Photojournalist Massimo Bassano has worked for National Geographic since 1990. He’s also had his photos published in numerous worldwide publications. He has traveled extensively to more than 87 countries, performing various assignments involving social and human culture, famine in Africa, wildlife, and even sports, fashion and advertising.
His acclaimed unique photography book, The Colors of Silence, details the 12 weeks he spent in a well-known Italian monastery. This was the first time the monastery was photographed in its 900-year history. His images also appeared in Places of a Lifetime from National Geographic Books. For almost two decades, Massimo has traveled with National Geographic Expeditions teaching photography worldwide. Massimo’s work has taken him from Italy to the Greek Isles and the Mediterranean, Morocco, Tanzania and its fantastic national parks, Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, and the entire West Coast of Africa. Antarctica and the Arctic, Galápagos and Baja, Easter Island, Cuba, India, the Far East, Australia and the Pacific are other places he’s traveled. Recently, he sailed alone in a sailboat exploring the unique culture of the outlying Pacific islands. He regularly leads photography and multimedia workshops and enjoys teaching and sharing his passion for travel. Since he first traveled to Antarctica for National Geographic, Massimo fell in love with the polar regions. Every year he dedicates time specifically to projects about the poles.
Massimo brings with him all the warmth, curiosity, culture, and history you find in Southern Italy, specifically from Calabria, where he was born. He's a true “Calabrese” with considerable influence from the Greeks when they went west, colonizing and enriching the entire south of Italy. Massimo has many stories to share, including crossing the Atlantic, followed by many other oceans, alone in a sailboat for the adventure of a lifetime.