Jim Richardson

Jim Richardson is a photographer, writer, and educator known for his extensive work with National Geographic, where he has contributed to visual storytelling in documentary, environmental photography, and resource issues. Richardson began his career with college magazines and later contributed to publications such as Denver Post and The New York Times before joining National Geographic. He has photographed more than 30 assignments for National Geographic Magazine and an additional 20 for National Geographic Traveler, covering topics ranging from the flooding of the Great Salt Lake to global food security and environmental conservation.

Richardson’s expertise includes environmental and resource issues, water and food production, agricultural development, and the impacts of growth on human habitats. His work also explores the British Isles, Celtic culture, endangered grasslands, and global water challenges. His book, "High School USA," is recognized as a classic photo essay and is used in college classrooms.

A significant portion of Richardson’s career has focused on Scotland, where his photography captures the country’s rural landscapes, highlands, lochs, and islands. He has also produced a notable body of black-and-white documentary work about rural Kansas life. CBS News Sunday Morning has featured his ongoing documentation of small-town Midwestern life in Cuba, Kansas. His audio-visual presentation, "Notes from a Wide Spot in the Road," received the international Crystal AMI Award for excellence.

Richardson’s early documentary work on rural life and adolescence earned him recognition in the World Understanding contest and the Crystal AMI for best multimedia presentation. He was named "Photographer’s Photographer" by his peers at National Geographic and received an honorary doctorate from Kansas State University for his contributions to cultural and environmental communications. He was also named Kansan of the Year by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas.

Richardson teaches workshops and seminars in the United States and internationally and leads groups for National Geographic Expeditions. He is a public speaker on travel, environmental conservation, and visual communication. Richardson is co-founder of Eyes On Earth, an educational initiative aimed at inspiring future environmental photographers. His work addresses global food security, light pollution, and the documentation of small-town America, reflecting a commitment to environmental journalism and visual storytelling.