Ami Vitale is a Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic photographer, writer, speaker and documentary filmmaker. She has traveled to more than 100 countries, documenting the heartbreaking realities of war and witnessing the inspiring power of individuals making a difference.
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.” Her award-winning work illuminates the unsung heroes and communities working to protect wildlife and finding harmony in our natural world.
She has been named one of the most influential conservation photographers of her generation and is Conservation International's Lui-Walton Innovators Fellow. In 2022, she was awarded with the prestigious prizes from the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service and the Lucie Humanitarian Award. Instyle Magazine named Ami one of fifty Badass Women, a series celebrating women who show up, speak up and get things done. She appeared alongside a group of incredible women including Jane Goodall, Christiane Amanpour and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She has also been named Magazine photographer of the year in the International Photographer of the Year award, received the Daniel Pearl for Outstanding Journalism award and is a six-time recipient of World Press Photos. She is the author of the best-selling book, Panda Love, on the secret lives of pandas.
Ami is also the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Vital Impacts which uses art to empower and engage youth through the arts to become activists and influence their peers in the world. She lectures around the world for the National Geographic LIVE series, and will be featured on the National Geographic Channel Explorer tv series in 2023. Based in Montana, she can be reached at ami@amivitale.com.
An Evening with Ami Vitale at William & Mary
Join National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, writer, and explorer Ami Vitale, as she takes us on a journey, sharing powerful stories that drive change and inspire us all to push boundaries and have impact in our daily lives. Ami will share a series of powerful images and stories about people living on the front lines of [ … ]
Learn MoreThe Secret World of Elephants at the American Museum of Natural History, NYC
The Secret World of Elephants reveals new science about both ancient and modern elephants, including elephants’ extraordinary minds and senses, why they’re essential to the health of their ecosystems, and inspiring efforts to overcome threats to their survival. The Film “Shaba” Ami Vitale’s short film about Reteti’s first matriarch and the special bonds she formed [ … ]
Learn MoreWachholz College Center Presents Ami Vitale in Kalispell, Montana
After two decades on the front lines of conflict, Ami Vitale asked herself whether she was telling the story or making it the story through documenting the same thing as everyone else. This, plus grappling with PTSD, led to her taking on a yearlong assignment for a nature organization, traveling the world, reporting on biodiversity, [ … ]
Learn MoreThe Inaugural Mary Jane Price/Annie Cone Liptzin Lecture at UNC-Chapel Hill
Join Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic photographer, filmmaker and writer Ami Vitale for UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism’s inaugural presentation of the Mary Jane Price/Annie Cone Liptzin Visual Communication Alumni-in-Residence series. Ami will share powerful stories that drive change and inspire us all to push boundaries and have an impact in our daily lives. [ … ]
Learn MoreFeatured Stories
News
Remembering Sudan: A New Award-Winning Film
I am honored to launch my newest award-winning film Remembering Sudan, which documents the heartbreaking crisis facing the northern white rhinos. The film highlights the important relationship between keepers like Zacharia Mutai at Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the creatures they have committed their lives to protecting. It also highlights the important work by the BioRescue Project to [ … ]
Award
The Lucies to Honor Ami Vitale
The Lucie Awards is the premiere annual event honoring the greatest achievements in photography. The photography community from around the globe pays tribute to the most outstanding people in the field. Each year, the Lucie Advisory Board nominates deserving individuals across a variety of categories. The goals of The Lucies are threefold: to honor master [ … ]
Award
Ami Vitale to Receive Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service
The Missouri School of Journalism has announced the 2022 recipients of the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service, a prestigious award recognizing lifetime or superior achievement in journalism or strategic communication. Two individuals and a nonprofit media organization will accept their medals at an evening reception and banquet on Wednesday, Oct. 19, beginning at 6 [ … ]
conflict
Hat’s Off to You All!
My heart is exploding with love and gratitude to all of you who made the Vital Impacts fundraiser for humanitarian aid a huge success. Thanks to the outpouring of support, the print initiative sold over $800,000 of iconic, fine art prints by some of the world’s most fascinating photographers. I am grateful for the generosity [ … ]
