National Geographic Explorer, Photographer, Visual Artist

Davide Monteleone is a National Geographic Explorer, photographer and visual storyteller passionate about the complex relationships between people, power and place. Originally from Italy, Davide has spent over 2 decades working across the globe—from the vast landscapes of Russia to the high plateaus of South America—following stories that reveal how history, politics and identity shape our world. His work combines research, intuition and a poetic approach to documentary photography, often focusing on quiet, layered moments that speak to larger truths. With a background in Art and Politics from Goldsmiths, University of London, he brings an analytical and humanistic lens to every expedition.

Passionate about sharing knowledge and sparking curiosity, Davide invites fellow travelers to explore the stories behind the landscapes—and the unseen forces shaping our world. As a National Geographic Explorer and regular contributor to leading international publications, Davide has led visual investigations into the global energy transition, tracing the social and environmental dimensions in the most critical shift of our century. Davide sees photography as a way to ask questions rather than to find answers. He’s drawn to stories that take time, invite reflection and challenge straightforward narratives. When not on assignment, Davide reads essays on everything from science to philosophy, listens to classical music, meditates or heads into the mountains to climb. He sees travel not just as movement through space but as a means to connect across cultures, ideas and ways of seeing.