“Empathy is the key to great stories”
–Ami Vitale

I had the great honor of meeting American photojournalist and National Geographic contributor Ami Vitale in Siena, Italy in October at the Siena International Photography Awards Ceremony and Festival. Ami won the Storytelling category in Siena and the prestigious title of “Best Author 2017.”

She gave her powerful and inspiring National Geographic LIVE presentation at the University of Siena. Her message that we must “find the stories that unite us” is crucial, I believe, to our ability to truly make a difference and affect positive change through documentation, creative work and cultural exchange.

I’m thrilled that Ami will be in my home city of Portland, Oregon USA tomorrow, January 22 and I look forward to seeing her again. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see other locations in Canada and the U.S. where you can see her presentation. I highly recommend it.

Rhinos, Rickshaws, and Revolutions – Portland – Portland’5 Newmark Theatre (Id. 1394) | Nat Geo – Events

Experience our world through the eyes of an award-winning photographer whose career has brought her face-to-face not just with violence and conflict, but also with surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit. Ami Vitale’s work has taken her to more than 90 countries.