Member since April 12, 2008
From:Ottawa, ON, CA
Michelle Valberg is a globally recognized and celebrated photographer, whose quest to capture the beautiful and unique on camera has taken her to all corners of the world. Valberg’s stunning, and at times haunting photographs are highly sought after by art collectors globally, and have been showcased in various exhibits and features across North America, including New York, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. In 2011, Valberg’s work was the subject of a critically acclaimed 3-month solo exhibition at the esteemed Canadian Museum of Nature. Currently, Valberg has her largest permanent exhibition at The Ottawa Hospital, which includes over 70 of her photographs. Regularly featured in publications across North America and Europe, Valberg’s images have most recently been included in National Geographic, The London Tribune, More Magazine, Canadian Geographic and In Style. Her travels have taken her to Africa, Japan, Europe, New Zealand, Belarus and the Caribbean. In recent years, Valberg has explored her passion for Canada’s Arctic, making more than 50 trips to Canada’s north. She has quickly become the ‘go-to’ Arctic photographer for various travel exhibitions, and private clients wishing to capture their once-in-a-lifetime adventure in photographs. A tireless philanthropist, Valberg founded Project North in 2009, a not-for-profit organization committed to delivering education and sport-based opportunities to youth in Canada’s Arctic. Since its inception, over $400,000 worth of hockey equipment has been delivered to over 14 Nunavut communities. Valberg has demonstrated her strong leadership capabilities through Director roles for several committees and organizations, including The United Way Ottawa, the Élisabeth Bruyère Foundation Board, the Telus Community Foundation Board, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation Board, the Algonquin College Foundation Board, and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre. Valberg presently sits on the Youth Services Bureau Charitable Foundation Board and is also a Fellow with the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. Committed to strengthening the community, Valberg has also spent countless hours volunteering with The St. Joe's Women's Shelter, The Ottawa Humane Society, The Ottawa Food Bank, The Ottawa Heart Institute, and The Ottawa Hospital. As the founder of Valberg Imaging – Ottawa’s premier photography studio and gallery in operation for over 26 years – Valberg is a trusted and recognized entrepreneur in the Ottawa community. She has received numerous accolades and awards over the years, recognizing her business acumen and commitment to the community, including the YMCA/YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the Arts category (2000), Ottawa's Businesswoman of the Year (2003), one of Ottawa's Top 40 Under 40 (2004), The United Way Ottawa Community Builder award and CHEO's Order of the Good Bear. She is also a two time Premier's Award Nominee and a four time Karsh Award Nominee and has won numerous Canadian Geographic Wildlife and Arctic awards. Committed to mentoring entrepreneurs and fellow photographers, Valberg has remained involved with her alma mater, Algonquin College, where she holds the inaugural "Hall of Fame" induction for photography in the School of Media & Design. She was also named "Alumna of the Year" in 2005 by the college. Valberg’s talents have been recognized by an array of industry leaders, including airline First Air, who exclusively requested that one of Valberg’s photographs appear on the tail of one of its aircrafts. With her well-rounded experience and insight in the fields of business, photography, travel, and the non-profit sector, it is no surprise that Valberg is often called upon as a guest speaker for many different organizations, including philanthropic groups, camera clubs and national organizations. Global travel companies like Adventure Canada and Abercrombie and Kent also use Valberg as a resource for their many national and international travel tours. Valberg has self-published three books: Look Beyond... The Faces & Stories of People with HIV/AIDS, Dare to Dream... A Celebration of Canadian Women and most recently, a children’s book about Canada’s north, entitled Ben and Nuki Discover Polar Bears. Her third coffee table book, Arctic Kaleidoscope... The People, Wildlife and Ever-Changing Landscape will be released in April 2013, coinciding with Earth Day.
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