Kiliii Yüyan • Photography is Nothing Episode 44

with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

Episode 44 • Kiliii Yüyan

Zach & Courtney discuss the photography of Kiliii Yüyan [key-LEE ree-YEN], National Geographic photographer, Explorer, and speaker. Kiliii’s work focuses on indigenous communities around the world with special attention to environmental issues.

This week we talk about Kiliii’s background and some of his best known work so you’ll be familiar with his photography and approach before our next episode, an in-depth interview with Yüyan.

Indigenous Photography

Kiliii is himself of Chinese and Nanai/Hèzhé descent and speaks often of how his own background informs his photography with Indigenous people of the world. He spends extended periods with each group of people that he photographs, building relationships and serving as an active member of the communities.

Kiliii has photographed Indigenous communities and environments across the globe, such as Mongolia, Palau, and the Navajo Nation. His immersive approach is apparent in all aspects of his work, from the unusual scenes he’s able to capture, to the descriptions he writes for each photograph. Kiliii is clearly well versed in the cultures he’s documenting.

Backstory

Yüyan took up photography only in his 30’s, when as a traditional kayak builder he began photographing his work. As a visual artist, photography came naturally, and he was photographing for National Geographic in just about 3 years.

In this episode 44 of Photography Is Nothing, we discuss in depth Kilii’s most well known National Geographic projects: We Are Here and People of the Whale.

An award winning photographer, Killiii has also earned 3 covers for National Geographic and his work has also been featured in TIME, Vogue, and WIRED. Yüyan is a keynote speaker through Changemaker Talent with appearances at TEDx, and NatGeo Live, among others.

Current Work

In February 2026, Kiliii published a new book: Guardians of Life: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet. Guardians of Life features a decade of of his photos and includes contributions from two dozen Indigenous authors.

Yüyan is currently working on project in the arctic, photographing Greenland sharks under the ice. He’s famously known for his encounters with polar bears, sharks, and other wildlife where he captures stunning images under intense pressure.

Be sure to watch the full episode to see all the amazing photography we discuss in this and every episode of Photography Is Nothing. After you watch, tell us what you think! Leave a comment & give us a review. You can follow us on your favorite podcasting platforms & share with your friends.

Resources for Episode 44 • Kiliii Yüyan

• Kiliii Yüyan: https://kiliii.com/
• National Geographic Bio: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/experts/kiliii-yuyan/
• Guardians of Life: https://kiliii.com/GUARDIANS-OF-LIFE-BOOK/1/caption
• Kiliii Yüyan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiliiiyuyan

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