Ambassadors | Martin Sikma & Pleun Bonekamp
Wildlife Photographers
Stronger Together
Equipped by Cortazu
Cortazu is committed to providing equipment that simplifies travel. We empower inspiring photographers like Martin & Pleun to continue capturing the beauty of wildlife. Our paths come together here. With Cortazu's support, they capture what makes wildlife so beautiful, up close and personal. And we're very proud to be part of this.
To gain further insight into their universe, we had a conversation with them to discuss their personal stories, travels, and their motivations for partnering with Cortazu!
Why do you think you match with Cortazu so well?
As photographers we want to focus on being creative without having to worry about the elements. The wildlife we photograph is often unpredictable and the conditions in which we photograph are often challenging. Staying dry and warm is therefore essential to maximize our time in the field, which greatly increases our photo opportunities. As we care deeply about nature and animals, we only collaborate with brands who do too. The animal-friendly featherless insulation and the use of recycled material without compromising quality is something we really appreciate. We love to work together to actively minimize the impact on the environment.
What are your favorite Cortazu items?
We don’t have to think long about this! The all-weather hardshell jacket has been our favorite piece of clothing we brought on our trip. It makes photographing in pouring rain or on windy mountain peaks a bit easier and fun. The long back panel and arm sleeves of the hardshell are perfect for staying dry and we love the deep green color so we can wear it both in nature and on a casual walk around town.
Staying warm and dry is essential for us, and the combination of the hardshell jacket with the all-weather midlayer really delivers in all the climates we experienced. We often wear the midlayer as a standalone piece, enjoying the arctic weather comfortably next to a campfire.
Shop Martin's & Pleun's Favourites
What attracts you to traveling and photography?
Travel and photography are intertwined for us. Exploring new places stimulates creativity, broadens our mind and puts life into perspective. As the world is rapidly changing, many unique places and animals are unfortunately disappearing. Photography is a way to express our view on the world and by sharing our work we try to highlight the diversity and uniqueness of our planet.
What's your best travel memory?
We have travelled to all seven continents and they are all unique in their own way. So it is really hard to pick just one! In general we love remote places, as these places are least disturbed by humans and nature can thrive. These are also the places where we feel inspired and creative. In both the Arctic and Antarctic we have felt this the strongest, but there is one memory we can’t get out of our mind, and that is the first sight we had of Antarctica. After 2 days of sailing across the Drake passage, we reached this mysterious continent. Incredible black mountains, partly covered with snow and glaciers, towered from the black water, which was covered with icebergs. It felt like we were traveling back in time, before humans shaped our planet. Penguins, whales and seals roamed around, without any fear of humans, making us feel visitors in this special place.
This trip allowed us to experience how beautiful the world can be when it is undisturbed. It was a life-changing feeling, after which we better understood the impact we humans have on our planet.
