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Jumping Out of the Water
By Cory Richards and Chris Jerard
Jul 20, 2020
“My client is the Ocean.”
The subject of episode 19 of The Roam podcast is the talented Mr. Andy Mann. This was such a fun conversation. Andy has led such an interesting life – a true renaissance man. A man as you’ll hear, with NO plan, but somehow that has made all the difference on this remarkable multi-faceted journey from climber and cook at The Sink in Boulder, to Nat Geo photographer, director, founder, musician, father, husband, conservationist, and filmmaker. Andy is remarkably humble and unassuming for such an accomplished human being. But he breaks down how he stays so rooted and the decisions and approach he takes that has influenced his path.
Bio
Having worked on all 7 continents, Andy’s imagery is remarkably memorable, reminding us how the emotion of an image can touch our spirit.
He is an Emmy-nominated Director, 3 time Telly-Award Winner, National Geographic Photographer & marine conservationist whose imagery is helping tell the story of our rapidly changing planet.
In 2013 his work alongside Pristine Seas was awarded the Crystal Compass Award from the Royal Geographic Society for the storytelling that led to the designation of the world largest Arctic National Park in Franz Josef Land, Russia. In 2015 Andy directed the first Oceano Azul Foundation expedition to Azores leading to the declaration of 150,000 square kilometers of new Marine Protected Areas in the Azorean Sea. In 2017 he co-directed the award-winning National Geographic / Sea Legacy expedition to Antarctica, presenting the final work at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Buenos Aires, Chile.
Often best known for his shark work, Andy has worked tirelessly with the critically endangered oceanic whitetip shark, creating Google Expedition’s first shark-tagging 360 VR classroom lesson plan and is working closely with NOAA on the recovery plan for the species. In 2019 he began his most ambitious project yet, the protection of Timor Leste’s pristine coral reefs.
Andy became a founding member of the Sea Legacy Collective in 2016 and Senior Fellow in 2019. Andy is also a public speaker, touring nationwide with National Geographic Live! and continues to work with students and classrooms around the world to inspire the next generation of ocean ambassadors.
Andy is also the co-founder and director at 3 Strings Productions, the commercial and documentary film studio in Boulder, CO and works with clients such as Red Bull, Toyota, The North Face, National Geographic and more. He also a founding member of the Sea Legacy Collective and senior fellow with Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier.