Taking a shot to save the planet

A passion for nature and social responsibility have brought renowned photographers together for this conservation initiative. It is the brainchild of Vital Impacts, a women-led non-profit founded by National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale and visual journalist Eileen Mignoni, both award-winning artists in their fields. Over 100 fine-art prints of the pictures below are on sale to raise funds for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.

Stephanie Yeow

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A black rhino rests under a rainbow at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. In 2024, 21 black rhinos were moved to their new home at Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. Kenya’s black rhino population was poached almost to extinction and went from a low of 290 animals to 1004 today. They are expanding their habitat and it is a testament to Kenya’s conservation efforts. — A black rhino named Bruno resting under a rainbow at Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy. In 2024, he and 20 more black rhinos were moved to Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. The country’s black rhino population was poached to near extinction in the 1980s and 1990s. Thanks to conservation efforts, they have rebounded and there are over 1,000 black rhinos today, up from just 200.
PHOTO: AMI VITALE

A young sperm whale calf in the waters of the Eastern Caribbean. This calf was named ëHopeí by Brian Skerry while working with the researchers that study these whales. Sperm whale families are matrilineal and are led by the older, wiser females. This particular whale family had struggled to produce a female calf in recent years, with only males being born that then died. This calf was a female and offered hope to this family.

Brian Skerry is a photojournalist and filmmaker specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. Since 1998 he has been a contract photographer for National Geographic Magazine, having created and photographed more than 30 feature stories, including seven cover stories. In 2014 he was named as a National Geographic Photography Fellow and then named a National Geographic Society Storytelling Fellow in 2017. In 2017 he was also awarded the title of Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year.

Follow Brian on Instagram @BrianSkerry. — A sperm whale calf in the waters of the Eastern Caribbean. This calf was named Hope by photographer Brian Skerry while working with researchers studying the whales. Sperm whale families are matrilineal, or female-led, and this one had struggled to produce a female calf until Hope's birth.
PHOTO: BRIAN SKERRY

Meltwater cascading over the edge of the Brasvellbreen glacier, part of the Austfonna Ice Cap in the Svalbard archipelago. The 8,000 sq km ice cap is Europe’s third-largest.

PHOTO: THOMAS VIJAYAN

A swirl of majestic King Fish, known as Kahu in Aotearoa, where I made this photo, each measuring over two feet in length, forms beneath my fins as I ascend slowly from a dive in the Port Knights Islands.

Cristina "Mitty" Mittermeier, a visionary photographer, marine biologist, and avid conservationist, stands as a formidable force in the realm of environmental advocacy.

In 2014 she, alongside her partner Paul Nicklen, co-founded SeaLegacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a healthy and abundant ocean through powerful storytelling and impactful visual media.

Through her lens, she conveys the delicate balance of natural ecosystems and the urgency to preserve these habitats that sustain a myriad of life. Her art, driven by a desire to make a difference, serves as a compelling call to action, illustrating the transformative power of photography in raising awareness and inspiring change.

Follow Mitty on Instagram @mitty. — A swirl of majestic kingfish, known as kahu in Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand), in the Poor Knights Islands off the coast of New Zealand. Each fish measures over two feet, or 60cm, in length.
PHOTO: CRISTINA MITTERMEIER

Chinstrap and gentoo penguins rest and squabble on an ice island called a bergy bit near Danko Island, Antarctic Peninsula.

David Doubilet has a long and intimate view of the sea.  As a National Geographic Photographer he has spent five decades exploring and documenting the far corners of the world from beneath interior Africa, remote tropical coral reefs, rich temperate seas, and recent projects beneath the polar ice. His challenge is to create a visual voice for the world’s oceans and to connect people to the incredible beauty and silent devastation happening within the invisible world below.

Follow David on Instagram @daviddoubilet. — Chinstrap and gentoo penguins squabbling on an ice island, also called a bergy bit, near Danko Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Cautious of lurking leopard seals, they remained ashore until one brave penguin leapt into the water, prompting the rest to follow.
PHOTO: DAVID DOUBILET

The flooded cave systems in Yucatan, Mexico carry the clean fresh water that sustain all life in the peninsula.

Martin Broen is an award-winning photographer and proficient technical diver that leverages his design sensibility as creator of experiences to craft one-of-a-kind images that encapsulate the beauty of the planet and its inhabitants, aiming to inspire awareness and foster conservation efforts. 

Follow Martin on Instagram @m.broen. — A diver exploring the cenotes of Yucatan, Mexico. These submerged labyrinths, carved into the porous limestone of the Yucatan, form the longest flooded cave system in the world. Like veins in a body, these pathways transport the fresh water that sustains this unique ecosystem.
PHOTO: MARTIN BROEN

I took this photograph in the south of Iceland; at the time I wanted to imagine a cold night in a firmament of black sands where the snow-capped mountains were drawn by the swaying of the waves of the sea; over those mountains I could contemplate the green tones of an aurora borealis.

This is an aerial photograph of an Icelandic beach, from above I could see the swell of the sea and how the water left greenish puddles on the shore.  The green colour of the water is due to the high content of phytoplankton near the surface; these photosynthetic organisms contain chlorophyll, which increases the green colour. 

Antonio Fernandez is a Spanish photographer based in mid-west Spain. He is passionate about nature and landscapes. In his photography, Antonio is constantly searching for the purest essence of nature. His intimate vision of the landscape and personal interpretation of nature gained him many international awards and commendations, to mention just a few: Wildlife Photographer to the Year; Natural Landscape Photography Award;  Montphoto Photo Contest; Big Picture; Imaginature – Festival Fotografia de Paisage; Montier Festival Photo,;BioPhotoContest; World Landscape Photographer. 

Follow Antonio on Instagram @antoniofernandezphoto. — On a beach in southern Iceland, a landscape of snow-capped mountains appears to emerge from the waves, with the aurora borealis overhead. Green puddles left by the waves form this illusion, a striking hue caused by phytoplankton near the surface. These chlorophyll-rich photosynthetic organisms create a vivid contrast against the dark sands.
PHOTO: ANTONIO FERNANDEZ

Shaaz Jung is a professional wildlife photographer and cinematographer. He is the global ambassador for Samsung, Nikon, Manfrotto and other leading photography brands. Shaaz specialises in documenting big cats, primarily melanistic leopards and is the 'Director of Photography' for a National Geographic feature film called The Real Black Panther.
Follow Shaaz Jung on Instagram @shaazjung — A lone lion looking out across the African savannah.
PHOTO: SHAAZ JUNG

An Arctic Tern in front of the Monaco glacier in Liefdefjorden, at the northwest tip of Svalbard in the high Arctic.

The beautiful and tiny 113-gram Arctic Tern is a super impressive bird! Each year, it makes the longest migration of any animal in the world, traveling between breeding sites in the northern Arctic and survival/moult areas in the Antarctic pack?ice zone. That practically means flying from the North Pole to the South Pole and back ñ each year! Miniature transmitters have revealed that they follow zigzagging routes and rack up to 71,000 kilometres annually!

Arnfinn Johansen is a wildlife photographer based in Norway. He is a member of the Norwegian Nature Photographers Association and the founder of Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp / oltepesi com ñ a specialised camp for wildlife photographers in the Maasai Mara Kenya. Arnfinnís work has been recognised in numerous international competitions and is widely displayed in exhibitions and publications.

Follow Arnfinn on Instagram @arnfinn_johansen. — An Arctic Tern at the Monaco glacier in Liefdefjorden, at the northwest tip of Svalbard. Each year, it makes the longest migration of any animal in the world, travelling between breeding sites in the northern Arctic and survival-moult areas in the Antarctic. This amounts to flying from the North Pole to the South Pole and back every year.
PHOTO: ARNFINN JOHANSEN

Born during the great mobula ray aggregations of spring, Juvenile Munk's devil rays (mobula munkiana) remain in the Sea of Cortez long after their parents have left, using the shallow bays of Espiritu Santo as a nursery. By autumn, the water is clear, a bonus for underwater photography but also signifying less food for the filter feeding rays.

Hanging a green light from the back of our boat, plankton gathers around it and the mobula rays gratefully swoop in for a microscopic buffet. The munkiana seem to fly through the water as they pursue their dinner. Entranced by their grace, I used a 2 second exposure to capture their movements which to my eye, felt like an aquatic ballet. Espiritu Santo Island, Unesco World Heritage site and national park, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Henley Spiers is a renowned underwater photographer, writer, and expedition leader who has fast become one of the most highly decorated wildlife image-makers in the world.

Follow Henley on Instagram @henleyspiers. — Munk’s devil rays swirl in an aquatic ballet beneath the clear autumn waters of the Sea of Cortez. Born during spring’s great mobula ray aggregations, these young rays stay in the shallow bays of Espiritu Santo long after their parents have left. Drawn to plankton gathered by a green light, they swoop in for a microscopic buffet.
PHOTO: HENLEY SPIERS

Mothers and cubs are constantly on the lookout for male bears that will kill the cubs to mate with the mother to pass on his own genes. To see a bear cub is special, but to see THREE with one mother is extra special. I had the privilege to encounter these three little ones in Lake Clark.

While with a professional bear guide, I followed them with their mother on the mudflats as they dug for clams, hoping to catch them in a line. For several days, I trudged through the thick, sticky mud in hopes for this shot. On the last day, I saw the cubs start to line up. I dropped to one knee into the mud and hovered my massive lens over the mudflat to blur out the foreground, creating an other-worldly feel. Patience can pay off, and I was thrilled to capture this behavior, especially with all three in-step with one another.

Back home and ecstatic to have achieved my goal, I unfortunately heard that all three cubs didn’t survive the upcoming weeks. Heartbroken to hear this, it reminded me to never take anything for granted and to enjoy nature’s beauty as much as possible in that moment because you never know what happens next. 

Torie Hilley is originally a predator researcher in Southern Africa that now uses her background in behavioral ecology to bring more awareness of endangered species, their unique behavior, and human-wildlife connectedness through her oil paintings and photography.  

Follow Torie on Instagram @torie_hilley_fineart. — A mother brown bear trudges through mud with her three cubs at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska, in the United States. Mothers and cubs are constantly on the lookout for male bears that will kill the cubs to mate with the mother to pass on his own genes.
PHOTO: TORIE HILLEY

For the past 15 years, Fortunato has been captivated by the timeless beauty of Carstramon Wood, nestled in the southwest corner of Scotland. During spring, as dawn breaks and gentle light bathes the landscape, he captures the vibrant hues of bluebells in full bloom. Using a drone, he showcases the enchanting carpets of violet-blue that transform woodland floors across much of the UK and Ireland.

The UK is home to nearly half the world’s population of bluebells, a remarkable distinction. While these iconic flowers are native to the Atlantic edge of Western Europe, nowhere else are they found in such dense numbers. However, British bluebells now face competition from the Spanish variety, which has been cultivated as a garden plant since the 1680s. Today, hybrids or Spanish bluebells can be found in at least one in six British broadleaved woodlands.

This photograph symbolizes a journey—a profound connection with the land and a rediscovery of life’s essential values. For Fortunato, places like these embody a modern-day “Walden,” reminiscent of transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau’s reflections. By merging scientific understanding with spiritual empathy, Fortunato brings nature’s overlooked beauty to life, turning even the common into something extraordinary, authentic, and unforgettable.

Fortunato Gatto moved Scotland in 2007 to pursue his passion for wild landscapes. His dedication to nature's beauty has earned him global recognition, awards, and publications. His work highlights nature as the central character, portraying it through metaphors and a creative vision. His persistence in willing to learn and improve helped him become an advocate of the beauty of nature.

Follow Fortunato on Instagram @fortunato.gatto. — A drone shot of bluebells in Scotland's Carstramon Wood. In spring, the flowers carpet woodlands across the United Kingdom, which is home to nearly half the world's bluebells. While these flowers are native to the Atlantic edge of Western Europe, nowhere else are they found in such dense numbers as in the UK and Ireland.
PHOTO: FORTUNATO GATTO

High in the Himalayan foothills of central Nepal Gurung honey hunters gather twice a year, risking their lives to harvest the honey from the world’s largest honeybee. For hundreds of years, the skills required to practise this ancient and sacred tradition have been passed down through the generations, but now both the number of bees and traditional honey hunters are in rapid decline as a result of increased commercial interests and climate change.

Andrew Newey is a British photographer and visual storyteller who has spent more than 20 years travelling the world to capture compelling images of our beautiful planet and its people. His multi award winning photos of the unseen and the extraordinary have been published widely in print and digital media worldwide.

Follow Andrew on Instagram @andrewnewey. — High in the Himalayan foothills of central Nepal, Gurung honey hunters gather twice a year, risking their lives to harvest honey from the world’s largest honeybee. The skills of this tradition have been passed down for generations, but both bees and hunters are dwindling in number as a result of climate change and rising commercial interests.
PHOTO: ANDREW NEWEY

While on a remote climbing expedition in Greenland, I was approached by a curious polar bear while scouting fjords in a small zodiac boat. I hope this image transports people to wild arctic regions and creates an emotional connection with this fragile ecosystem.

Andy Mann is cofounder of SeaLegacy, an Emmy-nominated Director, 12 time Telly-Award Winner, National Geographic Photographer & marine conservationist whose imagery is helping tell the story of our rapidly changing planet. Having worked on all 7 continents, Andy’s imagery is remarkably memorable, reminding us how the emotion of an image can touch our spirit.

Follow Andy Mann on Instagram @andy_mann. — A curious polar bear approaches a small zodiac boat in an unforgettable nose-to-nose encounter.
PHOTO: ANDY MANN

Butterflies stream through the trees in El Rosario, a sanctuary within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán, Mexico. Migrating monarchs winter in the same oyamel fir groves that sheltered earlier generations. — With the monarch butterfly population declining by 90 per cent in recent decades, efforts are under way to ensure their survival. In this photo, butterflies are streaming through the trees in El Rosario, a sanctuary within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan, Mexico.
PHOTO: JAIME ROJO

In the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan (Mexico), a single latecomer joins the others for the night, stretching its wings as it maneuvers in an attempt to squeeze into the popular roosting place. The butterflies’ extreme closeness offers protection and warmth. — In the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan, Mexico, a single latecomer joins the others for the night, manoeuvring in an attempt to squeeze into the popular roosting place. The butterflies’ extreme closeness offers protection and warmth.
PHOTO: JAIME ROJO

Taking a shot to save the planet

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