In the beginning, photography was my passport to meeting people, learning, and experiencing new cultures. Now it is more than just a passport. It’s a tool for creating awareness and understanding across cultures, communities, and countries; a tool to make sense of our commonalities in the world we share.
Ami Vitale
Ami Vitale is a documentary photographer and filmmaker and a 2022 recipient of the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism.
A National Geographic photographer, Vitale has been a pioneer in creating unique conservation stories that amplify the work of communities on the frontlines of grassroots conservation. She has travelled to more than 100 countries, documenting the heartbreaking realities of war to witnessing the inspiring power of individuals making a difference. 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.” Her award-winning work illuminates the unsung heroes and communities working to protect wildlife and finding harmony in our natural world. Her photographs have been commissioned by nearly every international publication and exhibited around the world in museums and galleries.
Ami is the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Vital Impacts . In the first 6 months, she raised 1.5 million dollars which has been distributed to help support conservation efforts around the world. She is mentoring and teaching photography with her team to 40 indigenous Kenyan conservationists and using art to empower and engage youth to become activists and influence their peers in the world.
An exhibit of Vitale’s work was presented in the McDougall Center Gallery in conjunction with the Missouri Honor Medal Award.
