‘A group of Samburu warriors touch an orphaned rhino for the first time in their lives, at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, in Kenya’ by Ami Vitale HonFRPS
The planet and its wildlife are facing a grim future. Climate change, pollution, poaching and other human-made problems mean more than a million species of animals and plants are at risk of extinction.
This is not a time for despair and inaction, says National Geographic photographer and multiple World Press Photo Award winner Ami Vitale HonFRPS. “All of us have the ability to do a little bit more.”
Vitale, who received an Honorary Fellowship in the latest RPS Awards, believes photography and visual storytelling can highlight what is at risk – and share the inspirational conservation work being done. Many of her best-known images show animals – including rhinos, elephants and pandas – together with people, including their keepers and carers. Why is this partnership between humanity and nature so powerful when witnessed in images?
‘Keeper Kamara with young black rhinos at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya’ by Ami Vitale HonFRPS
“We live in a very cynical time,” says Vitale. “I get it – we all feel it, this huge, overwhelming sense of despair about humanity. Any time I put a picture up [on social media] I usually get a couple of responses like ‘Humans don’t deserve these creatures’ or ‘Human beings are the problem’. There is despair about us as a species.
“But when you look, you understand that on every single issue, no matter what it is – deforestation, extinction, climate change – there are amazing people out there. It’s important to remember that, to see and learn about their work, and to understand that all of us have the ability to get engaged in different ways.
“I know it sounds clichéd, but you can really believe in your heart that we can do something that is not just ravenously destroying the planet. Seeing people who very often have so little but are making the most profound impacts for their own community and for the planet … Those are the people who inspire all of us. That’s important.”
‘Elephant keeper Mary Lengees looks after an orphaned calf at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in northern Kenya’ by Ami Vitale HonFRPS
Vitale hopes the RPS Honorary Fellowship will help shine a light on the people working with wildlife or on the environment.
“I often find myself grappling with awards because I know there are many remarkable individuals who also deserve recognition,” she says. “While I’m deeply honoured to be included among such an esteemed group, this award truly reflects the collective effort behind my work.
“I want to acknowledge those who have supported me throughout my journey – their encouragement and the opportunities they’ve provided have been crucial to my success. Most importantly, I want to recognise those who welcomed me into their lives to share their stories. These individuals, who find hope in the most challenging circumstances and are dedicated to making the world a better place, have been profoundly inspiring.”
Discover more work by Ami Vitale HonFRPS and meet some of the 2024 RPS Awards recipients in the January-March 2025 issue of the RPS Journal.
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