From Tailevu to the world: The award-winning Fijian photographer capturing tales from the entrance line

From his humble roots in Tailevu to changing into an award-winning British Army photographer, Corporal Nacanieli Gadekilodoni Tanuku is inspiring a brand new era of Pacific Islanders to dream past their horizons.

The British Army corporal has as soon as once more put Fiji within the worldwide highlight after successful each first and second place within the Story class of the British Army Photography Competition, a prestigious contest that pulls gifted photographers from throughout the Army.

For Tanuku, who hails from Vatulasawa, Bau, Tailevu, the achievement is about greater than gathering awards

It is a chance to showcase Pacific Island expertise on the worldwide stage and show that individuals from small island communities can compete and achieve extremely specialised and aggressive professions.

As the one Fijian at present serving within the British Army Photographer commerce, he hopes his journey will encourage younger individuals to pursue alternatives they might by no means have thought doable.

“This achievement is about much more than myself,” he stated.

“To be able to represent Fiji within such a specialised field is something I take great pride in, and I hope it encourages others to pursue opportunities they may never have thought possible.”

He believes it is vital for Pacific Islanders, significantly younger individuals, to see examples of success in careers they might by no means have thought-about.

The competitors’s return was eagerly anticipated after a prolonged break brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and funding challenges. When entries reopened, Tanuku seized the chance to place years of expertise and storytelling expertise to the check.

His newest success provides to an already spectacular document. In 2021, the Fiji Sun featured him after he was named the British Army’s Photographer Portfolio of the Year, a recognition that highlighted his rising status behind the lens.

Growing up in Fiji, Tanuku was fascinated by the broader world. Films, magazines and tales fuelled his curiosity about distant locations and cultures.

In 2007, he joined the British Army, a choice that will finally take him throughout Europe, the Middle East and the Arctic Circle.

After spending 12 years as a Paratrooper with The Parachute Regiment, he sought a brand new problem and efficiently transferred into the Army Photographer commerce.

What started as a interest with a Nikon digicam advanced right into a career devoted to documenting navy life by highly effective visible storytelling.

His newest award-winning work targeted on often-overlooked facets of navy service. One story adopted British Army cooks working in demanding area circumstances, whereas one other documented commanders and officers enterprise convoy planning and navigation coaching.

The awards additionally spotlight the variety of alternatives obtainable inside trendy navy service, demonstrating that careers within the Army lengthen far past conventional fight roles.

Proud second: Corporal Nacanieli Gadekilodoni Tanuku poses along with his first and second place awards from the British Army Photography Competition, alongside the picture sequence that earned him the distinguished honours.

Q & A

Tell us about your roots in Fiji

I’m initially from Vatulasawa, Bau, Tailevu, with maternal hyperlinks to Nabulini, Wainibuka, Tailevu.

I come from a proud Fijian household and was lucky to develop up surrounded by sturdy values, tradition and group, which proceed to information me at this time wherever I’m on this planet.

How did it really feel to win first and second place?

I really feel extremely honoured and genuinely humbled. To be recognised amongst so many gifted photographers from throughout the British Army, each skilled and newbie, is one thing I’m very grateful for.

Every entrant brings their very own creativity, dedication and fervour for storytelling, and I’ve quite a lot of respect for the standard of labor produced all through the competitors.

Award-winning storytelling: Images from Corporal Tanuku’s successful and runner-up entries within the Story class of the British Army Photography Competition, showcasing the dedication, teamwork and behind-the-scenes realities of navy life.

Why did you be a part of the British Army?

I joined the British Army again in 2007 on the age of 24. From a younger age, I used to be fascinated by the world past Fiji.

Through movies, magazines and tales, I grew to become inquisitive about totally different nations, cultures and methods of life. I usually informed myself that someday I wish to see these locations with my very own eyes quite than simply examine them.

Joining the British Army gave me the chance to do precisely that. It allowed me to problem myself, expertise totally different elements of the world and meet individuals from all walks of life whereas serving a better function.

How do you mirror in your navy journey?

Looking again, I’ve no regrets concerning the path I selected. If I had the prospect to do all of it once more, I consider I might make the identical resolution.

The British Army has given me alternatives and experiences that I might by no means have imagined as a younger boy rising up in Fiji.

I’ve travelled extensively, met unimaginable individuals and discovered from many various cultures and traditions. It has been a journey of development, each personally and professionally, and I stay grateful for the whole lot it has taught me.

Honouring a monarch: Corporal Tanuku paperwork the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, an task that positioned him on the centre of one of the vital important ceremonial occasions of latest instances

How did your ardour for pictures start?

My curiosity in pictures started again in Fiji, the place I studied Arts at FIT and later labored in public relations for a short while earlier than pursuing alternatives abroad. I purchased my first digicam whereas serving with third Battalion, The Parachute Regiment.

It was a Nikon D5300, and I began taking it with me on deployments and workout routines. What started as a private interest progressively grew into one thing a lot greater. Over time, I discovered myself documenting life inside the battalion and finally grew to become the battalion photographer alongside my main function as a Paratrooper.

What does a typical day appear like for an Army photographer?

One of essentially the most rewarding facets of the function is its selection. No two days are ever fairly the identical. One day we could also be working alongside the Army Air Corps capturing aerial operations, parachute drops or air dispatches.

Another day we is perhaps documenting maritime actions, humanitarian assist missions, ceremonial occasions, abroad workout routines or VIP visits.

The function provides a singular alternative to witness and document many various facets of navy life. At its coronary heart, our job is to inform the tales of the individuals who serve, and there may be by no means a scarcity of tales to be informed.

Behind the lens: Corporal Tanuku works in difficult circumstances throughout navy assignments, capturing tales by rain, snow and fog as a part of his function as a British Army photographer.

Can you inform us concerning the tales behind the photographs that gained first and second place?

The story that positioned second targeted on commanders and officers conducting convoy planning and navigation coaching.

The pictures adopted the method from receiving orders, briefing troops utilizing a map mannequin, after which shifting onto the bottom to execute the mission.

It was a chance to showcase the preparation and decision-making that takes place behind the scenes. The successful story adopted British Army cooks working within the area.

From arriving on location and organising gear to making ready and serving meals, it highlighted the dedication and arduous work required to run a area kitchen. It was essential to me to recognise a gaggle of troopers whose contributions are sometimes neglected, regardless of the important function they play in supporting everybody else.

Award-winning storytelling: Images from Corporal Tanuku’s successful and runner-up entries within the Story class of the British Army Photography Competition, showcasing the dedication, teamwork and behind-the-scenes realities of navy life.

Award-winning storytelling: Images from Corporal Tanuku’s successful and runner-up entries within the Story class of the British Army Photography Competition, showcasing the dedication, teamwork and behind-the-scenes realities of navy life.

Award-winning storytelling: Images from Corporal Tanuku’s successful and runner-up entries within the Story class of the British Army Photography Competition, showcasing the dedication, teamwork and behind-the-scenes realities of navy life.

What does this achievement imply to you personally?

I really feel deeply honoured by the popularity, however being the one Fijian at present serving on this commerce makes it much more significant. This achievement is about rather more than myself.

It displays the assist, values and encouragement I’ve obtained from my household, my group and everybody who has helped form my journey.

To be capable to characterize Fiji inside such a specialised area is one thing I take nice pleasure in, and I hope it encourages others to pursue alternatives they might by no means have thought doable.

One of the ultimate pictures taken by Corporal Tanuku of Queen Elizabeth II earlier than her passing, capturing a major second in British historical past.

How essential is it so that you can characterize Fiji and the Pacific on the worldwide stage?

I consider it is vitally essential, significantly for the youthful era who could also be contemplating their very own paths in life.

I hope that by sharing my experiences, others can see that alternatives exist past what we generally think about for ourselves.

When alternatives come up, you will need to embrace them, work arduous and stay dedicated to your targets. At the identical time, I consider it’s equally essential to remain grounded, stay humble, be pleased about the journey and belief within the steerage that has introduced you this far.

What are your targets for the longer term, each within the Army and as a photographer?

The British Army has given me alternatives which have formed who I’m at this time, each personally and professionally. Through service, journey, training and life experiences, I’ve discovered classes that I’ll carry with me lengthy after my navy profession ends.

My purpose is to proceed growing as a photographer and storyteller whereas profiting from the alternatives that come my manner. I stay open to studying, rising and contributing wherever I can.

Award winners.