Michael has won numerous local, regional and national awards for his photography and for photo editing.

As a photographer he has been honored by the National Press Photographers Association, Society of News Design, National Conference of Christians and Jews, San Diego Press Club, Sigma Delta Chi society of professional journalists and other local and regional organizations.

As a photo editor and director of photography for the San Diego Union-Tribune, Michael was part of a talented team of photographers who won Best Use of Photography from the Pictures of the Year Competition.