Since 1985, Richardson has worked as a freelancer for the National Geographic Society. His story number 21 under National Geographic Society was published in March 2006.
Even if he worked for other worldwide Photography Centres, this is what for he became famous. He has lectured in the National Geographic Society’s “Masters of Photography” series four times and offered intensive travel photography seminars for The Maine Photographic Workshops. In his case, it was the first time that the National Geographic Society has allowed an outside journalist to document its behind-the-scenes editorial process.

Jim Richardson Photography - Hammer

He describes himself as a journalism photographer, focusing on the lives of people who shape or are affected by a particular place.
Richardson started experimenting with his father’s box camera on his parents’ farmstead in north central Kansas. He developed his photography skills while working for Student Publications at Kansas State University during the 1960s, and, from 1970 to 1981, he worked at the Topeka Capital-Journal. Then, at the Denver Post, from 1981 to 1984, he became a special assignment photographer.
Special Recognition Award for World Understanding (from Nikon) was given to him for his documentary photographs of Kansas people and places.
In 1979, Richardson published his first book, “High School USA“, a three-year study of adolescence in Rossville High School (a photo essay classic), followed by another 6 books.
More information about his work and awards at Venice School of Photography.

“You have these people there who are dedicated to the place, who understand it, who know how to make community happen and when they virtually nothing to make it out of and they are very talented at being a community.”

Jim Richardson Photography

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