Apr 22, 2025 - Politics & Policy
Behind the lens
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Photojournalism is essential to our understanding of major natural disasters and the effects of climate change — but that's a lot of responsibility for any one frame to bear, Getty Images photographer Mario Tama tells Axios.
- Tama has been photographing climate change and extreme weather for more than two decades. He spoke with Axios' Aida Amer about his work capturing the devastation of this year's L.A. wildfires.
- "To date, I'm not sure there is an image that fully captures the level of loss and destruction," he says.
🏡 How it works: Climate photographers have to follow strict safety protocols when covering disasters — for their own safety and to avoid interfering with firefighters or evacuees.
- "You need to be cognizant that anyone you encounter in a disaster zone may be experiencing the worst day of their life," Tama says.
