DOCUMENTING THE EDGE OF THE PLANET
BRIDGING SCIENCE, POLICY & INDUSTRY THROUGH IMAGERY
Christian Clauwers is a Belgian photographer, explorer, public speaker and author. His work horizon extends from the oceans to the polar regions, documenting scientific research and the fragile, conflicted relationship between humans and nature.
Clauwers’ journeys as an adventurer and explorer have taken him to the polar extremes of our planet: from 81° North to 78° South. He has already circled the globe four times and has explored over 114 countries across all 7 continents. He sailed the five oceans and explored their islands, including some of the most remote on the planet, witnessed by few.
After studying Political Science at the University of Antwerp and Global Management at the Antwerp Management School, Christian worked as a Communications Manager in the Flemish Parliament. After this he decided to fully devote his life to documenting the tension between man and nature, such as climate change, and to inspire the world and to bridge people and nature through documentary photography.
Self-portrait inside Robert Falcon Scott’s Discovery Hut, built in 1902, and used for the British Antarctic Expeditions in 1901, 1907 and 1910. Ross Sea, Antarctica.
Christian believes in the power of images. He shows what is at stake, but also the consequences of the human footprint. He collaborates with the Belgian, French, Italian, Swedish and Norwegian governments on multiple projects, all in the context of documenting climate impact and raising awareness through photography. His work is preserved in the Arctic World Archive on Spitsbergen as the first Belgian contribution to this world archive deep in the arctic permafrost.
Clauwers scouts the least explored corners of the planet, places which are often hostile, dark, wild, and uninviting, in his quest to reveal their truth. He hopes the viewer’s response to these images is twofold: to appreciate the unparalleled beauty of the natural world and to become more conscious of its fragility. During his expeditions, Clauwers observes the relationship between man and nature from a number of perspectives.
In recent years, Clauwers attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25, COP26 and COP28) as an official Belgian delegate, which included presenting his work. In 2022 and 2023, he was the head of his delegation at COP27 and COP28. Besides multiple publications in quality media, he collaborated with several governments, scientists, filmmakers and organisations such as NAUSICAÁ and OnlyOne (SeaLegacy). Christian uses a visual approach to effectively promote awareness of the threat of climate change. This reflects the essence of his love for the natural world, which he believes can mainly be saved by showcasing the beauty of it.
Previous projects include entering the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a semi-circumnavigation of the Antarctic continent and sailing through the South Atlantic Ocean. In 2019, Clauwers joined the French Government’s scientific expedition to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (“T.A.A.F.”) in the South Indian Ocean. In the Pacific region, Clauwers focussed on global warming, rising sea levels, salinisation of fresh water supplies and coastal erosion, and how vulnerable islands adapt to this problem. The former President of Kiribati Anote Tong wrote the preface of his publication related to this challenging project.
Christian Clauwers is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and an EU Climate Pact Ambassador.
MISSION STATEMENT
"My mission is to raise global environmental awareness and build bridges between science, industry and policy, through images and visual storytelling."
Cultivating awareness as a professional, independent photographer, my mission intertwines captivating imagery and storytelling to illuminate the beauty of our planet while addressing the conflict between humanity and nature. Through documentary photography and educational endeavours, I aim to bridge the gap between science, policy, and enterprises, fostering understanding and action in the pursuit of environmental stewardship.
“I am a global nomad. I am an observer — with a mission. I am deeply concerned about the disastrous effect human behaviour has had on nature. I document this process with my camera. I meet locals, academics, scientists, politicians. My camera is my witness. Impact and collective consciousness are the central principles of my work. Action is imperative in order to preserve the last havens of untouched beauty.”
Fellow of The Explorers Club
EU Climate Pact Ambassador
Member of the Rotary Club
I am a co-founder, an advisory board member and the first Belgian contributor to the Arctic World Archive
Proudly the first Belgian depositor in AWA and contributing to the preservation of authentic world memory for future generations as a founding member of AWA.
AWA is a unique initiative dedicated to preserving and safeguarding the world's most valuable data and cultural heritage for future generations. The world is more uncertain than ever; war, terrorism, global warming, floods, fires, and even more so, cyber attacks, etc. are putting the world's cultural heritage and memories at risk. It is also more important than ever to take action to protect and preserve what should be the authentic foundation of memory for future generations.
Ambassador for Marine Stewardship Council
Member of the EU4Ocean Platform
Member of the UN Ocean Decade Network
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
• 2011 Master of Global Management, Antwerp Management School, Belgium.
• 2010 Master in Comparative and European Politics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
• 2009 Erasmus Exchange Program at the Centre for European Studies, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
• 2008 Bachelor in Communication Science, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
• Professional Boating Licence > International Certificate of Competency - ICC Certificate: Inshore/Coastal/Motor/Sails).
• Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Powerboat Handling Level 2 certified.
• Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Day Skipper certified.
• Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore certified.
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) | Short Range Certificate (including VHF)
• Licence to shoot (for guiding porpuses in Svalbard).
CLIENTS | PARTNERS
BRAND AMBASSADOR
Global Brand Ambassador⎪EIZO
EIZO has provided me the extraordinary opportunity to display precise tones, contrasts and depth of colors with exceptionally sharp image detail and resolution. The professional self-calibrating monitors are bringing my adventures to life. https://www.eizo.com
Belgian Brand Ambassador⎪Explorer cases
During my outdoor expeditions, even in the harshest conditions, Explorer cases provide the perfect protection for my equipment. Their waterproof casing can easily withstand temperatures down to -25°C. Impressive! More information about these excellent professional cases on: https://explorercases.be/
CAMERA GEAR
What equipment do I use? One of those questions I always get. Let’s sum it up, this is what I usually take with me:
CAMERAS
• Nikon Z9
• Nikon Z8
•Nikon D850
• Nikon D810 (backup camera)
• Nikon F100 (analog 35 mm)
LENSES
zoom lenses
• NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
• NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
• NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
• NIKKOR AF-S 24-120mm F/4G ED VR
• NIKKOR AF-D 24-85mm F/2.8-4.0 iF
prime lenses
• NIKKOR DX 10,5mm f/2.8G ED (fisheye)
•NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
•AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED
• NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
•NIKKOR AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (for sale)
• NIKKOR AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR
• NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
DRONES
•drone DJI Air 3
•drone DJI Air 2s
• drone DJI Mavic Pro
MONITORS
• EIZO ColorEdge CG279X
• EIZO ColorEdge CG245W
•EIZO FlexScan EV3895
OTHER
• DJI OSMO Pocket
• action camera GoPro Hero5 black
• Nikon Flash Speedlight SB-800
• tripod Peak Design, carbon fiber ttravel tripod
• tripod Sirui T-1004 XL
• tripod Sirui T-004 KX
• tripod Joby Gorillapod focus
• High-Resolution Stereo Recorder, Roland R-07
• Garmin inReach Explorer+ (iridium)
• Garmin inReach Mini2 (iridium)
My favorite place ? Difficult to say. Probably Antarctica... O, and islands. I love islands! Mostly the subantarctic islands, such as Campbell Island, Kerguelen, Crozet and South Georgia.
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