Camille Robiou du Pont | Photographer & Filmmaker

From France // See Camille’s photos on Instagram

What is your role in the Salty Souls Experience?

My role in the SS Experience is to capture the magic that is happening during the retreat and to guide each person to have the best experience possible on the island as a host. I hope to make people fall in love with Siargao and to give them a real taste of island life.

What’s your background and how did you acquire those skills?

I’ve been in Asia since 2012. I finished my Graphic Design master in Shanghai and then moved in Siargao Island, Philippines. I’ve been practicing photography and filmmaking for the last 9 years, exploring different mediums that could help me express my authentic vision and voice as an artist. I’m passionate about capturing images in the ocean, deeply inspired by the movement of water, the lights and the particular femininity that this setting allows to explore. My body of work is a tribute to these influences. My biggest skill has been to always listen to my heart and not being scared to be a little bit outside of society’s expectations.

Biggest challenge within the Salty Souls Experience?

Not controlling the weather! It’s very frustrating for me if the light is not good.

As a person my biggest challenge might be to be with a group of beautiful women and stay confident. I know I’ve always been hanging with the boys more, because there are a lot of women that impress me so much that I’ll feel less confident. I really wanna be able to say to myself: ‘She’s beautiful, but so am I.’ instead of ‘She’s beautiful and how do I measure up to her?’

Ninja super skill people don’t know you possess?

I’m hypersensitive, especially to colors, and just a pink sky can make me cry 🙂

Favorite place in the world?

Since I’m a teenager I’ve always been attracted to islands, the presence of water all around is very fascinating for me. My two favorite islands would be of course Siargao and a very small island in France called Aix Island. I love being isolated and far from the consumer society.

What gets you the most excited in life?

When I got my films back from the lab! Or when I’m in the water with a lot of wildlife around me.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

It’s maybe not the craziest thing but it’s the one that inspired me and gave me the strength to make my life choice’s: We left from France with my best friend to do the Transsiberian for almost a month when we were 21yo, going back to Shanghai for our study. We crossed Russia, Inner Mongolia and China in the 3nd class train. After this experience, I knew I could do anything I wanted, even if I’m a woman. The second craziest thing would be to quit everything to live on this little tropical island that was Siargao, back in the days.