Chris Bray
(Founder & Tour Leader) is an Australian wildlife photographer, adventurer, entrepreneur and conservationist. Chris grew up sailing around the world for 5 years then leading world-first cart-hauling expeditions across the arctic before becoming an award-winning Australian Geographic photographer, and now a
Lumix Global Ambassador. His free
photography course on YouTube has attracted more than 9 million views, making it one of the world's most popular courses and has earned him a global following.
Chris's work has appeared in National Geographic and Discovery Channel along with Australian Geographic, TIME Magazine etc. He’s also an accomplished writer, with feature articles published around the world and a successful book '
The 1000 Hour Day' (now an award-winning documentary 'The Crossing'), sits on the expert advisory panel for
The Australian Geographic Society and is founder and CEO of charity startup
Conservation United, aiming to crowd-fund the world’s critical conservation projects.
Chris is also an International Fellow of '
The Explorers Club' and has been chairman of their Australia and New Zealand chapter. He's a motivational speaker, including lecturing final year engineering students on 'Decisions when lives depend on them'. He's keen high-latitude sailor too, sailing the first-ever junk-rig boat through the Northwest Passage over the arctic with his then wife Jess, on their little 29-foot wooden sailboat '
Teleport' in 2011-2012. Australian Geographic Society's 'Young Adventurer of the Year' in 2004 for a Tasmanian wilderness hike, Chris has also been awarded their 'Spirit of Adventure' medal in 2009. In 2017, Chris also created
luxury eco-lodge Swell Lodge inside the
national park on Christmas Island, where he currently lives.
Dr. Annabel Dorrestein
is an ecologist, adventurer, and passionate wildlife observer whose research has taken her across six continents in pursuit of the world’s most fascinating creatures. Tracking mammals in the Amazon, scaling remote cloud forests in Panama, sinking knee-deep in swamps to follow orangutans in Sumatra, and studying flying-foxes around the globe, Annabel’s love for the natural world knows no bounds. She bought her first camera when she moved to South Africa in 2013 to study conservation, and quickly discovered the power of photography in capturing not just animals but their behaviours and stories. With a background in scientific research, she has a keen eye for observing the overlooked and showcasing the unexpected wonders of wildlife. Annabel is thrilled to bring her love of travel, conservation, and storytelling through photography to CBP tours, helping others experience and capture the magic of the wild firsthand.
Natsumi Penberthy
has had a varied career which has included leading expeditions in remote parts of the Kimberley, and working as writer (including various coveted roles including Australian Geographic's staff writer, and at Nature), photographer, videographer, picture researcher and picture editor at Australian Geographic. She made sense of this tangle of skills when she joined CBP in 2013, helping run our courses and then tours. Along the way, thousands and thousands of images from the country's most sought-after photographers have passed across Natsumi’s desk and talking about how to make images is one of her favourite subjects.
Lachlan Gardiner
is an award-winning photographer, working primarily within the outdoors and adventure sports industry. Storytelling is at the heart of Lachlan’s work, and he views the camera as a way to share the amazing places, experiences and human relationships that make up these journeys. Graduating from Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art in 2012 with a Bachelor of Photography with First Class Honours majoring in photojournalism and documentary practice, Lachlan’s photography has been recognised with several awards including: The Memorial Maria Luisa International Photography Competition, The CVCE International Mountain Photography Contest, The New Zealand Alpine Club Photography Contest and the Moran Contemporary Photographic Award. His work has also been published and exhibited extensively throughout Australia and abroad. Some of his clients include Sea to Summit, Rab Equipment, Paddy Pallin, Scarpa, Osprey Packs, Marmot, Patagonia and The North Face. Lachlan is also a regular contributor to Wild Magazine and The Paddy Pallin Blog, along with other print and online publications. Aside from undertaking his own projects, Lachlan enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with others.
Alex Baxter
is an endlessly energetic content creator who, when Covid grounded her global travel plans in 2020, adapted by embarking on a photography journey across Australia instead, equipped with a Nissan X-Trail and a drone. Originally a dedicated teacher, this trip - and the photos she captured - changed her life. Today, Alex is an adventurous solo traveler, supporting her enviable lifestyle by selling her images & videos, collaborating with tourism boards and brands, and manages a sustainable print store online. Through her Instagram @baxterbackpacks, she shares the beauty of nature, aiming to inspire others to engage in unforgettable experiences and foster a love for the environment. Working with CBP, Alex is excited to now dovetail her two life passions - teaching and photography - to help others capture memorable moments and make the most of their travels.
Louise Wright
is a documentary photographer, based in Brisbane. After four years of full time study, she graduated from the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Photography with Class 1 Honours, majoring in photojournalism and social documentary. Louise has been assisting with photo courses & then running tours since joining our team in CBP in 2013. Besides photography, Louise's passions include spending time in the great outdoors going hiking & camping.
Kate Carragher
is a photographer, wildlife creative, artist and adventurer with a focus on Women and the Wild. Recently named as one of the Runner-Ups for the Discovery Channel Global Internship, Kate’s photographs and illustrations of nature have featured in the ‘She Went Wild’ Women’s Adventure Expo, Travel Play Live and in private collections in more than 10 countries.
The daughter of a painter and a mathematician, Kate has been fascinated with the arts and sciences for most of her life. After gaining her Bachelor of Communication, Kate worked as chief speechwriter and media manager for a tier of Government lobbying for the rights of NSW communities and the environment.
The call of the wild was too much and so she packed her bags and moved to the remote South Pacific island nation of Niue to be a Whale Whisperer, leading swims with humpback whales. While on Niue, Kate also obtained her Dive Masters and a host of guiding certificates. From there, she became a grizzly bear guide in the remote Chilcotin region of Canada and director of Vida, a women’s creative collective and magazine. These adventures lead to Kate being a regular guest on ABC Newcastle 1223 and sponsored by Kathmandu as a wildlife creative.
When she is not photographing or guiding, Kate is a freelance communications consultant and runs an art studio with her Mum and her sister. Kate’s life mantra is to 'Draw, explore, write, take flight, keep it wild, keep it styled. Capture it all.'
We seek out the world's most extraordinary wildlife, landscape and cultural experiences then tour small groups there in comfort, providing unique access away from the crowds with exclusive charter of ships, aircraft, vehicles and remote lodges for not only the most incredible, unhurried photography opportunities on Earth, but also an amazing holiday. Our friendly, professional photography guides are on hand to help you improve your photography (be that on a pro DSLR or iPhone) ensuring you get the best possible shots.
