“Let’s explore them all.” That was the spark—the moment of shared madness—when Ellie and Jake, a British couple with backpacks, a drone, and two camera lenses between them, decided to embark on the journey of a lifetime: to explore and photograph as many of the 7,641 islands of the Philippines as possible.
What started as a casual conversation over a sunset cocktail in Palawan quickly grew into a mission. “We weren’t satisfied with just visiting the Philippines,” says Ellie, a passionate landscape photographer. “We wanted to feel it, live it, and document its every color, corner, and curve—from the remote islets of Batanes to the jungle-draped coves of Siargao.”
Jake, an aspiring filmmaker and drone pilot, adds, “Everyone knows about Boracay or El Nido, but there are hundreds of unnamed islands, untouched villages, and crystal-clear lagoons that barely make it to a map. These places are hidden gems—and we’re determined to uncover them, respectfully and creatively.”
Their goal is equal parts adventure and art: to create the most comprehensive visual diary of the Philippine archipelago ever attempted by a foreign couple. Armed with waterproof gear, solar power banks, and an unquenchable thirst for discovery, they’ve already touched down on over 40 islands—each offering a new flavor, face, or story.
On Bantayan Island, they captured fishermen hauling in their sunrise catch, their faces lit with pride and salt-air joy. In Camiguin, Jake’s drone soared above waterfalls cascading into volcanic craters. In tiny Kalanggaman, Ellie snapped what she calls “the purest sandbar I’ve ever seen—it looked like a brushstroke on the ocean.”
Yet, it’s not just about the beauty shots. The couple is documenting culture and climate too—ancestral crafts in Panay, tribal tattoos in Kalinga, the gentle erosion of beaches in Samar due to rising tides. Their blog, IslandLens.ph, has started gaining traction, drawing attention from eco-tourism groups and even schools using their photos in geography lessons.
Living mostly off-grid, they sleep in beach huts, accept local meals with gratitude, and always ask permission before photographing a person or sacred site. “It’s not just a photo safari,” Ellie explains. “It’s about connection.”
Despite challenges like unpredictable weather, spotty Wi-Fi, and boat schedules that run on “island time,” their spirits remain high. “Every wave that soaks the lens, every wrong turn into the jungle—it’s all part of the story,” Jake laughs. “You can’t plan magic. You have to chase it.”
Looking ahead, they have their sights on the Tawi-Tawi islands, often overlooked due to distance and misperception. “We believe every island has a heartbeat, a rhythm of life that deserves to be seen and felt,” Ellie says.
Their adventure is far from over, and they have no fixed end date. “We’ll stop when the last shutter clicks on the last island,” Jake grins. “Or maybe we won’t stop at all.”
One island. One camera. One story at a time. The Philippines through their eyes is not just a place—it’s an unfolding love letter to nature, culture, and the power of human curiosity.
📸 Follow their journey on my blog