Jared Monkman

Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Jared Monkman, and I am born and raised in Hay River.  I studied music in grande Prairie, and lived in calgary, but Hay RIver has always drawn me back.

 

How did you first get into Photography? 

I bought my first camera when I was recovering from pituitary gland tumour surgery two years ago.  I don’t remember why i decided to buy it, but I’m glad I did.  Because of the tumour and subsequent surgeries, I have limited vision: I see double, and I have no peripheral viseion.  So it took a long time to get used to seeing through the view finder.  At first, my pictures were bad, and it quickly became apparent that I wasn’t okay with my crappy pictures, but I loved the idea of photography: I scourged the internet for resources, and in this day and age there are is no shortage of quality, free, information!  There are also some great photographers in Hay River; Adam Hill, Isaac Hilman, and David Johnson, who gave me a lot of great advice along the way.

 

 

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

The fact that I decided to go full time at it and now I have to or I’ll go broke lol.  But really, I just love it.  I love photographing all different kinds of people.  I love that I get to meet so many different kinds of people.  I was a shy kid growing up, and photography is a great way to instantly connect with people.  

I remember how much I hated having my picture taken as a kid, but I realize now how valuable pictures are.  They’re such an important part of our lives, and I love that I get to capture moments of peoples lives, for a living!  

 

What are your photographic inspirations?

People.  I love photographing people.  I love expressions, and feeling, and mood.  I love black and white.

 Dave Brosha is very inspiring; he works so hard at what he does, and he loves it.  Adam Hill has always been an inspiration.  Then of course, there’s David Hobby at the strobist website.  I literally learned everything I know about lighting from his site.  

 

 

 

Do you have any favorite advice that you’ve received? 

I can’t remember where the advice came from, but I’m sure many different people have said it.  Inspiration doesn’t appear out of no where; it’s born out of work.  I had heard this many many times when I was first starting out, and part of me probably didn’t believe it, but I’m a firm believer in it now.  Any time I’ve felt down or uninspired, is during a time when I’m not working as hard at it, or not doing as much creatively.  Getting out there and shooting, and trying different kinds of photography, is so important.  

 

If money was no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

Further north.  I’m kind of ashamed to admit, as a lifelong northerner, but I’ve never travelled anywhere further north than Yellowknife.  I’d love to see Pangurteung, Iqaluit, etc.  I’d also love to see any of the great deserts in the world.  Something so unique, but at the same time so similar to the north.

 

 

Do you have any favorite pieces of equipment that you own currently?

Hard to say; at any given time during the day I either love or hate any given piece of equipment equally lol.  Guess I’ll say the 5dmkiii.  That thing is a workhorse: it’s yet to let me down.  (knocks on wood)

 

Is there a piece of equipment you need to complete your kit?

A 24-70.  I use the 24-105, and it’s good enough, but it’s got it’s shortcomings, and the longer I use that lens, the more apparent they become.  Although, it’s great for video.

I’d also like a couple more einsteins, and a few more soft boxes…   any one giving away any??

 

What advise do you have for us?

Don’t beat yourself up over things.  You’re your own worst enemy and critic.  No one else thinks as hard about what you do, as you do.  

Don’t measure other peoples success against your own.  Everyone takes a different path.  

Love what you do, and it will show.

 

Where can people see more of your photography?

At my website, monkmanphotography.com

On flickr at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerdney/

On facebook at Monkman Photography

Ed Hardy

Who are you and where are you from?

 

Ed Hardy is my name and I was born and raised in Regina Saskatchewan. I moved here to Yellowknife in 1987 with then my fiancé and now wife have and since then spent the other half of my life here.  I can say the north has been my home but I do miss the prairies.

 

 

How did you first get into Photography?  

 

We had various family cameras from instant to 110 film, played around with those after taking a photography lab class in grade 9 but that was short lived.

 

It was only here in the north with the advent of the Internet which lead me to building web pages that I needed to supply my own images.  I received the Sony Floppy Disk Camera for Christmas in 1989 and that was it, I was hooked.

 

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

 

I have always been a visual type person and forever have be reading or more so looking at library books with pictures and photos so I’m always inspired by books, movies, Internet and my surrounding and this peaks and stirs my creatively to get out and capture and or design a photo.

 

 

What are your photographic inspirations?

 

As mentioned above, photo books, but also the people in this group and their creativity, thoughts, processes and vision. 

 

Do you have any favorite advice that you’ve received? 

 

Yes, in the advent of the digital age, shoot lots, film is free

 

If money was no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

 

I love street photography, seeing New York, London, and other big busy and bustling city centers would be fun, and if money was no problems, I would shoot with a lomo and Dianne cameras and other toy film cameras to get that wait and see image, light leaks, dreamy soft focus and other surprise that these types of cameras produce. 

 

 

Do you have any favorite pieces of equipment that you own currently?

 

Yes, my iPhone 4, love it as it is always with me, shoot, edit, share instantly.

 

Is there a piece of equipment you need to complete your kit?

 

Yes, the iPhone 5S and the 90 degree lens (hiLo Lens) attachment to allow for     inconspicuous and more intimate street and candid photography. 

 

What advise do you have for us?

 

A photo that sits in a shoe box or hard drive or memory stick services no purpose, as it needs to be shared and viewed by others to live its purpose.

 

Where can people see more of your photography?

 

In a few separate places I have online

 

www.edhardy.ca

 

My Instagram page under ARCTICHEAT  

 

And or my Facebook photo album page under Edward Hardy

Lee Sacrey

Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Lee Sacrey and I am originally from Grand Falls, Newfoundland. However, this is the start of my 24th Year in the NWT so, I guess I can say I am from Yellowknife as well, lol.

How did you first get into Photography?

 

I first got into photography in high school. I had a friend whose father was doing the New York Institute of Photography course and found it very interesting. I had two close friends that had Pentax K1000s as well. I guess I would have been around 15 or 16 at the time.

 

 

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

 

I love the great outdoors, big skies and seeing different places and I love capturing images of nature and the things around me. Photography gives me a reason to see and do many things and experience the things mentioned above or it could be the other way around I guess. Waterfalls or any moving body of water is a favourite of mine as well. There are lots of reasons to keep shooting. In addition to taking photographs I love both teaching and learning about all things photographic. I guess that is why I love organizing workshops here in the NWT.

 

What are your photographic inspirations?

 

The big trophy locations are very inspirational to me. Places like Spirit Island on Moraine lake in Jasper, Newfoundland’s Cape Spear, The Waterfalls Route here in the NWT are all places I love to photograph. There are other photographers that inspire me as well, Darwin Wiggett, Daryl Benson and John Marriott (all of whom I am now friends with) have been inspirational for quite some time. There are others like Freeman Patterson and Tim Fitzharris that I admire as well.

 

Do you have any favorite advice that you’ve received?

 

My favourite piece of advice that I have received- Wow, that is tough! Exposing right and the right way to use filters would be right up there (Thanks Darwin, lol) but, there are a lot of things I picked up from others willing to share their knowledge.

 

If money was no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

 

At this moment, if money were no object I would probably do a northern Canada project. I have been dreaming of doing all the National and Territorial Parks including some in the Yukon and Nunavut. The Torngat Mountains in Labrador would also be included and right now I would love to capture the Maud in Cambridge Bay before in goes home to Norway. Outside of Canada, Machu Picchu and the Carolina’s in the fall would be on my list.

 

 

Do you have any favourite pieces of equipment that you own currently?

 

My favourite piece of equipment right now is the old Pentax 645 I purchased from Bill Braden earlier this year. I love the old medium format film stuff. You could ask me this question again next week and my answer would probably change.

 

Is there a piece of equipment you feel you need to complete your kit?

 

To complete my current kit I believe I need two major pieces. The most important for me would be a wide tilt shift lens and second would be a full frame camera body.

 

What advice do you have for us?

 

I think the most important piece of advise that I can give anyone is to just keep shooting and keep using your camera gear. We get better with practice so, get out and practice. Oh and do it with a friend and compare notes on how you work. You can never stop learning and you will never know everything.

 

Where can people see more of your photography?

 

To see my most recent work, my blog is the best place to visit (www.leesacrey.wordpress.com). In addition to this my website has a wide variety of photos but isn’t update as often (www.leesacreyphotography.com). I also have a Facebook page and after that you really have to search but, there are some places that use my images for websites and promotional items… now I am grasping, lol.

James Mackenzie

Who are you and where are you from?

I’m James MacKenzie, and I’m from Yellowknife, NWT.

How did you first get into Photography?

I first got into photography as a means of documenting the places I was visiting during highschool kayaking trips.Charlie Van Straubenzee was the guide during many of these trips, and he had an amazing collection of slides from his trips that literally ranged from South Pole to North Pole. It seemed like an amazing way to share my experiences. 

My first camera was a waterproof disposable film camera, and from there it was a slippery slope.

I eventually ended up working at Up Here as a sales rep, where I met Pat Kane. I had just bought my first DSLR and was probably spent more time talking to him about how to take better photos than I did selling ads. And seeing what he did, his photos, and where I could go with them, it inspired me to take the path I’m on right now.

I got some formal training as a photojournalist at SAIT, where I was picked as one of Canada’s top student photojournalists by the Canadian Newspaper Association. I ended up being runner up for that particular category for the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards.

Now I’m working full time in Yellowknife as a freelance photographer. People often ask me what it is that I shoot. And the answer is everything: sports, news, landscapes, fashion, houses, products, portraits…

 

 

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

Everyday is different. New clients, new landscapes, new ideas. I have a pretty short attention span, so the constant variation keeps things interesting. Mixing up what I shoot is fun too. For example, the other week I shot a festival on Sunday, Monday I did some landscapes, Tuesday was head shots, Wednesday was a house for Century 21, Thursday I did a product shoot, Friday was a travel day, and Saturday was a wedding. 

Everything has to be approached differently, and I enjoy the challenge.

 

What are your photographic inspirations?

Depends on the day. Sometimes it is someone who is really excited over an idea they want captured. Other days, God puts on a fantastic light show that needs to be photographed. Some days, there is a major event happening that needs to be documented. And every now and then, I just feel the need to create something.

 

 

Do you have any favorite advice that you’ve received?

The best advice I got is that you can learn something from everyone. Take the time to listen to people, and you’ll be surprised what you come away with.

A bonus to this is that it might even lead to some amazing photo ops!

 

If money was no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

I’m already doing it. I love the North. This is my home, and I get to photograph it everyday. It would be nice to not have to worry about bills, though…

 

 

Do you have any favourite pieces of equipment that you own currently?

I have to say my car. It gets me out to all those remote places, keeps me warm during winter, ads fill light from time to time, does a pretty good job as a tripod too, and it even gives me a different vantage point if I climb on top of it.

 

Is there a piece of equipment you feel you need to complete your kit?

I’m pretty set up as it is. But I’d love a 24-70mm f2.8. 

 

What advice do you have for us?

Keep up the good work and listen to what people have to say on here. There is a wealth of information through people, and the things they post that I wish I had when I was starting out. This group is a gold mine.

 

Where can people see more of your photography?

jamesmackenziephoto.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77486205@N05/

@jamestewart007 on twitter

and James MacKenzie Photo on Facebook

Tara Marchiori

Who are you and where are you from?

Tara Marchiori – I was born in Saskatchewan and raised in Western Canada. I have lived in Yellowknife for 14 years and that is the longest I have ever lived anywhere so I kind of feel like this is my home.

 

 

How did you first get into Photography? 

I first got interested in photography during high school, we had Pentax cameras and a great darkroom.  I was hooked and I loved it – I spent lots of time taking moody black and white photos.

 

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

I keep taking pictures because I love faces! I never regret taking too many pictures.  I lived in Africa for about 4 years and when I left to go backpacking there,  my friend and I decided to share a camera to reduce the load.  As it turned out – I never got any of those photos and it is heartbreaking.  After that, for a while, I must have been too poor to have a good camera and I am so sad that I have no good quality baby photos of my oldest daughter.  I am making up for it now!!!  

 

 

What are your photographic inspirations?

My greatest inspiration comes from my family and friends.  I love nothing more than capturing pictures of the people I love most in the world.  I am inspired by faces and the beauty of humans.  I have no desire to capture a beautiful sunset or ocean scene – my days of moody trees are over – give me faces!!! When I see beautiful photos, it inspires me to take more beautiful photos of my family.  I also love Pinterest for ideas and any time that people do projects that require stamina – like that Dad who took a picture of his son every day for 21 years? Amazing.  Jason Lee’s photos of his daughters? Awesome.

 

Do you have any favorite advice that you’ve received?

Best advice I ever got is that cameras are not precious. They are just tools and should be lugged around, used, shared and played with.  My kids regularly use my camera and I am not afraid to get it a little dirty/cold/banged up. 

 

 

If money was no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

Oh, if money were no object… I’d travel around the world with my extended family. Africa and Europe especially. My oldest was born in Africa and I would love to return with her.  I’d just love to capture the bunch of us –  smiling and sleeping and eating our way through some fun adventures!

 

Is there a favourite piece of gear that you currently own?

My favourite piece of equipment is actually not very equipment-y.  I have a small collection of camera bags that look like gorgeous colourful handbags and they are my favourite pieces of gear.  They are fun and pretty and clients (okay, lady clients!) love them!

 

Is there a piece of equipment you feel you need to complete your kit?

Equipment to complete my kit….  I have a Canon 6d, a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm.  I’d like a wide angle that would fit my new full frame but I feel like I have all that I need, really.  If I need a wide angle, I use my 7d with the 10-24mm on it. I don’t like to carry a lot of gear around, I’m a wimp! A continuous video light is my next purchase.

 

What advice do you have for us?

I feel silly offering advice – I certainly have no advice on taking the best, sharpest, most technically perfect photos! What I have learned is that photographs are important.  That life is fleeting and that all of the things that are so big/painful/wonderful that you think you will never forget them – will be forgotten.  You will lose people that you love. You will forget how tiny your baby’s toes were because she is now a tall, blue-eyed pre-teen. You’ll forget that your baby used to shuffle on his knees because he rides a two-wheeler now.  I loved going through my Mum’s old shoe box of photos when I was a girl and my kids love going through scrapbooks, camera rolls and Facebook albums in the same way!   Take pictures and get your picture taken.

 

You can find me here:

http://www.chasinglightstudio.com/

and here:

http://500px.com/TaraMarchiori

Angela Gzowski

Who are you and where are you from?

 My name is Angela Gzowski. I was born and raised in Yellowknife. I went to NSCAD University and got my bachelor of Fine Arts in photography. Afterwards, I stayed in Nova Scotia for a couple of years to freelance. I moved back to Yellowknife a year ago.

 

 How did you first get into Photography?

 It started with my parents. My dad owned Arctic Divers here in Yellowknife, and during his commercial dives, he did a lot of underwater photography. My mom was pretty into photography too and we had a bunch of cameras kicking around when I was a kid. Even in grade 7, I would carry a camera around in class all the time. Then in high school, I took a photography class and never stopped. 

 I went to Red Deer College for my Visual Arts diploma. There I focused on painting and sculpture before moving to Halifax to go to NSCAD University to major in photography.  I worked for The Coast and did freelance after I graduated from NSCAD. After a couple years, I moved back to Yellowknife after I got hired as photo editor at Up Here magazine. I also try to do as much freelance as I can on the side. 

 

 What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

 This is hard to describe, but it’s the feeling I get when I’ve shot an image that I’m happy with, and the satisfaction of a finished series or image. That is really exciting to me. 

 

 What are your photographic inspirations?

 People. I love photographing interesting faces.  

 Some photographers I look up to are: 

 Chris Chrisman

Joey Lawrence

John Keatley 

Annie Leibovitz 

Irving Penn 

 

Do you have any favorite advice that you’ve received?

 Spend your time and money on learning – not on more gear and cameras. Whenever I find myself coveting gear, I try to keep that in mind.  

 

 If money were no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

 I want to travel around the world, taking studio-lit portraits of people from places as diverse as Times Square in New York and Pangnirtung, Nunavut. And I’d hire two people to be my sherpas and carry around my camera gear. Of course they’d have to be people I enjoy spending time with. Our first stop would be India. 

 

And since I have unlimited funds, I’ll someday build a huge ocean-side photo studio in my luxurious mansion. 

 

Do you have any favorite pieces of equipment that you own currently?

 My dynalites and my D800.

 

Is there a piece of equipment you feel you need to complete your kit?

 A 4×5 film field camera. I miss having a 4×5 to work with. And a Fx 35mm 1.4 lens.

 

What advice do you have for us?

 Always follow your gut. If you feel you need to photograph someone – ask them. The worst they can say is no.  Some of my favorite portraits I’ve taken are of complete strangers. 

 

Where can people see more of your photography?

 

www.angelagzowski.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/angelagzowskiphotography

 

I attempt to keep this updated : http://blog.angelagzowski.com

 

Or pick up a copy of Up Here magazine. 

Brandy Wilson

Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Brandy Wilson and I am an artist in Fort Smith. I was born and raised in Inuvik and graduated from the Fibre Department at Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary in 2005.

How did you first get into photography?

When I finished school I took a break from art…all I wanted to do was read books that were not text books. It was after a year, through experimentation with new tools, that I came across this image capture process. I was captivated with the vibrant colours and how they looked against the black background. Though this process I have developed a keen interest in learning about plants in Fort Smith as well as other communities in the NWT and in Nunavut.

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

As I move through the community I am always watching the land (literally the ditches) transform and I keep mental notes about what is growing where. I venture back with my cups and scissors and collect a few samples. I meet each species first with my hands and then have the opportunity to examine each part of the plant in great detail, on a larger scale, though my computer screen and later in print. There is a sense of anticipation with each image. While I am arranging I am working backwards; it is not until the very end that I see what it is revealed…this is when I will know if it is a successful image or if it needs something more to be complete.

What are your photographic inspirations?

The changing landscape is my inspiration. Before the summer I dream about finding flowers. In the winter I am watching to see what remains, standing above the snow cover. Through my work I want to share with the viewer the small details in nature that all around us but easily overlooked. Today will be pink Fireweed, blue Veronicas, yellow Goldenrod and white Yarrow…maybe a few mauve Asters.

Do you have any favourite advice you’ve received?

Never stop creating. This is how I will continue to develop as an artist.

If money was not object where or what would you like to photograph?

I would love to capture a botanical image of each community in the Northwest Territories…and Nunavut…and then do a circumpolar tour. See the lands change, the plants, the colours, the geology; the similarities and differences from place to place.

Do you have any favourite piece of equipment that you own currently?

Epson Expression 10000XL

Is there a piece of equipment that you feel you need to complete your kit?

A fancy Honda generator – I’d like to bring my studio out on the land.

What advice do you have for us?

Take pictures like no one will ever see them; for me that creates a freedom to take crappy pictures and then move on to the ones that make me smile.

Steve Schwarz

Who are you and where are you from?

I am Steve Schwarz. I grew up near Ottawa. After a stint in the Navy, I started in a career in geology and thoroughly enjoyed 10 years of travelling across the north. A three month geology contract brought me to Yellowknife – and that was 15 years ago!. I’ve since grown tired of carrying heavy backpacks filled with rocks and now carry a heavy backpack filled with camera equipment.

 

How did you first get into Photography?

My interest in photography started in grade 7 gym class. The gym teacher thought that I sucked at sports. Sucked so bad that I had to sit on the bleachers for the entire gym class. No books, just sit. One day I borrowed a camera, figuring that the teacher would take it away, but he didn’t. That night a friend and I developed the photos and taped them to the walls in the gym. Next gym class – I didn’t have to sit any more, but could roam and photograph the class. 

A few years later we built a darkroom in the basement of my parents house. Hours and hours were spent in that darkroom; developing negatives and learning the techniques of developing prints, some of which are still used in photo editing software.

 

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

Even before the camera comes to my eye, my mind is thinking of the picture. How will it look, stand here, move there, stand high, bend low. It is the challenge to create a strong image, an image that tells a story. It might mean working a scene to capture the action, emotions and unique personality of an individual or how to capture the landscape in a way that draws in the viewer.

Another challenge is designing and building camera mounts for small waterproof camera that can be attached to canoes, sailboats and skis to show a unique perspective and allowing me to be involved in the activity and capture that action at the same time.

 

What are your photographic inspirations?

Although I follow the blogs of a couple photographers, my inspiration is triggered by the world around me, what I see, what I hear and what I feel. I am inspired by unique and beautiful faces, inspired by the timeless beauty of a northern landscape, and, strangely, I am inspired by the sound of hundreds of mosquitos outside my tent.

 

Do you have any favorite advice that you’ve received?

When I bought my first camera, a Minolta X-700 film camera, I was really careful with it and didn’t want to get any marks on the body. A photographer, now with Canadian Press showed me his camera – it was all beat up and worn. His advice, ‘a camera is a tool, not a baby’. That was back in 1985. Since then, ten dinged, dented, dropped and drowned cameras later, my current and frightfully expensive camera is still just a tool.

 

If money was no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

In September 2014, my family is taking a year off from work and school. We plan to spend time in eastern Canada, Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe, and be back in the north for the summer of 2015. Wow – ten months to travel the rest of the world !.  The challenge is not actually travelling too much and taking the time to enjoy each destination, to have time to soak up the sights and sounds of the area. There is so much to see, so much to photograph and so little time.

 

Do you have any favourite pieces of equipment that you own currently?

Like many photographers, I have a lot of camera and lighting gear. I don’t have one or two pieces of gear that are my favorite. Depending on the situation, or anticipated situation, I customize the items in my camera bag. I love camera lenses, and yes, I have too many. Lenses are so different in how they portray a given scene, and how the photo will turn out. I can’t change my eyes, but can change lenses to get a whole different view of the world. Of all the items that is always in my camera bag is a small flash.

 

Is there a piece of equipment you feel you need to complete your kit?

“No more gear”. That’s what my heavy camera bag keeps telling me.   Packing for 2014 -2015 will be a challenge. Which lenses ?, spare camera body ?, flash unit ?, tripod ?. Less gear means less weight to carry around and more energy for a weary traveller.

 

What advice do you have for us?

Challenge yourself. Don’t be content with status quo or what you are doing now. Challenge yourself to do better, to make stronger images, images that grab the attention of the viewer, images that have emotion or a story.  

Photography is a form of personal expression, showing your images is a form of personal expression. Challenge yourself to ignore the negative comments (or the lack of comments or ‘likes’) on facebook.  Imagine, you have done your best work, proudly posted it on facebook for all your friends and the world to see…and all you get one or two ‘likes’. Ignore that !.  Don’t customize your photography to get ‘likes’ or to satisfy someone else.  Be selfish, do it for yourself. If you are really enjoying what you are photographing – then others will too.

 

Where can people see more of your photography?

My panorama website is: www.steveschwarz.com

My Flickr page is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steves_2003/

My Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Schwarz-Photography/228331407209746

 

Patrick Kane

Who are you and where are you from?

 

My name is Patrick Kane, but Patrick is way too formal so everyone calls me Pat or sometimes a mashed up version of my first and last name: Pakane.I’m originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario but moved to Yellowknife in 2005. A college buddy of mine had moved here and he suggested I come for a year because he thought I’d really like it. Turns out I love it!  I’ve been here ever since.

 

How did you first get into Photography?

 

Funny enough, I always wanted to be a magazine writer. I never even considered photography until I was in Journalism School at Humber College in Toronto. In J-School, photography was a first-year requirement and I had a great instructor named Anne Zbitnew. After a few classes I started to really enjoy the challenges and immediate satisfaction (and utter disappointment) in my work.

 

A few months later, I interned for a sports photography company called LA MEDIA (now the photographers for the Edmonton Oilers) in Bathurst, New Brunswick at the Canada Winter Games. It was the ultimate boot-camp. I essentially went from taking photos of trees and lampposts to some seriously high-end amateur sports within 2 weeks. And I couldn’t really mess up because my bosses had a lot riding on this event. It was a lot of pressure. At first, I totally sucked. Shots out of focus. Motion blur. Blown out. It was awful. But then I got a shot of a gymnast in mid-air that became the shot of the whole event. Right then, right there, it all came together and I was knocking off some stellar shots each day. By then end of the Canada Games I was shooting the hockey finals for The Hockey Hall of Fame and was hired by LA MEDIA as a staff photographer. The next few years I developed my portfolio to include more daily life stuff and in 2005 was hired as the first ever Photo Editor at Up Here magazine.

 

I still love shooting sports but my style, tastes and motivation has changed quite a bit. I love editorial and commercial photography, so that’s my main focus now. 

 

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

 

Storytelling. There’s nothing more satisfying than capturing a fleeting moment that tells a story or sets a mood or inspires or scares or disgusts or makes you wonder. In my opinion, the best photographs are the ones that punch you in the gut and cause some kind of reaction. 

 

What are your photographic inspirations?

 

The North. The people I meet. The places I haven’t been yet. The experiences I haven’t had yet. I’m always looking ahead, pushing myself to learn more about the world and hoping to become a better photographer in the process.

 

Do you have any favourite advice that you’ve received?

 

A while back I went to a very tech-heavy workshop that was discussing lighting, lens choices, colour balance, editing, etc. At one point the instructor said “If you’re not adding to the story, you are taking away from the story”, meaning that the tools we use (strobes, lenses, camera bodies, editing styles) should be used with some thought for your visual concept; to be mindful of what you want to achieve. I try not to use studio lights simply because I have them and it looks cool, or use a long lens because it has nice bokeh. My gear is nothing more than a toolbox I have handy when I’m making a picture. The point is to use the right tool at the right time.

 

If money was no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

 

I love the North and I’ve travelled a lot here but there are still some places I’d really like to check out in the NWT and Nunavut mainly. If I wasn’t married or owned a home or loved it here so much, I would probably try being a conflict photographer – which sounds totally insane, but for some reason I’ve always thought I’d be very good at it. Call me naïve but I still strongly believe that photography can inspire change in the world.

 

Do you have any favourite pieces of equipment that you own currently?

 

In all honesty, I can’t stand gear. Its annoying to carry around and set up and pack. I’d rather do without it altogether. That said, my 24-70mm is on my camera 99% of the time. I like the look it gives, it has a good zoom range, and it forces me to get close to my subjects.

 

Is there a piece of equipment you feel you need to complete your kit?

 

I’m not a huge fan of long lenses but I actually need a 70-200mm strictly for some client-based work I’ve been doing.  If anyone’s selling one on the cheap, let me know.

 

What advice do you have for us?

 

If you are photographing people, talk with your subjects and get to know them. If you are photographing landscapes, put your camera down and take it all in for a minute. Take your time, relax, and don’t sweat the technical stuff too much. Life’s too short to worry about your f-stops and depth of field every second of the day.   

 

Where can people see more of your photography?

 

My website is: www.patkanephoto.com

 

My blog is: patkanephoto.wordpress.com

 

My Facebook page is: facebook.com/PatKanePhoto

Wolf Trapper

Stan Larocque

Colville Lake

Caitlin Cleveland

Who are you and where are you from?

 

My friends call me Cait, my mom calls me Catalina and my father calls me Caitie. Most know me as Caitlin Cleveland. My parents are adventurous folks and made sure to tote us around the world on pleasure and business as we grew, but I was raised mostly in Yellowknife. I met my husband in Grade 12 at St. Patrick’s High School and we eventually chose to raise our family in Yellowknife.

 

How did you first get into Photography?

 

I won my first camera from a CD store here in Yellowknife when I was about 8 years old. It was a bright yellow 35mm and I adored it. That being said, I really had no idea how to be ‘smarter than my camera’.  I played with my bright yellow camera for a few years now and again, then later started ‘borrowing’ my parents’ camera (sneaking when they weren’t looking) as a teenager. I still remember the first time I tried taking photos without the camera doing the work. I spent an entire day playing with my shutter speed and aperture without understanding the technical side of photography. I was so excited to see the final product and was disappointed to see I actually would need to learn something first! After my first year of university, I decided to buy my own camera and played with it as much as possible until I switched from Science to Photojournalism.

 

What is it about photography that keeps you taking pictures?

 

I adore capturing moments. I love the look on a mother’s face when she sees a moment between herself and her little one, a father’s smirk at a tackle between brothers, and nothing in my mind beats the moment when a woman proudly looks at her images and blushingly states, ‘wow, that’s me’.

 

What are your photographic inspirations?

 

My clients! My clients inspire colours, energy, look and feel, locations. 

 

Do you have any favourite advice that you’ve received?

 

When I first started my business I thought I had to say yes to everything regardless of what I wanted to photograph or how I wanted to photograph. After a painful photography experience, one of my best friends who had been assisting me confessed that she didn’t think I was helping my brand. She was right. It was a great lesson in embracing and sharing my own ideas, creativity, and ultimately taking control of my brand.

 

If money was no object, where or what would you most like to photograph?

 

I would love to take a mother and child on an around the world trip to all of those incredible locations we drool over in those 100 most spectacular places on earth slideshows!

 

Do you have any favourite pieces of equipment that you own currently?

 

I love prime (fixed-focal length) lenses. Although, my workhorse is my 24-70mm 2.8. 

 

Is there a piece of equipment you feel you need to complete your kit?

 

There are two lenses I would love- 85mm 1.4 and 14-24mm 2.8.

 

What advice do you have for us?

 

Believe that you are smarter than your camera. Have fun and push your limits.

 

Where can people see more of your photography?

 

My website is www.clevelandphotography.ca. 

 

I used to do weekly all-nighters to keep everything up-to-date, but with two very busy boys, a pilot for a husband, a third little one on the way, and my own business, I just don’t have the energy to do it all! The best place to see recent work is www.facebook.com/CaitlinClevelandPhotography