Photojournalists have important jobs that can change many lives for the better. They tell stories about important events and put a spotlight on people who deserve to be heard.
You might be curious to discover new artists, famous photography or want to become a better photojournalist. Whichever it is, you’ll find something valuable to learn from these famous photojournalists.
12 Famous Photojournalists in 2021
12. Anastasia Taylor-Lind
Anastasia is an English-Swedish photojournalist with decades of experience. She has spent years photographing issues related to population, women, and war.
Her analog photos are intimate and raw. Despite their candid nature, they’re always emotive and well-lit. She writes powerful stories for The New York Times, TIME, and National Geographic.
Anastasia’s current project is At what cost? The brutal math of caring for children in America.
All the images will appear at the Fotografiska museum in New York in 2020.
11. Gabriele Galimberti
Gabriele is an Italian documentary photographer who works for National Geographic. He focuses on long-term photography projects. Most of his projects and short stories have been made into books.
Gabriele’s images are friendly and straightforward. He often photographs people and their prized possessions. His latest project features children from around the world and their toys.
10. Rena Effendi
Rena Effendi is an award-winning social documentary photographer. Her documentary photography has appeared in TIME, Vogue, and National Geographic.
In her photography, Rena focuses on stories that are either well-known or underrated. Her images feature notable women and wildlife conservation.
Some of her famous images follow people trying to reconnect with their families. Her entire gallery is hopeful, graceful, and authentic.
9. Gillian Laub
Gillian is a New York-based photographer and director. She’s known for her documentary Southern Rites and her life-changing photo projects. In her documentary, she focuses on a Georgian community that has segregated proms.
Gillian also photographs women in the military, her own family, and international tribes.
8. Matthieu Paley
Matthieu is a National Geographic and TIME photographer based in Portugal. His latest project focuses on one of the hottest cities in the world, Jacobabad.
His gallery includes intimate portraits and majestic landscapes. His unique perspective makes his work both relatable and approachable.
Matthieu also leads National Geographic workshops. On his Instagram, you’ll find photos of families, third world countries, and people in need.
7. Dina Litovsky
Dina is a Ukrainian contemporary photographer living in America.
She uses elements of psychology and social change to take stunning photos of people. Her subjects range from famous celebrities to villagers.
Dina’s background living in a foreign country gives her photos an original style.
6. Stuart Palley
Stuart is a writer, speaker, and photojournalist based in Southern California. He mainly photographs wildfires all over the US. He started by taking photos of droughts and ended up becoming a climate change activist.
Stuart has published a book featuring over one-hundred long exposure photos of wildfires.
This American photographer has also worked for National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, and TIME magazine.
5. Krisanne Johnson
Krisanne is an American photojournalist who takes documentary and fashion photos. Her personal projects focus on young women and HID/AIDS in Swaziland.
Most of Krisanne’s images are black & white. This emphasises the emotions and movements in her photographs. Every image is candid, filled with life, and perfectly timed.
This famous photojournalists work has been exhibited all over the world. Her images have appeared in publications like The New Yorker, TIME, and Vanity Fair (Italy).
4. Marcus Yam
Marcus is a Pulitzer Prize winner, photojournalist, and Los Angeles Times staff photographer. He left his career as an aerospace engineer to pursue photography and storytelling.
His short feature film, The Home Front, won an Emmy award.
Marcus’s Malaysian roots give him a fearless voice. His images focus on dangerous and heartbreaking events in the US and Hong Kong, among others.
3. Acacia Johnson
Acacia Johnson is an Alaskan writer, photographer, and expedition guide. She focuses on the relationship between people and nature in her work.
Acacia’s photos are visually aesthetic and honest. In her gallery, you’ll find photos of people, landscapes, and animals. TIME, National Geographic, and others have featured her graceful style.
The Anchorage Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of American History house her photography.
2. William Daniels
William is a French documentary photographer and National Geographic contributor. His photos focus on social issues in vulnerable communities.
William has photographed the effects of illnesses and disasters all around the world. No matter where or when he shoots, he never compromises the quality of his photos. All of his images are perfectly lit and composed.
He has been featured by TIME, Newsweek, and Le Monde, among others. He has won the World Press Photo awards, Pictures of the Year International awards, and a Visa d’Or.
1. Daniella Zalcman
Daniella is a Vietnamese-American documentary photographer and the founder of Women Photograph. This is an organization that seeks to support independent female photojournalists.
She’s the grantee of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and the National Geographic Society.
Daniella focuses on themes like identity, homophobia, and cultural differences in her work. She gives all of her subjects, especially ones in minorities, a powerful voice.
Common Photojournalism Questions
Who Is a Famous Photojournalist?
Some of the most famous photojournalists of all time are:
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
- Steve McCurry; and
- Lynsey Addario.
Who Are the Most Famous Photographers of Today?
There isn’t a specific photographer who’s more famous than anyone else. However, a few of the most well-known photographers today are:
- Annie Leibovitz
- Nora Lorek; and
- Tim Walker.
How Much Money Do Photojournalists Make?
An average photojournalist earns around $15 per hour. Photojournalists make anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 (or more) every year.
A photojournalist’s salary depends on what they specialise in. Those who work for newspapers and local magazines earn around $40,000.
Those famous photojournalists who travel the world and photograph dangerous events get paid much more.
Conclusion
These famous photojournalists transcend the norms of photography. They tell life-changing stories and educate their followers. Most importantly, they help people see the world from an unbiased perspective.
You can follow these famous photojournalists on Instagram to read more stories and get inspired to improve your photojournalism skills.
