Michał Stajniak is a cinematographer working across feature films, documentaries, animated films, theatre productions, experimental films and video art. He believes that formal exploration and experimentation are among the most important elements of the filmmaking process. He is a graduate of the Cinematography Department at the Polish National Film School in Lodz.
Stajniak’s approach to cinematography is shaped by documentary, where openness to experimentation, emotional intelligence, flexibility and creativity on the spot are crucial in crafting cinematic images from situations that can never be repeated. Working on as many as 50 non-fiction projects he developed a signature cinematography style, crafting precise shots on the spot - often with only natural light, or discrete light set ups. 
Besides developing signature cinematographic methodologies, the experience with documentary provides him with opportunities to meet fascinating people and discover unusual places, which makes working with that format continuously refreshing and creatively inspiring. 
He also often works with stop-motion animation which he finds rewarding due to its manual nature and the direct contact with physical materials, resembling the sculpting process.
Besides cinema, he created video materials for stage productions at theatres such as Nowy Theatre in Warsaw, Powszechny Theatre in Warsaw. He has also collaborated with various theatre directors and visual artists on experimental film projects. 
Alongside artistic projects, he also works with platforms and broadcasters such as Netflix, Canal+, Discovery and HBO.

He is based in Warsaw and Lodz but works internationally wherever interesting projects arise. 
He speaks Polish and English.