Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

I'm originally from Romania, and I currently live in the States.

Tell us one thing you love about each place?

One thing I absolutely love about living in San Diego is the access to such diverse ecosystems—within just a short drive, I can be photographing ocean wildlife along the Pacific coast, exploring desert landscapes in Anza-Borrego, or hiking in the nearby mountains. It’s a paradise for a wildlife photographer and conservationist like me. San Diego offers endless opportunities for connecting with nature, which fuels my creativity and deepens my commitment to protecting the wild spaces I document. The local community is also incredibly supportive of environmental work, and that inspires me daily to keep pushing forward with my mission

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Michael Eldredge Photography is more than just a photography brand—it's a mission-driven platform that blends wildlife conservation, storytelling, and visual art to inspire people to protect the natural world. The business started from a simple idea: that powerful images can change how we see and care about wildlife. After spending years traveling across Southeast Asia, Australia, and the U.S., I realized I could use my background in animal behavior and conservation science to tell meaningful stories through photography. I officially launched my business to offer high-quality prints, educational content, and conservation-focused campaigns that support real-world impact. Today, I provide: Fine art wildlife prints and eco-conscious merchandise (5% of all profits go to organizations like the Elakha Alliance, Koala Conservation Australia, and the Turtle Conservancy), Freelance photography and storytelling services for conservation groups and nonprofits, And an online hub at www.michaeleldredgephotography.com where people can learn, shop, and engage with causes they care about. My customers aren’t just buying photos—they’re becoming part of a movement to protect our planet.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won’t forget about?

One piece of feedback that really stuck with me came from a customer who purchased one of my Monterey sea otter prints. She told me that every time she looks at it hanging in her living room, it brings her a sense of peace and connection to nature—even though she lives in the middle of a city. What moved me most was when she said, “It’s more than just a photo—it’s a reminder of why the wild matters.” That’s exactly what I hope to create with my work: moments of reflection, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the wildlife we share this planet with. Knowing that my art is making people feel something while also directly supporting global conservation efforts—that’s what fuels me every day. Whether someone buys a print, follows my journey, or donates to a cause I highlight, I want every touchpoint to leave them more connected to the natural world.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, Maroon 5 was hands down my favorite music artist. Their music was always a mood booster—I still remember driving through my hometown in Vermont on sunny summer days, windows down, singing along to every lyric. It’s one of those core memories that reminds me how powerful music can be for setting the tone and lifting your spirits. As for sports, I’ll be honest—athletics was never really my strong suit. But my family has always been big Red Sox fans, so if I had to choose a favorite athlete, it would be David Ortiz—Big Papi. Not just for his talent on the field, but for the memories tied to him. My grandfather, Paul Eldredge, was a huge baseball fan.

Before his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he religiously watched every Red Sox game. I’ll never forget the feeling of sitting with him, watching the Red Sox break their infamous curse and win the championship. It was such a powerful bonding moment—one of those memories that sticks with you for life.

Where do you see your company in the future?

In the future, I see Michael Eldredge Photography evolving into a full-scale platform for global wildlife conservation and environmental storytelling. My dream is to travel full-time with teams of like-minded photographers, conservationists, and eco-conscious youth, visiting grassroots conservation projects around the world to document, support, and uplift their work.

What’s the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions about the wildlife photography and conservation industry is that it's all glamorous travel and taking beautiful photos in exotic places. While there are incredible moments, the truth is that much of this work is physically demanding, emotionally heavy, and often underfunded—especially when you're working closely with grassroots organizations on the front lines of conservation. Another common misconception is that photographers are simply observers. In reality, the best conservation photographers are active participants.

We’re not just capturing moments—we’re telling urgent stories, advocating for endangered species, building awareness, and often volunteering on-site to help the very animals and ecosystems we document. People also underestimate how much strategy goes into making a conservation-based business sustainable. From SEO, storytelling, and print production to grant writing, fundraising, and education—it’s a full-time mission, not just a passion project. Through Michael Eldredge Photography, I aim to challenge these misconceptions and show that art, activism, and entrepreneurship can go hand-in-hand to protect our planet.

I think there is a big misconception of who likes to commercialized hair salons. For so long there has been an unspoken rule of textured hair needing to go see a specialist. My experience has taught me that we are more alike than we are different, even when it comes to our hair and how to maintain it.

What’s one mistake you made in the beginning and what did you learn from it?

One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced in building Michael Eldredge Photography has been financial. Starting a mission-driven business with limited resources—while balancing rent, bills, and everyday life—has been incredibly challenging. There were moments where I questioned if I could really make it work, especially in an industry that’s often underfunded and heavily saturated. But this work is my passion and purpose, and I made the decision early on that I wasn’t going to let money stop me from pursuing it.

I got creative—learning how to build my own website, market my work on social media, and connect with conservation nonprofits that aligned with my mission. I used every opportunity to expand my reach organically, from SEO to email marketing, while staying true to the message: wildlife conservation matters. Gaining a broader audience didn’t happen overnight. It’s taken consistent content creation, storytelling, collaborations, and showing up every single day to grow a community that cares about the planet. I’m still building, still learning—but every print sold, every share, every message from someone who was inspired by my work reminds me that this path is worth it.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers who want to learn more about me and Michael Eldredge Photography can find a wealth of content and ways to get involved online.

My main hub is my website, www.michaeleldredgephotography.com, where you can explore my wildlife photography portfolio, shop fine art prints and eco-friendly merchandise, and learn about ongoing conservation projects I support.

I’m also active on Instagram at @MichaelEldredgePhotography, where I share behind-the-scenes stories, travel adventures, and updates on my conservation fundraising efforts. Right now, I’m running a special fundraiser to support wildlife conservation organizations globally—including groups working to protect sea otters, koalas, and endangered turtles.

A portion of all sales from my Etsy shop, WildlifeByEldredge, goes directly to these nonprofits. You can check out the shop here: www.etsy.com/shop/WildlifeByEldredge. By following along, purchasing prints or merch, or simply sharing the stories, readers can join me in making a tangible impact for wildlife and their habitats around the world.