Ami Vitale

Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic magazine photographer Ami Vitale has traveled to more than 100 countries, bearing witness not only to violence and conflict, but also to surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit. 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.” In 2009, after shooting a powerful story on the transport and release of one the world’s last white rhinos, Ami shifted her focus to today’s most compelling wildlife and environmental stories.

Her photographs have been commissioned by nearly every international publication and exhibited around the world in museums and galleries. She is a founding member of Ripple Effect Images, an organization of renowned female scientists, writers, photographers and filmmakers working together to create powerful and persuasive stories that shed light on the hardships women in developing countries face and the programs that can help them. She is also on the Photojournalism Advisory Council for the Alexia Foundation.

Currently based in Montana, Ami Vitale is a contract photographer with National Geographic magazine and frequently gives workshops throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

3 words to describe Nature?  

Healing. Connecting. Inspiring

3 things Nature taught you? 

To slow down 

To observe 

To marvel

3 most treasured Nature spots? 

Montana 

Kenya

Planet Earth

When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel...? 

Humbled

When you see a forest, it makes you feel...? 

Like we are in an intricate web and deeply connected to one another

When you see any volcano, it makes you feel...? 

I have never seen one up close. But I imagine in awe

When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel...? 

Ephemeral

When you hear thunder, it makes you feel...? 

Respectful

When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel...? 

Like snuggling up with a good book

Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person? 

All the above

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being? It's off the charts important. 

10 is not enough

Share with us a childhood nature memory? 

Sneaking out at night to sleep on my dad's boat. I always loved being on the water from as early as I can remember. 


Annie Griffiths

One of the first women photographers to work for National Geographic, ANNIE GRIFFITHS has photographed in nearly 150 countries during her illustrious career. She has worked on dozens of magazine and book projects for National Geographic, including stories on Lawrence of Arabia, Galilee, Petra, Sydney, New Zealand, and Jerusalem.

In addition to her magazine work, Griffiths is deeply committed to photographing for aid organizations around the world.  She is the Founder and Executive Director of Ripple Effect Images, a collective of photographers who document aid programs that are empowering women and girls in the developing world. In just five years, Ripple’s work has helped 24 non-profits raise over ten million dollars.

Griffiths has published 4 books, is an accomplished speaker and a regular guest on NPR, The Today Show and other media outlets.

Annie has received awards from the National Press Photographers Association, the National Organization of Women, and the White House News Photographers Association.

3 words to describe Nature? 

ESSENTIAL. COMFORTING. ENDURING

3 things Nature taught you? 

TO PAUSE

TO GASP

TO BE HUMBLE

3 most treasured Nature spots? 

MY CABIN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN

MY LITTLE HOME ON A LAKE IN VIRGINIA

ANY NATIVE PRAIRIE

When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel…? 

SMALL, PEACEFUL

When you see a forest, it makes you feel…? 

SAFE

When you see a volcano, it makes you feel…? 

HUMBLE

When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel…? 

GRATEFUL

When you hear thunder, it makes you feel…? 

THAT ALL LIVING THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET A DRINK

When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel…? 

CAUTIOUS

Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person? 

I’M A LAKE PERSON

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being? 

10

Share with us a childhood nature memory? 

SO MANY. THE MIRACLE OF FIREFLIES, CATCHING TOADS AND FROGS, CREATING A FORT OUT OF AN OLD SNAG, CATCHING CRAYFISH WITH A PIECE OF CORN ON A STRING. MARVELING AT SPIDER WEBS.