About Me

Michel Sauret, is an Emmy-winning and five-time Emmy nominated video director/producer, winner in of the  Military Visual Awards Photographer of the Year, Army Storyteller of the Year, Army Civilian Photographer of the Year, and Army Journalist of the Year for his career with the U.S. Army public affairs.

Michel is also independent author and photographer. He has published three works of fiction, including “Amidst Traffic” which won the 2012 International Book Awards and placed as a finalist in three other nationwide book competitions. His latest novel, “Jump” was released in 2016.

As a photographer, Michel documents the lives of military service members, and is the owner of One Way Street Production, with his wife, Heather, which specializes in lifestyle family and wedding photography.

Michel published his first novel, “Breathing God” at the age of 19. He studied creative writing at the University of Pittsburgh, and has short stories published in literary journals around the world, including in the U.S., Great Britain and Australia.

Michel joined the Army in 2002, but has served as a public affairs specialist for the U.S. Army since 2006. His stories, photography and videos have won several Brumfield, Keith L. Ware, Thomas Jefferson, Defense Media Activity and MILPHOG Awards, serving to promote the military and the Army life to nationwide and international audiences. His military writing and photography has been published by dozens of websites, newspapers and magazines, to include the National Geographic, USA Today and the Army Times. His short story, “Lost in the Night” appeared in the anthology, “Best New Writing, 2008″ and his story, “Three Straws” earned honorable mention in the Monty Culver Award in 2010.

Michel is married to his God-honoring wife, Heather, and together they have four sons: Phoenix, Asher, Anakai and Zephan.

Creative Achievements

~2022~

Emmy Nomination — Health, Environment and Science (“The Ways of Water”)
Keith L. Ware Civilian Photographer of the Year – U.S. Army
Herbert A. Kassner Photographer of the Year — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Herbert A. Kassner Videographer of the Year — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Herbert A. Kassner Writer of the Year — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“Like a Tornado Through His Body” — First Place, News Article, Keith L. Ware Communications Awards

~2021~

Emmy Nomination — 18C: Military – Short Form (A Time of Honor)

~2020~

Emmy Award – 10B: Feature News Report – Serious Feature (Carrying the Names)

Emmy Nomination – 30A: Public/Current/Community Affairs – Feature/Segment/Series (Voices of Strength)
Emmy Nomination – 30B: Public/Current/Community Affairs – Program/Special (Voices of Strength)
Emmy Nomination – 10B: Feature News Report – Serious Feature (Carrying the Names)

~2019~

George Mason University “Made a Difference Award” — U.S. Army Reserve (Sponsored by AUSA)
Hosted & Organized “Army Reserve Storytelling Workshop” — U.S. Army Reserve

~2018~

U.S. Army Storyteller of the Year – First Place, Keith L. Ware Communication Awards
U.S. Army Reserve Storyteller of the Year – First Place, Brumfield Mass Communication
Military Photographer of the Year — First Place, Military Visual Awards (Photography)
Produced marketing campaign photo shoot for U.S. Army Reserve Medical
“A contest of wills” — Second Place, Military Visual Awards (Picture Story)
“Light of a warrior” — Second Place, Military Visual Awards (Portrait)
“Down time”  — Third Place, Military Visual Awards (Sports)
“Zephan Blaze”  — Honorable Mention, Military Visual Awards (Feature)

~2017~

Hosted & Organized “Advanced Storytelling Workshop” — U.S. Army
Mentored the winner of “Military Photographer of the Year” for U.S. Army & U.S. Army Reserve
“Prepare for the worst” — First Place, Defense Media Award (Training Photo Series)
“Prepare for the worst” — First Place, Brumfield Awards (Training Photo Series)
“Prepare for the worst” — First Place, Keith L. Ware Awards (Training Photo Series)
“Small Arms, Big Impact” — First Place, Brumfield Awards (Video Story)
“Gas mask ruck march” — First Place, Brumfield Awards (Feature Photo)
“Army Reserve sniper” — First Place, Brumfield Awards (Portrait)
“Presidential inauguration parade” — First Place, Brumfield Awards (Picture Story)
“Presidential inauguration parade” — First Place, Keith L. Ware Awards (Picture Story)
“Keep pounding” — First Place, Brumfield Awards (Photojournalism)
“Keep pounding” — Honorable Mention, Keith L. Ware Awards (Photojournalism)

~2016~

“Jump” — Novel (Christian / Literary)
Mentored the winners of “Outstanding New Writer” / “Military Print Journalist of the Year” / “Military Photographer of the Year” for the U.S. Army & U.S. Army Reserve

~2015~

“The Computer that Saved the Soldier’s Back” — First Place, Keith L. Ware Award (Feature)
“The Computer that Saved the Soldier’s Back” — First Place, Thomas Jefferson Award (Feature)
“I Hear You Calling” — First Place, Keith L. Ware Award (Photojournalism)
“I Hear You Calling” — First Place, Thomas Jefferson Award (Photojournalism)
“Why I serve” — First Place, Keith L. Ware Award (Commentary)
“Why I serve” — Third Place, Thomas Jefferson Award (Commentary)
“Miles for Lives” — First Place, Brumfield Award (News Video)
“More than Just Blast Masters” — Honorable Mention, Brumfield Award (Feature Video)
“Framing Conflict” — Editor’s Spotlight, National Geographic (Photography)
“Operating the Night”  — Honorable Mention, Military Photography of the Year (Picture Story)
“Burning the Night”  — Honorable Mention, Military Photography of the Year (Portrait)
“Koalafying”  — Third Place, Military Photography of the Year (Feature)
Photography Portfolio   — Top Five, Military Photography of the Year (Portfolio)

~2014~

“Sapper Stakes” — Honorable Mention, Keith L. Ware Award (News Photo)
“Soldier Field” — Honorable Mention, Keith L. Ware Award (Feature Photo)

~2013~

“Amidst Traffic” — Winner, 2013 International Book Awards
“Amidst Traffic” — Finalist, 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
“Amidst Traffic” — Finalist, 2013 Indie Excellence Book Awards
“Amidst Traffic” — Finalist, 2013 USA Book News Awards

~2012~

“Afghan Work” — First Place, Brumfield Award (Human Interest Article)
“Amidst Traffic” — Short Story Collection (Literary Fiction)

~2010~

“Three Straws” — Honorable Mention, Monty Culver Award (Short Story)
“Role Players” — Third Place, Brumfield Award (Feature Article)
“Role Players” — Third Place, Keith L. Ware Award (Feature Article)
“Freedom Ride” — Honorable Mention, Brumfield Award (News Article)

~2009~

Internship with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (News reporting & Photography)
Keith L. Ware Journalist of the Year Award (Army-wide Journalism)
Brumfield Military Journalist of the Year Award (Journalism)
“Black Coats (at the Cheyenne Diner)” — Daikaijuzine (Short Story)
“Amidst Traffic” — Ampersand Review [Vol. 3] (Short Story)
“Brick Wall Giants” & “Son of Man” — Sybil’s Garage (Poetry)
“The Tin Can Mind” — Brand Literary Magazine (Short Story)

~2008~

“The General’s Backup Seat” — The Whitefish Review (Nonfiction)
“The Weapon was on Safe” — Collision (Nonfiction)
“Midnight” — Wet Ink (Short Story)
“Lost in the Night” — Eric Hoffer Award Finalist (Short Story)
“Lost in the Night” — Best New Writing 2008
Assignment Editor & Photojournalist — The Mountain View (Army)
Copy Editor — The Dog Faced Daily (Army)

~2007~

Submissions Editor — The Writers Post Journal (Literature Mag)
Freelance writing — G.I. Jobs Magazine
“Child, Hold Me” — Lulu (Memoir)
“The Tin Can Mind” — Lulu (Poetry)

~2006~

Worked as a ghostwriter for Dr. Dan Pompa on “Generation Toxic”
Silver Pen Award — Military Police Magazine
Staff Writer — The Checkmate (Army)

~2005~

“Breathing God” — Publish America (Novel)
“The Duct Tape People” — The Writers Post Journal (Short Story)
“The Problem with my Shoes” — Peridot (Short Story)
“The Follower” — Balance Anthology (Short Story)

~2004~

“Out of a Dream” — Cafe Irreal [issue 11] (Short Story)