In this Storytelling for Change session, Prasen Yadav—a molecular ecologist turned National Geographic Photographer & Explorer—shares his journey from science to storytelling.

“A great story has multiple ingredients. It’s about creating narratives that people are excited to hear, yet don’t know what will happen next. A story should resonate with the audience and feel fresh, something they haven’t encountered before. My background in both science and natural history, combined with a passion for wildlife, has guided me in crafting these stories.”

Prasenjeet is one of the few photographers who integrates scientific research deeply into his visual narratives. His recent project focused on documenting pseudo-melanistic tigers in India’s Similipal Tiger Reserve—a rare population known for their striking dark patterns. Using camera traps, he succeeded in photographing these elusive tigers, a story later featured by National Geographic.