About Michael
Hi, my name is Michael Bednar and I am a travel and social documentary photographer whose work focuses on culture, the environment, and the close relationship between the two. I am a passionate storyteller who authentically cares for the people and world around me with a deep curiosity for the diversity of cultures worldwide. In more than twenty-five years as a professional photographer, my work has helped tell stories for editorial, government, NGO, medical, post-secondary education, and corporate clients.
I am an explorer by nature (much to my mother’s chagrin) which was first demonstrated at the ripe, young age of 3 years old when I went walkabout, not to run away but because there was somewhere I wanted to go. That adventurous spirit has stayed with me throughout my life as I shunned my original career path to pursue one in natural resource management. This came about after spending a day following a herd of elk high up in the Rocky Mountains and having an aha moment.
As a result, I worked in British Columbia's remote regions doing forestry and natural resource management work for several years. This was followed by bouts of hitchhiking through Africa, living on a kibbutz in Israel, working in the Australian outback, and many other adventures along the way before finally picking up a camera and deciding to become a visual storyteller.
Throughout my career, I have been honoured with several awards such as Asian Geographic Magazine’s ‘Photojournalism of the Decade’ and the Northern Lights Award for ‘Best Canadian Travel Photography.’ However, the one that means the most to me is the Lucie Award from the International Photography Awards as ‘People Photographer of the Year’ and my nomination for ‘International Photographer of the Year.’ It was a great honour to be acknowledged by and alongside some of the best in the industry, a memory I will always cherish.
When I am not behind the camera or at the computer editing and writing, I will probably have my face buried in a map dreaming of places to explore next, or perhaps I am on a hike or canoe trip to a remote, wild place. If I do find myself in civilization enjoying the pleasures urban life brings, I will probably be enjoying cooking a feast for friends or just for myself as I love cooking but especially for a house full of people I care about. There will most certainly be music playing and I can neither confirm nor deny if I will be singing and dancing on my own while something tasty is simmering.
Currently, you will find me based in Cusco, Peru where I have immersed myself in a project documenting the culture of the indigenous Quechua people of the Andes. I will be producing a photo book and exhibiting the imagery from this project upon completion.
Feel free to drop me a line if you are interested in working together or just want to say Hi!
