About Laura Grier

Get to know

Laura Grier

Adventure Photographer, Photo Anthropologist, Travel Writer and Social Impact Entrepreneur who has visited 101 Countries and 7 Continents

Laura Grier is an award‑winning adventure travel photojournalist, photo anthropologist, and social‑impact entrepreneur—nicknamed the Indiana Jones of Adventure Travel Photography. Named by Discovery Channel UK as one of the “20 Richest People in the World” (rich in life experience), Laura has documented stories across 100+ countries and all seven continents over 25 years.

A global citizen raised abroad (Jakarta, London, and Italy), Laura earned dual degrees in commercial photojournalism and fine‑art photography from Syracuse University. By age 18, she worked in the photo‑imaging department for the CIA and interned under National Geographic’s Ed Kashi in Florence. In 2003, she founded Beautiful Day Photography in Los Angeles, branching into destination weddings, editorial, and fine‑art portraiture. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, HuffPost Travel, American Photo, and PDN, with speaking roles at Canon, WPPI, CreativeLive, the Sun Valley Forum, and recently as the featured ‘Explorer’ at the Los Angeles Adventurers’ Club

Over the past 17 years, her most rewarding work has been with Novica/National Geographic, preserving “vanishing arts” and supporting local artisans, especially in Peru. A passionate mentor and advocate, Laura leads photo and cultural expeditions worldwide, empowering women through education, photography, and sustainable travel; serving as an ambassador for Impact Travel Alliance, Travel With Meaning, and Lokal Travel.

In 2019, she co‑founded Andeana Hats, an eco-conscious fashion venture that blends her passions for travel, photography, and women’s empowerment. Sourcing handmade alpaca‑wool hats and woven intention bands from Quechua women of Peru’s Sacred Valley, Andeana supports artisan income, preserves traditional crafts, and elevates cultural heritage. Continuing into philanthropy, Laura launched Mayu Mission, a sister nonprofit dedicated to partnering with indigenous artisans across Central and South America to preserve traditional crafts, language, and cultural heritage, while connecting them to global markets through digital entrepreneurship.