“I have learned that even without a shared language, it’s easy to let people know that their children are beautiful, their homes are lovely…and that their stories are worth sharing with the world.”—Annie Griffiths

Experience the life of a photographer on assignment for National Geographic magazine—and meet a true pioneer who has crossed cultural barriers to bring unforgettable images and stories to our audiences. One of Nat Geo’s first women photographers, Annie Giffiths has worked on six continents and in more than 100 countries. She has traveled by ultralight, moped, camel, hot air balloon, and elephant to reach some of the most remote places on earth. Known for her warmth, humor, and keen ability to connect with people, Annie is equally at home in a Bedouin tent, an African village, or in her native Minnesota.

Annie has covered some of the world’s most contentious places, including Syria, Pakistan, and Lebanon where her fearlessness and ability to open doors allowed her extraordinary entree. Her books also depict some of the world’s most beautiful places, as in her collaboration with author Barbara Kingsolver on Last Stand: America’s Virgin Lands. In 2010, Amazon and Barnes and Nobel named Annie’s book Simply Beautiful Photographs the top photo/art book of the year. In October, 2012, National Geographic will launch her newest book, Life in Color.

Annie’s lavish photographic on-stage journey—based on her memoir A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel—covers three decades of international travel filled with astonishing cultural observations and revealing stories. She also takes us behind the scenes as founder of Ripple Effect Images, a collective of world-class photojournalists dedicated to documenting and empowering women in emerging nations. Named one of the “Best of the Best Speakers” by the World Presidents’ Association, Annie captivates audiences and is considered one of National Geographic’s most popular speaking ambassadors.

Hear Annie Griffiths narrate a slide show of her photographs.

Return to the Austin Speaker Series main page.