Karen Kasmauski

Karen Kasmauski

Keynote Speaker: Former National Geographic Photographer, Documentary Filmmaker & Educator; Author of "NURSE: A World of Care" & "IMPACT: From the Front Lines of Global Health"

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  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    Virtual Event Fee: Below $10,000
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Karen Kasmauski Biography

Karen Kasmauski is a photographer, filmmaker, project manager, and educator specializing in documentary photography, global health, and visual storytelling. During her two decades as a National Geographic magazine photographer, Kasmauski produced 25 major stories on topics including the ecology of disease, human migration, viruses, aging, and genetics. Many of these stories were based on ideas she originated and proposed. Her assignments have taken her from the rainforests of Malaysia to the megacities of India and the north slope of Alaska. She has covered earthquakes in Japan, been arrested in Africa, and exposed to radiation in Russia.

Kasmauski’s work often focuses on family dynamics and the interactions between individuals, documenting people in challenging circumstances. Her global health projects led to collaborations with Emory University, resulting in the book "NURSE: A World of Care," which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her earlier book, "IMPACT: From the Front Lines of Global Health," examines the causes of infectious diseases worldwide. Both books include introductions by former President Jimmy Carter.

Kasmauski’s documentary film, "Fall Seven Times, Get Up Eight—The Japanese War Brides," aired globally on BBC. She received a Getty Images grant and a Knight Fellowship to study at Ohio University, where she earned an MA in visual communication. Kasmauski leads photography tours for National Geographic and teaches at George Washington University and George Mason University. Her photographs have been exhibited at the United States Congress, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Geographic Society. She is a senior fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and has spoken at events such as TEDx MidAtlantic. Kasmauski’s work emphasizes the role of photography in connecting people through shared human experiences.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Karen Kasmauski and other top speakers and celebrities.

Karen Kasmauski Speaking Topics

The Culture of Obesity

Reflecting on the cover story and the controversial image Kasmauski shot that raised as much furor as praise, Kasmauski discusses obesity around the world: what it indicates, what it enables, and what it often predetermines in societies as disparate as rural Japan, Northern Alaska, Sub-Saharan Africa and Appalachia.

The Value of Cultural Differences

Kasmauski champions the value of what is for many, their first filter on experience. In her line of work, for instance, who shoots the story often factors into what story will be told. A Japanese American woman, as in Kasmauski’s case, will likely have a different cultural filter than a man from another part of the world. Both would arrive at the same scene, but each would interpret the surroundings, the narrative, the relationships, according to his or her baseline beliefs and experiences. Kasmauski argues that this distinction is what feeds the rich human experience, and without it, we are little more empty vessels.

An American Journalist Explores Her Japanese Roots

No matter how hard she searched the faces and communities of Japan, Kasmauski could not find the mythologized Japanese women she had always read about: the fragile flowers. It wasn’t until she traveled the world as a photographer for National Geographic that she rediscovered half of her heritage and grew acquainted with a modern Japanese culture.

The World’s Other War: A Decade on the Front Lines of Global Health

For the last ten years Kasmauski has given us the personal side of numerous global health crises: AIDS, malnutrition, immunization, reproductive health, and overpopulation. In this sweeping view of the human condition, Kasmauski shares the stories that have and will continue to shape our joint destiny in this ever-shrinking world.

Nurse: A World of Care

Kasmauski focuses her lens on the inspiring and compelling story of nurses around the globe, from midwives working on the Texas/Mexico border to nurses fighting AIDS in Kenyan slums. In this presentation, she illustrates why nurses hold the power to make a difference and are the true leaders in many communities, serving on the front lines of social, economic and environmental crises.

Karen Kasmauski Videos

Rosebud Film Festival 2016: "The Japanese War Brides"
Illustrating the unillustratable | Karen Kasmauski | TEDxMidAtlantic ...

How do I book Karen Kasmauski to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Karen Kasmauski for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Karen Kasmauski, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Karen Kasmauski or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Karen Kasmauski for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Karen Kasmauski, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Karen Kasmauski are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Karen Kasmauski, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Karen Kasmauski speak about?

Karen Kasmauski is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Culture, Art & Design, Photography, Medicine, Health & Wellness, Healthcare, Television & Film and Asian & Pacific Heritage.

Where does Karen Kasmauski travel from?

Karen Kasmauski generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Karen Kasmauski?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Karen Kasmauski for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Karen Kasmauski for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Karen Kasmauski or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Karen Kasmauski is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Culture, Art & Design and Photography. The estimated speaking fee range to book Karen Kasmauski for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Karen Kasmauski generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Cesar Kuriyama, Stacy Pearsall and Lisa Kristine. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Karen Kasmauski for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/11/2025.

Karen Kasmauski Speaking Topics

  • The Culture of Obesity

    Reflecting on the cover story and the controversial image Kasmauski shot that raised as much furor as praise, Kasmauski discusses obesity around the world: what it indicates, what it enables, and what it often predetermines in societies as disparate as rural Japan, Northern Alaska, Sub-Saharan Africa and Appalachia.

  • The Value of Cultural Differences

    Kasmauski champions the value of what is for many, their first filter on experience. In her line of work, for instance, who shoots the story often factors into what story will be told. A Japanese American woman, as in Kasmauski’s case, will likely have a different cultural filter than a man from another part of the world. Both would arrive at the same scene, but each would interpret the surroundings, the narrative, the relationships, according to his or her baseline beliefs and experiences. Kasmauski argues that this distinction is what feeds the rich human experience, and without it, we are little more empty vessels.

  • An American Journalist Explores Her Japanese Roots

    No matter how hard she searched the faces and communities of Japan, Kasmauski could not find the mythologized Japanese women she had always read about: the fragile flowers. It wasn’t until she traveled the world as a photographer for National Geographic that she rediscovered half of her heritage and grew acquainted with a modern Japanese culture.

  • The World’s Other War: A Decade on the Front Lines of Global Health

    For the last ten years Kasmauski has given us the personal side of numerous global health crises: AIDS, malnutrition, immunization, reproductive health, and overpopulation. In this sweeping view of the human condition, Kasmauski shares the stories that have and will continue to shape our joint destiny in this ever-shrinking world.

  • Nurse: A World of Care

    Kasmauski focuses her lens on the inspiring and compelling story of nurses around the globe, from midwives working on the Texas/Mexico border to nurses fighting AIDS in Kenyan slums. In this presentation, she illustrates why nurses hold the power to make a difference and are the true leaders in many communities, serving on the front lines of social, economic and environmental crises.

Karen Kasmauski Videos

Rosebud Film Festival 2016: "The Japanese War Brides"
Illustrating the unillustratable | Karen Kasmauski | TEDxMidAtlantic ...
  • How do I book Karen Kasmauski to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Karen Kasmauski for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Karen Kasmauski, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Karen Kasmauski or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Karen Kasmauski for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Karen Kasmauski, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Karen Kasmauski are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Karen Kasmauski, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Karen Kasmauski speak about?

    Karen Kasmauski is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Culture, Art & Design, Photography, Medicine, Health & Wellness, Healthcare, Television & Film and Asian & Pacific Heritage.
  • Where does Karen Kasmauski travel from?

    Karen Kasmauski generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Karen Kasmauski?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Karen Kasmauski for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Karen Kasmauski for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Karen Kasmauski or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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