Behind the Camera with a Natural History Cinematographer

“So, what do you call yourself?” I open our interview with this question even though I’ve called my interview subject a friend for nearly a year. He is a true multi-hyphenate, observing the natural world through many lenses. “Natural history cinematographer” best captures the role of Jeffrey Garriock. His work is very much part of a scientific field of study—one where observation ranks higher than experimentation. He just so happens to observe with expensive and elaborate camera equipment. He tells me this title reflects his respect for nature and wildlife, and how that drives his work. It also drives his dietary preferences, so we have this conversation over dinner at a vegetarian restaurant in Toronto.  

As a child, the bright yellow covers of National Geographic drew Jeffrey into an early education of the natural world. He was fortunate to accompany his father on a scuba trip to the Great Barrier Reef at just 13 years old. A videographer joined the dive, and after seeing the footage, Jeffrey’s passion was forged. Over 20 years later, his IMDb credits now include camera operator, photographer, cinematographer, and director. He has filmed the Antarctic Ocean, the plains of Africa, and even the Chernobyl nuclear exclusion zone. 

Iconic series like BBC’s Planet Earth and Blue Planet have set new standards in wildlife documentaries, captivating viewers with incredible footage. Mere seconds on the screen can take days to capture. Jeffrey once spent nine days in the cold for a single shot of a polar bear and her cub emerging from their den. An unexpected phytoplankton bloom in the Eastern Tropical Pacific once interrupted his production for three days. He muses about spending 12 days in the wild Ontario north chasing the elusive snowy owl without capturing enough footage for a single segment. Nature is known for going off-script. The thrill of the hunt is part of the adventure, and one must take these setbacks in stride.  

Legitimate occupational hazards are much more seriously considered. “The first priority is safety. The second priority is safety. The third priority is capturing great footage.” Jeffrey (bravely) doesn’t consider his work dangerous, but he is acutely aware that it has more hazards than most. Preparation is everything, and it can take a team of scientists, researchers, producers, fixers, and assistants to plan a safe and effective shoot. Underwater shoots are especially complex. An unexpected ocean current once caught a teammate while filming whale sharks near the Galapagos Islands. Preparation, training, and diligence made for a quick search and rescue in under an hour. He (again, bravely) considers this exploring one’s limits, not necessarily pushing them. 

With such a diverse portfolio of work, travel is a constant. I clocked an Aeroplan Elite luggage tag on Jeffrey’s equipment bag when we first met on a shoot in Rwanda. He has certainly logged many miles—intrepid exploration of the globe is part of the job. When it comes to a new project, “the less I know about where I’m travelling to, the more excited I am.”  

The travel is exciting, but what clearly drives Jeffrey is conservation above all. The effects of climate change come into sharp relief in his day-to-day. In front of his eyes, animal behaviours are changing and weather patterns are becoming less predictable. The scientists and researchers that he works side-by-side with are doing important work as guardians of the environment. He humbly regards himself as their storyteller. Together, they advance research, change conversations, and add to the sum of human knowledge. He has even been there to document the discoveries of new species—what he considers to be the “wildest” of experiences that comprise his job description. 

Jeffrey’s intimate and courageous relationship with the natural world is enviable. He tells me about his first trip to Iceland, the country known as the Land of Fire and Ice. To him it felt just as fantastical as the mythical worlds his favourite novels. Diving between tectonic plates in a country with 32 active volcanoes truly doesn’t faze him. He does regard the ocean with deep reverence. “I always remember that we’re guests underwater, and we can only visit for a very short time.” It’s where his most ambitious personal and professional growth will continue to unfold. It’s also the most uncharted frontier for any adventurer.  

Whether underwater or in the canopies of mountainous jungles, Jeffrey is right where he should be: in a front row seat to a world of wonder where almost nothing is off limits.

This article was originally published in No. 33 of Globetrotting Magazine.