Michael Raabe

Founder & Chief Creative | Raabe Productions | Board Director & Chief Creative Officer, All Waters | Co-Founder, In-Depth Expeditions

Lomita, California, United States

About

I am a creative leader and storyteller with a focus on documentary filmmaking, expedition media, and conservation communication. As Founder & Chief Creative at Raabe Productions, I lead high-end photography and film projects from concept through delivery, specializing in ocean, wildlife, and expedition storytelling that advances meaningful dialogue. I co-founded In-Depth Expeditions, a platform for spearfishing and dive expeditions that doubles as a field production engine for narrative media. The experience and footage from these trips feed long-form films, branded content, and conservation storytelling. I serve as Chief Creative Officer and a Board Director at All Waters Protection and Access Coalition, where I help shape media strategy and narrative frameworks that connect science, community experience, and public engagement in fisheries and access issues. I also operate 310 Images, a commercial photography and video service focused on real estate and marketing content that combines speed, quality, and reliability. Across all work, I strive to connect complex issues to audiences through visual storytelling that is honest, grounded, and impactful.

Experience

  • Photographer/Cinematographer at Raabe Productions
    Jan 2007 - Present · 19 yrs 6 mos

    -Directed and produced multi-platform visual storytelling assets for documentary, commercial, and branded media. -Led conceptual development, cinematography, production teams, and post-production execution for long-form and short-form media. -Projects have been used in film festivals, brand campaigns, and conservation outreach initiatives.

  • Expedition Leader at In Depth Expeditions
    Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

    - Co-founded a premium spearfishing and dive expedition company operating domestically and internationally. - Lead expedition content creation including photography, filmmaking, and trip-based storytelling. - Design experiences that combine ethical hunting, marine education, and professional-level media production. - Use real-world expeditions as platforms for long-form documentary and brand storytelling.

  • Chief Creative Officer | Board of Directors at All Waters Protection and Access Coalition
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    - Serve on Board of Directors contributing to governance, strategic partnerships, narrative strategy, and coalition media direction. - Lead creative strategy and production oversight for communications that integrate science, stakeholder knowledge, and policy issues. - Elevated coalition visibility through narrative framing, high-impact visual media, and public engagement tools.

  • Photographer and Videographer at 310 images
    Jan 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 6 mos

  • Photo Assistant at Rick Chou Photography
    2010 - 2012 · 2 yrs