Check Out Christian Dalbec’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Dalbec.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story with Photography started in 2012 when I quit drinking. I had been an alcoholic since I was about 15 years old. Honestly, I made a career out of drinking. After multiple DUIs and close calls, I finally made the choice to change. I figured, I had about half of my life left and I wanted to see what the other half would feel like if I was sober. I was court ordered to attend AA meetings, which did help but I constantly found myself looking out the window, wanting to be outside in nature. That’s what really made a difference for me, I had an ankle bracelet but was allowed to walk my dog, so I brought a camera with and went on walks. Having the camera to focus on, and being surrounded in nature (living on the North Shore of Lake Superior) I found a healthier obsession with catching the right shot. Not long after that (around 2015) I was introduced to water photography. At first, I thought I could never afford it, but when I actually tried swimming in the lake with a camera, I was hooked. Water photography took over and I found a new level of healing.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Addiction is never easy. Even though I can say it was a challenge to quit drinking, now I can say it was harder to stay stuck in that life. I wasn’t healthy and definitely wasn’t happy. Now, even though I’m older, I feel I’m in the best shape of my life and happier than I’ve ever been. There are days when I struggle with self-doubt. It’s hard to live on an artist’s income, but it’s worth it to not punch a clock every day.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a water photographer, I suppose I’m also a wave photographer. I swim in Lake Superior, year-round, almost every day, in search of the “perfect shot.” I am the first photographer to take on the whole, camera in a water housing, wearing a wet suit and swimming thing in Lake Superior. I’ve seen it in the ocean and Hawaii but I had never seen it done here. And it’s been right here in my backyard!

As much as I love my art and images, I love sharing them with others and seeing it provide so much joy, I think I’m most “proud” of my story. I want others to see there is hope, breaking the addiction cycle is possible.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My parents have been through it all with me, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to pay them back for all the help. My mentor, now good friend, John Gregor of Coldsnap Photography, taught me so much about the camera. But my wife, my best friend Kara Dalbec is my biggest cheerleader. Life got better (and so did my business) when she came into my life. She basically runs everything behind the scenes, bookkeeping, processing orders, running the website and dealing with emails. She’s the hidden half of Christian Dalbec Photography.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: inandaroundthelake.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiandalbecphotography/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianDalbecPhotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DalbecChris
• Other: christiandalbec.com

Image Credits
Christian Dalbec Photography