Photographer Joel Sartore takes intimate, studio-style portraits of animals vulnerable to extinction in the hope it will inspire people to care for them
Over the last decade, Joel has photographed more than 6,000 species in 40 countries and his project has developed into The National Geographic Photo Ark
AN American photographer has taken intimate, studio-style portraits of some of the world’s most vulnerable animals in the hope it will encourage people to save them from extinction.
Joel Sartore, from Lincoln, Nebraska, was working as a National Geographic wildlife photographer when his wife, Kathy, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Instead of travelling around the world snapping critters, Joel stayed at home to nurse Kathy through radiation treatment and chemotherapy, as well as caring for their three young children.
During this time, he evaluated his photography work and decided in the future to highlight the plight of endangered species.
As his wife recovered, Joel set off with his camera and began taking thought-provoking, awe-inspiring pictures.
He photographed a naked mole-rat at a children’s zoo in front of a white background, thus making it look like it was taken in a professional studio.
He told : “I thought maybe if we do eye-contact, if we photograph animals where there are no distractions, all equal in size on black and white backgrounds, where a mouse is every bit as big and amazing as an elephant, then maybe we could get the public hooked into the plight of endangered species and extinction.”
National Geographic then commissioned him to take a series of photographs in that style.
He snapped smaller animals in tents, but photographed the larger ones in the safe environment of a zoo.
Over the last decade, Joel has photographed more than 6,000 species in 40 countries and his project has developed into The National Geographic Photo Ark.
A spokesperson for National Geographic commented: “The National Geographic Photo Ark is a multiyear effort with National Geographic Fellow and Photographer Joel Sartore and the National Geographic Society to create intimate portraits of every animal under human care, while also funding on-the-ground conservation projects focused on those species in most critical need of protection.”
Joel hopes his project will eventually document 12,000 species and be a resource for future generations.
He added: “No matter its size, each animal is treated with the same amount of affection and respect.
"The results are portraits that are not just stunningly beautiful, but also intimate and moving.
“It’s the eye contact that moves people. It engages ... feelings of compassion and a desire to help.”
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One stunning shot sees a grey Florida Panther at Lowry Park Zoo in Florida, nonchalantly gaze up at the ceiling.
While another portrays an adorable three-month-old baby chimpanzee at the same zoo cheekily smile at the camera lens.
A Reimman's snake-necked turtle looks like he's happy to pose for a portrait at Atlanta Zoo, while the majestic curl-crested aracri is caught in glorious technicolor at the Dallas World Aquarium.
Meanwhile, a sweet Brazilian porcupine appears to have gone all camera shy as he is caught off guard during his shoot.
The goal of the National Geographic Photo Ark is to inspire people to care for vulnerable species and to create an important record of existence for the birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates under human care.
Joel added: “At least 75-80% of the species that I've photographed could be saved from extinction, but people need to know they exist first and they need to fall in love with them and want to learn how they can help them.”
Joel believes there is an understanding that bigger animals, like polar bears and tigers, are under threat, but not enough awareness of the plight of smaller ones like rodents, toads and bats.
"The goal of Photo Ark is to celebrate all creatures great and small and to get people know that as these other species go away, so could we," he said.
"It's in humanity's interest not to throw away all of creation - to keep things around so we have a healthy planet."
To find out more about the project, please visit The National Geographic Photo Ark .