I’m Ellen Geerlings, a socio‑economic researcher and documentary photographer. For more than thirty years I worked internationally with nomadic and rural communities, focusing on livestock systems, agriculture and the environment. My fieldwork has rarely been limited to one‑time visits — most of my projects span multiple periods or years, allowing me to return, reconnect and understand communities in depth. I’ve worked in India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Egypt, Cambodia, Cameroon and other regions across Latin America, Asia and Africa.
A central focus of my work is the relationship between people and animals. I’ve always been fascinated by how deeply human wellbeing is tied to livestock, land and environment — and how this interdependence shapes identity, resilience and daily life. Through interviews and long-term field work, I’ve documented how farmers, herders and mobile communities navigate challenges such as climate change, livestock diseases, environmental degradation and socio‑economic pressure.
Photography has accompanied me throughout my career. I began with analog film, and over the years I’ve worked with both analog and digital cameras. I often use a small 50mm lens — unobtrusive and familiar — to avoid intimidating people and to keep the interaction as natural as possible. As much as possible I ask permission before taking photographs. My documentary projects grow from time spent with families, herders, farmers and communities whose stories deserve careful, respectful representation.
My work has been exhibited in Egypt and the Netherlands, including a solo exhibition at El Balad Gallery in Cairo and group exhibitions in Eindhoven, Maastricht and Deventer. My photographs have been featured by National Geographic, New Agriculturist, Thomas Cook and various publications, journals and educational materials including for United Nations Organisations. My photo book People and Livestock was selected as a Blurb “Staff Pick” for its exceptional photography and unique subject matter.
Through both research and photography, I aim to create visual narratives that reflect resilience, tradition and the deep interdependence between people, animals and the environments they inhabit.