Karim United States

Karim Iliya is a photographer, filmmaker, whale swimming guide based in Iceland and Hawaii. He was recently selected as part of the dearMoon crew, the first civilian flight which will go around the moon aboard the starship rocket. 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 whale, ice worlds of the Arctic, and many of the fascinating places that humans and animals make their home. He uses photography and video to show a unique perspective and uncover new worlds underwater that few have the opportunity to see, and to tell stories about people, places, and animals in order to better our world. His focus is on documenting whales, big cats, and other threatened animals 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 for his humpback whale photography and BBC Earth for his video work. He recently cofounded Kogia, a non-profit media library and film team dedicated to ocean conservation. Throughout his life he has been fascinated by the hidden mysteries in our universe, from the smallest creatures and the deepest seas, to the great vastness of space. In the history of humanity, only 24 people have flown to the moon. The last trip was over 50 years ago. Karim will be amongst the first to go back and documenting the journey.