Good Work with Barrett Brooks From War Zones to Wildlife: Ami Vitale’s Journey to Hope Through Photography
Oct 23, 2025
In this engaging chat, National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale shares her incredible journey from a shy kid to a renowned visual storyteller. She reveals how embracing photography gave her a voice and transformed her approach to life. Ami discusses the emotional weight of conflict reporting and her pivotal decision to shift towards wildlife and hope. With captivating stories from her travels, she highlights the importance of community and dignity in storytelling, reminding us that wildlife narratives are deeply connected to humanity.
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Sudan Sparked A Conservation Pivot
- Meeting Sudan the northern white rhino moved Ami from conflict to conservation storytelling.
- She noticed indigenous voices were missing and began elevating local communities as protectors.
Community Agency Protects Wildlife
- Community ownership of wildlife produces far better protection than policing alone.
- During the pandemic Kenya saw zero rhino poaching while others surged because communities retained agency.
Travel To Support Local Conservation
- If you visit, research where tourism dollars benefit local communities and wildlife.
- Choose operators that return income to locals so conservation incentives align with livelihoods.
