{"id":288158,"date":"2026-02-12T21:08:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T21:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/288158\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T21:08:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T21:08:16","slug":"national-geographic-names-acclaimed-photographers-babak-tafreshi-and-ami-vitale-as-explorers-at-large","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/288158\/","title":{"rendered":"National Geographic Names Acclaimed Photographers Babak Tafreshi and Ami Vitale as Explorers at Large"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SplitPhotographers Ami Vitale (left) and Babak Tafreshi (right) have been awarded the distinguished title of National Geographic Explorers at Large | Photo (left) courtesy of Ami Vitale and photo (right) by Russell Laman\/National Geographic <\/p>\n

The National Geographic Society has announced that renowned photographers Babak Tafreshi and Ami Vitale have been named Explorers at Large, a prestigious title that recognizes their global impact and storytelling excellence.<\/p>\n

As Explorers at Large, Tafreshi and Vitale will serve as ambassadors for the National Geographic Society and mentors to its worldwide community of Explorers, helping to amplify the work of scientists, conservationists, educators, and storytellers tackling urgent environmental and cultural challenges.<\/p>\n

\"ANational Geographic Explorer at Large Babak Tafreshi. | Photo by Mark Thiessen\/ National Geographic. \"\"The Milky Way and bright star Antares rise above Pinnacles National Park, a dark sky sanctuary and home to a unique colony of Townsend\u2019s big-eared bats. | Photo by Babak Tafreshi\/ National Geographic \"HundredsBats emerging at dusk from Frio cave, the spring-summer home to one of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats. National Geographic Magazine Pictures of the Year 2024. | Photo by Babak Tafreshi\/ National Geographic <\/p>\n

Babak Tafreshi<\/a>, an Iranian-American science photojournalist and cinematographer, has spent nearly 30 years capturing the night sky, blending art and science to reconnect people with the natural world. His project Life at Night Atlas highlights the effects of artificial light on ecosystems and encourages public interest in night sky conservation. A National Geographic contributor since 2012, Tafreshi has received multiple awards, including the 2022 Wayfinder Award, the 2022 Royal Photographic Society Award, and the 2009 Lennart Nilsson Award.<\/p>\n

\"AA long exposure image reveals star trails, due to the Earth rotation, above the Great Smoky. | Photo by Babak Tafreshi\/ National Geographic <\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the moment I first looked through a telescope, I\u2019ve been fascinated by the beauty, power, and wonder of our world, and have dedicated my life to protecting it,\u201d Tafreshi says. \u201cI hope to foster that same sense of curiosity, connection, and care as an Explorer at Large.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joining him is Ami Vitale, an award-winning photographer, writer, and filmmaker known for documenting the links between people, wildlife, and nature. She has worked in over 100 countries, often spending years embedded in communities, producing work that highlights resilience and humanity in the face of environmental and social challenges. A National Geographic contributor since 2008 and an Explorer since 2017, Vitale focuses on long-term, community-centered storytelling and mentorship for emerging environmental journalists.<\/p>\n

\"ANational Geographic Explorer at Large Ami Vitale submerges up to her chest in water in Kenya. | Photo courtesy of Ami Vitale. \"\"Ye Ye, a 16-year-old giant panda, lounges in a wild enclosure at a conservation center in Wolong Nature Reserve in China. Her name, whose characters represent Japan and China, celebrates the friendship between the two nations. (October 2015) | Photo by Ami Vitale\/ National Geographic. \"TwoTwo women stand in an ancient water well in the city of Jaipur in India\u2019s Rajasthan | Photo courtesy of Ami Vitale <\/p>\n

\u201cStorytelling has never been just about taking pictures,\u201d Vitale says. \u201cIt\u2019s about listening, building relationships, and recognizing that we are all connected, to each other and to the natural world. I\u2019ve seen how images can open hearts and create understanding, and I feel a responsibility to help others tell stories that don\u2019t just inform, but foster care, accountability and hope for the future we share.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AA rancher and his dogs, Max and Ellie, herd cattle at the J Bar L rand on a sunny November day in the Centennial Valley of Southern Montana | Photo courtesy of Ami Vitale. <\/p>\n

Vitale\u2019s notable National Geographic work includes documenting the death of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, and her December 2025 story following the 2,000-mile journey of Przewalski\u2019s horses to reintroduce them to central Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes Babak and Ami exceptional is the empathy they bring to every frame. They have a gift for making the vast feel intimate and the distant feel urgent,\u201d Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society, says in a press release.<\/a> \u201cAs Explorers at Large, they will be ambassadors for our mission, mentoring the next generation as they tell purpose-driven stories that inspire people to care and act.\u201d<\/p>\n

Image credits: All photos courtesy National Geographic.
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