About

It all started in San Francisco in 2002 when writer/filmmaker Julie Winokur + photojournalist Ed Kashi realized that effective, in-depth documentary projects require more than just good intentions and perseverance.

Effective storytelling projects need proper infrastructure, a solid collaborative team and significant funding to succeed over the long haul. Establishing Talking Eyes as a nonprofit media company, Winokur and Kashi planted their flag as civically-minded media makers, committed to using their skills in the public interest. This approach has borne great results and proven the power of media to help transform the status quo.

Talking Eyes creates and distributes documentary films, photography, interactives, books and exhibitions. We draw on years of experience from the acclaimed filmmakers, photographers, and writers who contribute to our team, and we have been innovating every step of the way.

Our stories have been showcased at festivals around the world and appeared in major media outlets including Time, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, MSNBC.com, and PBS stations nationwide. Our projects have received two Emmy nominations and won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Press Club, World Press International, UNICEF, and Pictures of the Year International. We have received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Geographic Society. Our list of funders and clients is extensive and varied.

Winokur and Kashi make frequent public presentations and teach extensively to support the next generation of storytellers.

Contact us about lecturing or teaching opportunities
Watch our CreativeLive online course

“The videos Talking Eyes created were a major hit at our event. I’ve never had so many people come up and compliment us about it. It’s clear how passionate they are about capturing each of these stories.”

— Melissa Granville, Partner, Capitol Impact

our core team

Julie Winokur
FOUNDER + EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Julie Winokur has been a storyteller for over two decades, first as a magazine writer and then as a documentary filmmaker. She launched Talking Eyes in 2002 as a way to focus on creating visual media that catalyzes positive social change. Her work has appeared on PBS, the Documentary Channel, MediaStorm, National Geographic Magazine and Discovery online, as well as in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and MSNBC.com. Beyond broadcast and publication, Winokur works extensively with nonprofit organizations to develop their messages and put Talking Eyes' films to work at the grassroots level. She has been a National Geographic Explorer and served on the faculty of Rutgers University-Newark and the International Center of Photography in New York. Winokur received a 2024 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts

Ed Kashi
PHOTOGRAPHER

Ed Kashi is a photojournalist, filmmaker and educator dedicated to documenting the social and political issues that define our times. Ed is a member of VII Photo Agency, as well as a mentor, teacher and lecturer. He was named Multimedia Photographer of the Year by the Pictures of the Year International in 2014, and has won numerous awards from World Press Photo, UNICEF’s Photo of the Year 2010, a Prix Pictet 2010 Commission, and honors from Communication Arts and American Photography. Kashi’s images have been published and exhibited worldwide. He has published seven books, including Curse of the Black Gold: 50 Years of Oil in the Niger Delta and THREE. Kashi’s latest book Photojournalisms, is a compilation of journal writings to his wife, done over a nearly 20-year period, from various locations around the world.

Rachel Dennis
PRODUCER

Rachel Dennis is a filmmaker, designer, and producer with a deep belief in the power of a great narrative. Her work has taken her all over the world in pursuit of stories about global poverty and human migration, and has appeared on National Geographic, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Guardian. Rachel is a 2012 graduate of the School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she worked on the award-winning Living Galapagos project.

Cat McGrath
PRODUCER

Cat McGrath is a producer and journalist with over a decade of experience crafting national stories about education for PBS and nonprofit organizations. Her work includes videos on the opioid epidemic, dyslexia, federal education grants, school leaders, music and the arts, as well as a full length PBS documentary about technology in the classroom. She’s passionate about telling stories with social relevance to viewers who are in a position to actualize change. Prior to her work in education, Cat produced for A&E, The History Channel, and KRON4 TV in S.F. where she got her start in film and video production.

Michael Curry
COLORIST + DIGITAL PRODUCER

Michael Curry is a colorist, digital artist, and computer scientist with a passion for imaging. From the darkroom to the IDE, he has followed the progression of imaging technology for the past 20+ years producing prints, exhibitions, and books for numerous photographers, filmmakers, and artists. Michael has worked with Talking Eyes Media & Ed Kashi for over 15 years and currently serves on the faculty of SUNY New Paltz.

what we do

We have the imagination, passion & expertise to transform ideas into persuasive media.

VIDEO PRODUCTION

From concept to creation to distribution, we collaborate with our partners and clients to craft beautiful, compelling stories that have a deep impact.

PHOTOGRAPHY

We work with world-renowned photographers with decades of experience in photojournalism, commercial and portrait photography.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

Part of making impactful work is getting eyes on it. We distribute and promote projects via social channels, publication, broadcast, and public programming.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Our most meaningful projects reach beyond the screen and into communities, going to work in schools, nonprofits, and local governments to inform and activate.