I am a veteran photojournalist and skilled storyteller.
Partnered with my wife, Therese Iknoian, I operate the travel website, HITravelTales.com, and our photography website, HITravelTalesPhotography.com.
As a freelance journalist, my writing and photography appears in TravelWorld International Magazine, PhotoWILD magazine, and other select publications.
As an MSN syndication partner, HITravelTales.com also regularly feeds stories to the MSN network for broad distribution.
My specialty areas and primary interests include local culture and history, street art, farm-to-fork and local breweries/distilleries, adventure, natural wonders, and wildlife. Set me loose in a destination, and my stories and photography will connect readers to a place so they will want to embark on journeys of discovery.
I also work closely with DMOs, CVBs, and travel and tour operators to provide marketing, PR, and stock photography services -- even internationally.
FUN FACTS
✍️ I am a dual citizen, born in Calgary and now living in California.
✍️ Secondary base in Berlin, Germany -- a perfect base camp for European stories.
✍️ I am a member of NATJA, OWAA, NANPA, NPPA, and ATTA.
✍️ I serve as a member of the NATJA Advisory Board.
✍️ My photography is available for sale and for licensing at Michael Hodgson Photography - https://www.michaelhodgsonphoto.com
✍️ I was the captain of Team Media in Mark Burnett's 1995 inaugural Eco Challenge adventure race, learned to fly a hang glider, flown an ultralight plane, walked the Rift Valley, and hiked among Kodiak bears ... always to experience a new adventure for stories I was working on or assigned.
✍️ My stories and columns have appeared in Outside, Backpacker, Men's Journal, Men's Health, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, The Christian Science Monitor, San Jose Mercury News, Portland Oregonian, Salt Lake Tribune, Adventure West Magazine, and others. My published books (some of which are actually still in print) include No Shit There I Was, Compass & Map Navigator, Facing The Extreme, and Camping For Dummies.
Biosphere Expeditions Kenya An Adventure of a Lifetime
In March 2023, I joined a group of 11 other citizen scientists from around the world in the Maasai Mara of Kenya. We were part of a Biosphere Expeditions program working to protect the biodiversity of the region and experienced a Kenya few safari tourists …
In the shadow of the Eiger, Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch and back
We spent a day adventuring up to Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe, and back down to Grindelwald. Heading up and at the top, we experienced the Eiger Express tram, the Jungfrau Railway, Jungfraujoch and the amazing views, plus the Ice Palace. Getting down, we …
Jungfrau Grindelwald-First "Top of Adventure"
Experience a day of adventure and amazing alpine views with Jungfrau Grindelwald-First "Top of Adventure." It begins with a wonderful gondola ride up to summit station First. There we experienced the First Cliff Walk (sponsored by Tissot), the First Flyer zip …
One Hour Historic Berlin Spree River Cruise
A one-hour historic sightseeing cruise along the Spree River is a perfect introduction to some of the most important historic sites and buildings in Berlin. To discover more amazing things to do in Berlin, go to our Berlin website page -- …
Miniatur Wunderland Tour - a fantastic miniature world in Hamburg
Travel around the world in six minutes with our video from Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg. View amazing miniature models and scenes from Germany, the Alps of Austria, the United States, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Italy, and the magical fictional city of …
Visiting a Maasai village
A visit to a Maasai Village in Kenya offers a unique insight into the Maasai culture and way of life, as well as providing fantastic photo opportunities. From the warm greeting to the dances, singing, fire making demonstration and tour inside a manyatta, …
