Vital Impacts, a women-led non-profit organization that uses art and storytelling to amplify and support the work of communities protecting people, wildlife, and habitats worldwide, is inviting proposals from local photographers deeply embedded within their communities, possessing both the knowledge and passion to report on environmental issues, particularly those relevant to their own surroundings for its Environmental Photography Grants and Mentorships.
Through a global network of environmental photographers, Vital Impacts tells the stories of communities fighting to safeguard the planet and invites the public to take action in supporting these vital causes.
Vital Impact recognizes the power of visual journalism in raising awareness of environmental issues and so seeks to empower photographers who are documenting the challenges and solutions related to environmental and wildlife conservation within their communities. The grant is coming at a crucial time, as environmental degradation accelerates, with 40% of the world’s wildlife lost in the past fifty years.
By partnering with some of the world’s most influential environmental photographers, Vital Impacts aims to weave together stories that highlight the interconnectedness of human well-being and environmental health and hopes to foster a global dialogue that motivates communities to engage in environmental conservation.
Vital Impacts is offering a total of seven grants for 2024. The centerpiece of the programme is a $20,000 grant, which will be awarded to an established environmental photographer. In addition, six $5,000 grants will be distributed to emerging photographers around the world. These funds will support the development of long-term documentary projects that focus on solution-based environmental narratives.
Grant recipients will have twelve months to work on their projects, with the support of the Vital Impacts team and its mentorship community. By the end of this period, the recipients are expected to complete a body of work that will be ready for publication, showcasing their efforts to drive environmental change.
To further support emerging talent, Vital Impacts will select ten photographers to participate in an intensive mentorship programme over the span of twelve months. They will have access to one-on-one sessions with industry experts, including renowned photographers and photo editors. The mentorship will focus on refining storytelling skills, navigating the industry, and establishing vital professional connections.
The goal of the mentorship program is to equip photographers with the knowledge and resources needed to create impactful stories ready for pitching or publication.
Grant recipients will have twelve months to work on their projects, with the support of the Vital Impacts team and its mentorship community. By the end of this period, the recipients are expected to complete a body of work that will be ready for publication, showcasing their efforts to drive environmental change.
The deadline for submissions is September 15, 2024, at 10:59 AM. Applicants can submit up to 20 photographs, either as a single story or two stories of 10 photographs each. A minimum of 10 photos is required for submission.
The application fee is $25. However, fee waivers are available for those facing economic hardship, and applicants from developing countries can request a waiver by contacting Vital Impacts at hello@vitalimpacts.org.
For more information and to apply, please visit https://site.picter.com/vital-impacts-environmental-photography-grant-2024.
