Born in 1990 on the island of Guernsey, Luke has always had a great fascination with the outdoors, nature, exploration and people.

“I lived in London during my childhood before returning to Guernsey in 2003. On such a small island, it is easy to get cabin fever and so in my early 20’s, travelling became a big deal! The more I saw, the more I wanted to experience, eventually culminating in an incredible round the world 9-month trip over 2017/8. I learnt a lot over this time, honed my skills and met some incredible people all of which has given me the confidence to give photography a shot.

Photography allows me to get outside and look at things in a different way, to examine the world, to pay attention to the environment around me and look closely at what I’m seeing”

What is a typical day like for you?

Beside progressing the finance career, trying to spend as much time on/ in/ near the sea taking photos of any water sports.

What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?

Spending the long summer holidays on the island of Herm in the Channel Islands, it is an incredibly idyllic place, quiet and beautiful. Growing up I was always fascinated with wildlife and religiously watched documentaries of Steve Irwin & David Attenborough. I was also a very active person, particularly on the water with sailing and windsurfing my 2 main sports.

What path did you choose after leaving school?

I graduated from Exeter with a degree in Geography in 2012 and returned home to Guernsey with an ambition to enter sustainable energy. Without a degree in engineering or finance however, I was unable to secure a job in the industry. I decided that training with a big 4 accountancy firm in Guernsey would give me the business angle I needed. I qualified as an accountant 3 years later in 2016. I knew it wasn't me, but those skills allowed me to make a big difference in the next role I had at Guernsey Electricity where I was in charge of researching new energy technologies, such as renewable energy and electric vehicles. I helped inform and redesign their energy strategy in order to best future proof the energy grid, providing greater savings and energy resilience for all stakeholders.

I have travelled the world, seen beautiful destinations, but also the devastation caused by unsustainable practices, be it deforestation, pollution, particularly plastic waste, coral bleaching and habitat loss.

What do you value most in life?

Time with friends and family, staying fit and healthy.

What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?

Rewilding areas of the world primarily. Reducing waste rates to better use our resources, use less land and give it over to nature in order to restore ecosystems and biodiversity. Above all reduce our impact on the planet.

We have a moral duty to protect and preserve this one world and it's high time things change and that’s only possible through awareness of the issues. I believe there has been an increased awareness of environmental destruction in recent years but people only act when they feel either attached or affected by a story. Storytelling then is a critical part of engagement and spurring the action needed to make a difference.

Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?

Blue Planet, Before the Flood, Our Planet & Extinction

What brings you the most joy?

Being outside - quite simply. But if I were to provide more content I love being surrounded by nature, seeing a flourishing and healthy ecosystem is calming in so many ways, it brings peace to the mind.

What legacy do you hope to leave?

Leave the world in a better place. I am only 30, but even in my time, I have seen significant environmental degradation and declining numbers of species. It would be fantastic to see this improve and be part of this regeneration. As highlighted by recent documentaries Extinction and Blue Planet 2, engaging the public can make a huge difference to people’s perception and appreciation for the natural world.

Combining this appreciation for the natural world with some ‘reality’ viewing can often bring about the most change. Nature documentaries often portray the natural world in all its beauty but fail to show the reality that many environments are facing serious degradation. Extinction was particularly good in this regard and a highly recommended viewing. Therefore the legacy I would like to leave is one where I have really helped capture that appreciation for the natural world and made people care more about the choices they make to help protect it.