Ami Vitale: How to Make Your Photography Matter

Welcome to the SheClicks Women in Photography Podcast, hosted by Angela Nicholson. In this episode, Angela speaks with award-winning photojournalist Ami Vitale, whose deeply emotional and beautifully composed images have captivated audiences across the world.

00:00 - The importance of listening in storytelling
00:29 - Introduction to the podcast and guest, Ami Vitale
01:03 - How Ami got started in photography
02:45 - The emotional weight and responsibility of photojournalism
03:43 - Lack of female role models early in Ami’s career
05:26 - Breaking into the industry and winning early grants
07:35 - How persistence led to her first National Geographic assignment
09:07 - Preparing for conflict and crisis photography
10:39 - The value of living within the community you’re photographing
11:27 - Letting stories evolve and being open to change
12:24 - How field experience can reshape your perspective
14:48 - The challenge of editorial control and story accuracy
16:27 - Capturing emotional moments respectfully
18:18 - Choosing long-term projects and ethical considerations
20:26 - Stories that captured Ami’s heart instantly
21:57 - Advice for women pursuing photojournalism or conservation photography
23:23 - Six From SheClicks: Community questions
23:50 - Q1: What advice would you give your younger self?
25:51 - Q2: Has success changed how you approach your work?
27:55 - Q3: Is ecotourism harming fragile ecosystems?
30:48 - Q4: Which project meant the most to you and why?
31:35 - Q5: Is AI undermining the power of photography?
33:56 - Q6: How can photographers stand out in a competitive market?
35:30 - Final thanks and goodbye
35:44 - Podcast wrap-up and thank you to listeners

Ami has photographed everything from war zones to wildlife sanctuaries, always with an eye for the human and environmental stories that matter. In this episode, she talks about how she built her career, the importance of trust and empathy, and why photography must go beyond sensationalism to make a lasting impact.

They discuss:

How Ami overcame shyness and self-doubt to build a global career
Why listening is more powerful than arriving with a fixed story
The emotional weight of documenting loss, such as the death of Sudan the rhino
The importance of telling community-led stories and promoting solutions
Why long-term commitment leads to deeper, more authentic storytelling
The ethical challenges of ecotourism, AI-generated images and media representation
Her advice to women entering the world of photojournalism or conservation photography

Ami also shares powerful insights into the balance between emotion and observation and why she believes photographers today have an urgent role to play in shaping our collective future.

🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms
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📷 Visit Ami's website: https://www.amivitale.com
🌍 Learn more about SheClicks: https://sheclicks.net/

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Nikon
This episode is supported by Nikon, a world-leading provider of imaging products and services. Nikon’s Regional Director, Charlotte Kemsley says: “At Nikon we pride ourselves on empowering photographers to create images and videos that inspire. We are honoured to be partnering with SheClicks and share their ambition of increasing the visibility of women in all aspects of photography.”