An Interview with Sue Flood, Photo Ambassador

Sue Flood is one of the most famous wildlife and cultural photographers in the world that you’ve never heard of. Just how famous? She has worked side-by-side with Sir David Attenborough, curtsied before Queen Elizabeth II, and (we’re guessing) gone weak in the knees upon meeting George Clooney. We’re privileged to call her one of our first onboard Photo Ambassadors. 

In the fall of 2021, PONANT’s luxury expedition ship Le Charcot Commandant became the first French vessel to arrive at the North Pole. The voyage was a dry run – a test to work out any unforeseen wrinkles before welcoming guests on board. To help us document the historic journey, we invited renowned Welsh photographer Sue Flood.

Her international reputation preceded her. Sue has been photographing the polar regions for more than 25 years and has been to Antarctica more than 50 times. She worked for 11 years with the BBC Natural History Unit and published two books of her work, Cold Places and Emperor: The Perfect Penguin. 

Today, we’re proud to say that Sue is one of PONANT’s first Photo Ambassadors – a prestigious post through which she shares her photography and wildlife expertise with guests as we cruise to the farthest reaches of the world on Le Commandant Charcot.

We thought it was high time you met this woman of adventure, this documentarian of the poles. You’re sure to be as starstruck as we were.

How did you arrive at PONANT?

I was approached by PONANT in 2021 as I had previously visited the North Pole seven times on board two Russian nuclear icebreakers – a far cry from Le Commandant Charcot, which is the world’s only luxury icebreaker that runs on clean liquefied natural gas. Anyway, I was fortunate to be on board for Le Commandant Charcot’s maiden voyage to the North Pole and to meet CEO Hervé Gastinel. I was so impressed by the ship, the captain, the crew, and the company that I became very keen to work with them all. So I was delighted to be invited to do just that.

What were you doing before joining PONANT?

I was trained as a zoologist, then spent 11 years working with the BBC on award-winning documentary series such as The Blue Planet and Planet Earth with Sir David Attenborough. I first worked as a researcher, then associate producer and producer/director all over the world. This was when I first visited the polar regions, in 1996, and I discovered then that there is nowhere else like these stunning wilderness areas – just magnificent wildlife, incredible landscapes, and – in the case of the Arctic – fascinating and friendly indigenous people. Antarctica is still my favorite place on earth.

I decided to leave on a high after Planet Earth so I could concentrate on my photography. This led to a wonderful new chapter working on expedition ships all over the world, lecturing on wildlife and photography, as well as working for private clients. I also wrote two books about the polar regions, Cold Places and Emperor: The Perfect Penguin. 

Your books were well received?

Yes! I was surprised and delighted to be invited to meet Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace after Cold Places was published. And both books were recognized in the International Photography Awards. I always say that I have the best job in the world! 

Who has been your greatest influence as a photographer?

Without question, it’s Sir David Attenborough, the legendary British broadcaster. He’s inspired me since I was a child, so to work with him on various award-winning documentaries was a dream come true.

What have been some of the most exciting or life-changing moments in your career?

I’m extremely fortunate to have had so many! Swimming with a humpback whale mother and calf in the South Pacific during the making of Planet Earth; living with Inuit hunters on the ice floe edge in the Arctic and swimming with narwhals; camping in an emperor penguin colony in Antarctica for several weeks; spending time with Nenets reindeer herders in Siberia. And it was thrilling to reach the North Pole (for the eighth time!) on board Le Commandant Charcot, and a few months later reach the furthest South of any ship in history in Antarctica’s Bay of Whales with fellow Photo Ambassador Ian Dawson.

On a different note, I once served as a private guide for a client in Antarctica. He thanked me by taking me to a Hollywood party where I met George Clooney! 

You have spent so much time photographing wildlife, have you made any exciting discoveries?

I was extremely fortunate to photograph some incredibly rare behavior during my time on The Blue Planet. I recorded some killer whales hunting gray whales in California and polar bears hunting beluga whales in the high Arctic. Capturing these images helped me become a Fellow of both the Explorers’ Club and the Royal Geographical Society.

What do you enjoy most about traveling with PONANT guests?

I love meeting people and sharing my passion for the poles, wildlife, and photography. PONANT guests are very well-travelled and it’s wonderful to experience these incredible polar adventures with like-minded people.

What is the most memorable moment you’ve had during a PONANT expedition or cruise?

I remember standing on deck, watching a polar bear mother and her cub walk off into the distance against a stunning low orange sun as we were en route to the North Pole. It was a very special moment. Then there was the time I walked out onto the sea ice around midnight at the North Pole with Captain Garcia and fellow ambassador Ian Dawson. The light was incredible!

Moments like these remind me what an incredible privilege it is to travel to these wilderness areas in comfort and safety aboard the magnificent Le Commandant Charcot.

You can see some of Sue’s work – and get inspired to take your own amazing photos! – at her website here. 

You can join Sue Flood or one of our other remarkably talented and distinguished Photo Ambassadors when you join us in the Arctic or Antarctica aboard the world’s only luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot.