Wild Women in Photography

Creating Impact Through Visual Storytelling with Lana Tannir   What happens when creativity, conservation, and curiosity come together?   In this episode, I talk with nature photographer, science storyteller, biologist, and National Geographic Explorer Lana Tannir. Lana shares her journey from studying film in New York City to documenting conservation stories around the world, using photography to help people better understand the relationship between humans and nature.   We talk about the power of visual storytelling, the importance of immersing yourself in the stories you tell, and how some of life’s most challenging experiences can become the foundation for resilience and growth. Along the way, Lana shares stories from Mongolia, photographing flamingos in France, and her work documenting harbor porpoises for an upcoming National Geographic cover story.   This conversation is a reminder that photography is about so much more than creating beautiful images. It’s about connection, curiosity, observation, and using your voice to create meaningful impact.   In this episode, you’ll learn:   • How Lana’s childhood connection to nature shaped her photography career   • Why immersive storytelling creates stronger, more authentic images   • What a challenging experience in Mongolia taught her about resilience and self-trust   • How she approaches conservation photography and science storytelling   • The mindset shifts that help photographers navigate uncertainty and unexpected challenges   • Why flexibility often leads to better images than rigid planning   • The story behind her National Geographic grant project documenting harbor porpoises   • How photography can help us become more present, observant, and connected to the world around us   Connect with Lana:   Website: https://www.lana-tannir.com   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanatannir   If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Share your biggest takeaway and let me know what part of Lana’s story stayed with you.   If you’re looking for more connection, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes conversations about photography, I’d love to see you at my next Inside the Studio session. It’s a chance for us to gather, talk photography, explore the creative process, and spend time together as a community.   Register here: https://wildwomanphotography.com/inside-the-studio

This conversation starts with self-portrait photography and body image and somehow takes us all the way to Iceland, perfectionism, creativity, and learning to slow down.   In this episode, I’m joined by environmental self-portrait photographer and registered dietitian Sara Kushner for a conversation about body image, creativity, being seen, and what photography can teach us about ourselves when we stop trying so hard to get it “right.” Sara shares how self-portrait photography slowly changed her relationship with her body, why she believes being in photos matters, and what happened when she spent weeks traveling alone through Iceland, photographing in the middle of the night under the midnight sun. We also talk about the pressure so many of us put on ourselves to create our best work, especially in beautiful places, and what shifted when Sara stopped chasing the “perfect” photo and started paying attention to what actually felt meaningful. There’s also a pretty unexpected plot twist involving Iceland, Norway, and a trip that did not go according to plan.   In this conversation, we talk about: • How self-portrait photography can change the way you see yourself   • Body image, being in photos, and learning to soften self-judgment   • Why environmental self-portraits feel different than traditional portraits   • Traveling alone in Iceland and photographing under the midnight sun   • Creative pressure, perfectionism, and making photos that actually mean something   • What changed when Sara stopped trying to photograph what she thought she should make   • The role nature can play in helping us feel more connected to ourselves   If this conversation stays with you after listening, check out the companion blog post sharing a few more reflections on this episode, including creativity, self-portraiture, and the pressure so many of us put on ourselves when we travel to beautiful places with our cameras.   Read the blog post here: https://studio.wildwomanphotography.com/post/iceland-self-portraits-learning-to-see-ourselves-with-sara-kushner   You can learn more about Sara and her work here: Website: https://sarakushner.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara_at_play/   If this episode gets you thinking differently about your photography, your creativity, or the stories you tell yourself when you see yourself in photos, I’d love to hear from you. And if you’ve been wanting more support with your photography, I recently opened a new one-to-one monthly mentorship where we can work through editing, creative blocks, project ideas, self-doubt, and building work that feels more like you.   You can learn more here:   https://studio.wildwomanphotography.com/private-mentoring   Or book a short discovery call here:   https://link.creativemindscoach.com/widget/bookings/photo-mentoring-discovery-call