
Exploration & Discovery
Photo Credit: Mike Libecki
Moonshots, breakthroughs, and daring adventure are often what is required to venture into the unknown. Here we celebrate the human spirit and its capacity for adventure, exploration, and discovery.
Paleoanthropologist.
Proudly 2% Neanderthal.
Nerdy Stand-Up Queen.
Driven by a desire to understand who journeyed here alongside us, Ella is undeterred by war zones, pirates, and politics in her quest to unearth the fossil record before it’s too late.
Rocketman.
Space Engineer.
Optimism Personified.
Driven by the pursuit of knowledge and an insatiable curiosity, NASA’s Chief Engineer for the ambitious Europa Clipper Mission is convinced he has the best job on Earth.
Wolf-Whisperer.
Wildlife Biologist.
Natural History Filmmaker.
This wildlife biologist-turned-photographer is working on a long-term study, exploring the relationship between humans and wolves around the world. His ambitious goal? Peaceful coexistence.
Underwater Photography Legend.
Rolex Testimonee.
Master Storyteller.
David Doubilet’s photography reveals two worlds at once, uniting life above and below the water's surface in one frame.
Hero for the Planet.
Oceanographer.
Her Deepness.
By showing how every breath of air we take and every drop of water we drink depends on the health of our Oceans, Dr. Sylvia Earle makes marine conservation everyone’s concern.
Travel Writer.
Digital Nomad.
Black Penguin.
Andrew invites us to move beyond the tourist selfie to open ourselves to the rich kaleidoscope of humanity, adventure, and experience the world offers, to become a more evolved version of ourselves.
River Runner.
Man of Letters.
Conservationist.
Leading adventure writer Kevin Fedarko brings to life the wild places we share and the adventurers who find their solace in nature.
Pulitzer Prize-winner.
Eyewitness.
Trailblazer.
For 20 years, Deanne served as a photojournalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, documenting the AIDS crisis, pivotal SCOTUS rulings, sports, and pop culture.
Visual Explorer.
Pathfinder.
Culture Whisperer.
Highly decorated photojournalist David Guttenfelder is celebrated for his thorough study of geopolitical conflict, conservation, culture, and technology, with a keen and curious eye to the future.
Aquatic Biologist.
Photojournalist.
Explorers Club Fellow.
Scientist and photographer Jennifer Hayes has captured stories about every topic under the sea—from shipwrecks to coral kingdoms.
Himalayan Mountaineer.
Global Philanthropist.
Climbing Royalty.
The name Hillary is synonymous with Himalayan mountaineering and philanthropy. Peter Hillary has been on 40 expeditions around the world, including five to the top of the world—Mount Everest.
Adventure Photographer.
Daredevil.
Flow Guru.
This dynamic photographer refuses to be labeled, producing award-winning editorial work, creating magic for blue-chip brands, and starring in the global TV series, Extreme China.
Environmental Hero.
Visual Artist.
Goodwill Ambassador.
Photographer Mattias Klum is an eloquent defender of biodiversity. Whether addressing the World Economic Forum or students, Mattias brings his A-game and nobody leaves his show unchanged.
Mama Bear.
Community Builder.
Visual Storyteller.
Whether documenting her journey through depression or celebrating the world through the eyes and words of her two boys, Photographer Marvi Lacar is the consummate creator.
Adventurer.
Nature Whisperer.
Visionary.
Keith Ladzinski is a master of documenting the ends of the earth. His breathtaking images of our world’s wonders evoke a powerful sense of curiosity and awe.
First Ascent Junkie.
Global Explorer.
Reality Bender.
Mike Libecki is a man on a mission—to climb 100 first ascents in his lifetime. Guess what? He’s nearly there. If enthusiasm, dedication, and extreme skill could be bottled inside a human, this would be the man.
Her Wildness.
Anthropologist.
Curious Mind.
Who says you can’t have it all? This primatologist, TV Host, university executive, O mag Insider, National Geographic Explorer, and mother of six begs to differ.
Master Storyteller.
Thru-Hiker.
Naturekeeper.
To see the natural world through Pete’s eyes is to fling open your arms to the sky and dance in the rain. This gifted creator tells some of the most important stories of our time with passion, wit, and curiosity.
Globetrotter.
Blue Zones Documentarian.
Brand Wizard.
In his longest-running project, Photographer David McLain travels alongside author Dan Buettner to document the diet and lifestyle habits shared by the longest-lived people in the world.
Conservation Photographer.
Ocean Advocate.
Enough.
Cristina’s commitment to conservation extends beyond the Ocean to what it means to be human...understanding that the history of every living thing that has ever existed on this planet also lives within us.
Blue Mind Thinker.
Marine Biologist.
Turtle Nerd.
J pioneered the concept of Blue Mind, a flow-state that acknowledges the physical, ecological, economic, cognitive, emotional, psychological, physical, and social benefits of being on, in, or near water.
Environmental Hero.
Entrepreneur.
Visionary.
Meet CNN Hero of the Year and the founder of the world's only "environmental-strength" river clean-up organization—the personification of optimism and sheer will.
Audacious Explorer.
Man Out of Eden.
Chief Listener.
To get a fresh perspective of humanity today, this two-time Pulitzer Prize winner is on a 24,000-mile walkabout around the entire planet. He calls it the Out of Eden Walk.
Photo Ark Founder.
Wildlife Photographer.
Man on a Mission.
Joel Sartore is on an epic quest to save nature through his sweeping Photo Ark Project. Already 14,000 portraits strong, this project aims to document every living species in captivity, while there's still time.
Underwater Photographer.
Whale Whisperer.
National Geographic Fellow.
This Emmy Award-winner brings into sharp focus the pivotal moment at which we find ourselves in history—when we understand the problems, know the solutions, and simply need to summon the will to act.
Adventure Filmmaker.
Wilderness Explorer.
Risk Embracer.
This extreme filmmaker talks about 360-degree leadership, risk management, and why he aims to work at the edge of failure to produce authentic and memorable content.
Nature Whisperer.
Illuminator of the Invisible.
Mad Scientist.
In biologist/photographer Anand Varma’s hands, a camera is not just a tool to capture what he sees—it’s a way to illuminate the layers of beauty and complexity that are otherwise hidden from the naked eye.
Astronaut.
Fighter Pilot.
Entrepreneur.
Commanding U.S./Italian/and Russian crews on the ISS for 200 days during the Russian invasion of Crimea showed Terry Virts that anything is possible with diplomacy and constant innovation.
Elephant Whisperer.
Wildlife Advocate.
Badass Woman.
In the hands of Nikon Ambassador, Nat Geo photographer, and nonprofit Chief Ami Vitale, the camera is a tool for change. Her work celebrates how and where we are learning to coexist with wildlife.
Left Seater.
Trailblazer.
Afghan Refugee.
What if the first Afghan woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license went on to break the world record as the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine plane? Meet Shaesta.
Chief Innovator.
Time Capsule Creator.
Photographic Visionary.
One of the most iconic and innovative photographers of our time, Stephen Wilkes constantly pushes the boundaries of what is possible.
Feline Whisperer.
Hollywood Hero.
Big Cat Herder.
Purpose and passion have coalesced in the hands of photographer Steve Winter - saving Big Cats is his life’s mission, and one heck of a story.
Culture Keeper.
Far East Expert.
Early Adopter.
Photographer Michael Yamashita has trained his lens on Asia for more than 40 years. With a love of history and culture, his body of work is a photographic time capsule and a compass forward.