An Interview with Alison Wright

Meet documentary photographer Alison Wright, who has spent her career capturing the universal spirit of humanity through her photographs. Her work documents the traditions of and changes in endangered cultures and people around the world including more than 20 years of photographing in China. Alison's photographs have been published in many National Geographic publications, and she has received top awards for both her writing and photography.

Q: What were you most passionate about as a teenager?

I was actually quite shy as a teenager. Getting into photography and photographing people helped to bring me out of my shell. It's like a key into entering and exploring other people's lives.

Q: Do you have a hero or mentor?

Mr. Lee, my high school English teacher was the one who took me aside and encouraged me to get on the school yearbook and newspaper. He taught me how to use my first SLR camera and helped get me into the photojournalism program in college. He was also the one who told me I could actually make a living a doing this. It was life changing for me. I was fifteen or sixteen when I discovered what I wanted to do with my life and I've never wavered.

Q: What aspect of your work as a photographer are you most proud of?

I'm most proud of my documentary work and the foundation, Faces of Hope, that I've started. The foundation helps give back to children and their communities that I work with around the world. I think photography can bring an awareness that can help change peoples lives for the better. And it always gives me great satisfaction when I see that it does. www.facesofhope.org

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

I love the traveling, discovering new places, and meeting new people. I'm always learning new things about my profession. It never gets old.

Q: What is an important lesson you have learned throughout your travels and work as a photographer?

No matter how different people look—from Tibet to Ethiopia—we are pretty much the same the world over in what we want for ourselves and our children; safety, good health, education, and enough money to get by.

Q: What are you most looking forward to as the National Geographic expert on the China program this summer?

I hope that some of the students will become as inspired and passionate about photojournalism as I was as a teenager. I got my first camera at the age of ten, and ever since I first heard the word photojournalist, I knew that's what I wanted to be.

Q: Do you have any advice for our students heading out on a National Geographic Student Expedition this summer?

Try everything! Take initiative. Great things will come to those who reach out and grab life with gusto.

I'm excited to be teaching a National Geographic Expeditions workshop in China this year. I've been to China numerous times over the years, and I love the beauty and diversity of the culture. I especially love photographing the faces and people amidst the breath-taking ancient landscape of Guilin.

Learn More!
Read a detailed itinerary and discover how you can explore China with Alison this summer.

Your participation in a National Geographic Student Expedition provides support to National Geographic's mission of increasing global understanding through exploration, geography education, and research.