Through the Lens: Hidden Worlds with Jodi Cobb

Jodi Cobb is an esteemed and influential photographer who has made a significant impact in the world of photojournalism. She gained unprecedented access to Japan’s Geisha community in 1992, shedding new light on this elusive subculture. As one of the first female photographers (and the only staff photographer) hired by National Geographic in the late 1970s, Jodi paved the way for future generations of female photojournalists. Her groundbreaking story “21st Century Slavery” exposed the global issue of human trafficking and generated more reader accolades than any other story in the magazine’s history. For more than four decades, Jodi has documented a changing world, focusing on women and sweeping societal change. One of the first western photographers allowed to travel across China when it first reopened to the West, Jodi was witness to a land and culture frozen in time. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal and the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism.