Photographer

Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier are two of the most iconic ocean photographers working today. They also happen to be partners in both their personal and professional lives. Paul grew up with Inuit Eskimos in the Arctic of Canada and worked as a biologist in the Northwest Territories before specializing in photographing polar regions. Born in Mexico City, Cristina started out as a marine biologist, and now works as a writer, conservationist, and photographer, with a focus on the Amazonian women of the Kayapo and wild ocean life. Together, Paul and Cristina aim to raise awareness about endangered species and environments through their art. 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 for their art with the hopes of creating change and inspiring people everywhere.

Fascinated by the natural world, Anand Varma grew up thinking he would become a scientist like his father. But while studying marine biology at Berkeley, Anand seized an opportunity to work as a camera assistant for a National Geographic photographer, became enraptured by they possibilities of photography, and has never looked back. An ingenious and profound soul who is endlessly enthusiastic about all things “icky,” Anand 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. With drama and humor, Anand masterfully navigates the intersection of science and art, and accomplishes the nearly impossible feat of making high-brow geeky science accessible to all through his innovative approach.

Dan Winters is the Da Vinci of contemporary photography. He is widely known for his unusual and iconic portraits of celebrities, street photography, illustrations, collages, models, and shots of the “hallowed grounds” of NASA. In this episode we witness the master at work, following him as he tackles both the apex of human endeavor: the Artemis launch, and a long dreamed of, but feared, personal project: the perilous and formidable ship-breaking yards of Bangladesh. At the height of his craft, there is little Dan hasn’t accomplished, but his accomplishments have come with a cost. Dan was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder several years ago, which forced him to reevaluate his priorities. While Dan has reached the pinnacle of photography, he now feels he neglected his family, especially his son Dylan. As we travel with Dan around the world to Iceland and Bangladesh working to make iconic images of ships, Dan reflects that sometimes the most important masterpieces can only be experienced when he puts down the camera.

Heavily sought after (he just shot Meghan Markle and Megan Thee Stallion for NY Mag and Lizzo for Vanity Fair), British-born Campbell Addy is the fashion photographer of the moment, and at a pivotal place in his career. His talents as an imagemaker have launched him into the fashion stratosphere, but his newfound fame and success also present challenges. After experiencing a mental health breakdown, Campbell worries about becoming too commercial, being a flash in the pan, and losing his way. He recently fired his agent and decided to refocus his career on personal projects and reclaiming his vision and purpose, which is first and foremost making images that allow people of color and queer people to feel more seen and empowered. He has a high stakes art show coming up and needs to travel back to Ghana – his parents’ homeland and where he has made some of his best work – to do a personal shoot. But Campbell is spread thin, and he struggles to balance his mental health with his career ambitions. Audiences will also journey with Campbell and his crew of artists and stylists as he tries to pull o􀉇 his first solo show, and navigates how to lay the foundation for a long-term career without compromising his health or integrity.

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 around, she has become a sought-after photographer in the heavily male-dominated world of adventure photography. But an unexpected medical emergency forced her to slow down and reevaluate her life. Now, she is re-entering the high-stakes adventure world to explore whether this life is still the best outlet for her creativity. In an e􀉇ort to make great work again, she hightails it to Tornado Alley to chase storms with her mentor, Nick Moir. Then, she heads to Moab for a shot she’s been dreaming of for over a year, a once-in-a-lifetime image of a climber ascending a vein in the rocks under the light of a supermoon. Weaving Krystle’s dramatic backstory with her turbocharged present, viewers witness her struggling to balance her ambition to create innovative works with her newly discovered desire to nurture herself and have a true home.

A veteran conflict photographer, Muhammed Muheisen has a new perspective and a new calling. In contrast to the classic photojournalist who is trained to focus on images of violence, death, and destruction, Muhammed – born and raised amongst conflict in the Middle East – now uses photography for advocacy, activism, and connection, focusing on moments of joy even in the darkest circumstances. He dedicates his craft to giving a voice to the many children caught up in the refugee crisis. Through his non-profit, Everyday Refugees, Muhammed helps support projects that build schools, provide much-needed supplies, and teach the languages and skills refugees need to better navigate their futures. This episode focuses on Muhammed’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.