John Stanmeyer is an award winning photojournalist, Emmy nominated filmmaker and field recordist who for over 20 years has worked in nearly 100 countries, documenting the social and political issues that define our times. For ten years, between 1998 and 2008, John was a contract photographer for Time magazine, during which time he produced 18 covers for them and photographed hundreds of stories, including the war in Afghanistan, the fight for independence in East Timor, the fall of Suharto in Indonesia, and other significant world news events. Since 2004 he has worked almost exclusively for National Geographic magazine, producing over 15 stories, including 10 covers. John is now an Emeritus member of the VII Photo agency which he co-founded in his living room in 2001 with six other of the world’s leading photojournalists. John is the recipient of numerous honors, including the prestigious Robert Capa Gold Medal, POYi Magazine Photographer of the Year, and numerous World Press Photo, Picture of the Year and NPPA awards. In 2008, his National Geographic cover story on global malaria received the National Magazine Award. In 2012 he was nominated for an Emmy with the documentary film series, Starved for Attention, and in 2014 was the recipient of the World Press Photo award for his photograph taken in Djibouti and titled Signal (above). John has published a number of books including Island of the Spirits, a journalistic/anthropological look at Balinese culture documented during the five years he lived on the island. John now lives on a farm in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, with this wife, three children and two dogs. When not on the road he can be found at his gallery and coffeehouse which he opened in 2013, combining photography and education around his passion for great coffee, wrapping the two around ethically procured, human rights-based direct trade with the social issues represented in his photographs. In episode 085, John discusses, among other things: Social media = publishing Communication Workshops as dialogues Not seeing mistakes as mistakes Early years - art and fashion Discovering the ‘unfathomable power’ of reality The importance of the act of giving The unique ethos of National Geographic magazine Influences Mentioned: Helmut Newton Peter Lindbergh Albert Watson Arthur Elgort Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter “Photography is 99% problem solving and 1% photography wrapped around 100% serendipity and good luck.” THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY THE CHARCOAL BOOK CLUB- THE LATEST AND GREATEST PHOTOBOOKS, EXPERTLY CURATED AND DELIVERED TO YOU DOOR WITH FREE SHIPPING AND NO HASSLES. \*\*VERY SPECIAL LISTENER OFFER\*\* USE CODE 'ASMALLVOICE' TO CLAIM A FREE BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE WHEN YOU JOIN!! INFORM THE MIND, INSPIRE THE SOUL