But what would the person who decided which images make it into National Geographic say about it?
And that’s exactly where my conversation with photographer and former Director of Photography at National Geographic, Sarah Leen, begins.
Sarah spent nearly twenty years photographing stories for the magazine before becoming its first female Director of Photography, helping shape the visual storytelling of one of the most iconic publications in the world.
But Sarah’s career didn’t stop behind the camera.
In 2005, after nearly two decades working as a photographer, she joined National Geographic as a photo editor — eventually becoming the magazine’s first female Director of Photography in 2013, overseeing the visual storytelling of one of the most influential publications in the world.
Today, Sarah works as a highly respected photo book editor and mentor, helping photographers shape their long-term projects into powerful visual stories and books.
We talk about both sides of photography — what it takes to create meaningful images in the field, and how editors decide which photographs truly carry the story.
Along the way, Sarah shares stories from her years working with photographers around the world, what she looks for when editing images, and why great photographs often communicate something deeper than what words can explain.
Of course we also share a few laughs, talk about life in Maine, gardening, good food, cats and the small everyday things that often inspire creativity just as much as the big photographic adventures.
So grab a coffee, slow down for a bit, and enjoy a conversation that goes well beyond photography.
⏱ Chapters
00:00 The Editor Behind National Geographic Images
00:39 Intro
00:55 Meeting Sarah Leen
01:26 From Photographer to National Geographic
06:05 Why She Chose a Different Life in Maine
08:24 Rebel Years, Books, and Curiosity
11:40 The Moment She Committed to Photography
15:08 First Assignment… and Failing Hard
20:02 Becoming a Professional Photographer
25:30 Why Editing Felt More Natural
30:09 How National Geographic Really Edits Photos
35:35 When Photos Don’t Say What You Think
40:31 Walking Away from Her Dream Job
47:26 What Makes a Great Photo Book
56:46 Editing War: The Ukraine Project
01:00:09 The Secret to Mentoring Photographers
01:08:32 The Mistake Most Photographers Make
01:14:25 Why Saying Yes Changes Everything
01:19:44 What Photos Are Really Trying to Tell You
🔗 Sarah Leen
Website:
https://sarahleen.com/
Visual Thinking Collective:
https://www.visualthinkingcollective.com/
🎧 Listen on the podcast:
https://thecameracafeshow.com/sarah-leen
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