May
Ami Vitale
Ami Vitale
Photoreporter and documentarist, USA.
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.” She is a five-time recipient of World Press Photos.
My hope is that this moment inspires us to reimagine our relationship to nature and to another
Steps towards the future
For the past 20 years I've been working on stories that show how humans relate to the natural world. For the Lavazza 2021 calendar, I chose a place where people are still deeply connected to nature. They respect it and understand their lives depend on it. I thought this was an important message for now. Right now, we are staring into the future and the steps we have taken are a reflection of our past but they will also lead us to our future.
Taking care of the planet
Nature has sent us a strong message and reminded us of just how small and deeply interconnected our world is. It is a powerful moment to reimagine our relationship to nature and to one other. We need to take care of this planet and to protect existing habitats. My hope is that this moment inspires us to reimagine our relationship to nature and to another.
We and future generations suffer a loss of imagination, a loss of wonder, a loss of beautiful possibilities.
Value the collective
We need to value the collective over the individual and build inclusive societies that respect and protect everyone. It is not only about protecting our health. It's about protecting the lives of future generations
Linked fates
Today, nearly 1 million species are in danger of extinction due to exploitation, the climate emergency & habitat degradation. Our own health and destiny is intricately connected to these ancient species. When we see ourselves as part of the landscape and part of nature, then we recognize that saving nature is really about saving ourselves. Our fates are linked.
A loss of wonder
Without rhinos and elephants and other wildlife we suffer more than just a decline in the health of the ecosystem of which we ourselves are a part. We and future generations suffer a loss of imagination, a loss of wonder, a loss of beautiful possibilities.
- Photographer: Ami Vitale
- Agency: Ami Vitale Productions
- Models: Tom Lesuda, John Nkuus Leripe,Lodou Lemopono, Philip Lereech
