Jonathan Kingston: Chasing Adventure Stories Across Oceans and Cultures

A broken camera. A dugout canoe. A teenage dream. Jonathan Kingston’s story feels stitched together by serendipity, determination, and a relentless curiosity about the world. From freezing winters on the Crow Reservation to swimming elephants in the Andaman Islands, Jonathan has spent over two decades capturing Earth’s hidden corners for National Geographic. His journey began not in a classroom, but through stubbornness against expectations and a few life-altering phone calls that challenged him to say “yes” — even when it terrified him.

In today’s conversation, Jonathan invites us into the trenches of his career — where storytelling always mattered more than technical perfection. We hear about the panic of getting his first Nat Geo assignment with a broken camera, chasing pirate shipwrecks in Panama, and patiently waiting years for the chance to photograph a swimming elephant just as he had imagined it. His stories pulse with the tension between wild ambition and quiet reflection — a reminder that adventure often lives where preparation meets persistence.

Jonathan also shares heartfelt reflections on the profound friendships formed on the Crow Reservation, his teaching work today, and the launch of Submerged Archaeological Conservancy International, combining ocean preservation with maritime archaeology. Every image he captures feels like a time capsule — holding emotion, curiosity, and a gentle call to keep looking deeper.

This is a story of adventure in its purest form: driven not by fame or fortune, but by the spark of curiosity, the hunger to learn, and the desire to connect across cultures, oceans, and generations. Settle in and enjoy the journey.

Watch The Episode With Jonathan Kingston

Listen To The Episode With Jonathan Kingston

Key Episode Takeaways

  • Follow your curiosity – Trust those sparks of excitement to guide your life and career choices.
  • Persistence pays off – The image of the swimming elephant took two years of patience and setbacks to capture.
  • Prepare to seize unexpected chances – Jonathan’s journey to Nat Geo began with a last-minute, maxed-out trip to Hawaii.
  • Story over technical perfection – Impactful photographs are layered with emotion and multiple stories, not just sharpness.
  • Community and culture matter – Jonathan’s time on the Crow Reservation shaped his storytelling heart as much as any photo class.

Memorable Quotes

  • “Find an excuse to say yes to your curiosity.” – Jonathan Kingston
  • “Sometimes an image takes two years — or a lifetime — to make.” – Jonathan Kingston
  • “When you fall in love with something, you can’t fake it.” – Jonathan Kingston
  • “The more stories I can fit into one frame, the more powerful it becomes.” – Jonathan Kingston

Facts

  • Jonathan Kingston has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic for over 20 years.
  • He helped co-found the nonprofit Submerged Archaeological Conservancy International (SACI).
  • He studied underwater photography at the now-closed Brooks Institute of Photography in California.
  • His first Nat Geo assignment was photographing military training for journalists in Virginia.
  • The famous image of a swimming elephant was captured after two years of planning and setbacks in the Andaman Islands.

Ideas

  • Preserve cultural heritage through photography and archaeology – Images are living time capsules for future generations.
  • Maritime archaeology and conservation – Protecting shipwrecks can also protect fragile marine ecosystems.
  • Teaching through storytelling – Workshops and youth camps help inspire the next generation of visual storytellers.
  • Redefining success in creativity – Sometimes the “perfect shot” isn’t about technical perfection, but emotional connection.

Call to Adventure

Jonathan challenges you: Listen to the spark. Follow your excitement. Find an excuse to say “yes” to whatever stirs your deepest curiosity — and don’t let fear write your story.

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Pay It Forward

Jonathan’s cause: Support Submerged Archaeological Conservancy International (SACI) — preserving ocean history and inspiring marine conservation through maritime archaeology.

References & Recommendations

Before You Go

Thanks for exploring the world of adventure with us today. We hope Jonathan’s stories spark your own call to curiosity and exploration. 🌎✈️ Don’t miss future episodes —

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