Michael Eller is at home guiding, teaching, and photographing in nature. What began as early childhood travels to the National Parks became a passion to share the beauty, adventure, and essential understanding that comes with intimate contact with the Earth. Since 1972, he has led hundreds of groups, businesses, families, and individuals through transformational experiences and wilderness retreats both domestic and international. Initially, a lead trainer for Outdoor Leadership Training Seminars and Outward Bound, Michael founded and has directed First Light Journeys since 1988.

Paralleling years in the backcountry and travels in the world, Michael was also in close relationship with numerous spiritual teachers from many traditions, involved intensively with cutting edge approaches to personal growth, and received a degree in counseling psychology. Coming from a long family history of ministers and dedicated church people, the questions of existence and the search for meaning came naturally.

In 1978, Michael picked up a camera and began a photographic journey that would grow into a large stock of images from around the world and become the source for slide presentations and public talks to an ever-increasing audience. His award winning images have appeared on book covers, in numerous magazine articles, brochures and in a variety of advertisements. His fine art prints are in many private homes and businesses.

“Michael is a sensitive and compassionate leader with a special gift for creating sacred space and facilitating powerful and evocative rituals. Truly, Michael is a man in whom art and listening are deeply wed” –Richard Moss M.D., well known author and international teacher.