Cochrane photographer Michelle Spice has snapped her way to into the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards after receiving a nomination for Creative Design Team or Designer of the Year.
Spice explained how her work with a country music industry designer from Ontario and Canadian country music star, and former hockey player, Chad Brownlee led to the duo being nominated for this year CCMA Awards, which are set to take place in Edmonton later this year.
“He had a single last year called ‘The Country Kind,’ Spice explained. "It’s his first single out in a few years; so his manager contacted me asking if I’d be interested in doing his cover art and general promo photos.”
After listening to the song in advance of its release, Spice said she decided to have the photo shoot at The Crossing at Ghost River, just outside of Cochrane.
“I knew that this had to be place, it’s just to beautiful and I’m fortunate enough to have a relationship with the staff and management there,” Spice said. “They were kind enough to let us go there, and we had a shoot for hours where we spent the entire afternoon together.”
Spice said she was surprised to see her name as one of the nominees in this year’s CCMA Awards, and was shocked and surprised to see that she received this honour.
“I was just scrolling through social media and I saw the announcements on CCMA, and I went to the page where it said Creative Designer of the year, and I saw my name but it didn’t click,” she said. “I had to stare at it for a few seconds, and that’s when it was like – 'Oh my goodness, I got nominated for a CCMA Award!'
“I’m so honoured," Spice added. "I worked in this industry for so long, and when I sent it in, I didn’t think anything would happen.”
Although she is originally from England, Spice explained that her journey in the world of country music first started as a DJ at the Ranchmans in Calgary. After exploring different career paths, Spice decided to enter professional photography after her son was born.
“In 2013, three years after I started part-time photography while looking after my son, the floods happened in Alberta,” Spice said. “I went down to Memorial Drive, and I felt this innate pull that I had to take photos.”
After documenting some of the events from the flood, Spice said she took all proceeds from her pictures and donated them to the different flood relief charities in Calgary. When she inquired to sell her photos for charity at the Alberta Flood Aid Concert, Spice said she was instead approached to be the official photographer for the concert.
“Long story short, I got an all-access pass and I did the photography, and I was hooked,” Spice said. “Some of the main acts I already knew from working at Ranchmans, so it was a really wonderful experience, and I started getting more immersed in concert photography.”
From there, Spice said she’s worked alongside several Canadian country music artists shooting their single and album cover art, and even worked as a professional photographer for several country music events.
Outside of the music realm, Spice said she still regularly provides her services for members of the community and surrounding area that are looking for a photographer in Cochrane.
“I’m so honoured and proud to be here and to be part of this community,” Spice said.
Looking back on her nomination and her journey to where she is now, Spice said she would like to thank every manager, agent, and musician that has ever worked with her.
“In no way am I at the top, on my end I’m walking the journey and, I’m so happy and fulfilled all the time,” Spice said. “[It’s] almost 14 years having Michelle Spice Photography, it’s so amazing, and I don’t want anybody else to stop believing in yourself.”
