Calgary Photographer: Crystal Mercredi

Be kind, be curious, be creative, be courageous

What makes Crystal’s photography experience different?

Surrounding herself by inspiring entrepreneurs and leaders throughout Alberta, this Calgary photographer recognized that great people were being underestimated because they lacked a polished personal brand. Their image was hindering their success, so she made it her mission to help great people get great headshots, portraits, and brand imagery that told the story of the impact they make in their community and built trust with their audience.

Crystal is dedicated to helping her clients develop a strong brand voice that enhances their impact. She understands that people are typically uncomfortable in front of the camera, so through her very specific guidance, expertise and assuring personality she is able to help her clients feel at ease and send the messaging they need the viewer to recieve. With thousands of executive headshots taken over the past decade she draws on a wealth of experience, years of study, and constantly evolving modernization techniques. She thoughtfully designs images by guiding clients to show who they are, and what they hope to achieve, through set design, facial expression and body language.

Crystal has visual marketing consulting experience with small, medium and large business, government, educational and non-profit organizations. She uses a mix of proven marketing methods and creative thinking to develop stunning and strategic visual branding. Crystal holds a Master’s of Photographic Arts with the Professional Photographers of Canada, a certificate in Marketing and Strategic Communications, and employs an attitude of wisdom that keeps her learning everyday. She recognizes that no two people are the same, so crafting their professional imagery needs to be a customized experience in order to be most effective.

Calgary’s Executive Headshot and Portrait Photographer

Crystal’s journey as a Calgary Photographer started when she would bring her Polaroid camera to junior high school to take portraits of classmates. She began refining her photography skills during high school and college in Calgary, but made the transition to professional as a second career after having children.

Prior to her life as a photographer Crystal was an award winning teacher, empowering colleagues and students to identify their mental blocks so they could achieve new levels of success in mathematics. She continues to be driven by helping great people achieve great things, which led her to becoming a brand image strategist.

From a Photographer to a Brand Strategist

Once Crystal realized she could use strategic imagery to tell stories about great people and their impact on the world she began evolving her focus from photography techniques to marketing strategy. She enrolled at Mount Royal University and completed a continuing education certificate in Marketing and Strategic Communication. Once that was completed she transitioned into a Post Bachelor Certificate Business Administration program with a concentration in Marketing, which will be completed in December 2026. Throughout this program Crystal has explored eye tracking studies and technology, to gain an understanding of how to layout imagery to guide the viewer’s eye. She has undertaken market research, to better understand how to resonate with audiences with different values.

Calgary Photographer: Awards and Accolades

• Mount Royal University; Post Bachelor Business Certificate in Marketing (Currently enrolled)
• YMM Airport Authority; Inaugural Artist: Digital Art Exhibition (2023)
• Professional Photographers of Canada; Master of Photographic Arts (2022)
• Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo United Way; Because of You Partnership Award (2021)
• Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce; Business of the Year Under 20 Employees (2021).

• Mount Royal University; Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate (2021).
• Arts Council Wood Buffalo; 2020 Visual Arts Award (Buffy)
• FuseSocial; Leadership Wood Buffalo Certificate (2020)
• Your McMurray Magazine; Fort McMurray’s Top 50 Under 50 in (2020)
• Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce; Female Leadership Award Finalist (2019)
• National Association of Professional Child Photographers, Ambassador & Award Winning Imagery (2016-2019)

Community Focussed

Contributing to a vibrant and healthy community is one of Crystals core values. For many years Life and Portraits has proudly supported many non-profit organizations and youth programs throughout Alberta. Since moving to the Greater Calgary Area Crystal has been appointed to the Economic Development Advisory Committee for Chestermere

As an entrepreneur Crystal is always looking for great industry partnerships to benefit the greater community. Small businesses can have big impact on community when we work together. She works with other small business to continually enhance each other’s skillsets in order to benefit the greater community and serve them more effectively and profoundly.

Lifelong learning in Marketing and Photography

Crystal has a Master in Photographic Arts from the Professional Photographers of Canada, and has been a finalist for Photographic Artist of the Year as well as Portrait Artist of the Year, as well as won Best in Class in commerical photography both Nationally and Provincially.

Crystal works as a connector for her clients between eachother as well as ideas that help them have breakthroughs. She asks questions that help her clients think more intentionally and strategically, guiding them to make small changes which have big impact.

Calgary Photographer Contact Info

Location

Chestermere is conveniently located only 5 minutes from the Stoney Trail Ring Road, 20 minutes from the YYC Airport for anyone across the country to visit with relative ease. Come to Chestermere to see Crystal in studio! The studio has free parking, is in a stress free-location and has a beautiful view of the mountains behind the city for your drive back home. Chestermere is only a 20km drive to downtown Calgary.

416 West Chestermere Dr, Chestermere AB

crystal@lifeandportraits.com

7803817929