William Albert Allard
Staff Photographer
National Geographic
Washington, DC USA
“It makes me realize that it's possible to set out with a goal, and it's possible to reach that goal...but you cannot be indifferent.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationWilliam Albert Allard
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
After graduating from high school, he didn't have the grades to go to college, so he didn't.
Instead, he got a job with the telephone company; one day, his sister told him, "There's more to life than climbing poles," so he enrolled in art school.
One day, an enthusiastic professor led a photojournalism class on the marriage of words and pictures.
He became obsessed with photojournalism and decided to tack it on as a double major.
Because he was older than other students-he already had a wife and kids-his portfolio was a bit more serious than others.
The director of photography at National Geographic gave him an internship and a chance at a story.
He says that he was very well set up for this assignment, psychologically, and as a result, his photos of the Pennsylvania Amish were published.
That spread was considered a major turning point in the style of the magazine, and it jump-started his photography career.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Staff Photographer
I photograph people and tell their stories as a freelance photographer and longtime contributor to National Geographic.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Journalism
Being Creative
Interviewed By
Washington, D.C. - Chicago
Continuing in Washington DC, the US team visits Paul Goble, senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Next they interview William Albert Allard, photographer for National Geographic. Then it's off to Chicago to interview Marilyn Halperin, Director of Education and Communications of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
