Looking for some photographic inspiration? Look no further then the current members of the APC. Each month a different APC member will be featured and we will provide a glimpse into their photographic life.

This month, our featured photographer is Michael Nelson.

Bio:
I have always been interested in photography. I prefer to shoot people, though I shoot everything that I see. I took a few photography courses when I was at York university and worked doing most of the photography on the college newspaper. It never occurred to me to consider it as a career. There are always events that happen that need photographing and I learned that if you did it well everyone appreciated it. I worked with youth, mostly connected to the Children’s aid, for over 30 years and was supported by the various organizations that I worked for, to take photographs. I most enjoyed making photographs of people they were pleased to have. I still feel like the best photographs I make, are collaborations with the people in the photographs and are ones that we are both proud to have made, even if they are candid photographs.

• How would you describe your photography style?
  I think I enjoy photography most because it causes me to pay attention to things I want to celebrate or share. There are moments that we all think, ‘everyone should see this,’ some of those moments are beautiful or happy or sad. They help make us who we are. Paying attention to the moment and hanging on to it, is perhaps a contradiction. It might say, I was there, I saw what you felt, and it is important, real, valued.
• Which photographer is your biggest inspiration?
  Karsh, Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton and many more it is hard to decide. Perhaps it is the one that is best at what you are trying to shoot right now.
• How long have you been interested in photography?
  Since about age 9. I came to photography anew when I retired from working for youth in 2009.
• What was your first camera?
  My first camera was a box camera that shot 120 roll film. I must have been about 10 years old. It wasn’t really my camera, my parents let me use it because they were only marginally interested in photographing family events. There were no settings, only a shutter button and a knob to move the film to the next frame. It felt like magic to me. Still does I guess, even though I have lots of control now. I was going to say complete control but hey who actually feels like that?
• What  is  your  dream  photo  trip?
  I like to travel and photograph when I do. My favourite trip is always my next one. I guess a dream trip would include spending time with famous photographers learning why they are excited about photography.

Michael has been an APC member since 2013. He also coordinates with the Town of Ajax for all the clubs volunteer photography opportunities.

You can check out more of Michael’s work at www.HighLight.ca