June 2008

Canon Europe announces Ambassadors Programme

Canon Europe has announced a new photographic initiative – the Ambassadors Programme – that will see some of the world’s top photographers sharing their passion for the power of photography with a love of shooting with Canon equipment.

The Ambassadors participating in the Programme will come from a wide range of photographic disciplines – including news, sport, nature, fashion, advertising or portraiture – and from all corners of the world. They will lend their expertise to workshops, seminars and major photography shows like Visa Pour l’Image to create unique opportunities for photographers at all levels.

The first four Ambassadors joining the Programme are the award-winning photojournalist and co-founder of the VII Photo agency Gary Knight, top wildlife photographer and an editor-at-large of National Geographic Michael Nichols, celebrity portrait and fashion shooter Lorenzo Agius (Getty Images), and the prolific Israeli photojournalist Ziv Koren (Polaris Images).

The Ambassadors Programme initiative is inspired by the ‘Explorers of Light’ scheme, which Canon USA has been running very successfully for the past 12 years.

Canon Europe’s Director of Photo Products Management and Professional Imaging, Kazuyuki Suzuki, explained: “The new Ambassadors Programme strengthens the relationship between Canon and professional photographers, honours the talents of the world’s leading photographers, and engages with the wider photographic community.”

Speaking about becoming an Ambassador Michael Nichols said: “I like the name, as Ambassador has the right connotation. As a 30 years Canon user I feel perfectly at home. The fact is that I have always been a Canon Ambassador anyway.”

Gary Knight commented: “I think any direct connection between producers and consumers is vital for product development and for the free flow of information that will help Canon continue to produce great equipment for photographers. I think it is also important for Canon to demonstrate this openness to the photographic community.”

The Ambassadors Programme is scheduled to expand rapidly with many more of the top photographers from around the world, who use and enjoy shooting with Canon equipment every day, joining to share their photographic passions and technical expertise. By September 2008 the Ambassadors line-up will grow to 12 photographers - they will all be present from 3 September 2008 when the full Ambassadors Programme is activated at the Visa Pour l’Image festival of photojournalism in Perpignan, France.

To find out more about the Ambassadors Programme and the first four photographers to join the Programme just click here.