In Anand Varma’s hands, a camera is not just a tool to capture what he sees—it’s a way to illuminate the layers of beauty and complexity that are otherwise hidden from our naked eye. Armed with a degree in integrative biology, he has devoted years of his life to developing innovative techniques—even building some of his own equipment—to create intimate, dramatic and surprising images of nature. His ultimate goal: to spark a sense of wonder about our world. Through his work, Anand highlights creatures whose incredible details typically go unseen and discovers new stories behind the science along the way. He is a National Geographic Explorer and award-winning photographer based in Berkeley, CA.