Working Alongside National Geographic Society at 18
Photos and text by Lamia Mara Maggard
Intro: I was a senior in high school when my mom forwarded a flyer for a completely free photography camp with National Geographic to me. At first it sounded really cool, and then really weird; why would National Geographic have a free photo camp in the middle of nowhere and only high schoolers could sign up. Despite these odd variables to the situation I decided to sign up and bring my two closest friends with me. Little did I know how much this camp was going to change my life. It was a five day overnight camp, completely free, and National Geographic explorers and headquarters employees, as well as local Indianapolis photographers were all there to teach us about photography.
During the final show (where we present our work from the week), I was invited to write about my experience with YEPT (Youth Environmental Press Team), under Earth Charter Indiana. A year later, I was contacted to work in the same program as a Team Lead. I was ecstatic, I was going to have a contract with THE National Geographic. Most recently, I was invited back again in October of 2026. Watching students have the same creative experience that I did not long before and seeing it impact them just as strongly as it impacted me was truly inspiring. Therefore I wanted to share some photos of these last few years and my involvement!
My photo camp crew October of 2024. I was a senior in high school and this is when I decided 100% what I wanted to do in the future.
My most recent camp, going through my students' photos for their mini final show. From left to right Ava Ott, Lily Daming, myself, and Ambrylin Blakley. (Oct. 2026)
A group photo of the photo camp crew October of 2026.
My student Ava Ott in the creek at McCormick’s Creek State park. (Oct. 2026)
My student Ava Ott taking photos at the Garfield Park Conservatory. (Oct. 2026)
We had optional morning assignments, where students could wake up for the sunrise; here I captured a great blue heron taking off. (Oct. 2026)
During our final photo walk at my second camp, we caught some lovely evening sun set photos. (Oct. 2025)
One of the crew's students, Elizabeth Olubanjo, gets a close-up shot of a bug that landed on instructor Anthony Obayomi. (Oct. 2025)
My four students during my first photo camp as a Team Lead. From left to right, Ja Chan, Seng Mai, Lyla Mendez, myself, and Victoria Oladipo. (Oct. 2025)
Bhavya Thakkar and Ja Chan capture a high shot during our morning assignment. (Oct. 2025)
Alyssa Nyberg, Preserve Coordinator at the Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands, assisting the group with finding the best way to view the bison at the preserve. (Oct. 2025)
A praying mantis at the Garfield Park Conservatory. (Oct. 2024)
One of my first shots from my very first camp of the lake in front of our cabin. (Oct. 2024)
My favorite shot from my first photo camp, an Orange Jasmine flower at the Garfield Park Conservatory. (Oct. 2024)
Through these camps, I learned how passionate I was about this and how badly I wanted to be a part of something similar working alongside people with similar values of caring for the planet and storytelling through both writing and photography. I find it extremely valuable to take any opportunity you can, build relationships, and stay humble in understanding that each day you will learn something new. I am forever grateful for my experiences and I am thrilled to see what the future holds for me.