All posts tagged: ellen cuylaerts

World Oceans Day: Game Changers

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In honour of celebrating World Ocean’s Day (8 June), and this year being designated as the International Year of the Reef, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise some amazing people who are making waves in Ocean Conservation.  These incredible souls are my personal heroes and legends in their own right.  They are ocean conservationists who are indeed game changers.  They are movers and shakers in the world of ocean conservation and are dedicated to creating a positive impact for the betterment of our oceans.  They all share the common goal of protecting and preserving our oceans, marine life and precious coral reef ecosystems. They are all an inspiration.  I am so proud to call these luminaries my friends, it is such a privilege to know them and be inspired by them.  I admire them for all that they do to raise awareness about environmental issues and their ocean conservation efforts.   Ellen Cuylaerts, Underwater and Wildlife Photographer, and Conservationist It is a true honour to know Ellen Cuylaerts.  She has an incredible …

Ellen Cuylaerts: A Legend in the making

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Today, marks International Women’s Day.  A day to celebrate the accomplishments of women and to empower others. On Women’s Day I think it is important that we take time to support one another and acknowledge those who each day are doing their part to make a positive impact in the world, support those who are lifting others up, support those who are working hard to improve the lives of others and their communities, support those who use their voices to speak up about issues that matter to them and embrace their calling and passion to make a positive difference in the world.  They are every day heroes and legends.  We rise by lifting others up and there is so much power in unity.  There is so much beauty in supporting and celebrating the accomplishments of those who inspire and empower us.  I am so proud to see so many of the strong women in my life, from my sister to friends and my personal heroes, all who I admire for working so hard to achieve …

sharks

Epiphany: How A Family Of Explorers & Conservationists Overcame Their Fears

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  View Epiphany Movie Trailer A popular definition of epiphany as defined in the Oxford Dictionary is: “A moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.  For me, an epiphany is a sublime moment.  It is an awakening, when your thoughts come into focus and there is a moment of clarity.  The opportunity presents itself as an illuminating thought.  A moment of such great revelation can bring forth incredible things. I have had the privilege to get to know award-winning filmmaker and wildlife cinematographer Michael Maes and his wife Ellen Cuylaerts, an award-winning wildlife photographer.  They are truly two of the most amazing people I have ever met.  They are inspiring, compassionate, kind, generous, brave and humble people.  I am grateful to know them.  As a family they live intriguing and extraordinary lives as explorers and conservationists.  They explore the world and use their gifts and talents in film and photography to share their passion for conservation with the world.  An underlying message in their documentary Epiphany is the power of film and photography.  I …

The Cayman Islands: A Haven for Sharks & Rays

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Photo Credit: Ellen Cuylaerts The Cayman Islands has built its name and reputation primarily on being a renowned diving destination.  Pioneers in our local diving community over the last few decades contributed to building our diving industry into the premier operation that it is today.  They recognized the exquisite beauty our underwater landscape had to offer and have since then made it accessible for locals and tourists to recreationally experience and explore the beauty that lies below the surface for themselves.  With a desire to showcase our natural resources comes with a commitment to preserve them.  Our duty towards conservation for both land and the ocean is beneficial not just from an environmental perspective but also an economic one.  Our tourism industry is strongly tied to our island’s natural resources.  Ergo, an obvious reason to ensure that our natural resources are protected.  Last year on Earth Day (2015), the Cayman Islands officially became a Sharks and Rays Sanctuary.  The sanctuary expands across all three islands.  This is a positive step towards ecotourism as many tourists …

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Hope On The Horizon: Cayman Islands (Mission Blue Hope Spot)

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Photo Credit: Ellen Cuylaerts I am so excited to announce that today I was published in Mission Blue’s Ocean Stories.  It was such an honor! I am so humbled by this moment.  It was an absolute pleasure to work with Mission Blue and Ellen Cuylaerts.  Thank You Ellen for allowing me to use your spectacular pictures for the article. Recently, the Cayman Islands, George Town Harbor was designated as a new Hope Spot by Mission Blue. To read more about my article please visit Mission Blue’s website, or click here. Content Update: 7th January 2017.  Below is my article in full.  Originally published in Mission Blue’s Ocean Stories.  Photo Credit: Ellen Cuylaerts Recently, the George Town Harbor in the Cayman Islands was named a Mission Blue Hope Spot- one of fourteen newly designated Hope Spots.  This is incredible news for environmentalists both locally and internationally.  A designated Hope Spot is an area considered to be “critical to the health of the ocean”.  These special areas are recognized by Mission Blue and respectively conservationists around the globe as …

“And the heart must pause to breathe”

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  Photo Credit: Michael Maes “And the heart must pause to breathe,” words of the legendary poet Lord Byron. These poetic words capture the experience of watching the artistic work of Michael Maes short film “Byron Beholds Kona.” This short film will capture your heart from the start, as you will become immersed in the purity and the spellbinding beauty of the ocean and the wildlife. Most importantly, you will become enthralled by the poetic connection between the ocean and film. Maes, has chosen the words of Lord Byron’s So We’ll Go No More a Roving to accompany the stunning cinematic journey viewers are taken on in the waters of Kona, Hawaii. It’s safe to say Mr. Maes, has created an interesting genre of film called “Poetry eMotion.” Poetry eMotion: How it came to be… Michael Maes says, his wife, Ellen Cuylaerts, told him that “some of his footage is poetry in her eyes” and she, “encouraged him to reach out to poems through his films.” Through the diligent process of filming and editing, Maes …