Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic magazine photographer Ami Vitale has traveled to more than 100 countries, bearing witness not only to violence and conflict, but also to surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit.
Throughout the years, Ami has lived in mud huts and war zones, contracted malaria, and donned a panda suit— keeping true to her belief in the importance of “living the story.” In 2009, after shooting a powerful story on the transport and release of one the world’s last white rhinos, Ami shifted her focus to today’s most compelling wildlife and environmental stories. She is a founding member of Ripple Effect Images and is on the Photojournalism Advisory Council for the Alexia Foundation Currently based in Montana, frequently gives workshops throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. She can be reached at ami@amivitale.com.
My New Film about Reteti Elephant Sanctuary at the International Wildlife Film Festival
In the mountains of northern Kenya, a Samburu community is doing something that has never been done before, building a sanctuary for orphaned elephants to rehabilitate them back to the wild. The project is not just changing attitudes about elephants, it’s changing attitudes about women too; the secret to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary’s success is [ … ]
Learn MoreGlobal Biodiversity Festival
May 22nd is the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrate with a virtual extravaganza featuring scientists, explorers and conservationists from across the globe! Ami Vitale will be speaking at 12pm MST/2pm EST on Friday, May 21. The Global Biodiversity Festival is a virtual weekend for the general public, with a simple goal of shining a [ … ]
Learn MoreShaba, on Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Doclands Film Festival
My new film, Shaba, about the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, has been selected for the the Doclands Festival May 7-16, streaming as part of the “For the Love” Shorts Program. Learn more and get tickets here. I hope you’ll have a chance to catch this moving story of the Samburu and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary who have [ … ]
Learn MoreThe Amazon Rainforest Workshop
Join THREE renowned photographers; Ami Vitale, Joe McNally and Tamara Lackey on the trip of a lifetime to Ecuador where you will experience the abundant wildlife of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest and the culture of Quito, its historic capital. Ecuador has the highest level of biodiversity per square kilometer anywhere in the world and you [ … ]
Learn MoreFeatured Stories
The Last Goodbye
View the StoryA Daring Giraffe Rescue
View the StoryArt for Conservation
View the StoryNational Geographic: Women of Impact
View the StoryAfrica
Ami Vitale on CBS Sunday Morning
Ami was honored to have recently been featured on the program CBS Sunday Morning in the segment, “Travel photographers on capturing images close to home.“ During the pandemic, photographers who are used to working in exotic locations have been focusing on more local subject matter, opening up new avenues of creativity. Correspondent Rita Braver talks [ … ]
News
Ami Vitale Wins 2021 World Press Photo Award
My photograph of a Rothschild’s giraffe being rescued from Longicharo Island in western Kenya’s Lake Baringo has been honored with the First Place Award in the 2021 World Press Photo Nature Category. I am incredibly grateful to the people at Save Giraffes Now for giving me the opportunity to tell this story and to Kenya [ … ]
Africa
Flash Print Sale to Support Northern White Rhino Keepers
For the month of February, I am holding a special fine art print offering of all my photographs of northern white rhinos. 100% of the profits will be donated directly to the keepers at Ol Pejeta Conservancy so that they can continue on their mission of protecting and fighting for some of the world’s most vulnerable creatures.
Conservation
First-Edition Scarf Sale to Benefit the BioRescue Project
I am pleased to share that my photo, “Dancer” is a part of the exclusive new Athena Collection of scarves from InFocus Canada. The series features some of North America’s most outstanding female photographers. Beautiful photography, elegant fashionable scarves, limited first edition, support of charity, sustainably and ethically produced. The photo is of a traditional [ … ]
