Mike Rigney

Mike Rigney is a Certified Photo Instructor with a background in wildlife and conservation photography. Raised around the Great Lakes, where his father worked as a commercial ship captain, he developed an early connection to life on the water.

Mike studied mechanical engineering and began his career working in the automotive, plastics and aerospace defense industries before transitioning from shore-based work to ocean exploration. Since then, he has sailed more than 60,000 nautical miles, visited all seven continents and traveled extensively across 58 countries.

His conservation work includes supporting ocean-based wildlife protection efforts in Baja California, where he participated in anti-poaching operations focused on safeguarding the critically endangered vaquita marina. He has also worked alongside activists and First Nations communities in British Columbia to remove invasive fish farms, contributed to anti-poaching initiatives in South Africa and served as a conservation diver in Thailand supporting artificial reef restoration.

Photography began as a personal pursuit and has become an integral part of Mike’s fieldwork and expedition role. His primary interests include wildlife photography, particularly birds, as well as underwater, ultra-macro and night-sky imaging.

In addition to his work as a Certified Photo Instructor, Mike serves as Chief Engineer aboard the National Geographic Venture and enjoys exploring Alaska between voyages.