Michael Paul is an awarded art photographer, author and speaker. Inspired by influential 19th century artists such as Albert Bierstadt and Carleton Watkins, Michael has developed a romantic documentary style of photography dedicated to celebrating the idyllic spirit of the American West. A native of rural Wisconsin, Michael’s fascination with the West began in childhood having been exposed to everything from factual history to mythical cinema. For the last 15 years he has called the West home and travels 30,000 miles a year over its paved and dirt roadways documenting its intimate and dynamic interior. Time among the remote wilderness has refined his art and his appreciation for the opportunity to create it. Indicative of his patient hours and years of field work, Michael’s images reflect a calm spiritual connection with his subjects and scenes. His efforts over the last decade have culminated in the release of his project titled Romance of the American West. Revealing the timeless grandeur of western landscapes and wildlife, the series received numerous awards upon release (London Photography Awards, National Photography Show [CO], Ten Moir Gallery) and has been featured in the documentaries of Ken Burns and publications like F-Stop magazine. The collection received further acclaim by LensCulture magazine as “a triumph of visual storytelling”. His work has found its way into hundreds of private collections across the country, public exhibitions, and public collections including several top-100 golf courses in the world. In addition to photography, Michael is the author of numerous academic articles on American Western history, and his first book is due in fall of 2024 from the University of North Texas Press. He resides in Scottsdale, Arizona but presently focuses his time on California and the upper Rocky Mountain region of Wyoming and Montana adding to his photographic body of work.