Kiliii Yüyan
Photographer Kiliii Yüyan is a storyteller who seeks to understand the world from many human perspectives. He's survived a hunting polar bear, charmed snakes in the sea, and found a place among communities at the edges of the world - all with a smile on his face.
From his Hézhè (East Asian Indigenous) and Chinese ancestry, Yüyan was driven to be curious about the natural world. For 20 years he built and paddled traditional kayaks, immersing himself in the practice of his ancestors. Today, he is a photographer committed to telling stories that help humanity understand itself and its relationship to mother earth.
Yüyan has photographed the cover of National Geographic Magazine three times, producing 14 stories for National Geographic since 2015, from a cover story on Indigenous North America to migratory birds of the Arctic. His 2020 National Geographic Society-funded project resulted in five stories on Indigenous stewardship from Mongolia to Palau, comprising the July 2024 issue of the magazine.
He is on an international speaking tour with National Geographic Live in 2024-2025, called "Life on Thin Ice." Yüyan is the 2023 recipient of the National Geographic Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling. He is also an award-winning contributor to TIME, Vogue and WIRED.
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Thank you for the amazing talk you gave [...] at the NatGeo Live in Lone Tree! As a grad student studying environment, often life feels like no matter what I do it won’t ever be enough. However, I sincerely owe it to photographers and journalists like you that shine a light on this special world, re-igniting my hunger for serving as a liaison for the planet.
Rachel Thody
Dear Kiliii, for the past week I have been reflecting on your talk, especially on your approach towards life. In particular, one thing stayed impressed in my heart...to LIVE LIFE FULLY. Recently, I got trapped into the hard work mentality that made me forget the very important thing of our time on Earth, which is love. Thank you, I will never forget your words Kiliii.
Giorgio Ghiotto
You really are, not only one of my favorite photographers and speakers, but also one of my favorite people. People like yourself, dear Kiliii, give me hope for the future of this planet and our brothers and sisters who walk on four legs, fly with wings or swim with fins. Please continue to be one of Mother Nature's favorite sons.
Maggie Steber
Kiliii Yuyan’s presentation represents a photographer whose work is one of the best blends of photographic acumen, authenticity, activism, audacity, and authorship I have seen, if not the best. The arc of his personal narrative: how he used his non-photographic skills to get his camera in places and situations rarely documented, was a powerful message to me.
University of Washington
Wow, what a beautiful journey Kiliii shared with us! I feel privileged to receive such a personal and intimate session with his photos and stories. He has such an incredible talent on so many levels that's it's hard to take in what a good human he is. I felt moved by his history and the way he connected his past with the present, and I can only feel inspired by this.
University of Washington