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Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (July 30/01) - Far from the crime scenes Michael and Jean Albert once photographed, the retired Canadian Forces photographers have launched Iqaluit's first professional photography studio.
 Brothers Jean, left, and Michel Albert pose in their new photography studio. - Kirsten Murphy/NNSL photo
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Michel is the chatty front man, recently seen behind the lens at Inuksuk high school's graduation and the Arctic Food Celebration.
His brother, Jean, admittedly less patient with customers but more technically inclined, deals with the in-house computers, software and scanners at their 1,900-square-foot Airport Road studio.
Jean's wife, Heather Coman, deals with the never-ending paper work.
"It's a challenge. Every hour you learn something new," Jean says.
Collectively, the trio specialize in portraits for government and Inuit organization offices. Michel will also shoot weddings, family occasions, brochures and passport photos.
What won't the pair do? Develop film and photograph scantily clad models. Those are the rules.
Both men marvel at the fact no one has launched a similar business, but caution would-be business owners.
"It's tough. No one has done this before here. It's a lot of hours," says Jean.
With their top-of-the-line equipment shipped up from Toronto, the duo can reproduce your favourite dog-eared picture (the one you lost the negative for years ago) or cast you in the light of a super model.
It's big job with a big cost. With the money spent on renovations and equipment, a luxury vehicle could be theirs -- maybe two vehicles.
Both men came to Iqaluit from Quebec City in 1998. First they drove cab.
Michael went on to moonlight as an airline ticket agent, Jean landed work with a construction company.
Both jobs proved invaluable for developing working contacts. In fact, by chatting up taxi passengers, Michel landed the May 2001 Macleans magazine cover shot of Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik.
After leaving the forces, the brothers discussed opening a photography business. By February 2001, they were ordering everything from power packs to Post-It notes.
Future plans include landscape photography classes, workshops, a framing studio, photo gallery and extending their services to other Baffin Island communities.
"There is so much to do. So much to see," Jean says.
