I’m pleased to act as a judge for the 2009 Galaxy Awards – a world wide competition to honor marketing, advertising and PR professionals. The 12 entries I am judging range in medium from brochures to full marketing campaigns and have been submitted from countries ranging from China to Germany.
Like Detroit, Africa engenders a bit of anxiety in most potential travelers because of media hype as well as a lack of knowledge. As an example, I have been taking photographers and observers to Tanzania for the last 5 years (17 trips) and we have never had a bad experience with safety, health or insects. Every time we enjoy hundreds of incredible wildlife experiences, sightings of bird life beyond expectations, and beautiful landscapes.
Tanzanians consider their country as the Switzerland of Africa, and they back that moniker up with the fact that they have never had tribal wars or even fought their former colonial masters. The warm welcome one gets from the locals is truly one of the fond memories that each and every visitor brings home with them. One of the challenges facing this safe and stable but yet poor country is marketing their incredible natural wonders. Surprising to most is that the Serengeti National Park and Mt. Kilimanjaro are both actually in Tanzania and not in Kenya. The strategic foresight of reserving 25% of their land mass for wildlife is beginning to pay off and will serve them well far into the future.
When I first started my photo safaris as a business, I assumed my prospective clients were all serious photographers. However, I find that just as many people have had life long dreams of going to Africa, but really appreciate going with someone that knows where they are going, when to go there, and can ease the fear of the unknown. On the February trip this year there were just 3 of the 12 people that were serious photographers. Whether it’s photography, the wildlife or both that draw you to Africa, you should not hesitate because of safety or health concerns.
International wildlife and travel photographer, William Cowger of Troy, Michigan, is proud to announce a photography exhibit that provides a visual adventure of African wildlife that will run from Friday April 17 through June 18, 2009 at the Paramount Gallery at 22635 Woodward Ave Ferndale, MI . The hours of the gallery are from 9AM-5PM M-T and 9AM-6PM Fridays. The Grand Opening will be Friday May 15 from 5PM-7PM.
An updated exhibit of ‘Cats Being Cats’ is sure to whet the appetite of the most savvy art, wildlife, travel and photography enthusiast. The exhibit consists of 26 prints of African cats (lions, cheetahs, leopards, and servals) doing what cats do, and a continuously running video of safari adventures. Witness the famous tree climbing lions of Tanzania, see the cats hunting, nurturing, posing, feeding, and resting above as well as on the endless plains. For the first time anywhere see tree climbing cheetahs as well.
Get the feel of the adventure of a lifetime – maybe to the point of deciding to actually go on safari, therefore experiencing first hand Mr. Cowger’s thrilling, once in a lifetime photo safaris and workshops (held several times each year). Be sure to ask for details or view them for yourself at Mr. Cowger’s website: www.ThePhotoSafari.com
Who Says Cheetahs Don't Climb Trees?
