Renowned visual storyteller Michael Yamashita has worked for National Geographic magazine for 40 years, photographing a wide range of topics across six continents. As the first person of color to be a regular contributor to National Geographic, he has covered more than 30 major stories for the magazine, primarily focused on Asia, especially China and Japan, his primary areas of interest and expertise.

Many of his stories have focused on great explorers, from Marco Polo’s travels along the Silk Road to the epic voyages of 15th-century Chinese Admiral Zheng He and the 16th-century journeys of Matsuo Basho, Japan’s most celebrated literary figure. In addition to his still photography, Yamashita has produced two award-winning feature-length documentary films based on his work retracing the journeys of Marco Polo and Zheng.

As one of the top photography influencers with over 1.7 million followers on Instagram (@yamashitaphoto), Yamashita is a powerful voice in contemporary visual media and a mentor to emerging photographers. A charismatic communicator, Yamashita frequently speaks at global photography events and has delivered TED Talks that reflect on his career, travels, and the evolution of the field of photography. 

Balancing global travel with grounded community involvement, Michael juggles time between homes in New York and rural New Jersey, where he maintains a studio and is a volunteer firefighter.

See more at www.michaelyamashita.com