About the Photographer

Rick Erlendson studied photography in the mid 1970s, and has been shooting as a professional photographer ever since. He holds a master's and doctorate from the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, and a bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Calgary.
 

Rick is a former classroom teacher and a long-time professor of communications, and regularly hosts photography courses which he has developed over the years. He is a gifted, knowledgeable, inspirational and motivational instructor of photography -- and the originator of photocourse.biz -- which offers one-day, two-day, and on-site photo courses.

He’s worked as a photojournalist for newspapers and magazines – including serving as the chief photographer for the Daily Herald-Tribune in Grande Prairie, Alberta (Canada) through the 1980s.

He’s a founding member of the Western Canadian News Photographers Association (WNPA) and is a member of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).

He’s a founding member of the Western Canadian News Photographers Association (WNPA) and is a member of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).

Over the years he’s won countless monthly and yearly awards in various categories with the professional associations listed above as well as other awards with various organizations.

He’s also a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) – a professional organization composed of photojournalists and wedding photographers from around the world. What sets its members apart in the industry is their candid, documentary approach – a distinctly artistic vision toward wedding photography.

Rick lived east of Grande Prairie in the hills of the big Smoky River in the Peace River Country for 30 years before moving to Calgary where he currently resides near Nose Hill Park.

His photographs are known for their ecological and natural themes, his use of natural lighting, and micro-cropping. As well, he utilizes creative lighting to capture warm, magical hues.

Rick specializes in creating art work and photo-art greeting cards, event coverage, weddings, and freelance photography for publication. His passion as a photographer is creating photographs that powerfully capture the natural world or human culture.