A photograph can transport us to a bustling city square, a serene mountain peak, or even to the depths of the ocean. But what goes into capturing these breathtaking images? Photographer, a new docuseries from National Geographic, delves into the lives of the men and women behind the lens, revealing the challenges, triumphs, and artistic vision that shape their extraordinary journeys. Read on to find out more about this exciting new series.
What is the Nat Geo docuseries Photographer about?
From Academy and Emmy Award-winning filmmakers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, Photographer flips the lens on some of the world’s most extraordinary visual storytellers to see what makes them click.
The series features seven photographers working across various fields, from conservation and wildlife to fashion and adventure. It delves into their personal lives and journeys, revealing their motivations, challenges, and creative processes. It also showcases the lengths these photographers go to capture the essence of the world – from traveling to remote locations to waiting patiently for the perfect shot. Ultimately, Photographer explores how these individuals use their skills to translate the beauty and emotions of our world into a single image.
I’m really excited to be part of the series because it is literally for everyone… to see all of these different photographers executing such beautiful and powerful work and driven by a mission to be the change – Kristi Jacobson, Director of “Krystle Wright: Heart Explosions.”
Who are the visual artists featured in Nat Geo’s Photographer?
Here’s an overview of the seven visual artists featured in the National Geographic series Photographer.
Paul Nicklen & Cristina Mittermeier
Partners in both their personal and professional lives, Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier are two of the world’s most iconic working ocean photographers. Nicklen grew up with the Inuit in the Canadian Arctic and worked as a biologist in the Northwest Territories before specializing in photographing the polar regions. Mittermeier, meanwhile, was born in Mexico City. She started her career as a marine biologist and now works as a writer, conservationist, and photographer, immersing herself in diverse cultures and environments worldwide.
Both Nicklen and Mittermeier are at the forefront of ocean conservation, and together, they raise awareness through their art and non-profit organization, SeaLegacy, which creates strategies and content to move audiences into action through visual storytelling.
In episode 1 of Photographer, National Geographic follows them as they travel by boat to the Bahamas to take on oil drilling and document the recently discovered seagrass beds there. Using their photographs, family archival materials, and behind-the-scenes footage of their expeditions, the episode provides a compelling look at their present-day mission to travel the world’s oceans, risking life and limb to create change and inspire people everywhere.
Anand Varma
Varma grew up dreaming of becoming a scientist like his father. But while studying marine biology at Berkeley, Varma seized an opportunity to leave school to work as a camera assistant. With an endless enthusiasm about all things “icky,” Varma masterfully navigates the intersection of science and art, achieving the nearly impossible feat of making high-brow geeky science accessible through his innovative approach.
Varma is currently working on a series about metamorphosis, which focuses on capturing the developmental process of a chicken embryo as it’s forming and hatching. Episode 2 of Photographer reveals an inside look at his working style as he attempts to deliver yet another groundbreaking innovation in photography.
Krystle Wright
After over a decade of traveling the world and shooting some of the most extreme sports stunts ever attempted, she has found herself in the heavily male-dominated world of adventure photography. Wright’s assignments have covered all seven continents in over 55 countries – ranging from the Australian outback to Pakistan and Antarctica. Her images have been published in National Geographic magazine and her work has also appeared in Outside magazine, The Times, GQ, Red Bulletin, and The Guardian.
However, after an unexpected medical emergency and the pandemic forced her to spend two years at home in Australia, she’s reentering this high-stakes industry to chase tornados in the American southwest, make an epic image in Moab, and explore whether this adrenalized life is still the best outlet for her creativity. Episode 3 of Photographer follows her huge career comeback.
Muhammed Muheisen
Muhammed Muheisen is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, a National Geographic photojournalist, and the founder and chairman of the Dutch nonprofit organization Everyday Refugees Foundation. Unlike before, the Middle East-born photographer no longer ventures to the frontlines in search of drama and despair. He now uses his skill in photography for advocacy, activism, and connection. Through his nonprofit, Everyday Refugees, Muheisen gives a voice to the many children caught up in the refugee crisis. while supporting projects that build schools, provide necessary supplies, and teach the languages and skills refugees need to better navigate their futures.
Episode 4 of Photographer focuses on Muheisen’s evolution from photojournalism to activism while following him on his current mission: documenting the stories of Ukrainian war refugees, specifically children, at the Ukrainian/Romanian border.
Dan Winters
Dan Winters is widely known for his unusual and iconic portraits of celebrities, his scientific work, street photography, illustrations, and capturing the “hallowed grounds” of NASA. A National Geographic Explorer, Winters has won over one hundred national and international awards from World Press Photo, American Photography, SIPA, Communication Arts, Society of Publication Designers, LIFE Magazine, and the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Magazine Photography, among others.
Although Dan has reached the peak of photography with the help of his wife and manager Kathryn, he feels that there was a time when he neglected his family. In episode 5 of Photographer, Winters travels to the Kennedy Space Center, Iceland, and Bangladesh. While working to make iconic images and chase a childhood memory, he reflects that sometimes, the most important moments are found not halfway around the world behind a camera, but back at home.
Campbell Addy
British-Ghanaian Campbell Addy is a heavily sought-after fashion photographer who just shot Meghan Markle and Megan Thee Stallion for NY Mag, Lizzo for Vanity Fair, and Naomi Campbell for Vogue. Addy’s talents as an imagemaker have launched him into the fashion stratosphere and even landed him on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list. This newfound fame, however, comes with challenges.
I think the biggest challenge was seeing myself… I’m usually behind the camera. In the beginning I was really self-conscious about how I looked, how I sounded like…. The difficult thing became the most pleasurable thing at the end. – Campbell Addy
Concerned about selling out or becoming a “brand,” Addy recently changed agencies and decided to refocus his career on reclaiming his purpose, and that is to express his vision, expand his art, and make images that allow people of color and queer people to feel seen and empowered. In episode 6 of Photographer, viewers will journey with Addy and his crew of artists and stylists as he works to make epic imagery for his first solo art show in London and navigates how to lay the foundation for a long-term career without compromising his health or integrity.
What is the premiere date for Nat Geo’s Photographer?
Photographer is set to premiere on Monday, March 18, 2024, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on the National Geographic Channel. The series will also be available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Is there a trailer for Nat Geo’s Photographer?
Yes, there’s a trailer for the docuseries Photographer. National Geographic dropped the promo video in February 2024. You can watch in the video below:
