Our Story
Mike Hillman Photography Expeditions Director
Mike's skills as a guide and his passion for photography culminated in his position as the Photo Expeditions Director at Nat Hab.
Mike grew up in the North Woods of Michigan and spent his early years learning all he could about the natural world. As an Eagle Scout, he led local groups on nature walks, identifying plants and animals along the way. While earning a degree in zoology from Michigan State University, Mike discovered his greatest passions: capturing the beauty of wildlife through his lens and imparting his knowledge of the natural world to others. His professional path began as a zookeeper and presenter, leading him to roles in various zoos, aquariums and nature-focused institutions. His dedication eventually saw him working with tour companies, notably Nat Hab.
Mike has had a special interest in photography since childhood. His first digital camera was a Nikon D50, and he has been capturing moments through his camera ever since. Driven by his innate fascination with nature, his photographic endeavors primarily spotlight wildlife and landscapes. This passion culminated in his position as the Photo Expeditions Director at Nat Hab.
Mike's interest in birding was ignited by an ornithology professor during his college years. His expertise took him on birding expeditions globally, even earning him first place in his division at the Great Texas Birding Classic. When not in the office, Mike is most at home in the great outdoors, whether he's birding, hiking, kayaking, backpacking, camping, snorkeling or scuba diving. Today, he calls Tucson, Arizona home, where he lives with his wife, Jessica, a fellow Expedition Leader at Nat Hab.
Photo gallery
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What's in My Camera Bag
I like to keep my camera bag light, often only traveling with just 2 lenses; a large zoom and a wide angle. This keeps my bag small to easily fit in the overhead of planes, so not to risk gate checking expensive equipment.
Camera
Sony A1
Lenses
Sony 200-600mm f/5.6
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8
Sony 1.4x Teleconverter
Other
160GB Memory cards
Charger + Extra Batteries
Samsung T7 SSD
Cleaning Kit
Swarovski 10x42 Binoculars
What Our Guests Say
Mike was fantastic-one of the best guides we've ever had. He was very patient in sharing his wildlife and camera knowledge. His love for nature shined through.
I cannot imagine how hard a guide's job is, and Mike was wonderful. In addition to attending to every random request, he guided us beautifully and patiently. How lucky to have a professional photographer - wow! He was patient with every question, and he made our trip great.
Mike was so knowledgeable about bear behavior, which allowed us to be in the right place at the right time very safely. He helped any way he could to position each traveler for the best views, and he explained all details thoroughly and helpfully. Plus, he has a delightful personality.
