Meet the Team

Behind the scenes, there's a committed team of people with a passion for what they do.   The approach is collaborative and we all share our ideas, experiences and values.

Gail has a background in the Travel and Tourism Industry, and specialises in editorial, destination and cause related photography. Her career combines senior management posts with leading UK Tour Operators with roles in Media, PR and Communications.  Drawing on her expertise and personal knowledge, Gail initially founded Responsible Photography Holidays to combine her love of Africa and photographic skills with her strong belief in the importance of encouraging, supporting and helping long term, sustainable, community based tourism and educational projects.  The people who Gail collaborates with all share a commitment to sustainable development. 'We help people who want to help themselves'.  In 2009 Gail and her partners launched Responsible Community Tourism holidays which involve more intimate experiences with local communities and host destinations that are not always appropriate for a group of photographers, however small, brandishing cameras.  More on Gail's professional photographic experience at www.gailwardphotography.co.uk. 

     
Gail in Rwanda©Greg/ Lahcen with his parents, Mouatassim, Ahmed in Morocco©Gail Ward

In  Morocco, our local partners are critical to the success of our different programmes.  There is Lahcen and his team, and, Ahmad and his team - all of whom are equally committed to the development of sustainable tourism. Lahcen completed a degree in Geology and studied 'Responsible Tourism' at University in Marrakech. His parents host the Mountain Village experience with Brahim (now an enthusiastic photographer), a professional guide who was at University with Lahcen. Ahmad is part of a Moroccan owned organisation that has successfully grown over the years - Gail first traveled with them in 1995. Our local driver/guides for the South include Mouatassim and Ahmed,  who share their love of Morocco and are equally committed to the development of sustainable tourism. Mouatassim has a fantastic rapport with everyone we meet, and is developing a great eye for a photo. He also understands the importance of light and makes sure we are in the right place at the right time!  Ahmed's home is the South of Morocco, so he knows this region really well and was with Gail on her very first photo trail. He was also with the famous 'les cinq gazelles' - 5 ladies on holiday whom he still talks about!  Read their story here.
 
Our partners for Rwanda include Michael, Greg, and their teams.   Michael studied at the International Centre for  Responsible Tourism at the University of Greenwich and wrote his Ph.D. thesis on tourism's poverty-reducing impacts in Rwanda.  German born and based,  much of his time is spent East Africa where he is committed to leading a growing business. He works with local people to develop new income generating opportunities as well as with major Corporations and Institutions who are able to offer both financial and professional expertise. Greg returned to Rwanda from a Ugandan refugee camp with his family after the genocide in 1994 and is involved with community based tourism as well as establishing an 'Integrated Development Project'  that includes an education centre. Our motto, 'we share because we care' was translated from kinyarwanda. The phrase 'life changing experience' becomes real when you travel to both Rwanda and Ethiopia.
        
                    Greg, his family and team in Rwanda                                                   RPH partner Asrat, team Negash  and  Girma with shoeboy Birara in Ethiopia        

In Ethiopia, our partners include Asrat and Mark. Asrat was born in Northern Ethiopia, but when the border war with Eritrea escalated, his family moved to Eastern Ethiopia. After high school, he studied Travel and Tourism, then gained invaluable experience  through working with a large Tour Operator. With his own thoughts on how tourism could be developed in Ethiopia, he decided to set up on his own with the goal of changing the negative image of Ethiopia through developing a responsible and sustainable tourism business. Working with local service providers, his commitment to social and environmental implications make Asrat a very welcome addition to Responsible Photography Holiday's team of partners, and he is committed to making our new programmes in Ethiopia a success. His wish is for 'the true beneficiaries of tourism to be the Ethiopian people because they are the future of this beautiful country. We invite you to join us and experience the reality'.  Negash is one of our driver/guides (with a natural talent for photography)  and Girma  is one of our regional guides.  Mark has been instrumental in developing Community Based Tourism projects in Ethiopia that provide direct income generation for a growing number of people, enabling them to develop sustainable livelihoods. We stay with one or two of the projects on our photo holidays to Ethiopia, but you can enjoy trekking and stay much longer on a Community Tourism Holiday.

Ian was born in a rural area of Guilin and his passion for the countryside is huge. He always enjoys sharing and exploring the rural local life with his clients and has developed a deep fascination with ethnic minority groups in China. He wants the opportunity to offer other people the chance to experience his rich culture and diverse customs while at the same time seeing some of the world's most amazing sites and scenery, and really hopes the holidays we offer do this and more. Ian studied tourism in Universal, gained his Master’s degree followed by valuable work experience as a tour guide. He is looking forward to becoming a Responsible Photography Holiday's partner so that he can learn more. Ian's small team have different backgrounds and they don't simply travel with you, but are professional people who understand their history and culture and know the local people as their friends

Steph is taking a degree in Fashion and Contour Design having completed an Arts Foundation course at Northbrook College, Worthing  after studying fashion and textiles at Chichester College (where she gained 2 distinctions and a merit). A warranted adult leader wtih girlguiding UK, Steph is 'arts and textiles' advisor, sharing her skills and ideas, as well as gaining useful work experience. Our logo - see the top of each page - designed by Steph was unveiled in May 2009. See the news page for more info. When time permits, Steph is working on designs for our new merchandise which we hope to launch with local partners in the future.

Stuart is a clinical team leader (NHS SE Ambulance trust). In 2009 he worked on secondment with The Princes Trust. A passion for the outdoors, he was a serious paddler; canoeing and kayaking some of the world's most challenging waters. Running, cycling and mountain biking are his other passions - in 2008 he set himself the goal of running a marathon every month!  Stuart brings lots of expertise to his role as volunteer 'activities advisor' for our holidays, projects and activities (he's also Gail's brother!). All being well, he will be running the 2011 Marrakech Marathon and perhaps in the future, will have an opportunity to run in Ethiopia.

Responsible Photography Holidays
we share because we care