We had the good fortune of connecting with Adam Maire and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adam, what inspires you?
Being out in nature is always an inspiration. Hiking, camping, running trails- all of this keeps me motivated and drives me, but my biggest inspiration is being in the water. The first few minutes of any scuba dive reignites my passion for conserving the wild places. The initial descent into an underwater world where I am just a visitor reminds me how special this environment is and inspires me to be its advocate.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have spent the last 12 years as an expedition guide both above and below water. This has taken me to some of the most remote places on the planet to scuba dive and photograph the wildlife and the environment they live in. My career has given me access to incredible opportunities but also shown me how our planet is changing. While I have gotten to dive with leopard seals in Antarctica, hike near polar bears in the Arctic, and swim with sharks all through the tropics, I have also seen commercial krill fishing boats operating in the middle of a pod of feeding whales, a starving polar bear try to out-swim beluga whales for a much-needed meal, and fewer sharks on the reefs with each passing year. These interactions have shown me how important the wild places are to protect. This is what sparked my passion for telling the stories of these places and the animals that live there through photos and videos. My brand was created with the hope that by letting people connect to nature through images, it will lead to more understanding of how this is all connected and how we can work together to protect the Earth we share.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my best recommendations to a friend visiting Southern California would be to get outside and play in nature. I really enjoy spending time in the Channel Islands. Taking the ferry out to Catalina and hiking the island or snorkeling around the kelp forests is always a great day. I would also take them camping on the northern islands. Santa Rosa Island is an amazing island to spend a few days on. There are endemic island foxes to see and some great spots to play in the water. The kelp forests there are healthy and offer a great chance to see Garibaldis, sheep heads, and maybe even the occasional playful sea lion pup. After a few days on the Channel Islands, I would suggest a chance to camp in a different ecosystem. I think taking them out to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for some hiking and camping in the Colorado Desert would be a great contrast to the Mediterranean climate of the Channel Islands.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been very lucky to work with some amazing naturalists, photographers, and divers over the years and I like to think that I learned a little bit from each of them. I know they all helped guide me in one way or another. I have also been blessed to have spent the last 10 years exploring these remote underwater regions with my wife, Christine West. She has been a constant source of inspiration. Without her drive, I know I would not be where I am today.

Website: https://adammaire.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adammaire45

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-maire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adammaire45

Image Credits
Adam Maire Christine West

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