Michal Venera

Michal was born in Prague, formerly communist Czechoslovakia. After escaping on foot across the border of Yugoslavia into Austria, he spent 4 months in refugee camp before making his way to New York City where he took a Grey Hound bus across the country. Speaking no English and penniless, Michal landed in San Francisco where he lived on the streets for several months before receiving his first job as a fisherman. Even though he had already started a Bachelors degree in Veterinary Medicine in Prague, he decided to put himself through The Academy of Arts, San Francisco where he majored in Photography in order to pursue his dream. He opened his photography studio 24 years ago and have built a successful commercial photography career. His clients include Pottery Barn, Kendall Jackson, Mondavi Winery, Crystal Cruises, Leo Burnnet and many others. Michal makes his home with his son on a converted Tug Boat docked in Sausalito, a small seaside town just north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge where he water skis daily.