About this project

Update: Project Funded!!

You guys are amazing! Thanks to your amazing support we hit the funding goal in only 15 days. Can we keep the momentum going, can we hit $5000? The extra money means more adventures, better photos, cooler prints, and more exhibitions when I get back. So keep spreading the word and let's see how far we can get!

Kick-Ass Kiwi Adventure

Certain places in the world are iconic in the nature photography community. Iceland, The Himalaya, Patagonia, Yosemite: their names can start a photographer drooling. Yet one place, despite its astounding natural beauty, has flown below the world's photography radar: New Zealand. 

I'm a nature photographer who is traveling to NZ for 26 days in April 2012 and the goal of my project is simple: to create compelling photos of the most beautiful country on the planet and to turn those photos into a series of limited-edition fine art prints for exhibition.

Who am I?

My name is Josh Cripps and I'm just a normal, fun-loving guy with a passion for photography and travel. I love rock-climbing, volleyball, and jokes about talking muffins. I feel incredibly fortunate that my photography resonates with people and that I get to share my passion with folks around the world. 

You can find out a heckuva lot more about me on my website, blog, and facebook page.

Why should you back this project?

Because you have the power to take something good and make it amazing. The project is already underway, I have my flights booked and my batteries charged. I'm jazzed up and ready to shoot. And the last thing I want is to come home from NZ with disappointing images. Which is why I need your help. I plan to charter scenic flights, go on glacier hikes, and hire outfitters and guides to take me to remote locations in order to get the best photos possible. I'm gathering support to help me cover the costs involved in taking advantage of these special opportunities. Every little bit of support means one more chance to create a killer photo.

And you backers get something awesome and beautiful in return for your support. For your pledge you will receive limited edition fine art prints and canvases of your favorite photos from this Kiwi Adventure. There's no telling what kinds of photos I'm going to take on this trip, but I do know that if they even come close to capturing the splendor of New Zealand they'll be pretty darn sweet. And of course the better my photos are, the better your rewards will be.

So if you're in a position to back a fun, exciting, and adventurous art project, I'd be forever grateful if it's this one. If you'd like a taste of the type of photography I do here are a few of my personal favorite images. 

Why am I going to New Zealand?

New Zealand is the most beautiful place on the planet.

At least, I think it is. When I visited in the past I was absolutely floored by the incredible natural scenery of New Zealand. Where else can you see glaciers descending down mountainslopes to terminate in rainforests? Where can you see two vertical miles of majestic mountain rising from the head of an aquamarine lake? Where else do Dusky dolphins play in the deep waters of one of the world's most magnificent system of fjords? Nowhere but New Zealand.

New Zealand and I have crossed paths a few times, but I've never been there as a serious photographer. It's been four and a half years since my last trip to NZ and as I've become more skilled with a camera I've been hungering to return. New Zealand boasts spectacular landscapes around every corner, but with only 4 million residents the country remains unspoiled and un-photographed. My kind of place.

NZ is unbelievably stunning, but words can only say so much. Check out a few of the images I took on my last trip in 2007, back when I didn't know my aperture from a hole in the ground. The place is so gorgeous that it made even my amateur images look good. Now I've got four more years of experience and expertise under my belt, and the potential for good photography running high.

Where am I going to go on this trip?

I don't have an exact itinerary because I want to keep my schedule loose and flexible, but I do know that I'm spending the entire time on the South Island. I also know that I am flying into Queenstown and that I'll spend a few days in the area, heading to Glenorchy and the Rees/Dart Valley before setting out for Lake Wanaka. I also plan to visit Milford Sound in the south, and Wharariki Beach in the north. And if there's any time left after that I'll visit Arthur's Pass, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, and Mt. Cook National Park. All in all I've got 26 days there and I plan to pack every minute as full as possible. I just wish I could stay longer because even after four weeks there, I'll have barely begun to scratch the surface of this astounding country.

Why April?

Because New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere its seasons our opposite ours here in the US. Which means I'll be hitting NZ in their Autumn. And I'm hoping I'll be lucky enough to catch the peak of their Fall color. In particular there are a few glacially-blue lakes (like Wanaka) that I am especially keen to shoot because of the gold foliage and blue water color contrasts.

Am I going alone?

Right now I'm planning this trip solo, but I'd love to meet up with other photographers and adventurers while I'm over there. If you live in NZ and know a place I absolutely have to visit, or if you're going to be traveling there in April and want to get together for a shoot, send me an email!

If you'd rather travel vicariously, check out the links to the right to see how you can get involved.

What am I raising money for?

First of all, I am not asking you to pay for my trip. I've got the travel already covered. But getting to New Zealand is only half the battle. In order maximize my chances of scoring some really stellar images on this trip, I'll need to take advantage of every opportunity I can, and that means doing things I can't afford to on my own, such as chartering helicopters to fly me to Sutherland Falls, hiring a kayaking outfitter to guide me through Milford Sound, or paying a guide to show me around the Tasman Glacier. 

 Here's the rough breakdown of costs as I see it:

• $250 - some photo accessories (extra memory cards, batteries, filters, etc.).
• $750 - Transport and lodging while in New Zealand in addition to what I've already paid for.
• $1000 - "Opportunity Costs" like helicopter flights, kayak rental, guide fees, etc. Anything I raise above and beyond this would help make the trip even more fantastic.
• $1000 - Rewards for you beautiful backers

So if you feel like seeing New Zealand through my eyes please consider supporting this project. The more I raise, the cooler stuff I'll be able to do, and the better this project will be.

Thank you!

~Josh