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Draft:Prasenjeet Udhamsingh Yadhav

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Prasenjeet Yadav

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Prasenjeet Yadav while photographing snow leopards in Spiti for National Geographic Magazine

Prasenjeet Udhamsingh Yadav (born December 23, 1988) is a molecular ecologist turned natural history photographer for National Geographic Magazine. He is known for his work as a National Geographic Explorer, a member of Explorers Club New York, Ink Fellow, and a contributing photographer for major international outlets such as NPR and The New York Times. Prasenjeet is passionate about wildlife and ecological science storytelling and integrates deep scientific knowledge with visual storytelling to raise awareness of ecological and conservation issues.[1].

Early Life and Education

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Prasenjeet Yadav was born in Nagpur,  India and developed an early interest in biology. He pursued a master's degree in biotechnology from R.T.M. Nagpur University and later worked as a research fellow at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore. At NCBS, he specialised in molecular and carnivore ecology, working on wildlife projects like the genetic connectivity of tigers and leopards and coordinating wildlife forensics projects involving elephants and rhinoceros [2].

Career Transition to Photography

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While conducting research in molecular ecology, Prasenjeet discovered his passion for visual storytelling. He left full-time academia to become a natural history and science photographer. He started freelancing in 2013 and quickly gained recognition for his unique ability to combine scientific research with impactful photography.

In 2014, Prasenjeet was selected as a National Geographic Explorer, a prestigious designation allowing him to work on diverse projects, ranging from studying evolution on the Shola Skyislands of India's Western Ghats to documenting snow leopards in Central Asia [3].

Major Projects

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Prasenjeet's work has covered a wide range of topics related to environmental and conservation. He is currently working on a Tiger project for National Geographic. Some of his notable projects include:

  • Sky Islands of India (2017): A feature on the endemic bird species and evolution in the Shola Skyislands, published in National Geographic.
  • Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya (2019): A photographic story that explored the natural architecture of Meghalaya’s living root bridges, published in National Geographic Magazine and later by NPR in 2020.
  • Snow Leopards in Central Asia (2020): Documenting snow leopards and their prey in Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and India for National Geographic Magazine.
  • Narcondam Hornbill (2021): A New York Times story on the geopolitics and ecology of the Narcondam Hornbill, an endangered species native to a remote Indian island.
  • BBC Asia Series, Mountain Episode (2022-present): Filming snow leopards in their mountainous habitat in Spiti, India, for BBC.

Contributions to Science Communication

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Prasenjeet Yadav is also the co-founder of "Shoot for Science," an initiative that trains scientists in science communication and storytelling. Through workshops and mentorship programs, Prasenjeet aims to equip researchers with the skills needed to convey their work to broader audiences in impactful ways. He has mentored scientists in India and internationally, including at the National Geographic Photo Camp and various conservation conferences.

Photography and Filmmaking Style

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Prasenjeet is recognised for choosing underexplored subjects and landscapes, often focusing on lesser-known species and conservation challenges. His projects are typically the result of collaboration with scientists, conservationists, and policymakers, aiming to reach specific audiences who have the power to drive environmental change.

His expertise in natural history photography includes remote camera trapping, specialised lighting techniques, and nature portraits, allowing him to capture unique moments in the field. In addition to photography, Prasenjeet has contributed to cinematography, including his work with the BBC's Natural History Unit, among others.

Publications

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Prasenjeet’s photography and articles have been featured in several publications around the world, including:

Exhibitions and Public Speaking

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Prasenjeet’s photography has been featured in prestigious exhibitions and festivals around the world, including:

He has also received several awards, such as the EC50 Award from the Explorers Club (2024), the Banff Global Photostory Award, and the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Honorable Mention (2016).

Prasenjeet has been a speaker at various international platforms, including Princeton University, Georgetown University, Oxford University, University of Laussane, Nanyang Technology University,  and the National Geographic Storytellers Summit, where he shares his experiences and insights on conservation photography [4].

Personal Life

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Prasenjeet Yadav is based in Bangalore and Nagpur, India, though he often travels for photography projects. He is fluent in English, Hindi, and Marathi [5]

  1. ^ https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/prasenjeet-udhamsingh-yadav
  2. ^ https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/prasenjeet-udhamsingh-yadav
  3. ^ https://50.explorers.org/community/prasenjeet-yadav/
  4. ^ https://www.thekodaichronicle.com/environment/the-big-picture-photographer-prasenjeet-yadav-on-the-role-of-science-in-storytelling-the-western-ghats-kodai-bison-and-much-more/
  5. ^ https://www.prasenjeetyadav.com/about#new-page
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