Prasenjeet Yadav is a photographer, writer and National Geographic Explorer from India whose work sits at the intersection of science, conservation and visual storytelling. Trained in molecular ecology at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bengaluru, he uses photography, remote cameras, field research and long-form narrative to make complex ecological stories visible to a wider public.

His work often begins with a scientific question: how do landscapes shape life? Over the last decade, he has followed this question across forests, mountains, islands and human-dominated landscapes, documenting snow leopards in the Himalaya, living root bridges in Meghalaya, sky-island evolution in the Western Ghats, grassland ecosystems, and the rare black tigers of Similipal.

In 2025, Prasenjeet photographed and wrote a National Geographic Magazine cover story on the black tigers of Similipal. The story explored pseudo-melanism, isolation, genetics and the future of tiger conservation in one of India’s most unusual tiger landscapes. It brought together field photography, molecular ecology, conservation science, forest department collaboration and the patient work of camera trapping.

Across his projects, Prasenjeet is interested in the hidden forces that shape the natural world. His work uses storytelling to connect scientific evidence with public imagination, and to build bridges between researchers, conservationists, policymakers, local communities and wider audiences.

Prasenjeet’s photographs and stories have been published by National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC, NPR, Scientific American, The Wire and other platforms. He is a National Geographic Explorer, an Explorers Club EC50 Fellow and an INK Fellow. His work has been supported by the National Geographic Society and recognized internationally for photography, science communication and conservation storytelling.

He is currently developing long-term visual stories on wildlife, ecological change and coexistence across India, with a focus on how science-led storytelling can help people see familiar landscapes in new ways.

Speaking and collaborations

Prasenjeet speaks about science storytelling, conservation, photography, field biology and the role of visual stories in shaping how people understand the natural world. His talks often draw from his work on black tigers, snow leopards, sky islands, living root bridges and long-term ecological change in India.

He is available for selected editorial assignments, talks, workshops, mentorships, institutional collaborations, print sales and image licensing.

Selected recognition

• National Geographic Magazine cover story, 2025

• National Geographic ‘Photographer’s photographer award’

• National Geographic Explorer & Photographer

• The Explorers Club EC50 Fellow

• INK Fellow

• Supported by the National Geographic Society for long-term science and conservation storytelling