A group of the world’s most renowned photographers, as well as conservationists like Jane Goodall, have partnered to support conservationist efforts through the sale of photo prints, with the goal of linking conservation with the impact of photography.
One hundred of some of the world’s finest and well-known photographers and conservation heroes like Jane Goodall have come together to rally around the cause of saving the environment. Using their art, they are raising funds to support grassroots conservation organizations, focused through Vital Impacts. The initiative will support Big Life Foundation, Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots program, Great Plains Conservation’s Project Ranger, and SeaLegacy.
Vital Impacts is a women-led, non-profit created by award-winning National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale and Eileen Mignoni. Vitale tells PetaPixel that they have gathered some of the biggest names in photography and conservation and have asked these artists to put their work up for sale, with 60% of the net profits going toward grassroots conservation campaigns.
“Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, has contributed never before seen, signed prints, including a self-portrait, as well as two other images showing the remarkable lives of chimpanzees that she has been working to protect for over 60 years,” Vitale says. “Our other contributors are drawn from the covers of National Geographic and the world’s most prestigious fine-art galleries.”
Paul Nicklen, James Balog, Cristina Mittermeier, Nick Brandt, Chris Burkard, Jimmy Chin, Tamara Dean, David Doubilet, Beverly Joubert, Keith Ladzinski, Jim Naughten, Maggie Steber, Joel Sartore, Tim Flach, Carolyn Guzy, Matthieu Paley, Xavi Bou, Beth Moon, Ami Vitale, Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu are just a few of the photographers who are among the hundred taking part in the fundraising efforts.
“This is a moment to reimagine our relationship with nature and to each other. We all need to do all we can to care for the plants and critters that inhabit the earth,” Vitale says. “Each photo has a powerful story and illustrates how small and deeply interconnected our world is. When we see ourselves as part of the landscape and part of nature, then saving nature is really about saving ourselves.
“Our fate is linked to the fate of animals. We need these sentient beings as much as they need us. Without rhinos and elephants and other wildlife, we suffer more than the loss of ecosystem health. We suffer a loss of imagination, a loss of wonder, a loss of beautiful possibilities. What happens next is in all of our hands. Nature is resilient if we give it a chance and make it a priority. All of us have the ability to ignite action to help shape the world we want to live in. Get involved. There is a role for each and every one of us. The Messenger matters as much as the message. It’s important that more of us become that messenger.”
The current print sale runs until December 31, 2021 and the website offers both open and limited editions which are available in a variety of sizes. The prints range in prices from as little as $275 for open edition prints to as much as $30,000 for limited editions.
Image credits: All photos individually credited and provided courtesy of Vital Impacts.
