SPEAKING PRESENTATIONS
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ABOUT THE PRESENTATIONS
Over a thirty-year career, I have traveled the world on assignment for National Geographic, as well as numerous other publications, and many personal projects. As a traveler and photographer, I am driven by curiosity and wonder. It's a life of exploration, long-lasting friendships and remarkable stories - tales of joy, struggle, hope, love and laughter.
Let me take you on my journeys. Whether it's photographing Prince Charles, shepherds in remote Transylvania, ancient rituals in South India, victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam, or landmine survivors and artists in Cambodia, I will articulate my creative process, how I see and how I photograph, and recount the fascinating stories behind the photos.
The experiences and coincidences I encounter point to a destiny, and my extraordinary luck gives me pause for thought. And as much as I love being a photographer, maybe I love sharing stories and images even more.
If I wasn't a photographer, I'd be on the stage, and presenting allows me to be both. Whether I am "live", being filmed or on Zoom, I can feel the audience. My great passion is to educate, entertain and inspire others.
“Your Vietnam work explodes. It possesses a fierceness. Your excitement and pure joy, your study of Vietnamese history and culture and language, your education, your passionate nature with your complete control and mastery of the camera all come together at one time.”
PRESENTATIONS
Vietnam -
the Enigma of Destiny
Woven through Catherine's attachment to Vietnam, is an evident destiny, as revealed in meetings and reunions that are surely more than remarkable coincidences. Her attachment to Vietnam, her 25-year history of photographing the morphing society and landscape, is a visual diary of how she entered this land of enigma and discovered its twists and turns at every intersection of life. Her photographs reveal her poignant and emotional journey. The presentation covers the somber years of the early 90s, the years where Vietnam opens up to the world, and the New Vietnam - the years of the most marked changes in Vietnam’s transformation. Catherine will also share the astonishing and deeply moving stories of the people she photographed. The presentation includes her unusual friendship with General Giap and his family; a story of love and connection with the Woman on the Train; and the sorrowful legacies of the war - Amerasians and Agent Orange.
Prince Charles and his Lands, the Duchy of Cornwall
Considered ahead of his time, National Geographic called Prince Charles "Not a Typical Radical." This presentation explores how Prince Charles uses his lands, the 'Duchy of Cornwall’, to experiment with his progressive ideas about organic, sustainable farming and forestry, urban planning and the restoration of ancient farmlands and structures. With the help of his financial managers, his lands have made him a millionaire several times over. How he manages his lands reveals many truths about his character.
The Essence of Photographing People
The secret to creating great photographs of people is getting to know your subjects and connecting with them even before you pick up your camera. National Geographic photographer Catherine Karnow will show you how it’s done, whether you are shooting candid images and street scenes, environmental portraits, or photographing family and friends. Catherine will share her tips on how photography can help us connect with people around the world, and create long-lasting relationships. You will learn important and surprising techniques - that may have nothing to do with the camera at all - to create powerful, emotional portraits.
Cambodia -
a Contemporary Renaissance
Against a backdrop of world class temples, Cambodia is finally emerging from the tragic years of genocide, to a contemporary renaissance. In compelling stories and beautiful images, meet remarkable people who have risen above the trauma of their pasts to create lives as extraordinary artists - in food, fashion, jewelry, silk, performance and more.
Switzerland - Struggles and Success
How do you land in a foreign country and capture compelling images while planning an entire photo shoot on your own—in just ten days? In this highly entertaining presentation, Catherine will talk about how she pursues a challenging project, regaling us with stunning images and amusing anecdotes from an assignment in Switzerland to shoot a major ad campaign for National Geographic. She will tell us how it’s done: the pitfalls, the mishaps, the anxiety, the joy, and her ultimate success.
The Creative Eye
Being a successful photographer isn't just about skill and craft, and it isn't about cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment. Catherine will articulate in detail how she sees, how she approaches her subjects, how she composes and what motivates her - why she is so deeply driven to capture and create beauty. Being a successful photographer is about persistence, drive, instinct and charm. And creative intelligence - that enigmatic meeting of intellect and intuition. Through a myriad of examples and extraordinary stories of “how she got the shot,” Catherine will show you how she creates emotional images that have impact and staying power, and how she creates the powerful photographs that grace the pages of National Geographic, and other publications, over a thirty-year career.
Spoiled Dogs of San Francisco (a short presentation)
San Francisco was declared the most dog-friendly city in the US. Catherine will show us heartfelt and amusing images of dog salons, cafés that welcome pooches, dog birthday parties, massages, wellness for canines, and more.
CLIENTS include
National Geographic LIVE (Seattle, Toronto)
National Geographic Traveler (numerous cities, USA)
National Geographic Expeditions (Europe, USA)
CapitaLand (Singapore)
Inside the Story (on Zoom)
Asia Society (Houston)
Globus (Chicago)
Town & Country Club (San Francisco)
Singapore Photo Society
Philadelphia Tourism (Paris - in French)
Canada Tourism at Nat Geo (Washington DC)
Camera Clubs worldwide
United States Embassy Hanoi
United States Consulate Saigon
United States Embassy Jerusalem
The Metropole (Hanoi)
The Foreign Correspondents' Club (Hong Kong)
You can learn more about Catherine here, and please enjoy these testimonials if you like.
Contact Catherine to book your speaking presentation today!