Some of you might of caught the recent article ‘The Men Behind the Pictures: Five World Photographers Who Are Like No Other‘ written by Travelette Elisa. I loved the article and all five of the photographers listed are some of the most incredible, unique and inspiring photographers of our time working around the world. I wanted to add five more photographers to that list, and this time five women who stand up equally as incredible photographers to those men. Photography, and particularly Documentary Photography and Photojournalism are fields which are heavily dominated by men, making the successes of these women all the more incredible.
So here are five women who have taken the photography world by storm, photographing wars, poverty and beauty around the globe all through their own unique eye, and often capturing situations in a way which only a woman can.
1. Jodi Cobb
Cobb has worked in over 65 countries, using her camera to ask questions about the human condition in our increasingly interconnected world. Her work has focused on slavery in the 21st century, women in Saudi Arabia and the life and art of Japanese Geishas. Her most recent project ‘Enigma of Beauty’ takes you on a trip around the world, glimpsing at different models of our beauty obsessed planet, and the lengths we go to achieve it. Cobb is a photographer for National Geographic and was the first woman named White House Photographer of the Year.
You can view more of her work on her Instagram or on JodiCobb.com.
2. Erika Larsen
Erika Larsen’s unique photographic eye makes her work instantly recognisable. She has shot powerful series on the significance of the horse in Native American culture, and on the Sami people, an arctic tribe who rely on Reindeer for survival. Her work is also unique due to the interconnect-ability of photography, video and writing, meaning each project creates a whole world for the viewer to glimpse into.
You can view more of her work on ErikaLarsenPhoto.com.
3. Stephanie Sinclair
Stephanie Sinclair’s work is some of the most remarkable I have ever seen, and the stories she creates through her projects could only be created by a woman. Her work looks at gender and human rights issues around the world, with a primary focus on the Middle East where she lived and worked for 6 years. She is a regular contributor to National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine and has won many awards including the CARE International Award for Humanitarian Reportage.
Her biggest and most well documented project is the very powerful ‘Too Young to Wed’, a series which looks at child brides around the world. The project also works with local non profits, and supports income generation for young girls, aiming to end early and forced marriage and ensuring a more positive future for these young girls.
You can learn more about this project at TooYoungtoWed.org or via their Facebook page.
4. Lynsey Addario
If the name Lynsey Addario isn’t familiar yet, chances are it will be soon, as her autobiography ‘It’s What I Do’ is in the process of being made into a Hollywood movie by Steven Spielberg staring Jennifer Lawrence. Her work is just as remarkable as her life story, having worked in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Congo, Darfur and many more as a war and conflict photographer. Her work is photo-journalistic while beautifully capturing the human condition and the effect war and conflict has on ordinary people. Much of her work focuses on the silent effects of war, such as rape, displacement and sexual violence of women. As well as having an incredible career as a photojournalist and writer, Lynsey is also a mother to her three-year-old son – proving you really can have it all.
You can view more of her work at LynseyAddario.com.
5. Alison Wright
From an artistic perspective, Alison Wrights photos are superb, but they are made even better by the stories behind them and the humanitarian work which is often the foundation for their existence. Alison has spent her life travelling and documenting the human condition, with a particular focus on changing cultures around the world. Her work on Tibet and Tibetan refugees is particularly powerful, and Wright’s most famous photograph ‘Tibet Girl’ shows the struggle of the Tibetan people in a single photograph. She has also done extensive work documenting The Dalai Lama, Burmese Refugees and photographing poverty in the USA. As well as being a National Geographic photographer and book author, she also runs her own non-profit ‘Faces of Hope‘, an organisation which connects philanthropy with photography.
You can view more of her work at AlisonWrightPhoto.com or on her Instagram.
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