Casper Native Dean Conger, Iconic National Geographic Photographer, Dies at 93

Conger's 30-year career at National Geographic captured defining moments of the 20th century

Mar. 23, 2026 at 4:13am

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Dean Conger, a native of Casper, Wyoming, who spent three decades as a renowned photographer for National Geographic, passed away in September 2023 at the age of 93. Conger's remarkable career spanned from fueling airplanes as a teenager to capturing iconic images of presidents, astronauts, and other defining moments of the 20th century. His archive of over 100,000 unedited 35mm slides now presents a significant challenge in terms of digitization and preservation of this visual history.

Why it matters

Conger's life story exemplifies the power of visual storytelling and the importance of preserving photographic archives. As more photographers and institutions grapple with the challenges of digitizing and archiving large collections, Conger's case highlights the growing demand for specialized services and innovative solutions to ensure these invaluable records of history remain accessible to future generations.

The details

Conger's journey began with a Kodak Brownie camera and evolved through Leica and Nikon equipment, as he mastered both film development and emerging digital technologies. His early work as a newspaper photojournalist and his service in the Army, where he honed his skills in darkrooms, laid the foundation for his success. In 1959, National Geographic offered Conger a job, launching him into a world of global assignments, from accompanying President Dwight D. Eisenhower on a South American tour to documenting the early days of the NASA Mercury program.

  • Conger began his career as a newspaper photojournalist in the 1950s.
  • He joined National Geographic in 1959, beginning a 30-year tenure with the organization.
  • Conger captured iconic images of presidents, astronauts, and other defining moments throughout the 20th century.
  • Conger passed away in September 2023 at the age of 93.
  • His archive of over 100,000 unedited 35mm slides is now being explored for digitization and preservation.

The players

Dean Conger

A native of Casper, Wyoming, who spent three decades as a renowned photographer for National Geographic, capturing iconic images of presidents, astronauts, and other defining moments of the 20th century.

Kurt Conger

Dean Conger's son, who is currently exploring ways to make his father's vast photographic archive of over 100,000 unedited slides accessible and beneficial to others.

Robyn Conger

Dean Conger's wife, who is working with his son Kurt to preserve and share the photographer's remarkable legacy.

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What they’re saying

“Dean Conger's archive of over 100,000 unedited slides presents a significant challenge, but also an opportunity to preserve and share his remarkable visual legacy.”

— Kurt Conger, Son of Dean Conger

What’s next

Kurt Conger and Robyn Conger are currently exploring ways to digitize and make Dean Conger's vast photographic archive accessible to the public, highlighting the growing demand for specialized services and innovative solutions to preserve visual history in the digital age.

The takeaway

Dean Conger's remarkable career as a National Geographic photographer serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring value of visual storytelling and the importance of preserving photographic archives, which are increasingly facing challenges in the digital era.