National Geographic names Nikon Ambassador Ami Vitale as Explorer at Large
Search all Robert G Allen Photography articles:
National Geographic Explorer at Large Ami Vitale with her camera in Montana's Centennial Valley, 2020. Photo courtesy of Ami Vitale.
National Geographic press release:
Ami Vitale, whose work bears witness to the profound connections between people, wildlife and the natural world. Over the course of her career, Vitale has documented global conflicts and some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from civil unrest to the extinction crisis.
Guided by her philosophy of “living the story,” Vitale has worked in more than 100 countries, often embedded for years at a time, allowing her to cultivate meaningful trust with the communities and subjects she documents. A National Geographic magazine contributor since 2008 and an Explorer since 2017, her work consistently reveals the resilience of both nature and the human spirit, reminding us that our fates are deeply intertwined. This major thematic focus has brought empathy and humanity to wildlife and conservation issues, and demonstrates a long-standing commitment to storytelling for impact and community building.
Vitale’s commitment to empathy, long-term collaboration and community-centered storytelling also extends to her work supporting emerging environmental storytellers around the world. As an Explorer at Large, Vitale will further build mentorship pathways and resources for environmental journalists, helping advance their photography and storytelling skills in service of the Society’s mission.
National Geographic Explorer at Large Ami Vitalesubmerges up to her chest in water in Kenya. Photo courtesy of Ami Vitale.
“Storytelling has never been just about taking pictures,” said Vitale. “It’s about listening, building relationships and recognizing that we are all connected, to each other and to the natural world. I’ve seen how images can open hearts and create understanding, and I feel a responsibility to help others tell stories that don’t just inform, but foster care, accountability and hope for the future we share.”
One of Vitale’s most poignant dispatches for National Geographic includes an emotionally moving recounting of the lessons she learned about humans and nature while documenting the death of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino. Her most recent story, published in December 2025, chronicled the 2,000-mile journey of one of the most endangered horse species — Przewalski’s horses — to help reintroduce them to their natural habitat and ancestral home in central Kazakhstan.
National Geographic Explorer at Large Ami Vitale wears a panda costume scented with panda urine while photographing captive-born giant pandas being prepared for release into the wild at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong. The scent and disguise were used to minimize human presence, since humans pose the greatest threat towild pandas. The goal was to ensure the animals would never become comfortable around people, increasing their chances of survival once released. This work was part of a 2016 story for National Geographic magazine. Photo courtesy of Ami Vitale.
Vitale joins a celebrated group of Explorers at Large, including oceanographers Bob Ballard and Sylvia Earle, paleontologist Louise Leakey, art curator Azu Nwagbogu, forest canopy researcher Nalini Nadkarni, and ecologist Rodrigo Medellín.
Guided by her philosophy of “living the story,” Vitale has worked in more than 100 countries, often embedded for years at a time, allowing her to cultivate meaningful trust with the communities and subjects she documents. A National Geographic magazine contributor since 2008 and an Explorer since 2017, her work consistently reveals the resilience of both nature and the human spirit, reminding us that our fates are deeply intertwined. This major thematic focus has brought empathy and humanity to wildlife and conservation issues, and demonstrates a long-standing commitment to storytelling for impact and community building.