Step into the world of Ami Vitale, National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and founder of Vital Impacts, as she shares her journey from covering conflict zones to telling the most urgent conservation stories of our time.

In this conversation on the MOOD Podcast, Ami reveals why hope and action matter more than despair, the ethical responsibilities of storytelling, and how photographers can shape narratives that inspire real change.

She discusses her 17-year project documenting the northern white rhino’s fight for survival, the role of AI in creativity, and how grants, mentorship, and authentic voices are reshaping the future of photography.

If you’re a creator, conservationist, or simply someone who believes in the power of stories to change the world, this episode will leave you rethinking your role in shaping the future.

👉 Subscribe to the MOOD Podcast for more conversations with the world’s leading creative thinkers.


Follow Ami Vitale
Instagram: https://www.amivitale.com/
Website: https://www.instagram.com/amivitale/

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(00:00) Intro
(02:06) Finding Hope Amid Global Despair  
(07:11) Why People Don’t Care About Environmental Crises  
(12:22) Embracing Discomfort to Reconnect With the World  
(15:17) Balancing Photography With Responsibility to Communities  
(18:10) The Ethics of Storytelling 
(23:13) Documenting Tourism’s Impact on Rural Landscapes  
(24:28) Pitching the Northern White Rhino Story  
(28:06) How Grants & Vital Impacts Support Emerging Photographers  
(36:30) Why Authenticity in Storytelling Beats AI-Generated Work  
(40:02) From War Zones to Conservation Photography  
(45:22) Including Local Communities in Wildlife Conservation Stories  
(48:17) Environmental Storytelling  
(50:40) How Media Narratives Shape Fear & Engagement  
(53:29) The Northern White Rhino Conservation Effort Explained  
(1:02:01) Ami’s Creative Process: Balancing Planning & Spontaneity  
(1:05:01) Redefining Success: From Front Covers to Supporting Others  

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Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

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