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National Geographic Photographer
In some ways the life a a National Geographic photographer sounds like hell. Staff shooters for the culture and wildlife magazine travel six to eight months out of the year. They start their days before dawn and toil well into the night. Yet, says staff photographer Sam Abell, "you get a nonstop, in-depth education on the road. That's priceless. And if you believe that you were born to take pictures, and you believe in the expressive power of photography, then this is the best job in the world."
Besides being smart observers, National Geographic photographers must be willing - and durable travelers. Just ask Flip Nicklin, a renowned photographer of whales, who was nearly pushed out to sea by one affectionate specimen. Another photographer once kept watch in a tree for 21 straight days in hopes of catching gorillas at a watering hole, and yet another tells of 12 bouts with malaria.
Qualifications:
Abell recommends getting a strong education, including courses in languages, sociology, and anthropology, and starting your career as a newspaper photographer. National Geographic looks for photographers who understand the idea behind the magazine's award-winning photography. The magazine want pictures that fall somewhere between the literalism of newspaper photography and the stylistic approach you'd see in a gallery.