The Visually Stunning Six-Part Series Turns the Lens on the World’s Most Extraordinary Visual Storytellers, Pairing Them With Today’s Leading Documentary Directors for an Unforgettable Exploration of Art, Passion and the Power of Perspective.
PHOTOGRAPHER takes us on a journey with the world’s most extraordinary visual storytellers, pairing them with today’s leading documentary filmmakers for an exhilarating and dynamic international adventure. Each hour-long episode follows the story of an iconic photographer —
Cristina Mittermeier and
Paul Nicklen, Dan Winters, Campbell Addy, Krystle Wright, Muhammed Muheisen, and
Anand Varma — while they work to make iconic images that stand the test of time. Through vérité footage of their current mission interwoven with interviews and archived footage, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of each photographer’s process, learn how they became an artist, and discover how they see and experience the world.
Along with the release of the trailer, National Geographic also announced today the names of the eight esteemed directors who have masterfully brought each of the photographers’ stories to life. From the insightful vision of award-winning duo
E. Chai Vasarhelyi and
Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”) to the skilled direction of
Marshall Curry (“Racing Dreams”), Pagan Harleman (“The Trade”), Crystal Kayiza (“Rest Stop”), Sam Pollard (“MLK/FBI”), Kristi Jacobson (“Solitary”) and
Rita Baghdadi (“Sirens”), each episode is a collaborative and visually stunning adventure that invites viewers into a captivating world where every frame tells an inspiring and evocative story.
“PHOTOGRAPHER is a testament to National Geographic’s commitment to delivering groundbreaking narratives that spark curiosity, leaving a lasting impact on our viewers,” said Tom McDonald, executive vice president, Global Factual and Unscripted Content.
“The intentional pairing of these visionary directors with each respective photographer captures the essence of their creativity and showcases the extraordinary lengths they go to redefine the boundaries of visual storytelling.”
PHOTOGRAPHER premieres March 18 on National Geographic at 8 p.m. EDT and is available to stream on March 19 on Disney+ and Hulu.
Watch the trailer
For over 135 years, National Geographic has built a storied legacy in visual storytelling, showing an interconnected world through the work of thousands of renowned photographers. With millions of images moving at a rapid clip across news and social media daily, it can be difficult to focus on a singular picture that captures one moment more than any other. This is precisely what these photographers do — they use the power of visual storytelling to capture life in motion, showing us the world in entirely new and unprecedented ways. This series will masterfully delve into the nuances of the craft of photography while staying rooted in universal themes through a personal lens. PHOTOGRAPHER transcends the genre of photography shows to take a deep dive into the forces that drive these obsessive photographers on their quests for visual perfection.
Episode Descriptions & Directors:
Paul Nicklen & Cristina Mittermeier: Win or Die
Premieres March 18 at 8 p.m. EDT on National Geographic
Directed by
E. Chai Vasarhelyi and
Jimmy Chin
Paul Nicklen and
Cristina Mittermeier are two of the world's most iconic working ocean photographers, and they also happen to be partners in both their personal and professional lives. 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. Born in Mexico City, Mittermeier started out as a marine biologist and now works as a writer, conservationist and photographer, immersing herself in diverse cultures and environments worldwide. They are both sought-after thought leaders at the forefront of ocean conservation. Together, this remarkable duo aims to raise awareness through their art and nonprofit organization, SeaLegacy, which creates strategies and content to move audiences into action through visual storytelling. In this episode, we follow 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, this 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.
A polar bear dives below a pan of sea ice in Nunavut, Canada, its image mirrored against the water's surface © Paul Nicklen
Emperor Penguins propel themselves out of Antarctica's icy waters, shot from the Mario Zucchelli Base, Ross Sea, Antarctica. © Paul Nicklen
An Inuit hunter of Qaanaaq, Greenland traverses a treacherous course to the ocean's edge in Spring to hunt © Cristina Mittermeier
A woman with her pet goose on her head in Yunnan Province of China. © Cristina Mittermeier
Premieres March 18 at 9 p.m. EDT on National Geographic
Directed by
Marshall Curry
Fascinated by the natural world,
Varma grew up dreaming that he would become 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 and has never looked back. An ingenious and profound soul who is endlessly enthusiastic about all things “icky,” he masterfully navigates the intersection of science and art, accomplishing 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. This episode reveals an inside look at his working style as he attempts to deliver yet another groundbreaking innovation in photography.
Larvae of the horsehair worm infiltrate the house cricket when it scavenges dead insects, then grow inside it. When the worm is ready to emerge, it alters the brain of its host, driving the cricket to abandon the safety of land and take a suicidal leap into the nearest body of water. As the cricket drowns, an adult worm emerges, sometimes a foot in length. © Anand Varma
The forked tongue of this Anna's hummingbird can be seen through the glass vessel from which it's drinking artificial nectar. To keep the birds healthy in captivity, the artificial nectar they're fed contains protein powder and other nutrients, seen here as white specks © Anand Varma
When a female wasp stings a ladybug, it leaves behind a single egg. After the egg hatches, the larva begins to eat itshost from the inside out. When ready, the parasite emerges and spins a cocoon between the ladybug's legs. Though its body is now free of the tormentor, the bug remains enslaved, standing over the cocoon and protecting it from potential predators © Anand Varma
Premieres March 25 at 8 p.m. EDT on National Geographic
Directed by
Pagan Harleman
Dan Winters is arguably one of the most versatile, celebrated and renowned photographers working today, widely known for his unusual and iconic portraits of celebrities, scientific work, street photography, illustrations and capturing the “hallowed grounds” of NASA. He is a National Geographic Explorer and has won over 100 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. While Dan has reached the pinnacle of photography with the help of his wife and manager, Kathryn, he now feels, at times, he neglected his family. As we travel with Winters to Kennedy Space Center, Iceland and Bangladesh, 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.
President Barack Obama photographed at the White House in 2016 shortly before leaving office © Dan Winters
A shipyard worker holds a bamboo pole in the Dhaka ship-repair yard © Dan Winters
NASA Shuttle Endeavor passes through the cloud ceiling after launching from Kennedy Space Center. © Dan Winters
Premieres March 25 at 9 p.m. EDT on National Geographic
Directed by
Crystal Kayiza and
Sam Pollard
Heavily sought after (he just shot Meghan Markle and Megan Thee Stallion for NY Mag, Lizzo for Vanity Fair, and Naomi Campbell for Vogue), British Ghanaian
Campbell Addy is the fashion photographer of the moment and at a pivotal place in his career. His talents as an image maker have launched him into the fashion stratosphere and landed him on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, but his newfound fame and success also present challenges. Concerned about selling out or becoming a “brand,” Addy recently changed agencies and decided to refocus his career on reclaiming his purpose, which is, first and foremost, to express his vision, expand his art and make images that allow people of color and queer-identifying feel seen and empowered. Audiences 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.
Fadhi Mohame for The Wall Street Journal Magazine, October 2020 © Campbell Addy
Campbell Addy's self-portrait for his debut solo show, I Love Campbell © Campbell Addy
Premieres April 1 at 8 p.m. EDT on National Geographic
Directed by
Kristi Jacobson
Krystle Wright is at a critical moment in her life and her career. After over a decade of traveling the world and shooting some of the most awe-inspiring extreme sports stunts ever attempted, she has become a highly sought-after photographer 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. But 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.
Overlooking Sam Ford Fjord, Jim Mitchell leaps from Ottawa Peak in his wingsuit on Baffin Island, Canada © Krystle Wright
A surfer's reflection in the wave of Teahupo'o in French Polynesia. © Krystle Wright
Premieres April 1 at 9 p.m. EDT on National Geographic
Directed by
Rita Baghdadi
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, National Geographic photojournalist, founder and chairman of the Dutch nonprofit organization Everyday Refugees Foundation and veteran conflict photographer
Muhammed Muheisen has a new perspective and a new calling: He no longer ventures to the frontlines in search of drama and despair. Born and raised amongst conflict in the Middle East, Muheisen now uses photography for advocacy, activism and connection. He dedicates his craft to giving a voice to the many children caught up in the refugee crisis. Through Everyday Refugees, Muheisen helps support projects that build schools, provide much-needed supplies, and teach the languages and skills refugees need to navigate their futures better. This episode focuses on Muheisen’s evolution from photojournalism to activism while following him on his current mission of documenting the stories of Ukrainian war refugees, specifically children, at the Ukrainian-Romanian border.
Tulip fields photographed from above in the Netherlands. © Muhammed Muheisen
Jordan -Syrian Refugee Zahra has been photographed by Muhammed since he first met her at Jordanian refugee camp in 2015. Through the years, Muhammed visited her multiple times. © Muhammed Muheisen
PHOTOGRAPHER is produced by Little Monster Films for National Geographic. For Little Monster Films, E. Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin and Pagan Harleman are executive producers, and Anna Barnes and Brent Kunkle are co-executive producers. For National Geographic, Betsy Forhan and Chris Kugelman are executive producers; Charlie Parsons is senior vice president, Development; and Tom McDonald is executive vice president, Global Factual and Unscripted Content.
About National Geographic Content
Award-winning and critically acclaimed National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, creates and delivers riveting stories and experiences in natural history, science, adventure and exploration. Inspiring a deeper connection to the world, the content studio reaches 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Emmy® Award-winning franchise
Genius, series
Life Below Zero and
Secrets of the Whales, and Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film
Free Solo. In 2022, National Geographic Content was awarded eight News and Documentary Emmys, in addition to
Life Below Zero’s Emmy win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, its sixth Emmy overall.
www.natgeotv.com
www.nationalgeographic.com
www.youtube.com/natgeo
@natgeotv
About Little Monster Films
Little Monster Films is an Academy®, BAFTA®, and multiple Emmy® Award-winning production company founded by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. Their mission is to capture humanity at its best, aiming to reflect a diverse world both in front of and behind the camera. They present grounded narratives with intensity and depth while showcasing the extraordinary among us who push the limits of human potential. Little Monster Films’ 2021 documentary THE RESCUE, about the world-famous rescue of the boys’ soccer team from a cave in Thailand, won the People’s Choice award for best documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival, was nominated for a BAFTA, and won three News & Documentary Emmys. Previously, their groundbreaking film FREE SOLO was awarded a BAFTA, the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019, and seven Emmy awards. In 2023, WILD LIFE, an environmentalist love story, premiered in theaters and on Disney+. NYAD, their first foray into narrative features, resulted in Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominations for its stars Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, respectively. Upcoming projects include feature documentary ENDURANCE, about the discovery of the ship from the legendary Ernest Shackleton expedition and the National Geographic docuseries PHOTOGRAPHER.
www.littlemonsterfilms.com
