Capturing Forever: Women Shaping Nature Photography

Girls Who Click community x Photography that lasts forever campaign

A Gitzo Story By Francesca Page | Illustrator, Photographer and Writer | United Kingdom

Capturing Forever: Women Shaping Nature Photography

Girls Who Click community x Photography that lasts forever campaign

A Gitzo Story By Francesca Page | Illustrator, Photographer and Writer | United Kingdom


A Partnership for Change

Gitzo has always been committed to nurturing and inspiring nature photographers to grow and take bold steps further. By collaborating with Girls Who Click (GWC), Gitzo extends its mission to empower the next generation of female wildlife photographers.

Together, this partnership is about capturing moments that last forever—both in the wild and in the hearts of those who experience them. Beyond broadening Gitzo’s horizons, it paves the way for a more inclusive and diverse world within nature and wildlife photography. The field has long been disproportionately male, and far fewer women enter wildlife photo competitions. While the skills required are not inherently gendered, historical and systemic factors have limited female participation. Girls Who Click is helping to change that, ensuring that the stories of nature reflect the rich diversity of the world itself.


Timeless Tools, Timeless Stories

Photography captures moments that might otherwise vanish—light, emotion, fragile life—and preserves them forever. With the right tools and guidance, young photographers can create images that outlast trends and inspire generations.

In the field—whether knee-deep in mud, braced against wild winds, or wading through seawater—Gitzo tripods and accessories are built to endure. They reflect the same permanence as the images they help create, allowing photographers to focus on storytelling rather than the reliability of their equipment.

A well-crafted photograph and a dependable tripod share the same essence: durability, trustworthiness, and the power to leave a lasting mark. Just as striking images resonate across decades, Gitzo ensures the tools that create them are made to last, supporting photography that truly lasts forever.

With mentorship and the right equipment, fleeting moments become timeless. Through their lenses, GWC ambassadors share their stories—of curiosity, courage, and connection to the natural world. Each photograph carries their voice and vision, a quiet testament to determination and creativity. Step into their world, and discover the moments they have captured.

Close-up of a male lion in South Africa, captured by Lea Milde.


Whispers of the Wild

“Being surrounded by others who share the same passion reminds me that my voice matters,” Julia says. “Through photography, I can contribute to something larger than myself. My Gitzo Traveller Tripod is lightweight, sturdy, and reliable, perfect for dense forests and open waters.”

Her image of a newly hatched Southern Dunlin chick, one of Sweden’s most critically endangered birds, is tender, fragile, and timeless—a quiet tribute to the bond between humans and nature.

A fragile chick hatched late in the season, defying predators and the odds, an unforgettable moment of resilience and hope captured by Julia Westergren.


Julia Westergren with her Gitzo gear.

A fragile chick hatched late in the season, defying predators and the odds, an unforgettable moment of resilience and hope captured by Julia Westergren.

Julia Westergren with her Gitzo gear.

To capture moments that last forever, you need tools that do the same. This Gitzo Traveller Tripod Kit with Ball Head, half-immersed in water, is a reminder that great stories demand gear built to stand the test of time.

Every Gitzo product is quality tested and field proven—pushed to the extreme against wind, sand, salt, heat, and cold—so it never fails when the wild is at its fiercest. Designed to be disassembled, cleaned, and even repaired, our tripods are made not just to endure, but to last a lifetime.

And when Julia Westergren steps into the field with Girls Who Click, her voice deserve the same permanence as her images.


Lea Milde with her Gitzo gear.

A wild cheetah mom and her four cubs / Lea Milde with her Gitzo gear.

Lea Milde, a wildlife photographer, ecologist, and field guide in South Africa, knows the importance of reliable gear. “My Gitzo Traveller Tripod allows me to focus on the story, not my equipment,” she says.

One of her iconic images shows a lone gemsbok crossing the Namib Desert—a quiet, enduring symbol of resilience. “The simplicity of that moment mirrors the persistence of women in conservation: deliberate, patient, and lasting.”


A lone gemsbok walking across the Namib Desert, captured by Lea Milde.

This image exemplifies timeless photography: a moment captured in its purity, telling a story that resonates across generations.


Amy Ashley-Mather with Gitzo gear.

A white-tailed sea eagle hunting for local fish.

For first-year GWC ambassador Amy Ashley-Mather, lasting photography can start in your own backyard. Her Gitzo Légende camera backpack ensures her equipment is secure, letting her focus on capturing fleeting moments.

On the Isle of Mull in Scotland, a white-tailed sea eagle briefly blocked the sun, and Amy’s trust in her gear allowed her to preserve this once-in-a-lifetime encounter. “Every photograph carries more than aesthetic value,” she says. “It’s a bridge between humans and the natural world. With photography, moments that might be lost forever are preserved, shared, and celebrated.”


Mona Hederich with Gitzo Gear.

As Mona continues documenting wildlife and Indigenous communities alongside her scientific work, her mission is to make the unseen visible. “I want to focus on underrepresented species and ecosystems that hold deep ecological value yet receive little attention,” she explains. “In the future, I hope to keep telling stories that protect, empower, and endure.”

Each of these photographers reminds us that the world is full of stories waiting to be seen, and that a single image can change how we understand it. Whether in the Amazon, the African bush, or our own backyards, their work shows that curiosity, courage, and care can turn fleeting moments into lasting impact. Photography is not just a record; it’s a call to notice, protect, and connect. And when passion meets purpose, guided by tools you trust, what you capture can inspire change far beyond the frame.


Some stories are not shouted, but whispered. Here, in the stillness of the forest with an Indigenous community in Colombia, photography becomes more than an image—it becomes memory, meaning, and connection.

Photography That Lasts Forever is not about freezing time, but about carrying forward the emotions, bonds, and quiet truths we find in the natural world. These moments stay with us—etched like roots into the earth—shaping how we see, feel, and remember.

With tools that endure, Gitzo helps photographers preserve not just pictures, but the feelings behind them—ensuring that when the wild speaks in whispers, its voice is never lost. This moment, captured by Mona Hederich, was built on trust, time, and listening. It’s a reminder that every perspective is unique: listen before you frame, let the story lead, and always be an ally.”


About Girls Who Click

Girls Who Click is a nonprofit organization founded by Suzi Eszterhas, an award-winning wildlife photographer, that inspires and empowers girls to develop a lifelong passion for framing the natural world and protecting it. GWC partners with professional photographers worldwide to offer free workshops—both online and in person—for girls ages 13–18.

Their flagship initiative, the Ambassador Program, pairs young female conservation photographers and videographers with mentors. Participants gain access to skills, networks, and tools, including professional-grade Gitzo gear, enabling them to create photography that is technically strong, artistically expressive, and truly timeless.


Michele's gear


To bring out the best in your wildlife photography expeditions, choosing the perfect equipment is crucial.   

Gitzo Gitzo center Ball Head GH4383QD

Gitzo center Ball Head, Series 4 - Screw

Weight 0.9 kg
Base Diameter 60 mm
Material Aluminium
Front Tilt -90° / +40°
Safety Payload UNI/PdR 105:2021 30 kg
Bubble Spirit Level (No.) 1
Plate Type GS5370DR
Certifications none
Colour Noir Decor
Base Type 54 mm
Ball Locking Yes
Top Attachment 1/4''
Easy Link No
Friction Control Yes
Head Type Ball Head
Independent Pan Lock Yes
Independent Tilt Lock Yes
Lateral Tilt -90° / +40°
Maximum Working Temperature 70 °C
Minimum Working Temperature -30 °C
Pan Bar Included No
Pan Drag fluid cartridge with fixed drag
Panoramic Rotation 360 °
Quick Release No
Tilt Drag NONE
Working Height 12.5 cm
Gitzo Gitzo center ball head GH4383LR

Gitzo center Ball Head, Series 4 - Lever

Weight 0.9 kg
Base Diameter 60 mm
Material Aluminium
Front Tilt -90° / +40°
Safety Payload UNI/PdR 105:2021 30 kg
Bubble Spirit Level (No.) 1
Plate Type GS5370DR
Certifications none
Colour Noir Decor
Base Type 54 mm
Ball Locking Yes
Top Attachment 1/4''
Easy Link No
Friction Control Yes
Head Type Ball Head
Independent Pan Lock Yes
Independent Tilt Lock Yes
Lateral Tilt -90° / +40°
Maximum Working Temperature 70 °C
Minimum Working Temperature -30 °C
Pan Bar Included No
Pan Drag fluid cartridge with fixed drag
Panoramic Rotation 360 °
Quick Release Yes
Tilt Drag NONE
Working Height 12.5 cm
Gimbal Head Gitzo GHFG1 Award GHFG1

Gimbal Fluid Head

Weight 1.35 kg
Base Diameter 60 mm
Material Aluminium, Magnesium
Front Tilt -180° / +180°
Safety Payload UNI/PdR 105:2021 8 kg
Plate Type quick release - with 1/4″ screw
Colour Black/Noir Decor
Top Attachment 1/4″ screw, 3/8″ screw
Easy Link No
Friction Control No
Head Type Other
Independent Pan Lock Yes
Independent Tilt Lock Yes
Maximum Working Temperature 70 °C
Minimum Working Temperature -20 °C
Pan Bar Included Yes
Pan Drag 1 step plus variable PTFE friction
Panoramic Rotation 360 °
Quick Release Yes
Tilt Drag fluid cartridge with fixed drag

Ball Head Series 4 & Fluid Gimbal Head

The Gitzo Ball Head Series 4 provides versatility and precision.
Its quick-release system allows for easy mounting and adjustments, ensuring you never miss a frame. On the other hand, the Gitzo Gimbal Fluid Head offers exceptional stability and fluid movements, allowing you to effortlessly track the bear's motions while maintaining a steady frame. Its smooth panning and tilting capabilities make it ideal for capturing unexpected wildlife moments.  

About Michele

Michele was born in 1996, in Orvieto and grew up in a small town located on the border between Umbria, Lazio, and Tuscany. Since he was a child, he was always fascinated by the natural environment and continues to dedicate his photographic life to it every day. For several years now Michele has been observing nature through his camera with the aim of sharing his story to others who connect with his photographs. All of Michele’s photographs have a personal style that often resembles a "dreamlike" vision of nature. Michele can express his vision by anticipating the right moment, scene, light, and arrangement of the composition to achieve the perfect shot.