HOW I SEE THINGS

At the heart of my photography lies a profound curiosity and a deep-seated desire to explore the world and its diverse inhabitants. My travels have taken me to the far corners of the earth, from the icy landscapes of Antarctica to the edge of space. Each journey I embark on serves to deepen my understanding of our shared humanity, revealing the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. My work aims to bridge the gap between people, cultures, and environments, ultimately inspiring a sense of unity and shared purpose. When I'm not in the Far Away, I can mostly be found at universities and laboratories making portraits of inspiring scientists, engineers, and medical professionals for the National Academies as part of my "New Heroes" project.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER MICHEL

Christopher Michel is the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. His appointment is focused on leveraging visual storytelling to elevate the work of scientists, engineers and medical professionals in society. Some of those portraits can be seen here.

Chris has spent many years working with the National Academies on science communications. He has been a member of the President’s Circle and on the advisory board of the Division on Earth and Life Studies (DELS). In addition to his current appointment, he currently serves as an advisor to the Climate Communications Initiative.

Chris is an accomplished photographer, who has documented humans working in extreme locations like the North & South Poles, Everest, Papua New Guinea, DR Congo and the edge of space (aboard a U-2 Spy Plane). He's also had the opportunity to photograph many global leaders, including as the photographer for the 14th Dalai Lama. As the Artist-in-Residence at the National Academies, he's photographed some of the nation's most accomplished scientists, from Astronauts to Nobel laureates.

His high-impact images have been seen by millions and have appeared broadly in print and in everything from Google screensavers to album covers. He has published a number of fine art books and is currently working on his latest book with travel writer, Pico Iyer.

Chris is an photography instructor at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. He is also an adventure guide with Natural World Safaris, leading trips in the Polar regions. Chris works closely with Leica having recently completed an exhibition of his work at Leica Stores nationwide. Additionally, he was an ambassador for the launch of Leica's acclaimed SL2 camera.

Previously, Chris founded and sold two technology companies. He is also the founder of Nautilus Ventures, a seed venture fund. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Chris flew for the Navy as a Navigator and Mission Commander aboard P-3C patrol aircraft.

Chris graduated from the University of Illinois and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School and an honorary Doctorate from Tiffin University. Chris serves on the board of Catchlight, a non-profit focused on supporting photographers and innovative leaders in the field of visual storytelling. Chris is also an advisor to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, and a member of the Explorers Club.