The photographers who contributed to our 2021 Year in Pictures issue
Spanning the globe from Afghanistan to Texas, these imagemakers tell the important stories of humans, nature, and how they intersect.
The National Geographic Society, committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world, has funded the work of 15 photographers (marked with an asterisk) whose images appear in the January 2022 issue of National Geographic. Learn about those contributors’ projects below and at natgeo.org/impact.
See all 46 photographs from our 2021 Year in Pictures issue here.
Lynsey Addario*
A Pulitzer Prize winner, Addario has focused on COVID-19 death rituals in the U.K. and consequences of climate change for women.
Juan Arredondo
In Colombia, Arredondo has looked at how former rebel fighters are reintegrating into society.
Javier Aznar González de Rueda
His work showcases the significance of lesser known animals such as reptiles and insects.
Dan Balilty*
As Israel confronted the pandemic, Balilty trained his lens on images of daily life and the country’s push to vaccinate residents.
David Chancellor
With a focus on Africa, Chancellor scrutinizes the ways humans and wildlife intersect.
Alejandro Chaskielberg
Based in Buenos Aires, Chaskielberg has photographed places hit hard by natural disasters.
Alessandro Cinque*
In Latin America, Cinque investigates the effects of COVID-19 on native populations whose water is tainted by mining operations.
Mel D. Cole
Cole’s work ranges from a book on hip-hop to coverage of protests and the U.S. Capitol attack.
Dar Yasin
A veteran photographer of conflict and disaster, Dar shared a 2020 Pulitzer Prize for images from contested Kashmir.
Muhammad Fadli*
Fadli has covered social issues and COVID-19 in his home country of Indonesia.
David Guttenfelder*
First funded by the National Geographic Society in 2014, Guttenfelder examines the human condition.
Tanya Habjouqa
Jordan-born Habjouqa specializes in documenting sociopolitical issues across the Middle East.
Kiana Hayeri
Hayeri has focused on conflict, often in Afghanistan, where she lives.
Zabi Karimi
Karimi has photographed news events, including the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Lam Yik Fei
An independent photojournalist born in Hong Kong, Lam examines social issues, protests, and crises around Asia.
Christopher Lee
Lee’s work often explores vulnerable communities and the culture of his home state of Texas.
Henry Leutwyler
New York City photographer Leutwyler composes portraits and emotionally imbued still lifes.
Bethany Mollenkof*
Mollenkof recorded her journey as a Black woman navigating pregnancy during COVID-19.
Renan Ozturk
An expedition climber and filmmaker, Ozturk has made 360-degree panoramas of Everest.
Thomas P. Peschak*
His wildlife photography and projections of historical imagery have highlighted the dramatic global decline of seabirds.
Victoria Razo
Based in Veracruz, Mexico, photojournalist Razo focuses on the rights of migrants and women.
Elliot Ross*
As an Arctic Alaska Inupiat community tries to lay plans for a future in the face of climate change, Ross documents the effort.
Moises Saman
His work from the Middle East and North Africa includes the book Discordia, on the Arab Spring.
Robbie Shone*
To promote the importance of caves, Shone has explored the world’s deepest known cave, in the country of Georgia.
Brian Skerry*
Through his films and photography, Skerry has increased awareness of the world’s marine ecosystems and the value of conserving them.
Jared Soares
Washington, D.C.-based Soares explores community and identity with portraits and photo essays.
Nichole Sobecki*
Sobecki aims to tell the story of scientists and conservationists in the Congo Basin striving to protect this vital rainforest.
Brent Stirton*
Known for his wildlife images, Stirton says his goal is to promote “the well-being of the planet.”
Aji Styawan
A project on rising seas reflects the environmental interests of Indonesia-based Styawan.
Yu Yu Myint Than
Once on the Myanmar Times staff, Than helped found a women photographers group in Yangon.
Paolo Verzone
Italian native Verzone’s photo subjects range from ancient finds to modern technology.
Ami Vitale*
In northern Kenya, Vitale has documented the establishment of the first ever community-run sanctuary for elephants.
Sarah Waiswa*
Waiswa has shared the stories of people struggling with COVID-related mental health issues and access to care in Kenya.
Stephen Wilkes*
With his “Day to Night” technique, Wilkes created composite images displaying the scope and beauty of bird migration.
Reuben Wu
Wu is keyboardist for the U.K. band Ladytron, as well as a photographer of drone-lit landscapes.
