Macro photo of a carniverous Butterwort plant.
By Denise Bacon
Michelle Cleland spent most of her career as an Intensive Care Unit Nurse at Toronto hospitals where she specialized in cardiac and trauma-based neuro health care. She also shared her specialized knowledge through teaching doctors and nurses how to resuscitate people in cardiac arrest, using all available resources.
After retiring about a year ago, Michelle continues teaching nursing part-time at the Finch and King City Seneca College campuses. Her critical attention to minute details about her patients may have been the foundation of her photography journey!
A Hawaiian vacation in 2005 with her first digital camera opened Michelle’s eyes to the wonder of photography. “Everything in Hawaii is beautiful,” said Michelle, initially downplaying the quality of photographs that she took there. Soon afterwards, she realized there was something special to be appreciated through digital photography. A hobby grew into a passion which was nurtured by course after course to learn and grow in this digital field.
Through trials, experimentation and experience, Michelle narrowed her interest to “macro photography with a twist.” She smiled amusedly as she emphasized that she “doesn’t do insects!” Macro photography is extreme close-up photography where the subject itself appears much larger than life and, oftentimes, may be invisible to the naked eye.
Nurse Michelle is now reinvented as a global award-winning photographer! She won the 2024 Guru Award for Macro Photography at the renowned Photoshop World Contest. After much coaxing, Michelle shared that her proudest achievements were recognitions from Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) by winning National and Regional competitions for Macro Photography and for winning the 2025 Category Award for Animals.
Michelle shares her passion and continuous improvement journey with photographers from Canada and around the world. She was thrilled to meet Scott Kelby, a best-selling author and one of her early mentors. Michelle’s membership in the KelbyOne Group keeps her connected with about 100 photographers globally. She has enjoyed opportunities to connect with them at annual summits to share and learn from each other.
Another strong influence for Michelle is Don Komarechka, a Canadian nature and macro photographer whose snowflake images are captured on Canadian coins. She has taken many of Don’s courses which have contributed to Michelle’s own fabulous macro photography. “Don has been generous with sharing his knowledge with me,” effused Michelle.
Michelle is active with the West Rouge Photography Facebook group through which she has met other local photographers whom she greatly admires. It’s wonderful that the circle of learning continues to go around as Michelle now shares her expertise with other photographers.
Neighbours, keep your eyes open for Michelle who lives in Centennial and who may be seen with cameras slung across both shoulders ready for the next awesome photographic capture!
