Karim Iliya is a photographer, filmmaker, future space explorer, and whale swimming guide based in Iceland and Hawaii. He was recently selected as one of the crew on the dearMoon mission, and he will be flying aboard the starship rocket on a one week trip around the moon. Karim grew up in the Middle East and Asia and developed a curiosity for the natural world which has taken him into the midst of exploding volcanoes, battling whales, ice worlds of the Arctic, and many of the fascinating places where humans and animals make their homes.Through his photography and films, Karim takes his audiences to hidden underwater worlds as well documenting other natural places in an effort to protect our delicate ecosystems on Earth. Karim has worked in over 45 countries, won multiple awards and been published in National Geographic Magazine and BBC Earth. He is also the co founder of Kogia, a non-profit media library and film team dedicated to ocean conservation.