Gerry Ellis
After pursuing an academic career in marine science, Gerry turned to the camera, initially through microscopes and underwater photography, to communicate his passion for nature. Since 1982 he has worked professionally as a nature and wildlife photographer, most recently focusing on issues of environmental journalism.
After living four years in Australia and Papua New Guinea, Gerry published his first book, The Outdoor Traveler’s Guide to Australia, followed by a volume The Outdoor Traveler’s Guide to the Caribbean. Between 1987 and 1999 he published and co-authored over a dozen non-fiction and children’s books, including Wild Orphans, the four-year documentation of orphaned baby African elephants in East Africa, which spawned an award-winning book as well as 90+ major international magazine articles, and was celebrated at the international photojournalism awards Visa Pour I’Image.
Gerry has received numerous photography awards including the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year. He lives in Portland, Oregon. You can learn more about Gerry Ellis and access to his photography on his website at www.gerryellis.net
Skye Fitzgerald
After finishing up an MFA at the University of Oregon, Skye directed 2nd Unit on the feature Ricochet River starring Kate Hudson (Lions Gate, Showtime) which quickly convinced him to head into the world of non-fiction film. Since 1998 he has worked as a producer or camera-person on documentaries in over 20 countries. In 2001, Skye co-produced the award-winning feature film Monsoon Wife (Silver Nitrate, domestic), the first full-length feature to be shot completely on location in Cambodia since 1965.
Other unique projects as a producer or camera person include the documentary Return to Everest for Eddie Bauer; Father John for Dateline NBC; Frogpond (pilot) in the Philippines; Epilogue of War, documenting landmine and UXO victims in Vietnam; a segment for CNN’s show Mainsail on the Antarctic island of South Georgia; and recently a piece for the History Channel series Gangland.
Skye was named a Fulbright Research Scholar in 2004/2005 for having shot the documentary Bombhunters in Cambodia and the US. In 2006, Fitzgerald was the recipient of grants from the US Institute of Peace, the US Dept. of State, and the Sundance Documentary Fund. He lives in Portland, Oregon and runs SpinFilms.