Catherine Karnow

Catherine Karnow is an internationally published National Geographic photographer with a career spanning more than four decades. Born and raised in Hong Kong and now based between San Francisco and Provence, she has photographed for National Geographic and other leading international publications, covering subjects ranging from political and cultural figures to humanitarian and social issues.

A defining part of her career is her long-term documentation of Vietnam, where she has spent more than 35 years photographing the country’s people, history, and transformation. Her work has also addressed the lasting effects of Agent Orange and the lives of landmine survivors in Cambodia. Alongside her editorial work, Catherine is an experienced mentor and educator, leading immersive photography workshops around the world and bringing a strong perspective on storytelling, cultural sensitivity, and the human impact of photography.