Michael Schultz: A Deep Dive into His Photography
I'm Michael Schultz—a wildlife, aurora, and landscape photographer based in Alaska, where winter skies glow green and the wild still feels wild. Face The Outdoors, the company behind my workshops and tours, has been featured in National Geographic for its Alaska aurora tours. As a professional photographer, I've spent more than two decades capturing the essence of these landscapes, and that passion sits at the heart of everything I do.
I didn’t start as a photographer. I started as someone who loved being outside—where silence has weight and every moment feels fleeting. Photography became the way I could hold onto those moments—not to prove they happened, but to remember how they felt.
My work focuses on wildlife, natural light, and honest storytelling. I lead small-group photography workshops across Alaska, the United States, and select international locations, helping photographers slow down, be present, and create images with meaning—not just settings.
Whether you're new to photography or looking to refine your craft, my approach is simple:
Patience over pressure. Presence over perfection. Emotion over algorithms.
Through Face The Outdoors Photography, I seek to foster a community where creatives can exchange ideas, collaborate, and grow in their craft. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just starting, we are united by our desire to capture the beauty of the world around us. A shared love of nature photography brings us together, inspiring us to see and share the natural world in new ways. I believe that photography has the power to tell stories, build connections, and inspire others to explore beyond their own boundaries.
So, if you want to connect with wild places, learn to read light, chase the aurora, or photograph wildlife in a respectful and ethical way — you’re in the right spot and place. For inspiration or to see examples of my work, I invite you to explore my portfolio.
Michael Schultz: Face The Outdoors Photography Founder
At Face The Outdoors, my mission is simple: to bring together a diverse group of individuals who share a love for photography, adventure, and the great outdoors. I take pride in my years of experience running northern lights photo tours here in Alaska, but now the horizon beckons me toward new adventures.
Fans and fellow photography enthusiasts can stay connected with Michael’s latest work by following him on Facebook, signing up for his email newsletter, or log into his website to explore his public portfolio.
My vision involves expanding my offerings to include immersive photography workshops in some of the most breathtaking locations on the planet. This shift is driven by my unwavering passion for photography and a genuine desire to share that enthusiasm with aspiring photographers eager to learn and grow.
Artistic Approach
As a photographer and videographer calling Alaska home, Michael Schultz has been chasing light for over 20 years—and honestly? He still can't believe this is his life. Blending fine art with commercial work, Michael creates images that don't just look beautiful—they feel authentic, captivating, real. His artistic approach runs deep, rooted in pure love for the natural world. And that passion? It radiates through every single frame he captures.
Whether he's tracking the untamed spirit of wildlife, standing breathless before sweeping landscapes, or catching those quiet, intimate portrait moments—Michael's always reaching for something more than technical perfection. He wants the essence. The emotion. The stuff that makes you stop scrolling and actually feel something. His fine art photography gives him the creative freedom he craves—experimenting with techniques, pushing boundaries, creating images that are both unique and completely thought-provoking.
Michael's portfolio? It's pure celebration. Beauty in every form imaginable—from dramatic natural scenes that make your heart race to intimate human moments that stop time. As a videographer, he brings stories to life through moving images.
Want to stay connected with Michael's latest work? Follow him on Facebook, sign up for his newsletter, or dive into his website to explore his public portfolio. He loves when visitors comment on their favorite images—seriously, tell him what moves you about his work. For Michael, photography isn't just what he does for a living. It's about inspiring others to see beauty everywhere and capturing the moments that actually matter.
Here's how Mike puts it: "My goal is creating images that showcase technical skill, sure—but more than that, I want to convey emotion and essence. Real moments. Photography has this incredible power to capture world beauty and inspire us to see things in completely new, exciting ways." Michael Schultz's dedication to fine art, photography, and videography shows up in every photograph he shares with the world, making his work a constant source of inspiration and pure delight for everyone who encounters it.
Featured Interview
In this in-depth conversation with Zoe Hiljemark, I share the story behind Face The Outdoors Photography—from my first print sales at a Fairbanks brewery to leading sold-out international workshops in Norway and beyond. We talk about my creative process, the gear I rely on, the lessons that changed how I see, and what's next on the horizon.
Photo Workshop Customer Testimonials
While my customer testimonials speak volumes about the unforgettable experiences shared during my photo tours, there's nothing quite like the thrill of participating in a photography workshop firsthand.
If you're passionate about capturing the natural world through your lens, I invite you to join me in this exciting creative journey.