Ben Horton has based his career on being able to go places that other people either couldn't, or didn’t want to go. From thousands of feet underwater to the most remote regions in the Arctic, Ben’s passion is to use photography as a means to inspire people to take stewardship of the planet. He aims to give people who may not be able to see something for themselves a vicarious experience through his images that will instill a passion in them they would never have otherwise. Ben started his career with National Geographic by telling the story of the sharks of Cocos Island. He traced the illegal fishing industry from Costa Rica to China, and as a result of his work helped to increase the park boundaries and protection of two of Costa Rica’s national parks. Ben was ultimately awarded the National Geographic Society’s first-ever Young Explorer Grant, and he has since moved on to receive a number of other National Geographic grants, assignments, and most recently a documentary featuring his work in Thailand. Ben is based in Southern California, and works in fashion and sports campaigns when he’s not on assignment for National Geographic. As a photographer, his career has been highlighted by contrasts, and it’s variety that keeps him inspired to continue creating dynamic imagery.