Michael Albert
Michael has developed a style of wedding photojournalism that is as unobtrusive as it is intimate.
An artist, dedicated craftsmen, and seasoned professional, Michael consistently provides couples with a splendid portfolio of imagery that is meant to be cherished for years to come.
Based out of Cranbrook, Michael lives with his wife, Marie-Eve, and baby girl, Adelie.
| Photographer | Michael Albert |
| Location | Cranbrook in British Columbia, Canada |
| Starting Rates | $3100+ (CAN) |
| Also Serving | |
| Website | michaelsweddings.net |
| Photos | 6 Contest Winning Photos |
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1st Place: Ceremony - 2012 Q3 Contest -
11th Place: Creative Portrait - 2010 Q4Photographer's Comment
During portrait sessions, I get a few good conservative photos right off the bat and then try make the portraits more interesting. The wind was blowing well this day and we were trying to backlight her veil with the sun. I wasn't entirely impressed with the results but there was a quick moment when the groom leaned into his wife for a quick kiss and she seemed so content and I was able to capture a few moments. A couple minutes earlier her sister had come over to help me by controlling the veil and I am certain that this allowed me to get the shot. So often you have an idea of what you would like but it turns into something else; you just have to be creative and open to new possibilities that are always presenting themselves. Just as important, you have to know when something is not working and be ready to move on. ,
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4th Place: Ceremony - 2008 BRIDES MagazinePhotographer's Comment
Kids are very easy to photograph and I always keep an eye out for their antics. It can be overdone in the sense that you could easily spend a day photographing a few energetic children. But if you wait for them when they are calm (not as common as you may guess) they make for wonderful moments. This was photographed with a long lens somewhere around 200mm. ,
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8th Place: Dancing - 2008 BRIDES MagazinePhotographer's Comment
It goes without saying that there is a lot of emotion on a wedding day. It is important to look for moments that are on the periphery of the main action. As you gain experience, it comes more naturally to monitor different developing situations and not to be so focused on the obvious that you miss something else. I would have like the groom and his mother a little better positioned but I only has a few seconds and this was the best I could line them all up. ,
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13th Place: Dancing - 2006 FallPhotographer's Comment
Since I had scouted the location well, I was able to set up a few lights in the reception area (an old and charming theater) exactly where I needed them to be. I always try to prepare a few different strobes in different ways so I can mix and match depending on the scenario that presents itself. I can switch the lighting combinations around on my pocket wizards (radio remote controls that sit on top of the camera). This moment was simple to capture: It was a square dance and they repeated the back and forth movement three times and I knelt down in where they would meet, adjusted myself to line up with the strobe's burst and waited. As far as lighting scenarios go, it is nice to set up something to augment the low light levels in reception areas and also to set up a few bolder lighting scenarios that like this one. ,
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1st Place: Emotion - 2006 SpringPhotographer's Comment
Unlike a simple controlled portrait in a studio, a wedding day is buzzing with activity. You have to develop an ability to monitor many different evolving scenarios at the same time, ready to grab their moments at the peak of their action. In this case, mother and daughter moved so quick that I shot it without raising the camera to my eye. I knew I would have a few opportunities in the hotel room to capture their excitement together and this was my favorite. In the hotel room, I was using a flash pointed to the ceiling to bounce a little bit of fill light and to help balance the ugly yellow lamplight. Since the camera was at belly level, I had to close my eyes just as the shutter and flash popped so I wouldn't blind myself!,
The Wedding Photojournalist Association proudly recognizes the accomplishments and creative excellence of Michael Albert. The following awards have been earned by Michael from the WPJA. These achievements come with great merit considering the high level of competition that a member faces in the contests.
| 2012 | Q3 | 1st Place - Ceremony |
| 2010 | Q4 | 11th Place - Creative Portrait |
| 2008 | BRIDES |
4th Place - Ceremony
8th Place - Dancing |
| 2006 | Fall | 13th Place - Dancing |
| Spring | 1st Place - Emotion |