One of the first women photographers to work for National Geographic, ANNIE GRIFFITHS has photographed in nearly 150 countries during her illustrious career. She has worked on dozens of magazine and book projects for National Geographic, including stories on Lawrence of Arabia, Galilee, Petra, Sydney, New Zealand, and Jerusalem.

In addition to her magazine work, Griffiths is deeply committed to photographing for aid organizations around the world.  She is the Founder and Executive Director of Ripple Effect Images, a collective of photographers who document aid programs that are empowering women and girls in the developing world. In just five years, Ripple’s work has helped 24 non-profits raise over ten million dollars.

Griffiths has published 4 books, is an accomplished speaker and a regular guest on NPR, The Today Show and other media outlets.

Annie has received awards from the National Press Photographers Association, the National Organization of Women, and the White House News Photographers Association.

3 words to describe Nature? 

ESSENTIAL. COMFORTING. ENDURING

3 things Nature taught you? 

TO PAUSE

TO GASP

TO BE HUMBLE

3 most treasured Nature spots? 

MY CABIN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN

MY LITTLE HOME ON A LAKE IN VIRGINIA

ANY NATIVE PRAIRIE

When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel…? 

SMALL, PEACEFUL

When you see a forest, it makes you feel…? 

SAFE

When you see a volcano, it makes you feel…? 

HUMBLE

When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel…? 

GRATEFUL

When you hear thunder, it makes you feel…? 

THAT ALL LIVING THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET A DRINK

When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel…? 

CAUTIOUS

Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person? 

I’M A LAKE PERSON

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being? 

10

Share with us a childhood nature memory? 

SO MANY. THE MIRACLE OF FIREFLIES, CATCHING TOADS AND FROGS, CREATING A FORT OUT OF AN OLD SNAG, CATCHING CRAYFISH WITH A PIECE OF CORN ON A STRING. MARVELING AT SPIDER WEBS.