From Egyptologists to Underwater Experts, Get a Free Behind-the-Scenes Look at What These NatGeo Explorers Do

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Nicoletta RichardsonEntertainment Editor
Nicoletta RichardsonEntertainment Editor
In her spare time, Nicoletta loves marathoning the latest Netflix show, doing at-home workouts, and nurturing her plant babies. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, AFAR, Tasting Table, and Travel + Leisure, among others. A graduate from Fairfield University, Nicoletta…read more
published May 7, 2020
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While many travels are paused for the time-being, storytelling about them is not. National Geographic is holding virtual conversations with one of their Explorers each week to carry on the spirit of adventure—and let you meet them from the comfort of home

Every Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET, National Geographic Explorers turn their cameras on to connect with people on Facebook Live as part of the new “National Geographic Live: Backstage” series. While the Society usually holds in-person events through “National Geographic Live,” they’re giving “Live” a new meaning by letting their audience inside the homes of their expert storytellers.

The first explorer to tune in was Brian Skerry, a long-time underwater photographer for National Geographic. He greeted Facebook members with quite the backdrop: An entire wall covered in National Geographic covers—including two blown-up portraits—featuring his photography. Skerry shared stories about everything from his experience with marine life of Ireland to the time he glued googly eyes to the back of his wetsuit hood (spoiler: he was trying to prevent tiger sharks from sneaking up behind him). 

The next explorer was Bertie Gregory, a wildlife photographer at National Geographic, who introduced himself by throwing a leaf-covered camouflage piece over his head. That was his way of telling viewers that his job involves take footage of animals all over the world by blending in with the environment. Throughout the Live, Gregory answered questions from the audience on how he captures animal content in a safe and responsible way and if he ever gets scared (the answer is yes), among many other things.

Three more explorers will be making future appearances on National Geographic Live’s Facebook page: Egyptologist Kara Cooney, Wildlife Filmmaker Filipe Deandrade, and Carnivore Ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. And if you missed the first two that already aired, don’t fret: you can go on National Geographic Live’s Facebook page and watch the storytelling in full.