About Sarah Leen
Sarah Leen is a distinguished photographer, photo editor, and teacher who has made significant contributions to the field of visual storytelling. In 2013, she made history as the first female Director of Photography at National Geographic magazine.
Her career began in 1979 when she won a National Geographic internship as the first female College Photographer of the Year. This opportunity led to her debut magazine story, “Return to Uganda,” published in the July 1980 issue.
After her internship, Sarah worked for various newspapers, including the Topeka Capital Journal, Columbia Daily Tribune, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, which provided her with valuable skills that she used as a freelance photographer for over two decades. Her ultimate goal was to return to National Geographic, a dream she realized in 1988. Over the next twenty years, she contributed 16 assignments and five covers to the magazine.
In 2005, Sarah transitioned to a Senior Photo Editor role at National Geographic, collaborating with notable photographers such as Robin Hammond, John Stanmeyer, and Evgenia Arbugaeva. By 2013, she was promoted to Director of Photography for National Geographic Partners. In 2019, she left the magazine to focus on photo editing and teaching, working with FotoEvidence and editing several notable books, including the award-winning “Ukraine: A War Crime” in 2023.
Sarah is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring, currently instructing at various workshops and institutions, including the Missouri Photo Workshop and the Maine Media Workshops. She also serves on the Board of the International League of Conservation Photographers and the Advisory Council for the Eddie Adams Workshop. Residing in East Boothbay, Maine with her husband and cats, she continues to contribute to the field of photography through her editorial work and educational efforts.