Michelle Valberg

Canada, Through the Lens

A Canadian Nikon Ambassador, Michelle has exhibited her works internationally. In 2011 her work was the subject of critically acclaimed, three-month solo exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Her work is also seen on the tail wings of three First Air aircrafts, while her photo of a polar bear graces the cover of Canadian Geographic Atlas of Canada.

In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, Michelle’s photograph of a drum dancer will appear on a coin representing Nunavut, part of a series produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.

There is nowhere on earth where this connectivity, this relationship between people, the landscape and wildlife is more “real” then in the Arctic. Known for her particular passion for arctic photography, Michelle has made over 40 trips to Canada’s north

This presentation will provide participants with a peek behind the scenes of some of Michelle’s most stunning photographs. Through the use of narrative, imagery and video, Michelle will bring us into each photo. We will be transported back to the time and place to be at one with Michelle and her Canada. For that moment we will reconnect.

Creativity In Motion

We all have an understanding of what it is to be creative. But creativity takes work. To ensure that individuals and business are able to evolve, refresh and renew themselves, we need to create environments that transcend traditional ideas, rules and patterns.

As a globally recognized and celebrated adventure and travel photographer Michelle Valberg’s constant quest to capture the beautiful and unique has taken her to all corners of the world. She has built a reputation for capturing unnoticed details that change our perception, as well as the implausible vast landscapes that alter our perspective.

Whether being up close and personal with grizzly bears, polar bears, or swimming in Arctic waters with narwhals, Michelle’s unique ability to challenge the status quo has solidified her reputation as one of Canada’s eminent photographers.

Michelle constantly pushes the boundaries, recognizing that the next great shot likely exists just outside of her comfort zone. This awe-inspiring presentation provides a behind the scenes look at her most incredible adventures and motivates us to look beyond the status quo to reach our full creative potential.

Using Your Personal Gift to Make a Difference

From the very beginning of her career, Michelle has used her photography to make a difference in her community and country. Exhibitions, magazine covers, themed books to raise awareness of critical issues, and the creation of a not-for-profit organization, project north.ca, represent a few of her undertakings.

This presentation will provide participants with an in-depth look at how philanthropy serves to stoke the fire of your creative spirit. Michelle will discuss the benefits and challenges of giving back. How do you choose what you do? How do you set yourself up for success? Using examples from her altruistic endeavours, Michelle will leave participants with an understanding of how giving back serves to give them more.

An Entrepreneurial Spirit: Trailblazing in a Male Dominated Industry

As a woman in business in a male dominated industry for over 28 years, Michelle Valberg is considered a trailblazer. She has taken photographs of landscape and wildlife in places few people have dared to venture. She is the only woman to be appointed one of six Canadian Nikon Ambassadors.

Michelle’s work is intense, physically demanding, gritty, fast-paced and often times, slow moving. Sitting for hours in extreme cold waiting for a narwhal to make an appearance channels inner strength, patience and determination. Embracing her challenges with enthusiasm and grace Michelle motivates everyone to do the same.

Michelle created a new model of collaboration for her industry. Bringing other photographers under the same roof to share technology and expertise is the first of its kind model of a photographer’s collaborative space. Recognized as groundbreaking, Michelle is called upon, from across North America, to share her knowledge on setting up collaboration-spaces based on her model.

In this presentation, Michelle will give insight into the opportunities and challenges she has faced as a woman in a male dominated field. She will highlight some of the obstacles she has encountered, and will share how she was able to work around them. Participants will come away from the presentation energized and ready to tackle any challenges that come their way.

Wildlife Photography: Reconnect With Nature

Nature has always been Michelle’s first love. From the moment she looked through the lens, the images, colours, textures and depth of the natural world left her breathless. Michelle believes nature reflects what we see in ourselves, our beauty, our ugliness, our simplicity, our complexity.

Most of us have become disconnected from the natural world around us. We live in cities and spend minimal time outside in green spaces. Studies have shown that a walk in the park may decrease anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses. We need to reconnect and acknowledge our relationship with the natural world around us.

There is nowhere on earth where this connectivity, this relationship between people, the landscape and wildlife is more “real” then in the Arctic. Known for her particular passion for arctic photography, Michelle has made over 40 trips to Canada’s north

This presentation will provide participants with a peek behind the scenes of some of Michelle’s most stunning photographs. Through the use of narrative, imagery and video, Michelle will bring us into each photo. We will be transported back to the time and place to be at one with Michelle and her subject. For that moment we will reconnect.

Workshops

Michelle offers a series of hands-on workshops designed to provide participants an opportunity to learn the finer details for taking that perfect photograph.

Going off Auto-Pilot
Learn how to use ISO, shutter speed and aperture to achieve better results. Take control of your camera.

Posing tips and how to take a better portrait of others and yourself.
Especially important in today’s visual world of social media. Michelle will teach tips and tricks of taking a better portrait. She will also discuss the importance of branding with your image.

Composition – The Art of Seeing
For all levels of photographers and cameras. Learn the art of seeing with Michelle and discover new ways of creating powerful images.