Photographer Rich Reid Biography -- National Geographic

Photograph by Rich Reid

Photograph courtesy Rich Reid

Rich Reid got his start in photography as full-time photo editor for both the college yearbook and the daily newspaper while pursuing his business economics degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

For the past 20 years, he has specialized in travel, environmental, and adventure photography while working with numerous nonprofit organizations preserving lands and cultural sites. His continually working to advocate the preservation of the Gaviota Coast in Southern California was highlighted in National Geographic magazine in “New Park for California Coast?” (July 2001).

Reid is also a frequent contributor to National Geographic Adventure and covered two bicycle-supported assignments: “California’s Secret Coast” (September/October 2001), about a weeklong biking, hiking, and kayaking adventure along the Gaviota Coast, and “Floating into the Country” (May 2004), about the ultimate mountain bike tour of Alaska’s Inside Passage via the ferry system.

Reid traveled the length of the Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail from the Mexico-Arizona border to San Francisco, documenting De Anza’s adventure and history for the National Geographic book America’s Historic Trails (2001).

Early in his career, Reid decided to pursue guiding as a way to supplement his photography habit. “This was the best mistake of my life,” he says, referring to his initiation to the guiding world. “Before I knew it, I was guiding tourists throughout the Yukon and Alaska.” This started his profound passion for the Arctic, which has led to operating a photo-tour business for the past decade in Alaska.

Most recently, Reid has delved into high-definition cinematography and time-lapse photography. He completed his first documentary, Watershed Revolution, which focuses on water conservation, education, and activism. The film blends still and time-lapse photography with cinematography and music to create a complete visual package covering the California water crisis.

Reid can be found hiking the Ojai trails with his wife and daughter near their California home. They often travel the West Coast seeking adventure and operate photo tours in Alaska. His photography is represented by National Geographic Stock and his cinematography is represented by National Geographic Digital Motion.

www.richreidphotography.com
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