Discover Your New Favorite Animal at the Museum of Exploration’s Marquee Exhibition 

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration’s six-month marquee exhibition, “Photo Ark: Animals of Earth” featuring Explorer Joel Sartore’s stunning imagery is going to use immersive visuals to introduce you to so many new animals, insects and more that are sure to be your new favorite.

The other good news? You’ll also be supporting a decades-long conservation initiative that is working to protect endangered creatures around the globe while you explore.

So, in honor of Earth Month, let’s take a deeper dive into Joel’s impactful work and how it’ll come to life this summer at the museum.

Meet Joel Sartore: A Champion for Creatures Big and Small

Meet Joel Sartore — a photographer, speaker, author, teacher, conservationist, National Geographic Explorer and a regular contributor to National Geographic magazine.

Joel specializes in documenting wildlife and endangered species to show a world worth saving, most notably for the National Geographic Photo Ark, a multiyear documentary project to save species and their habitats.

As Joel explains, “The Photo Ark is my effort to document every species in human care around the world in order to get the public to care about the extinction crisis…Extinction is forever and it’s irreversible. We’re on track now to lose half of all species by the turn of the next century…The Photo Ark in a sense is a big meet and greet. It’s a place where people can literally see animals that they didn’t know existed and hopefully fall in love.”

Joel has taken portraits of 17,000 species and counting, and is over halfway toward his goal of documenting at least 25,000 living in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries.

The Makings of a Photo Ark Portrait

You might be asking, “What are the core components of a Photo Ark portrait?”

For one, Joel always photographs animals in human care — many of them endangered species — to make sure that there is documentation of each animal’s unique beauty and personality as extinction becomes a widespread threat to global biodiversity.

He also has a signature style while capturing these portraits, photographing animals on a clean, simple black or white background, focusing on eye contact. In doing so, he eliminates background distractions and creates an equitable way for you to emotionally connect with every single animal at the same level, whether it be a creature as mighty as a lion or as small and industrious as a bee.

“It’s about eye contact and seeing these animals instantly, but without distraction, and it’s a great equalizer,” Joel says.

You can explore more of Joel’s incredible work here.

How Photo Ark Comes to Life

“Photo Ark: Animals of Earth," the museum's six-month marquee exhibition, brings you face-to-face with Joel’s stunning images of animals from around the globe in a whole new way.

You’ll be able to connect with charismatic and wonderful species like never before in this immersive experience. With a medley of colors and light, every area of this exhibition is a powerful testament to the diversity of species on Earth.

Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a lover of photography and videography or just seeking a meaningful family adventure, we’re excited for you to fall in love with your favorite animal(s) in a whole new way.

Every Day is Earth Day at the MOE

For 138 years, the National Geographic Society has used the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. The museum is a living continuation of that legacy — with sustainability built into our very foundation.

We’re excited for you to step into our world starting June 26 in Washington, D.C., to discover how we are pushing the boundaries of what's possible to protect our planet. Because the Museum of Exploration celebrates the earth every day.