I traveled to French Polynesia on assignment for Nikon and AFAR Magazine, looking to capture the essential islander experience. This is what I brought back from my travels.

Special thanks to Top Dive for outfitting my incredible oceanic excursions.

Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia. The island is located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the central Southern Pacific Ocean, and is divided into two parts: the bigger, northwestern part, Tahiti Nui, and the smaller, southeastern part, Tahiti Iti. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs. The population is 189,517 inhabitants (2017 census), making it the most populous island of French Polynesia and accounting for 68.7% of its total population.

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Raiatea French Polynesia

S/V Polynesia Nov 1999

Galley crew

Tempete de lagon à rangiroa

the boys stare on in amazement as eamo simulates the moves of the mistery character in the story...he must have been some dancer!

The Boats From Polynesia.

Euaspis polynesia Vachal male (Hym. Megachilidae) on Tarphochlamys affini (Acanthaceae), 30.iii.2011, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan, China. Thanks to G Le Goff for his help with the ID!

Cool polynesian currency, note the clown trigger and moorish idol, two of my favorite fish

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French Polynesia Tahiti

French Polynesia, 2018

Tahitti, Bora Bora, Raiatia, Huahine and Taha'a

Raiatea French Polynesia

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas

Forgiveness for the Pain of Birth - one of 21 pen and ink studies for jaiselmir stone bas-relief. For untitled Penzance 2007 Summer Exhibition exploring Polynesian mythology.