A new year begins. We celebrate earth’s birthday often with a lot of light and noise, food, drink, and surrounded by friends and family. It is also a time to reflect on the year, for better or for worse. I often look back on the year through my photography and re-appreciate the time I’ve had here. It’s a good reminder of the joyous moments and the incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna on earth. As well as looking back, I try to put it in the larger context and look at how I want to move forward with my work. It’s a privilege to be here, to share these images of some of my favorite moments on this wonderful planet.

Thanks so much and happy new year!

Here are some things that happened this year:

Kogia

In march, 2023 with my cousin Nessim Stevenson, and a group wonderful people launched Kogia, and ocean conservation non profit. Kogia had been formulating in my mind since 2018 and we finally got it off the ground and working. We built a library with thousands of photos and videos that are free by those doing nature conservation. It’s been wonderful to build this. I plan to devote much more time towards it in 2024.

You can watch our 1 minute video here

dearMoon / Space X

It’s been just over a year since the dearMoon crew was announced and I still don’t know how to put it into words. Every time I look up at the moon and realize that in the near future I will fly on starship rocket on a week long trip around the moon and to be able to look back at our stunning planet floating in space. I’ve been so lucky to see so many things on this world from volcanic landscapes, to frozen ice worlds and beneath the water with whales and other beautiful animals, but I’ve always been fascinated by space and what it would be like to see the earth from the perspective of the moon. I will of course be documenting this incredible journey with Yusaku Maezawa and the rest of the incredible dearMoon team.

You can see more about the journey here

Iceland

I spend about half the year traveling, but I’ve set up the majority my life in Iceland. My family still lives in Hawaii and I try go back regularly to collect sunshine, and spend time in the ocean and the jungle. Iceland is almost the opposite of Hawaii. It is one of the most inhospitable hospitable places on the planet, with deep darkness in the winter, cold arctic winds. Volatile weather, and volcanoes that sometimes explode near the capital city. But it is also one of the most beautiful, magical places. Summers bring endless light and strange places that belong on an alien planet. I have a beautiful life here, go camping and hiking with my wife Björk in the countryside, an office in the city, and a nice group of friends and community.

Volcano

Volcanoes send some people running. For me, they are magnetic. I am drawn to them, the way a bug is pulled towards the light. It was a volcano that brought me to Iceland in 2021. New earth, molten rock that glows in the dark, the blood of the earth spilling across the land. They are stunningly beautiful but also powerful, scary, and dangerous. On July 10th, Litli-Hrútur erupted 45 minutes from Reykjavík. I already had my bags packed and within minutes the whole city knew. With my wife Björk, my cousin Nessim, and our good friend Norris, we raced to the new eruption site. Cameras, rain gear, hiking poles, gas mask, goggles, food and water. We are fortunate that the geologists and search and rescue in Iceland do a great job at monitoring the situation, keeping people up to date, and safe. Volcanoes are dangerous, and they can be hectic, but they can also be enjoyed if you are prepared.

I made a video from previous eruptions: Blood of the Earth

Swimming with whales

Freediving with humpback and sperm whales is one of the biggest highlights of my year. I run trips in Tonga, French Polynesia, and Dominica. Here are some favorites from this year

Would you like to join me in 2024?

There is still availability on my Swim with Whale Trips in Tonga and Dominica