Born in Beijing in April 1970 and started her career in August 1992, WANG Yao used to be president of China Photographers Association (2012-2017) and currently a member of the Presidium of CFLAC (2016). 

WANG Yao took up photography at the age of 5 and her photo titled Go to School in New Uniform at her age of 11 won the 1^st Prize of National Good News of China in 1981. In 1988 WANG Yao was recommended for admission into News Department of China Renmin University and upon graduation she became a photography reporter and then deputy editor-in-chief of China News Agency, deputy editor-in-chief and director general of Photography Department of Xinhua News Agency (XNA)and director general of Photography Department of Hong Kong Branch of CAN. As the first Chinese woman photographer in the reports of Olympiad, WANG Yao has won National Top 10 Photographers of China, and acted as judge of Chinese Qualification of World Press Photo (WPP) as well as photography competitions both at home and abroad. Her photography has won China News Award, FAN Changjiang News Award and the Golden Award of the 43^rd WPP. In 2007, WANG Yao was conferred the honor of the 2^nd National Literary and Art Worker of both High Artistry and Lofty Virtue of China.