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. [ … ]

I’m honored to be part of an upcoming event at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration in Washington, D.C., a new space dedicated to curiosity, discovery, and the power of storytelling to connect us more deeply to the natural world. This opening moment for the museum feels especially meaningful, not just as a celebration of [ … ]

I’m grateful to have recently participated in the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, an incredible gathering centered on sustainability, systems change, and the future of the fashion industry. It was a meaningful few days of conversations, new ideas, and connection with people working across design, policy, innovation, supply chains, and environmental impact. From stage discussions [ … ]

I’m honored to share that I’ve been included in the jury for the 2026 İstanbul Photo Awards, an international photography competition that brings together powerful visual storytelling from around the world. This year’s selection process highlights the incredible scale and diversity of the submissions, with thousands of images submitted across categories spanning news, nature, sports, [ … ]

I’m honored to have my photographs featured in this National Geographic story exploring efforts to revitalize Japan’s coastal ecosystems through community-led conservation and restoration. The article highlights the growing movement to restore marine environments that have long supported both biodiversity and coastal communities. From restoring seaweed forests and marine habitats to reconnecting people with traditional [ … ]

I’m honored to have my photographs featured in this National Geographic story highlighting the next generation of coastal stewards working to protect Japan’s marine ecosystems and cultural connections to the sea. The piece explores how young people across coastal communities in Japan are learning through hands-on conservation, environmental education, and traditional knowledge to better understand [ … ]

I’m honored to have my photographs featured in this National Geographic story exploring how ancient Hawaiian marine technology is helping restore ocean ecosystems and strengthen community connections to the sea. The article highlights the revitalization of traditional Hawaiian fishponds — Indigenous systems of aquaculture that have sustainably supported communities for generations while helping maintain healthy [ … ]

I’m honored to have my photographs featured in this beautiful National Geographic story highlighting the next generation of ocean stewards protecting Hawai‘i’s shores. The piece explores the connection between culture, conservation, and community through stories of young Hawaiians caring for reefs, fishponds, and coastal ecosystems rooted in the Indigenous value of mālama ʻāina — caring [ … ]

I’m incredibly honored to be featured in Better Magazine’s “2026 Eco Warriors,” recognizing individuals using storytelling, advocacy, science, and creativity to help protect our planet. This recognition is especially meaningful because it’s shared alongside so many inspiring conservationists, photographers, educators, and environmental leaders whose work I deeply admire. I’ve always believed storytelling has the power [ … ]

I’m honored to be featured in a recent article by Amateur Photographer highlighting women photographers working in wildlife and conservation. The feature celebrates photographers whose work is helping shape conversations around nature, conservation, and our relationship with the planet. What makes this recognition especially meaningful is being included alongside so many extraordinary women photographers I [ … ]

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 [ … ]

I am honored to have been able to collaborate with The Nature Conservancy to document the incredible efforts and critical steps Kenya has had in achieving stable habitats for the survival of the species. Black rhinos once thrived across Kenya, but rampant poaching in the 1970s and ’80s drove them to near extinction. However, government [ … ]

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 [ … ]

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 [ … ]

The moment we’ve all been eagerly awaiting has finally arrived and choosing a winner was no easy feat, each of the 515 applicants was nothing short of awe-inspiring! I want to sincerely extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who participated.    It was truly humbling to witness the immense talent and passion displayed by all [ … ]

I had the privilege of speaking with the brilliant Mira Lane, Google’s Sr. Director of Technology and Society recently. Mira is a remarkable mix of artist and tech guru, and she’s all about breaking down barriers between these worlds. We talked about the importance of sharing stories of hope and the powerful impact it can [ … ]

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia to learn the art of visual storytelling! Any number of ships can take you to Antarctica. And the incredible landscape, the wildlife, and Antarctica’s ethereal light – it will all be waiting for you regardless.  But how you experience this wonderous place and how deeply it touches [ … ]

I am honored to announce that I am a Luminar Neo’s Global Ambassador. Skylum, the company behind Luminar Neo, is an extraordinary team, and they have created a tool that helps me streamline my workflow when I am on a deadline. As a documentary photographer, I believe the power of a photograph lies in its [ … ]

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 [ … ]

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 [ … ]

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 [ … ]

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 [ … ]

I am honored to launch a new Vital Impacts flash print sale with the photographers of National Geographic. 100% of profits will be donated to Direct Relief who are allocating these funds to the regions in the world in most need of humanitarian aid. They are working in Ukraine now to provide medical aid to [ … ]

World-respected, Montana-based photographer Ami Vitale has captured extraordinary scenes in more than 100 countries. Yet there’s one place that remains at the top of her list when it comes to creative inspiration: Northern Kenya. Since her first visit to the region in 2009, the Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic photographer has returned regularly to immerse [ … ]

My photograph of keeper Joseph Wachira comforting Sudan, the last living male northern white rhino, as he laid dying at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya in March 2018 was among the works that most resonated with National Geographic’s 200 million Instagram followers. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their account, National Geographic is looking back [ … ]

There is no better time than the start of the year to explore talented photographers who all have the power to inspire others. Each one of them with a unique visual voice and creative approach, these are ten female photographers you should know and follow…. Ami Vitale is an American photographer and filmmaker who captures impactful [ … ]

Photographer Ami Vitale documents endangered species and the powerful bonds they share with their caretakers. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Vitale and get a behind-the-scenes look at how she captured some of her most legendary pictures. Listen now here.

Ami Vitale was a war and conflict reporter for almost a decade before she made the switch to capturing images of our planet in peril: “I had this profound realization that all these conflicts, horrors of the world were deeply connected to nature,” she tells Rolling Stone from her home in Montana. “You could look at almost [ … ]

The final moments before the death of the last male northern white rhino, a 66-year-old elephant swimming in the ocean, and renowned primatologist Jane Goodall searching for chimpanzees in Tanzania in the early 1960s; these are all moments captured in a collection of powerful photographs that have been donated to raise funds for conservation projects.  [ … ]

I am proud to say that Shaba my film about the first matriarch of the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary has been selected as a finalist in THREE categories – Conservation Short Form, People & Nature Short Form and Our Human Planet Short Form – at the Jackson Wild Media Awards. Widely considered the most prestigious honor in [ … ]

I am so excited to share my new short film, Shaba, about the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary’s first matriarch elephant and the extraordinary bonds she formed with a herd of baby orphaned elephants and the people who rescued her.

A decade ago, a group of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes was relocated to a remote lakeside peninsula in Kenya. But in recent years, due to rising water levels, the peninsula became an island, trapping the giraffes. In 2020, a team of conservationists set up a daring rescue—one that wildlife photographer Ami Vitale traveled to document. This is her [ … ]

It sounds like the start of a bad joke: How do you move eight giraffes—including a newborn calf—off an island in Africa’s Western Rift Valley? Answer: It isn’t easy, and it involves a boat, blindfolds, and earmuffs. We follow conservationist David O’Connor on an epic (and awkward) journey to save these endangered animals. Listen to [ … ]

Ami was interviewed in May by Toronto Film Magazine about her filmmaking and her experience making Shaba. In the mountains of northern Kenya, a Samburu community is doing something that has never been done before. They’ve built a sanctuary for orphaned elephants to try to rehabilitate them back to the wild. The project is not [ … ]

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 [ … ]

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 [ … ]

Award winning photographer Ami Vitale had travelled the world capturing today’s most compelling wildlife and environmental stories. Highly commended in this years’ Wildlife Photographer of the year’s People’s Choice Awards, Ami’s image The Last Goodbye portrays the bond between ranger and rhino. Join Ami in conversation with Alison Shean as we discover the incredible story [ … ]

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.

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 [ … ]

I am excited to share this collaboration with the extraordinary artist Mantra, my wonderful friends at both Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Sarara Camp and National Geographic, who conspired to make this wild dream into a reality! For many years, I have been using photography and filmmaking to tell the powerful stories of this community in northern [ … ]