For over three decades, Sophie Darlington has helped create some of the most iconic natural history documentaries of our time - Planet Earth, The Hunt, Dynasties, Our Planet II, Queens and African Cats. Her work has earned her a BAFTA, an Emmy, and one of the highest honours in cinematography: membership of the ASC - the American Society of Cinematographers in recognising her as one of the leading visual storytellers of our time. In summary, she’s a badass. This episode is full of wisdom from a true trailblazer - she was one of the first female DOP’s in a male dominated industry - what drives her, and how she’s now offering the same mentorship to upcoming talent she credits herself receiving (and yes, even she still has imposter syndrome). In this episode: • How Sophie found her way from the Serengeti to Planet Earth • The art of patience and what decades in the wild teach you • The emotional reality of filming nature in crisis • Motherhood, imposter syndrome, and life behind the lens • The future of wildlife storytelling in the age of AI • Why mentorship and representation matter in filmmaking This episode is brought you by MPB, who make it easy for storytellers to buy, sell or trade camera gear. Find your next camera at MPB.com
In June 2020, a single photograph taken by Misan Harriman at a Black Lives Matter protest went viral — shared by Martin Luther King III and seen by millions across the world. Almost overnight, Misan went from self-taught photographer to becoming the first Black male cover photographer in British Vogue’s history. In this conversation with Alice Aedy for Visionaries, Misan reflects on the image that changed his life, the role of protest photography in shaping culture, and the responsibility of storytellers to capture truth and legacy. In this episode: • How one photo propelled Misan onto the global stage • Lessons from photographing protests and moments of history • Collaborating with Edward Enninful and British Vogue • Greta Thunberg and activist photography • Building purpose, legacy, and impact through images This episode is brought you by MPB, who make it easy for storytellers to buy, sell or trade camera gear. Find your next camera at MPB.com.
Lynsey Addario has built a career documenting war and humanitarian crises across the world — from Afghanistan and Iraq to Libya, Syria, and Ukraine. She has survived not one but two kidnappings, risked her life countless times, and continues to bear witness with empathy and unflinching resolve. In this conversation with Alice Aedy for Visionaries, Lynsey opens up about the moments she didn’t think she would survive, the sacrifices her career has demanded, and the enduring lessons from a life spent documenting the best and worst of humanity. In this episode: • The photo that nearly cost her life in Ukraine • Surviving kidnapping in Libya • Bearing witness in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Darfur • Balancing motherhood with frontline reporting • Why emotion and empathy are her greatest strengths This episode is brought you by MPB, who make it easy for storytellers to buy, sell or trade camera gear. Find your next camera at MPB.com
Introducing Visionaries with Alice Aedy, my podcast celebrating the storytellers changing the way we see the world, with music by a true visionary: the extraordinary Jon Hopkins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.