Ami Vitale
Hope is a difficult thing to hang onto, especially in the life of a photojournalist. Two decades into her career, Ami Vitale has witnessed many forms of human and animal suffering, but she still believes photography has the power to help change the world. Since being present at the death of Sudan, the world’s last Northern white rhino, her work has focused on wildlife, conservation and human-wildlife conflict.
A contract photographer for National Geographic, Vitale’s commitment, often working on stories over long periods, has led to her winning five World Press Photo awards, including First Prize for her 2018 story on the community-run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Kenya. After dodging explosions, sleeping in mud huts, contracting malaria and wading through floods, her recent series Panda Love had her wearing a panda suit, scented with panda urine and faeces. No pain, no gain…
Does photography for you always need to have a purpose?
Absolutely. In the beginning, I was attracted to the idea of exploration, a passport to see the world, making beautiful images. After a while, I realised that’s not what motivates me. I believe the power of great photography is to amplify other people’s voices; to
