James B. Wellford

James B. Wellford is an experienced photo editor and curator with a robust background in visual storytelling and journalism. Currently serving as Senior Photo Editor for Global Issues at National Geographic since August 2016, Wellford also co-founded and editorially leads Screen, an organization dedicated to producing and distributing innovative visual documentaries. Previous roles include Contributing Photo Editor at Foreign Policy and CNN, Visual Editor at Smithsonian Magazine Journeys, and Senior International Photo Editor at Newsweek, where significant contributions included managing photographic coverage for global conflict and breaking news. Wellford also held the position of Senior Photo Editor and Archival Manager at New York Daily News, overseeing the digitization of its archival collection. Academically, Wellford holds a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Religions from Brown University.