Kodak moments: Cameras turn to photographers from around the globe
Created and directed by Academy Award and Emmy-winning filmmakers E.chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin — the minds behind the 2018 documentary, “Free Solo” — the docuseries, “Photographer,” premieres as part of the duo’s “first look” deal with National Geographic, airing its first episode Monday, March 18, on the network, before streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
According to a description released by Disney, each hour-long episode in the series follows the life of a different iconic photographer, journeying from the artist’s childhood and early career to their present-day life and ongoing projects.
“From the front lines of war to the covers of fashion magazines and the depths of the oceans,” Disney explains, “audiences will be taken on a journey alongside these renowned photographers who have spent a lifetime in the endless pursuit of perfecting their craft to learn their incredible stories.”
The news release also promises that, “through verité footage of their current mission interwoven with backstory, archival materials and interviews, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of each photographer’s process, how they found themselves behind the camera, and discover how they see and experience the world.”
First greenlit for a single pilot episode, the series first focused on National Geographic’s 2018 Adventurers of the Year — couple Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier — who are often quoted to be “passionate about exploration, the oceans and each other.”
This pilot episode, which will now air as the series premiere, joins the pioneering duo as they begin an ambitious, four-year expedition aboard the Sealegacy One, taking the vessel on its maiden voyage out to the sparkling waters surrounding the Bahamas.
An article first announcing the series shared details for this inaugural journey, quoting: “Faced with incredible risks — physical, personal and financial — the vérité pilot explores their powerful partnership and the journey that led them on this extraordinary mission to create and protect healthy oceans through inspiring images.”
The series was given a full six-episode series run following the filming of this stunning pilot, with following installments highlighting photographers Dan Winters, Campbell Addy, Krystle Wright, Muhammed Muheisen and Anand Varma.
Documenting hidden wonders — above sea level and below, with stunning moments captured across the globe — the all-new series, “Photographer,” premieres Monday, March 18, on National Geographic, and streaming the next day on Hulu and Disney+.