Keith Ladzinski

Keith Ladzinski is a photographer, filmmaker, and visual storyteller whose work spans some of the most remote and challenging environments worldwide. Ladzinski began his career after purchasing a camera from a pawnshop, initially focusing on skateboarding in urban settings and mountain exploration in Colorado. These early experiences provided a foundation in both fast-paced, artificial light photography and patient, natural light composition, which later merged through his interest in rock climbing and adventure photography.

Ladzinski has documented high-altitude climbing expeditions, rare wildlife, scientific research, climate change, and severe weather events, including storm chasing in Tornado Alley. His assignments for National Geographic include stories on the Great Lakes of North America, krill harvesting in Antarctica, the state of global forests, climate change in national parks, paleontology in the Sahara Desert, and more. Ladzinski has completed more than 20 assignments for National Geographic and has received an Emmy nomination for his work.

The British Journal of Photography recognized Ladzinski as one of the top four adventure photographers globally. He has earned first-place honors from Communication Arts, PDN, the International Library of Photography, and National Geographic. His photography has appeared in National Geographic Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Magazine, and on the front page of the New York Times. Ladzinski received the Maggie Award for Best Single Editorial Photograph. As a filmmaker, he has served as director and director of photography on projects such as "The Karsts of China," "Ultimate Rush," and "Reel Rock," earning nine Telly Awards and two Emmy nominations.

Ladzinski's work often addresses environmental issues, including mass algae blooms in Lake Erie and rare animal sightings, contributing to global conversations on conservation and climate change. In addition to his photography and filmmaking, Ladzinski co-founded Triage Creative and is a founding member of the Sea Legacy Collective. He is also recognized as a documentary film director and public speaker, engaging audiences on topics related to environmental stewardship and the natural world.