Joel Sartore is an acclaimed American photographer renowned for his dedication to conservation and his long-standing contributions to National Geographic magazine. He is the visionary behind The Photo Ark, a monumental 25-year project aimed at documenting the approximately 12,000 species residing in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries worldwide. Sartore’s journey began with a degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where his childhood fascination with nature was sparked by a Time-Life picture book about the last passenger pigeon.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sartore has worked with various prestigious publications, including Audubon Magazine, GEO, and Sports Illustrated, showcasing his exceptional talent in nature photography. His impactful work has been featured in numerous national broadcasts, including PBS documentaries and segments on CBS Sunday Morning. Notably, in 2015, he captured the last known Rabb’s fringe-limbed treefrog for the film Racing Extinction, further emphasizing his commitment to wildlife conservation.
Sartore’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; he received the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year award in 2018 and was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame in 2021. His work has also been recognized with the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography from the Sierra Club, highlighting his significant contributions to the field.
The Photo Ark has gained international acclaim, with exhibitions held globally and a PBS series titled Rare: Creatures of the Photo Ark. Sartore’s mission to inspire action for wildlife conservation continues to resonate, as he aims to photograph 15,000 species, raising awareness about the urgent need to protect our planet’s biodiversity.