In this episode, I sit down with Ami Vitale, an award-winning photojournalist, filmmaker, and conservationist whose work has appeared in National Geographic, TIME, and beyond. Ami shares her journey from covering global conflicts to telling powerful wildlife stories—like the viral image of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino.
We dive deep into the ethics of storytelling, how to protect your work in a digital age, and why Adobe’s Content Authenticity app is a game-changer for creatives, allowing them to digitally “sign their work” by applying Content Credentials. Ami also breaks down what it takes to earn trust with your subjects, the importance of archiving, and the emotional weight of documenting extinction.
If you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or creative navigating the tension between truth and tech, this episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven storytelling.
Follow Ami:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amivitale/?hl=en
Try the Adobe Content Authenticity App: https://contentauthenticity.adobe.com/
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro to Ami Vitale & the Art of Honest Storytelling
05:00 - Ami’s Journey into Photojournalism & Curiosity as a Superpower
08:10 - Archiving, NAS Systems, and Lost History
11:06 - Trust, Orphaned Images & Why Metadata Matters
15:36 - Connecting the Local to the Global Through Photography
22:57 - The Danger of Sensationalism & Why She Embeds for Years
30:44 - Ethics, Model Releases & Protecting Your Subjects
32:00 - Ami’s Work Misused in the #BringBackOurGirls Campaign
38:08 - Adobe’s Content Authenticity App: Why It Matters
42:01 - Combatting Misuse in the Age of AI
45:49 - Building Content Credentials Into Your Workflow
48:57 - Seeing the Real vs. Edited: The Before/After Tool
53:16 - The 9-Year Story Behind Her Most Impactful Image
58:52 - Capturing Sudan’s Final Moments With Care & Consent
1:05:03 - Knowing When to Put the Camera Down
1:10:00 - Journalism vs. Advocacy: Where Ami Stands
1:12:57 - The Business of Storytelling & Protecting Your Work
1:17:25 - Why Empathy Is the Root of All Creativity
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!