The Color Of Everything In Conversation with Cory Richards

This audience inclusive discussion will explore Cory’s work as both a National Geographic Photographer and professional athlete, and his mental advocacy work through a conversation about his new memoir The Color Of Everything (Random House). We’ll dig into the red meat of what drove Cory to his work and how his tumultuous life-long journey with mental health challenges, including bipolar and addiction, influenced his art and career. With a backdrop of 250 of his images, we’ll also discuss what it takes to succeed as a photographer while exploring the broader concepts of how photography can be used as a conduit of connection and expansion. Audience participation is welcomed and highly encouraged after the initial discussion…so come ready with questions.

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Cory Richards is an internationally renowned photographer, filmmaker, and author of The Color of Everything (Random House) as well as Bi-Polar, a collection of images from his photography career (Ten Speed Press). An artist and storyteller who passionately explores the human experience, Richards began working for National Geographic shooting adventure features in the most remote corners of the globe. However, the path to these places, and the hidden journey through his career was fraught with the challenges presented by his bipolar 2 diagnosis. As a professional climber, he spent his early career on high-risk expeditions that tested his unique ability to capture stories that were largely out of reach to others. He is the first and only American to climb one of the world’s 8000m peaks in winter. His documentation of the climb and aftermath of the experience was made into the award-winning documentary COLD and appeared on the cover of the 125th anniversary issue of National Geographic Magazine. Richards is a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Photographer Fellow, and a two-time recipient of an Explorers Grant. He has photographed twelve feature assignments for the magazine. Currently, he has an active speaking career in which he speaks about conservation, the future of psychology and mental health, leadership, the tenuous line of risk and reward, and vulnerability.