Ami Vitale’s career stands as a testament to her deep dedication to documenting and addressing global crises. As an acclaimed National Geographic photographer, writer, and documentary filmmaker, as well as the founder of Vital Impacts, Ami has consistently spotlighted critical issues affecting our world.
Her journey began in conflict zones, where she observed firsthand how environmental degradation—from resource scarcity to climate change—intensifies human suffering and conflict. This early exposure shaped her understanding of the profound connections between human and environmental crises.
Vitale's work focuses on the stories of individuals living on the front lines of war, climate change, and extinction, who refuse to let cataclysm define their futures. Through her compelling journalism, she highlights stories of resilience and innovation, emphasizing the delicate balance between humanity and wildlife and the urgent need for conservation. Vitale’s work connects viewers to critical local conservation issues of global importance, underscoring our interconnectedness with one another and the natural world.
In addition to her journalism and filmmaking, Vitale is the founder and Executive Director of Vital Impacts , a non-profit organization that leverages the power of art to inspire and mobilize youth as agents of change. Vitale and her non-profit have raised over $5 million to support vital conservation projects.
Ami is a Royal Photographic Society Honorary Fellow and is a recipient of the prestigious Lucie Humanitarian Award, the Missouri Honor Media for Distinguished Service, and an inductee into the North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame. She has also received the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding Reporting, been named Magazine Photographer of the Year at the International Photographer of the Year awards, and is a six-time recipient of World Press Photo awards. Instyle magazine featured her alongside Jane Goodall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in its series "Fifty Badass Women," celebrating women who exemplify courage and action. Ami is currently serving as Conservation International's 2023/2024 Lui-Walton Innovators Fellow. A sought-after speaker, she continues to share her experiences and insights with audiences worldwide, and in 2025, she will be featured on the National Geographic Channel Explorer TV series. Based in Montana, she can be reached at ami@amivitale.com.
Featured Stories
Award
NPPA recognizes Ami with highest honor, Founder’s Award
With profound gratitude and humility, I am honored to announce that the NPPA has recognized my work in visual storytelling with the esteemed Founder’s Award, alongside the remarkable Deborah Willis. The NPPA explains, “The Founder’s Award celebrates and recognizes the careers, achievements, and contributions of the most deserving individuals in our field. Recipients are visual [ … ]
Vital Impacts
Help Vital Impacts Meet the Match
I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly talented and thoughtful Mark Edward Harris from Make It Better Foundation about the power of a single image to impact our understanding of the world. At this critical moment for humanity, we cannot afford to feel overwhelmed or hope that someone else will address our challenges. [ … ]
Award
Ami Named Royal Photographic Society Honorary Fellow
I am honored to share that I have been named an honorary fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, alongside such photographic luminaries as James Balog, James Friend, Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen, Michelle Sank, Marilyn Nance, Yasmine Crawford, and William Kentridge. This prestigious recognition is part of an initiative that celebrates the unique power of photography to challenge societal [ … ]
News
My Earth Essence Presets with Luminar Neo
I’m excited to announce my partnership with Luminar Neo. We have launched an exclusive Earth Essence Presets Collection that captures the essence of classic darkroom techniques. These presets are crafted to help you make subtle, yet powerful enhancements to your portrait, landscape, and wildlife photography. Guided by a strong commitment to ethical standards, my image [ … ]
