Why Photos Should Be 'So Much More Than Beautiful'

Photographer Ami Vitale covers stories about culture, animals, and global issues with a thoughtful eye. Her work aims to engage viewer's emotions while informing them about global issues. As part of our "Through the Lens" series, we spoke with Vitale to find out what makes her tick. What was the first picture you took that mattered to you? I went to the West African country of Guinea Bissau and planned to stay a couple of weeks to tell a story about the aftermath of civil war.