Cunningham Studio & Design Images in Spokane Washington

Cunningham Studio was began in 1950 under the direction of Jack Cunningham. Jack was the owner and operator until he sold the studio to Charlie Plumb in 1982. Charlie sold the studio in 1989 to Al Berger the current owner and operator. When Al purchased the studio he purchased the negative files from 1950 to 1989. We have over 95% of the original negative files available for reprints. If you or your family had portraits by Cunningham Studio in the past, we have your negatives on hand in our permanent file.. Just ask us how you can view them.

Al Berger began his photography career in 1983 while stationed in Kaiserslautern, West Germany with the United States Air Force. He entered his first photographic competition in the spring of 1985 and was rewarded with 1st place in the portrait category. His awards started rolling in as he gained experience. In 1988 while stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base outside Spokane, Washington, Al took 2nd place in the bi-annual prestigious Inter-Service Competition. He was the only person from Fairchild AFB to ever be selected for entry to this 2 year Photographic Contest between all United States Armed Forces. He has won over 90 national and international awards since beginning his career as a photographer. In 1991, 1995 and 1996 Al was awarded the “Best Print of the Year” awards from the Spokane Professional Photographers Association.

One of Al's first jobs in his photo career was as a “stringer” (freelance news photographer) for the Ramstein Press while stationed in Germany. When he moved to Spokane in 1986 he was a stringer for United Press International (UPI). In 1987 Bloomsday Race Association selected Al as a featured photographer for Bloomsday Magazine. In 1988 Al photographed the 1988 Olympic Cycling Trials in Spokane. Al was the lead photographer for the 1989 Washington State Centennial Games. During the 1990 Goodwill Games, Al photographed the events in Spokane for UPI. Al has continued photographing news worthy items for UPI and has been published in national newspapers. Al was the official photographer for the Spokane Grand Prix during the years of its existence.

Al started as a professional photographer in 1987 and purchased Cunningham Studio's in 1989. Cunningham Studio has been in existence since 1950. When he purchased Cunningham Studio, Al insisted the purchase include all of the original Cunningham negatives from the beginning of the studio in 1950 to the time of the purchase.

Al is happily married with 2 children, Joshua and Jacob and has lived in Spokane for the past 20 years. He grew up in western Montana working ranches and has extensive experience with animals. His down to earth personality allows him to connect easily with young and old alike. Al's love of photography and his desire to excel drives his relentless pursuit to expand his skills as a professional photographer. He has studied under noted photographers, Bruce Hudson, Ken Whitmire and Steven K. Wolfe among others. Al traveled to Canada to study under the noted Portraitists Louise and Joseph Simone.. In the summer of 2005 Al went back to photographing Rodeos throughout the Northwest. You can view the Rodeo photos Al has taken at Pro Rodeo Pix. Since he went back to photographing rodeos again, Al has become a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) member and a photographer for the Professional Western Rodeo Association and the North-western Professional Rodeo Association (NPRA). Al has also photographed several Professional Bull Riders (PBR) events. Al has also been approved by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA).

Al is one of the few portraitists who actually enjoy working with people. Be it a wedding or a large family group. Al truly loves working his magic and having fun with his customers. Al is a true romantic and is willing to work with you in designing your perfect portrait session. Call or stop by to visit with Al. Bring your ideas or desires and he will work with you to bring your dreams to life.

3623 S. Smith Street, Spokane, WA 99223 (509) 924-1700