Dean Conger - 1950

Former assistant director of photography, National Geographic magazine

Dean Conger worked for National Geographic as a staff photographer and assistant director of photography for 30 years until his retirement in 1989.

Conger began his photojournalism career in 1947 at the former Casper Tribune-Herald. Following his position with the Tribune-Herald, he worked for the Denver Post during the 1950s. He was named Newspaper Photographer of the Year three times in the prestigious Picture of the Year competition.

Conger joined the staff of National Geographic in 1959. During the 1960s, he was one of the few photographers granted unlimited access to the former Soviet Union. His photos for National Geographic were compiled in a book titled Journey Across Russia: The Soviet Union Today. In 1961 he was named Magazine Photographer of the Year in the Picture of the Year competition.

Conger currently resides in Durango, Colorado.


Photos courtesy of UW Photo Service