Lands End - Winter content Trip

Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th Nov 2024

3 days of winter lifestyle content creation. Here is my winter content camp round up… Capturing Winter's Magic with Swarovski Optiks: A Journey to Land’s End and Dartmoor. This included showcasing my journey with products in an active style, complimenting brands and bringing products to life. In the form of video and stills, the goal was to capture the natural, the believable lifestyle moments and the breath taking views that we faced along the journey. A product test and a true story.

During Storm Burt, I embarked on an unforgettable three-day winter content trip, armed with the Swarovski Optiks brand and an adventurous spirit. Joined by a small but mighty team of creatives, we set out to capture the raw beauty of the British wilderness. From the rugged shores of Land’s End to the misty moors of Dartmoor, this journey was a celebration of nature, storytelling, and the art of outdoor photography and videography.

Day 1: Discovering the Mysteries of Land’s End

Our adventure began at Land’s End, the southwestern tip of England known for its dramatic cliffs and windswept beauty. This iconic location became our playground as we trained our Swarovski Optiks on the horizon, seeking out the graceful grey seals that inhabit the area.

The seals didn’t disappoint—they surfaced in the chilly waters, their sleek forms a striking contrast against the frothy waves. With Swarovski’s precision optics in hand, we captured every detail as the grey seals beached on land before the high tide. Photographing with the Canon 70mm - 200mm mounted to a tripod allowed us to photograph the glistening sheen of their fur, and the way they moved effortlessly through their natural habitat. The 50 knot winds did make this a challenge though as even the tripod was on the move!

The day was a masterclass in patience and observation and a battle of the wind and rain. Between the seals’ appearances, we marvelled at the power of the ocean and how the grey seals were not bothered by these wild and rough conditions. Instead they used it as a playground, we knew we had captured something special.

Day 2: Traversing the Moors of Dartmoor

The next leg of our journey took us inland to Dartmoor, a vast expanse of moorland shrouded in mist and mystery. Dartmoor in winter feels otherworldly—its rugged tors, ancient woodlands, and open plains provide a stark yet stunning backdrop.

Our mission here was to track and photograph the elusive white deer and photograph the Swarovski Optiks NL Pure Binocular range. Known for their ghostly elegance, these creatures are a rare and magical sight. As we trekked through the moors, Swarovski Optiks proved valuable, helping us scan the landscape with unparalleled clarity.

Hours of searching paid off when we spotted a small herd grazing in a secluded forest. Among them was the white deer, its pristine coat glowing like a beacon in the dim light. The moment was fleeting, but with cameras and lenses ready, we immortalized its ethereal presence in both photo and video.

The rest of the day was spent exploring Dartmoor’s many hidden corners, from moss-covered stone walls to winding brooks that shimmered in the winter light. The moor seemed alive with stories, each one begging to be told through our lenses.

Day 3: Reflecting on the Journey

Our final day was a chance to reflect on the trip and capture a few last shots of Dartmoor’s rugged beauty. As the fog rolled in, we embraced the challenge of low light, experimenting with compositions that highlighted the interplay of shadow and texture.

The Swarovski Optiks gear remained a cornerstone of our creative process, enabling us to push the boundaries of what we could capture. Whether zooming in on the intricate patterns of rain drops dripping on the leaves or tracking distant wildlife, the equipment delivered every time.

By the end of the trip, our team had amassed a treasure trove of content—photographs and videos that encapsulate the wild beauty of winter in the UK. But more importantly, we left with a renewed sense of wonder for the natural world and the tools that allow us to share its story.

Conclusion: The Power of Connection

This trip was about more than just creating content; it was about forging deeper connections—with nature, with our craft, and with each other. Swarovski Optiks played a crucial role in that journey, transforming the way we saw and captured the world.

As I look back on the weekend, I’m reminded of the magic that winter holds—a time of quiet beauty and unexpected encounters. And I’m grateful for the opportunity to share that magic with others, one image at a time.

This was a really good opportunity to offer outdoor lifestyle brands the chance for extra Winter content to support their campaigns for next year. Planning these trips and the expectations I had was different from how the trip went but overall brands and myself were very happy with what we delivered. The year 2024 offered two content trips; Scotland in February and South West UK in November both providing unpredictable conditions, light and occasional harsh weather. The idea of this content trip was to not hide away from this but to show all of the elements that we faced and tell a true story using brands and their products and kit to get us through. The mood of the deliverables was to be dark in colour, moody conditions and a sense of winter to give outdoor lifestyle plenty of photography and video content for the following years winter season.