Journey to the Icy Wilderness

Back in November 2019, Rich and Jingru went on this epic 29-day adventure to Antarctica, like, one of the most untouched spots on the planet. They were out there living their best life, hopping on Zodiacs to land right in the middle of this icy wonderland. The vibes were unreal, and they were snapping fire pics of all the wild animals. Think penguins waddling like total bosses, albatrosses gliding smooth over the frosty waves, seals chilling up close, and whales just stealing the show. Every shot they took was straight-up proof of how connected they felt to this crazy, untouched place. Their love for wildlife photography? It’s all there, popping off in every pic of Antarctica’s incredible creatures.

Jingru Luo in Antarctic

“XIANW” Penguins lining up to welcome our fellow adventurers coming in via Inflatable Zodiacs—Jingru Luo

PSA GOLD MEDALS: 2020 Bengal, 2020 CFA Circuit, 2020 Pentagon Circuit, 2020 Artistic Creations

An adult king penguin and a fluffy chick interacting on a sandy beach.

“Baby Food” PSA GOLD MEDAL: 2020 Calcutta Super Circuit

Awards in 17 International PSA and FIAP Exhibitions

“Baby Food” On our wild trip to Antarctica we hopped off the Zodiac and started trekking across Saunders Island in the Falklands. While we were vibin’ inland, I peeped this King Penguin straight-up feeding its super fluffy chick. It was such a wholesome moment, so I low-key set up my tripod and snapped some pics.

I kept moving around to get different angles, but I made sure to stay chill and respect the wildlife, keeping my distance like a pro. Spent a ton of time snapping more shots, just soaking in the moment. Later, I hit the beach to check out the Rockhopper Penguins—Richard Bailey

Two rockhopper penguins standing on a wet rocky surface, engaging in a social interaction, with wings open and water splashing around them.

“Argument” Check it out, two Rockhopper Penguins splashing around in a puddle on the rocky shore of Saunders Island, just living their best lives!—Richard Bailey

Zodiac boat with people in orange jackets near iceberg arch in polar waters.

“Tanx” PSA GOLD MEDALS: 2020 Grip Grin Circuit, 2020 Vivid Circuit, 2020 Uluberia International, 2020 Calcutta Super Circuit

Two elephant seal pups playfully interacting on a sandy beach.

“Ouch” Awards in 8 International PSA and FIAP Exhibitions

“Ouch” Down in the Antarctic, we saw two seals smooching like they were in the middle of a snow-day love story! They were super playful, rolling around and popping up like they knew we were watching. It honestly felt like they were showing off just for us, total goofballs in love!—Jingru Luo

A large group of king penguins and elephant seals on a misty, rocky beach.

“WQEWG” PSA GOLD MEDALS: 2020 Gold Huabiao, 2020 Digitalna Foto, 2020 Mammoth Circuit

“WQEWG” Awards in 30 PSA and FIAP International Exhibitions

I was strolling along the misty Antarctic shore, and there were, like, a bazillion penguins waddling around with all these seals! Some were huge Elephant Seals, technically called Mirounga leonina, just chilling with the other seals. It was totally wild seeing them all hanging out together, slipping and sliding in the fog like they owned the place!—Jingru Luo

Group of king penguins standing on a rocky shore near sleeping seals and a pup, with ocean water in the background.

“Howdy” incredible how various species of wildlife in Antarctica gets along so comfortably. Penguins, seals and even huge elephant seals!—Richard Bailey

“Howdy” Awards in 31 International PSA and FIAP Exhibitions

Two chinstrap penguins facing each other with open beaks, surrounded by other penguins, on a rocky terrain.

“Qingmi” Two penguins were posted up side by side on this icy Antarctic slope, lookin' all sleek in their black-and-white fits. They were straight-up vibin', heads tilted way back, beaks pointin' to the sky like they were belting out a banger or just yellin' at the clouds. Their eyes were poppin' with energy against the snowy scene, and it felt like the air was buzzin' with their wild, hype energy. I was just locked in, totally stoked by their epic performance.—Jingru Luo

Elephant seals on a sandy beach with a group of penguins in the background.

“Elephant Seals” PSA GOLD MEDALS: 2020 Indian Photo, 2020 Vivid Circuit

Awards in 14 International PSA and FIAP Exhibitions

On the icy Antarctic shore, I was pumped to snap pics of two huge elephant seals going at it, their roars totally wild as they slammed into each other. A few penguins just chilled nearby, looking curious like they were watching a show, while some smaller seals kicked back on the ice, super relaxed. A bunch of other photographers were in my way at first, but they bolted when one seal let out a crazy loud roar and a gross, stinky cloud puffed out of its mouth, giving me the perfect shot of this epic, in-your-face moment.—Richard Bailey

A large group of penguins gathered closely together on a rocky surface, possibly king penguins, with black and white bodies and distinctive orange-yellow markings on their heads and necks.

“PSDHQE” As I stood at the base of a snowy mountainside in Antarctica, camera in hand, a large group of penguins crested the ridge, advancing slowly in a waddling procession. Their black-and-white forms stood out vividly against the vast, snowy expanse, each step a deliberate shuffle through the powdery snow. While a few playfully slid down on their bellies, the great majority marched upright, their determined waddle unbroken as they passed right in front of me. I snapped away, capturing the rhythmic parade, their soft honks mingling with the crunch of snow, unfazed by my presence in their icy domain.—Jingru Luo

Two juvenile elephant seals interacting playfully on a beach.

“Happiness” smiling seals!—Richard Bailey

Dramatic sunset over snow-capped mountains, vibrant pink and orange clouds in sky, reflecting on calm sea.

“Antarctic Sunrise” As I descended to a lower deck of the Sea Spirit to refill our water bottles, the Antarctic air crisp and biting, I crossed paths with the Captain, who paused to share a quiet tip: a spectacular sunrise was unfolding over the icy waters. Hurrying back, I grabbed my camera and reached the deck just as the horizon ignited with hues of rose and gold, the sun’s first rays glinting off towering icebergs and casting a surreal glow across the pristine Antarctic seascape. The Sea Spirit gently rocked in the stillness, and I framed shot after shot, capturing the fleeting moment where the world seemed to pause in reverence to the dawn’s raw beauty.—Richard Bailey

A group of penguins on a snowy shore near a flagpole with a flag, in front of a mountainous, icy landscape and calm water, with mountains in the background.

“Assembly” On King George Island, a small group of penguins had gathered at the base of a flagpole where the Argentine flag fluttered in the cold Antarctic breeze. The scene felt almost symbolic. These curious, tuxedoed locals circling the emblem of human presence in their icy world. I watched from a short distance as they shuffled and paused, seemingly unbothered by the wind or the nearby research station. Their natural curiosity brought a gentle, almost comical contrast to the stark surroundings and the bold colors of the flag above. It was one of those quiet, unscripted moments where nature and human outposts briefly intersect.—Richard Bailey

Cruise ship in Antarctic waters with penguins on the shore and icy mountains in the background.

“Birds and Boats” PSA GOLD MEDAL: 2021 Visual Arts Circuit

“Birds and Boats” That’s our ship, the Sea Spirit. The penguins are going about their ways while some are curiously observing us. That’s one of the zodiacs returning to the ship.—Richard Bailey

Cruise ship and inflatable boats in a bay with mountains; penguins and seals on the shore.

“Expedition” A few more penguins gathering along the rocky shore watching a couple of our zodiacs on there way back to the ship.—Richard Bailey

Penguins near a wooden shed labeled "Casa de Botes" on a snowy and rocky terrain with more penguins in the background.

“Casa de Botes” We zipped up to Casa De Botes in Antarctica on a Zodiac boat, bouncing over chilly waves with crazy huge glaciers and icebergs all around us. We hopped off onto a rocky shore, super careful not to mess up the environment, with our expedition crew leading the way. The place was wild. Old, beat-up whaling station buildings sitting there like ghosts in the snow. We snapped a ton of pics, totally obsessed with how the rusty ruins looked against the epic, snowy mountains and that unreal Antarctic vibe.—Richard Bailey

Antarctic landscape featuring a directional pole with multiple destination signs, people in red jackets, reflecting icy waters, and snowy cliffs.

“Directions” While exploring Grytviken on South Georgia Island during our Sea Spirit expedition, we came across the well-known signpost showing distances to cities all over the world. A striking reminder of how remote we really were. A small group of fellow travelers had gathered near the sign, taking in the scene quietly, and I took a few candid photos of the moment. Just beyond it was the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the legendary explorer whose Antarctic journeys have inspired generations. The mix of rugged landscape, scattered relics from the whaling station, and the deep history of the place gave the moment a kind of quiet weight. It felt like one of those rare places where time slows down and the past feels close.—Richard Bailey

Group of people in red jackets observing and photographing penguins near the ocean.

“Encounter” From a distance, I captured a quiet moment as a few members of our Antarctic group waited patiently to take their shots, the sea stretching out behind them and a cluster of penguins milling about in the foreground, just slightly out of focus. The scene had a calm, almost cinematic feel. No one posing, just absorbed in the rhythm of the place. Jingru stood beside her tripod, focused and steady, ready to catch the perfect frame. It was one of those candid moments where everything felt perfectly in place: the raw beauty of Antarctica, the wildlife going about its day, and a few humans quietly sharing the space.—Richard Bailey

A group of photographers in red jackets taking photos of penguins on a snowy shoreline with ocean in the background.

“Photo Shoot” These guys have finally found something interesting that caught their attention. This is another candid shot I took with my 100-400 zoom.—Richard Bailey

A group of penguins walking on a snowy path beside large rocks and stained snow in a polar environment, likely Antarctica.

“Penguin Highway” In Antarctica, penguins stick to set paths between their nests and the ocean. So regular they're actually called “penguin highways.” In this photo you can see them confidently marching along one of these snowy trails. Down there, penguins have the right of way no matter what. If one crosses your path, you stop and wait, it’s just how it works. You’re not allowed to approach them, but if a penguin decides to come up and say hi (which happens more than you’d think), that’s totally okay. It’s one of the coolest things about being around wildlife in their world—Richard Bailey

Colony of penguins on Antarctic shore with snow-covered landscape and icebergs in the background.

“Penguin Village” Another zoom landing on the icy shore in our zodiac, and OMG, the place was totally popping with penguins! Tons of them were just chilling, waddling around, and flapping their flippers like they owned the snowy slopes. I grabbed my camera and snapped a pic of this huge crew, some fluffing their feathers, others just goofing off in the sparkly snow. The Antarctic sun made everything glow super cool, turning the whole scene into this awesome, lively penguin party town!—Richard Bailey

Group of penguins on a snowy shore with glacier in the background and a boat on the water.

“Theyre Coming” From my spot on the shore, I watched a group of penguins gathered near the water’s edge as one of our zodiacs approached. Among them stood one of the larger penguins, not quite centered but standing slightly apart, catching my eye just as it raised its right flipper in a striking gesture. The others looked on silently, but this one seemed to be making an announcement, its posture bold, almost theatrical. The moment felt like a scene from a play, and I captured it just as the bird appeared to declare, “They’re Coming.” It was a perfectly timed, unscripted encounter between wildlife and human presence, full of character and quiet humor.—Richard Bailey

Two whales swimming on the ocean surface, aerial view.

“Orca Friends” during our trip, a big crew of orcas rolled up to our boat! They were all around us, totally stoked to strike poses for our cameras while they splashed and played in the water.—Richard Bailey

A group of seabirds on a rocky shoreline, featuring a penguin with its mouth open and brown birds with wings extended.

“Leave” In this intense moment, a penguin charges forward, shouting its warning as a mostly black skua with white patches on its wings lands nearby, clearly eyeing the penguin eggs. The penguin’s fierce posture and open beak show pure anger and determination to protect its vulnerable brood. The skua, known for its aggressive scavenging and egg-stealing behavior, faces a fearless defender unwilling to back down. This raw encounter perfectly captures the constant struggle for survival in Antarctica, where every bird must fight to protect its future. —Richard Bailey