Our Story

Mike Hillman 2018

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.

What's in My Camera Bag

My Packing Philosophy

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 an excellent guide with extensive knowledge of the Yellowstone ecosystem. He made an effort to know each of his fellow travelers and to provide information about our passions. Being a novice birder, I was interested in finding a golden eagle, which he was able to spot on our last day together. We had an amazing trip and saw all the apex predators. As a zoologist, Mike was able to go into great detail about the wildlife that we saw. He also takes great photographs!
K. Mickam
Mike’s enthusiasm for his job makes him an excellent guide. He also happens to have a wealth of knowledge, which made him an excellent Expedition Leader. I cannot praise him high enough.
M. Heads
Mike was very attentive to all the members of our group. I loved how he gave very helpful photography tips to travelers on our trip. He was also extremely knowledgeable about Churchill wildlife and demonstrated genuine enthusiasm for the environment we explored. Mike is an excellent Expedition Leader, and we would love to take another trip with him. He’s that good.
R. Fredrick

Upcoming Adventures with Mike Hillman

Our Story

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

A sea lion swims near the photographer underwater in the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

A close-up of two king penguins on South Georgia Island

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Photo Expeditions

Adventure Cruises

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

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Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday

  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday

  • Closed on Sunday

Call 800-543-8917
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