Seeing Every Species: National Geographic’s Joel Sartore Inspires ISU Audience with Photo Ark Mission
ISU undergraduate Allison Cameron attended National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore’s recent lecture and left with a deeper appreciation for how photography can inspire conservation. Sartore shared how his career evolved from photographing animals in the wild to building The Photo Ark, a global effort to document species in captivity before they go extinct. Cameron was especially struck by learning that many of Sartore’s most iconic images are carefully composed portraits, designed to remove distractions and focus attention on each animal as an individual.
She noted how the use of simple black-and-white backgrounds and close framing helps viewers connect emotionally with species they may never encounter in person. Seeing animals photographed with personality and expression, Cameron reflected, makes it easier to feel empathy—and understand why conservation matters.
The lecture also connected directly to concepts students explore in their coursework, highlighting how documenting species before extinction provides valuable records for future biologists. Beyond the science and artistry, Sartore’s message emphasized that meaningful environmental impact is possible at every scale.
“The big ending message of appreciating every animal no matter what they are was impactful, and I liked how he emphasized that not everyone has to do what he does to make an impact.”
— Allison Cameron, ISU student