What happens when photography begins not with a camera, but with listening?
In this episode, we sit down with photographer, writer, and National Geographic Explorer Arati Kumar-Rao, whose work explores the deep and often fragile relationship between people and the landscapes they call home. Named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential and Inspiring Women in 2023, Arati has spent years documenting environmental change across India through long-term, immersive storytelling published internationally in outlets including National Geographic Magazine, Emergence Magazine, the BBC, and The Guardian.
Her acclaimed book Marginlands: A Journey into India’s Vanishing Landscapes brings together stories gathered across regions stretching from the Thar Desert to the Sundarbans — places where disappearing groundwater, habitat loss, and expanding industry reshape ecosystems and livelihoods alike.
In our conversation, we explore her unexpected path from studying physics and working in the corporate world to becoming a storyteller devoted to slow journalism and environmental narratives. We talk about trust, time, and curiosity — and why learning to listen, both to people and to landscapes, can fundamentally change the way we approach photography.
This episode also begins a series of conversations with three remarkable Indian female storytellers, each offering a distinct perspective on photography today and can help us better understand a rapidly changing world — and our place within it.
So, pour yourself a coffee, take a breath, and settle in for a conversation that unfolds at its own pace — just like the stories Arati tells.
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📸 See more of Arati's work:
https://www.aratikumarrao.com/
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Thanks for listening and look out for our next episode! 🚀
