Mallory Benedict is a Photo Editor on the History and Culture desk for National Geographic Magazine, commissioning original photography across print, digital, and mobile platforms. 

She uses the past to understand present-day issues in her work, including stories on the legacy of the Suffrage movement and the timeless significance of lullabies as a coping mechanism to stress. She also works on stories related to social justice and geopolitics, and has covered lack of water access in El Salvador, racism against the Asian American community, and the role fathers play for their sons in Yemen. 

In 2021 she was named a finalist for Photo Editor of the Year by NPPA, and her work has been recognized by the American Society of Magazine Editors, Society of Publication Designers, National Press Photographer’s Association, and Pictures of the Year International. Benedict is also the Programs Manager for Women Photograph, an initiative designed to elevate the work of women and non-binary photographers around the globe. 

Benedict graduated from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism where she studied photojournalism, anthropology, and political science.