fiercely passionate as well as compassionate and has a generous heart.

About Durban
Residing half way up South Africa’s eastern coast lays Durban, a sophisticated cosmopolitan city of over three million people, a city that embraces everything and everyone – a rich collage of shared history. Step outside the City centre and embark on a journey flanked by soaring peaks, never-ending beaches and eye-wateringly beautiful views of the Indian Ocean. With vibrant pockets of communities to meet along the way, Durban is a place where fascinating trails lie, waiting to be explored.

Stephen Alvarez: Drakensberg
Since becoming a National Geographic photographer in 1995, Stephen Alvarez, a photojournalist from Sewanee, Tennessee, has dedicated his life to producing global stories about exploration, conservation, culture, and religion. Stephen works on what he calls "the raw edges of the frontier"; with his pictures winning awards in Pictures of the Year International, and Communications Arts, and have been exhibited at Visa Pour L’Image International Photojournalism Festival n Perpignan, France.

About Drakensberg
Holding over 260 million years of history, Drakensberg is teeming with life. The richness of flora and fauna, its diverse and beautiful landscape, its incomparable collection of ancient artefacts and cave-art, has earned this vast and unspoiled area the UNESCO Work Heritage status. Its fascinating deep-rooted history makes it a jewel in South Africa’s crown and an area treasured by the rest of the world.

Heather Perry: Cape Town
After graduating from Colby College with a degree in marine biology, Heather Perry worked as an aquarist at Sea World in Florida, and later studied underwater photography at Brooks Institute of Photography. Pursuing projects about local marine and freshwater natural history, Perry has built a portfolio of underwater and surface images, aerials, and environmental portraits. Her photos which she describes as “creative, fun, vivid and clean” have appeared in National Geographic Magazine, the New York Times, Ocean Navigator, and Maine Times magazine, among other publications.

About Cape Town