Michelle Valberg is a world-renowned nature and portrait photographer, with images having adorned Canadian stamps, coins and even aircrafts. Her work has been featured as part of a solo exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature and galleries across North America, becoming one of the few nature photographers to have work sought after by art collectors. A Nikon Ambassador, Michelle’s images are published across North America and Europe, including by National Geographic and In Style magazines. Indeed, Michelle is one of Canada’s best-known photographic storytellers and artists – and one of the first women to lead in the profession on the international stage. She is also the founder of Project North, committed to delivering education and sport-based opportunities to youth in Canada’s Arctic. For her efforts, Michelle’s been recognized as Ottawa’s Businesswoman of the Year, received the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, the United Way Ottawa Community Builder award and the Order of Canada.
So, what does it take to capture award-winning images that tell powerful stories that can change the world? Michelle joined us in conversation to share her secrets to success.
Find her: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X | YouTube
What do you think?
- Would you like to follow in Michelle’s footsteps?
- How, at a time when the photography industry is becoming more accessible, can others follow in her footsteps?
- Can we apply Michelle’s lessons to the personal stories we capture and share on social media?
- Do we all have the capacity to be visual storytellers?
- Given Michelle’s ability to be reflective and accountable, what lessons can we learn not only as storytellers, but also as story consumers?
- What responsibility do have to help ensure visual storytellers act with integrity?