Ami Vitale: Nikon Explorer of Light

When did you know the photography/video industry was for you? 

As a teenager. having a camera gave me the courage to explore and was a passport to engaging with the world around me. Later, I realized photography was more than just a means to explore, it is also a powerful tool for telling important stories.

How did you get your current position? 

The amount of drive and hard work necessary cannot be overemphasized.  The truth is that the photographing is an extremely small part of the job. Most of the work is researching, writing, planning, and finding funding for long-term projects.

How did your training or schooling prepare you for your job? 

What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in pursuing your career? 

There is so much rejection and in the beginning, I took it personally. Now I just look at it as a part of the process of making my work even stronger.

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Who would you name as the most influential person in shaping your career?  Why? 

Rich Beckman was my professor and mentor and continues to be even 25 years later.  Even today, he will look at pitches and proposals and give me feedback on how to make stories stronger.

If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be? 

It’s incredibly rewarding knowing we can create change and awareness. That is the greatest reward and what drives me.