Student Speaker Series Media: Andy Mann
Andy Mann is a renowned photographer, filmmaker, Emmy-nominated, 12-time Telly Award-winning director and SeaLegacy cofounder who is driven by a deep passion to document and protect the world’s marine environments. He has logged thousands of hours, off all 7 continents, exploring the depths of our ocean to capture stunning visuals and raise awareness about the fragility of nature.
His work over the last decade has helped designate over 1,000,000 square kilometers of marine protected areas. As art as his passion and conservation as his purpose, Andy's imagery is remarkably memorable, reminding us how the emission of an image can touch our spirit.
Andy Mann’s voyage from rock climber to marine photographer and filmmaker is an unlikely story overflowing with adventure. His work has brought him face-to-face with crocodiles, sharks, and icebergs—all on his quest to protect and share the fragile, fascinating, and fierce stories of our ocean. A dedicated conservationist, Andy uses his compelling imagery to raise awareness about our seas. His work inspires change and brings us to places we have never seen before.
Visit Andy’s website and instagram page to learn more about him and see some of his amazing photographs.
Learn even more about Andy at Changemaker Talent.
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Background Information
These resources have been compiled as a companion to the Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series Educator Resources here. Click here to download the full educator resources packet.
Articles and Books
Diaz, Darshel. “Andy Mann’s Winding Journey to Conservation Photography.” Photographers Without Borders, 5 Apr. 2021, https://www.photographerswithoutborders.org/storytelling-for-change-interviews/andy-mann. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Oceanographic Magazine. “Behind the Lens: Andy Mann.” Oceanographic Magazine, https://oceanographicmagazine.com/features/andy-mann-behind-the-lens/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Strochlic, Nina. “She Fought for a Shark Sanctuary. But Does It Work?” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, 26 Jul. 2018, https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/perpetual-planet/2018/07/she-fought-for-a-shark-sanctuary-but-does-it-work. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Reed, Oli. “Meet the British Explorer Battling to Save Our Seas.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, 6 Dec. 2018, https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment-and-conservation/2018/12/meet-the-british-explorer-battling-to-save-our-seas. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Alpha Universe. “Andy Mann's 8 Tips For Creating Films That Make An Impact.” Alpha Universe, Sony, 6 Dec. 2022, https://alphauniverse.com/stories/andy-manns-8-tips-for-creating-films-that-make-an-impact/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Film and Video
“Filming Bait Balls in Magdalena Bay: Conservation & Storytelling on SeaLegacy | The Voyage.” YouTube, uploaded by Sony | Alpha Universe, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dM_ffvTu14. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Blue Patagonia: Forests Beneath the Sea | A Sea of Hope | SeaLegacy.” YouTube, uploaded by SeaLegacy, 29 Sept. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y-m_1KwCoQ. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“The Greatest Sanctuary.” Only One, https://only.one/series/greatest-sanctuary. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“The Last Coral Kingdom.” Only One, https://only.one/series/last-coral-kingdom. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Andy Mann :: Photographer :: Director :: - Franz Josef Land | National Geographic.” Andy Mann, https://www.andymann.com/#/fjl-1/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Websites
“SeaLegacy.” SeaLegacy, 2023, https://www.sealegacy.org/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Pristine Seas - National Geographic Society.” National Geographic Society, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/our-programs/pristine-seas/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“National Marine Protected Areas Center.” National Marine Protected Areas Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, https://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Discover Spectacular Educational Materials | National Marine Sanctuaries.” National Marine Sanctuaries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/teachers/resource-collections.html. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Home - Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants.” Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 2023, https://www.exploringbytheseat.com. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 4, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpFfbyVWQ0_gCyWoXhGAqY3a.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 3, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 24 July. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpGryUYol9hbrpGZZmBhbO3G.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 2, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 20 July. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpEhK9d-PHhHQqQgdM-2Xay0.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 1, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 24 July. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpGLflfxa9I5lXsmBoDeRMD0.
“Paul Rose | Pristine Seas.” YouTube, uploaded by Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 28 May 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SnhgXT-YpM. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Juan Mayorga | A Global Blueprint for Ocean Conservation.” YouTube, uploaded by Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 1 Jun. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ4bOOtPNyA. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Carl Gustaf Lundin | Wonders of Marine Biodiversity.” YouTube, uploaded by Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 24 May 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QssxiO_mZFo. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Activities
“VR Lessons | Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.” National Marine Sanctuaries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr/lessons.html. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Migratory Mysteries | Ocean School.” Ocean School, Ocean Frontier Institute and National Film Board of Canada, https://oceanschool.nfb.ca/collection/migratory-mysteries. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Lesson Plan | How Stable is Your Food Web?” California Academy of Sciences, https://www.calacademy.org/educators/lesson-plans/how-stable-is-your-food-web. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Sharks and Shorelines: Lesson Plan | Nature Works Everywhere | PBS LearningMedia.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, https://mass.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/2e684cf4-154a-41ef-9fda-7f12d02f05c2/sharks-and-shorelines-teacher-guide/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
“Online Self-Guided Tour: Sant Ocean Hall | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.” National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education/school-programs/grades-6-12/online-self-guided-tour-sant-ocean-hall. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Interpreting Andy's photos. Download a pdf of Andy Mann's photographs to discuss using the questions found in the Vital Impacts Educator Resources for Andy Mann.
Read and Discuss
Elitsa. “How can we protect the seabed from storms?” Science Journal for Kids and Teens, Sept. 2022, https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-protect-the-seabed-from-storms/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Elitsa. “What are the most dangerous places for sharks?” Science Journal for Kids and Teens, Feb. 2021, https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-are-the-most-dangerous-places-for-sharks/. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.