Category: News

Ami Named Royal Photographic Society Honorary Fellow

Posted on by Eileen Mignoni

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 perceptions and bring complex, urgent issues into sharper focus. I grateful for this platform that will provide me more opportunities to further use photography spark change, both individually and through my non-profit Vital Impacts. 

My Earth Essence Presets with Luminar Neo

Posted on by Eileen Mignoni

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 processing ensures that changes in color, density, contrast, and saturation never alter or obscure the original content of the photograph.

With each purchase of these presets, you’ll enhance your own photography and support Vital Impacts, our non-profit dedicated to empowering the next generation of environmental photographers.

These before-and-after images are an example of the presets in action. They show the orphaned elephants at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. This incredible organization, run by the Samburu community, rescues, rehabilitates, and reintroduces orphaned elephant calves to the wild. Discover more and get involved by following Reteti and Sarara Foundation.

I’m also sharing some favorite photos from India as well as my long-term work with scientists successfully bringing China’s pandas back from extinction.

Announcing the Winner of the Polar Latitudes With Ami Vitale Antarctica Trip!

Posted on by Sophie

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 the applicants for the Antarctica trip. Each submission was a testament to the incredible dedication and creativity within our community. The decision-making process for the judges was undoubtedly challenging, as every applicant brought something unique and valuable to the table. 

Drum roll please…. I am thrilled to announce that the winner of the Vital Impacts trip to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia with me and Polar Latitudes is Madison McKay!   

Madison is a marine biologist and science communicator, currently researching Bull Kelp restoration in Northern California as part of her master’s degree at Moss Landing Marine Labs. Known for her captivating work on Instagram as @its_mad_science instagram account and on TikTok as @nudibranch_nerd, she has enchanted millions with the marvels of tide pools and enlightened us about the enigmatic nudibranchs.   

Madison was surprised and said, “I was completely surprised and thrilled to hear I won this once in a lifetime opportunity! I am honestly still in shock! Visiting Antarctica is every marine biologist’s dream and I can’t believe it is going to become a reality.  I hope that by educating others on the importance and beauty of these ecosystems I can encourage others to get into this field and be good stewards of the environment. I can’t wait to learn more tools for communicating science and creating meaningful connections between our communities and nature.” 

And I too am honored and grateful to Polar Latitudes for allowing me to share this experience. Going to Antarctica is a rare privilege and one that I do not take lightly. I hope that we will do more than just showcase the beauty of this remote landscape but instead, nurture the next generation of advocates for our planet. By providing mentorship and firsthand experience in such a critical environment, I hope to empower our winners to create impactful narratives that resonate globally. The goal is to spark meaningful conversations, inspire action, and ultimately drive positive change for the future of our planet. 

If anyone is interested, we do have a handful of spaces left on this Polar Latitudes expedition to Falkland Islands/Malvinas, South Georgia and Antarctica! I am leading an immersive photography program onboard and you will not only make amazing photos but also come back with important visual storytelling skills. 10% Early Bird pricing is available if you book now! Learn more here.  

Finally, I am incredibly grateful to my generous sponsors Nikon who will be awarding a brand new Z8 camera, to Luminar Neo who will be awarding a one year license for Luminar Neo photo editing software, to ThinkTank Photo who will be awarding their Mirrorless Mover bag and Secure PPR card wallet and finally, we at Vital Impacts will be awarding 8×12 inch prints from our current initiative “The Nature of Hope: 90 Prints in Honor of Jane Goodall”  

Thank you again to everyone who shared their powerful work. It was an honor to spend time with your photography. I invite you all to apply for our 2024 Grant and Mentorship Program. Details on the program are available here.  

Join me in Antarctica!

Posted on by Ami Vitale

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 you will depend in large part on who you travel with.

I am thrilled to announce that I will be partnering with Polar Latitudes to journey to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia inNovember 2024. This will be much more than just a travel experience, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this icy wilderness while also becoming an ambassador for its preservation. I will be leading an Immersive Photography Program, curated by Polar Latitudes, and meticulously crafted to empower photographers with a profound love for nature to harness the power of visual storytelling. You’ll not only capture the mesmerizing landscapes and wildlife but also convey the urgency of protecting this remarkable ecosystem. 

Adding to the excitement, I’m thrilled to announce that we are giving away one spot to a female-identifying photographer or artist to join me on this unparalleled expedition. Applications are open until March 28! 

About this Antarctic Photography Adventure 

The trip to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia begins November 1st in Ushuaia and returns on November 21st, 2024. I am thrilled to partner with Polar Latitudes, who are renowned for their expertise in small-ship Antarctic expeditions. This is a wildlife lover’s dream journey!  With beaches covered in fur seals, elephant seals, and hundreds of thousands of penguins, it’s one of the most jaw-dropping nature scenes you will ever experience. It’s an experience that promises to be both humbling and exhilarating. 

Over the course of our 22-day expedition, we will have small groups and I’ll be offering on-the-ground photography guidance and conducting personalized photo reviews. Together, we’ll not only capture remarkable images but also cultivate a deeper understanding of how visual storytelling can serve as a tool for conservation and preservation.

This will be an environment where creativity thrives. I’m eagerly looking forward to providing feedback to both aspiring and seasoned visual artists as they expand their skills and utilize photography as a tool for planetary conservation. 

If you book your space now, you can  secure a spot  and enjoy a 10% off Early Bird pricing special, plus an additional 5% if paid in full here.  

Win a trip to Antartica!

This month in honor of international Women’s Day, Vital Impacts, Polar Latitudes and I are teaming up to  launch a contest for one aspiring or experienced female-identifying photographer to accompany me on this trip. To enter, contestants are asked to tag @polarlatitudes, @amivitale and @vital.impacts on social media, share one photo and either post a video or send an essay about how they’ll use the experience to create a positive impact. The deadline to enter is March 28. 

The trip is valued at $28,000 and this package includes one roundtrip economy class airfare ticket to Ushuaia, Argentina (up to $2,500), airport transfer, shipboard food and accommodation (a shared cabin with one female Vital Impacts team member), and more. In addition to training, workshops, and inspiration, this Antarctica trip offers a chance to become immersed in Vital Impacts, my women-led nonprofit that uses art and storytelling to support grassroots conservation. 

To apply and to find the contest rules and conditions, visit the Vital Impacts website. Or skip the contest and reserve your spot today.

Either way, I can’t wait to see you on the other side of the world! 

Remembering Sudan: A New Award-Winning Film

Posted on by Eileen Mignoni

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 save the species from extinction.

Many of you have been following this story of the northern white rhino with me since I began it over 14 years ago. I hope that you will take time to watch the film and support the important conservation work of Ol Pejeta Conservancy. All ticket sales go to supporting Ol Pejeta, which cares for Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on the planet.

Visit rememberingsudan.org or to watch today.

Thank you for joining me on this journey and for believing that we can fundamentally change the course we are currently on. These creatures remind us that the world is so beautiful in spite of all that breaks our hearts.

Thank you to Zacharia Mutai, Ol Pejeta, MediaStorm and Dane Henry for your beautiful collaboration.

The Lucies to Honor Ami Vitale

Posted on by Eileen Mignoni

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 photographers, to discover and cultivate emerging photographic talent and to promote the appreciation of photography worldwide. Ami Vitale will be honored with the 2022 Humanitarian Award.

The Lucies will be held at Carnegie Hall on Oct. 25, 2022. Tickets are available at lucies.org.

Exceptional Alien: ‘Kenya reminds us of all the wonder and magic of this world.’

Posted on by Eileen Mignoni

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 herself in the stories of heartbreak, but more importantly, in the stories of hope. It’s through this hope-filled lens that Ami then shares her compelling imagery of Northern Kenya. Now, with a strong connection to the community and the many conservation organizations there, Ami finds herself returning time and again. We chat to Ami about her lens on the world, her favorite spots to marvel at all living things and her top Travel Gems to explore in Northern Kenya.

Read the full article in Exceptional Alien here.

PetaPixel: 10 Female Photographers You Should Know in 2022

Posted on by Eileen Mignoni

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 wildlife and environmental stories to highlight conservation issues. Vitale has traveled the world to cover all aspects of humanity — from violence and conflicts to the endurance and strength of the human spirit — and has shifted her focus to wildlife and the environment in recent years. This change of direction was marked by photographing the transport and release of the world’s last white rhinos in 2009.

Vitale shoots for National Geographic, is a Nikon Ambassador, has been named as one of 50 Badass Women by Instyle Magazine, and has numerous other professional accolades, awards, titles, and other types of international recognition. However, it is Vitale’s enthusiasm and dedication to powerful storytelling that shines through.

Besides her educational work, Vitale is also a writer and has published a best-selling book, titled “Panda Love.” The book contains Vitale’s photographs taken in China, and documents the efforts to breed pandas and release them back into the wild.

See the article.

RollingStone: The Photographers Trying to Save Our Planet

Posted on by Eileen Mignoni

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 every single one of them and realize it was all connected to resources — everything we need comes from nature.” She began photographing endangered species, like the Northern White Rhino, hoping to get others tapped into the urgency of the problem. “I started to find stories about not just what we’re doing to the planet, but answers, too,” she says. “You can continue to talk about the horrors of the world, shock people, but what were we going to do about it?”

One thing she could do, she decided, was to get this kind of work into everyone’s home — because if people could look at a stunning image of an important subject every day, it might inspire them. So, for the past four years, Vitale has been running print sales that benefit conservation nonprofits — raising, she says, nearly $3 million over four years through fundraising and selling artwork donated by herself and her peers. “The first time I did this was because the U.S. was going to reverse the ban on the elephant tusk trade,” she says. “I was so enraged and felt so hopeless that I launched a print sale to benefit an elephant sanctuary I’d been working with.” That raised $50,000 in a couple weeks, she says.

Now, officially registered as the nonprofit Vital Impacts, Vitale and her cofounder, journalist Eileen Mignoni, have assembled an impressive group of 100 photographers — including National Geographic cover photographers, celebrated fine artists, up-and-coming talents, and one Dr. Jane Goodall — to donate images in a sale that lasts through Dec. 31. Sixty percent of profits go to conservationist groups, while 40 percent goes directly to the photographer. “Even if people don’t buy images, I hope they get inspired by the artists,” Vitale says.

Here, Rolling Stone has gathered selection of images and their stories to perhaps inspire others to begin to care about these species that, as Vitale says, lived here for millions of years — but couldn’t outlive us.