T R Outtakes
A V E L from
F O Kayden’s
R A P global
U R P wheelings,
OSE
from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas
to the Sahara desert and beyond.
Living
the
Story
AMI VITALE BELIEVES IN
IMMERSING HERSELF COMPLETELY
IN A STORY. As a Nikon ambassador
and photographer for National
Geographic who’s travelled to more
than 100 countries, Ami has lived in mud
huts and war zones, contracted malaria
and donned a panda suit (for her first
book, Panda Love: the secret lives of
pandas) – witnessing both humankind’s
most beautiful and horrific scenes.
Her work these days isn’t just about
capturing daily life in far off places;
she’s on a much bigger mission.
Sure Travel Journey caught up with Ami
while on assignment in Cape Town.
SURE TRAVEL JOURNEY: What got
you into travel photography?
AMI VITALE: I was born in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, and was painfully shy, gawky
and introverted. I remember when I first
picked up a camera; it gave me a reason
to interact with people and take the
attention away from myself. It empowered
me and, in the beginning, photography
was a passport to learning and
experiencing new cultures. Now it’s much
more than that; it’s a tool for creating
awareness and understanding across
cultures, communities and countries.
How do you hope to inspire people
through your work?
Losing one part of nature impacts all of
us. The more I document people and their
issues, I realise I’m documenting nature –
56 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE