Packed House Greets Annie Griffiths In Rosemount

Most of the more than 300 people who came to the Steeple Center in Rosemount for Thursday's presentation by Annie Griffiths already knew she is very good with a camera. But by the end of the night they had found out she was not too bad with a microphone either.

Griffiths—the renowned National Geographic photographer—showed not just her photographs, but also her sense of humor and the common sense that made her a success as one of the first female photographers in the magazine's history.

She shared dozens of stories, some aimed at the funny bone—like when she woke up one morning on assignment, jumped out of bed to take photos of horses under a unique cloud pattern, and eventually realized that she had been joined by a group of cowboys. Then the punchline: “And I realized I was wearing a T-shirt and underwear.”

She also recalled heartfelt moments, as well as talking about her newest project, Ripple Effect Images, the goal of which is to “cover projects that empower women,” she said.

Lindsey Dyer, adult services coordinator for Dakota County Libraries who introduced Griffiths to the standing-room crowd of more than 350 people in attendance, said the stories were the best part of the night.

“Beyond the photos, which were really amazing, we really got to learn how she broke down cultural barriers just by how she interacted with people,” Dyer said. “It was the stories behind the photos that were most interesting.”

The event was a joint effort of the Dakota County Library system, the Rosemount Area Arts Council and the City of Rosemount.

“Everyone brought something to the table,” Dyer said.

Griffiths said she planned to be a writer, but got a camera while she was in journalism school at the University of Minnesota and quickly changed course.

“I always thought I would write, but my junior year I got a camera and audited a photo course. Someone dropped out (of the class) and I got their spot, and two weeks later I changed my major.”

In spite of everywhere she's been and everything she's seen, there's still a lot Griffiths still hopes to see through a camera lens.

“I've got such a bucket list, you wouldn't believe it,” she said. “I've always had a desire to go to Mongolia, and I've never been to mainland China. I want to go swim with whale sharks.

“But most of all I want to help poor women and girls. I want my photos to make a difference.”