From War Zones to Wildlife: Ami Vitale’s Journey to Hope Through Photography

This week, I talk with someone who’s been on my dream guest list since day one—Ami Vitale. Ami is a National Geographic photographer and filmmaker whose work has taken her from war zones to wildlife sanctuaries, always in pursuit of the deeper story. But this conversation goes far beyond her remarkable resume. We talk about how picking up a camera transformed her from a shy, introverted kid into one of the world’s most powerful visual storytellers. Ami opens up about what it really means to bear witness, the emotional cost of telling the truth, and why she eventually turned her lens away from conflict and toward hope, healing, and our connection with the natural world. This episode is about dignity, presence, and the quiet leadership that comes from listening well and seeing clearly. I promise, you’ll never look at a photograph the same way again.

In this episode:

• (00:00) - Intro

• (03:06) - How picking up a camera gave Ami a voice

• (05:06) - Why introverts might see the world more clearly

• (06:21) - Knocking on doors with a camera

• (12:32) - Wanting to be a photographer—and being told “no”

• (16:27) - Leaving a steady job to bet on herself

• (23:30) - What war zones taught Ami about storytelling

• (29:26) - The moment Ami knew she had to walk away from war zones

• (38:08) - From grief to hope: finding a new kind of story

• (51:26) - The story that changed everything

• (59:42) - Why wildlife stories are human stories

• (01:07:22) - One image that moved the world: Steve Winter’s P-22

• (01:13:41) - Capturing moments with dignity and depth

• (01:15:59) - The relationships behind the photographs

• (01:25:51) - Reflecting on a life of good work

• (01:28:02) - Barrett on the fears and hopes behind Good Work

Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.