How Did You Get Into National Geographic?
Everywhere I go, people always say, "you are so lucky! You get to wander the world and take pictures for National Geographic." I need to dispel the myth that working for National Geographic Magazine is a bed of roses, comprised of traveling to exotic places, taking a few snaps, and living a life of fame and luxury.
Getting recognized by National Geographic (and, even more so, completing my first assignment for them) was the hardest thing I have ever done, although it's easily the most rewarding experience of my career. Pestering them - sending in my latest publications from dozens of international magazines - led nowhere. Finally, after 8 years, National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin agreed to mentor me and introduce me to the world of National Geographic Magazine assignments. Along with photographer Joel Sartore and editor Kathy Moran, Flip granted me the opportunity to photograph underwater situations on one of their stories (see "Pacific Suite," February 2003). A few months later, I got "the call": the editorial team asked me to shoot an underwater story for them on Atlantic Salmon (see July 2003). I have since completed six more stories and have been involved in a number of other projects.
As for the fame, the local bookstore carries my books Polar Obession and Seasons of the Arctic, but it's not as though anyone browsing the shop knows who I am. My only fans are my mother (because she is genetically obligated) and my dog (because I buy his love with pepperoni treats). As far as getting rich and living a life of luxury, I look forward to the day my expenses don't overshadow my income. Gear, gear, and more gear. For those of you that keep telling your spouses, "this is my last lens….", trust me: it never ends.