Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Michael, 49, is an award-winning photographer and author specializing in marine wildlife and environmental issues. He lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and for the last 24 years has traveled extensively worldwide photographing diverse aquatic animals, habitats and man’s impact on them. He has written and photographed seven non-fiction marine life books designed to encourage school children to read, write and become involved in science and conservation. They have received outstanding reviews from School Library Journal and are distributed nationally in the educational system.

When not making photographs or writing, he is on the lecture circuit promoting a greater appreciation for the natural world, especially the oceans and their inhabitants. He has presented to over 500,000 kids in more than 400 schools in the US in the last 13 years.

His images have appeared in hundreds of publications worldwide including BBC Wildlife, Journal NATURE, National Geographic Magazine, Smithsonian, The Washington Post and The New York Times, among many others, and have won in the most prestigious competitions, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Pictures of the Year (POYi), Nature’s Best and National Wildlife Federation.

To follow Michael’s photo projects, expeditions and speaking engagements, please visit his facebook page and on Instagram