A Year in Review 2024

2024 was truly a blessing and a wonderfully grateful year for me. I had so many beautiful opportunities to explore my passion, and I met some incredibly talented people along the way who inspired me in countless ways. It was definitely a remarkably productive year, filled with numerous achievements and successful projects that have contributed significantly to my growth.

I started a creative project that opened several exciting doors, allowing me to meet some truly amazing individuals along the way. I’m in the process of putting together a comprehensive book that showcases people I admire deeply. I’ve been inviting a variety of individuals whom I regard as strong and inspiring figures in our community. To complement their stories, I provide a carefully crafted corporate cinematic image of each person, capturing their essence and spirit.

So far, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of photographing, Dustin Lavigne, REMS - Real Estate Mexico Sales, Evan Will a Professional Photographer, digital creator, Mark Hughes a Professional Photographer (dogs/cats and their families), Robert Bray a 3 Time Canadian Portrait photographer of the Year. 6 Time Alberta Portrait Photographer of the year, Steven Carr a good friend and Professional Photographer, Robbie Coppard a Photographer, site worker, endurance runner, pet lover, Onam Meeyan a Professional Photographer, and Magdalena Barry, Alberta Photographer capturing stories of connection, authenticity and honesty, in the real moments.

I look forward to meeting and collaborating with more individuals who inspire me and encourage me to take bold leaps into new creative endeavors.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and getting to know a few incredibly talented local bands and artists throughout this past year. Among them were Ahead by a Century - A Tribute to the Tragically Hip, Forsaken Rite a Folk Metal Band Hailing From The Northern Realm Of Canada , Sugar and Spice, an International Award winning songwriters, The Stevie Project, A tribute to Stevie Nicks by Laurie Slater & The Band, and Maureen from MZ & THE REMEDY, Chantelle Marie Sings, singer songwriter, and Melody McArthur singer songwriter and theater.

I was truly blessed to have the opportunity to meet and photograph the incredibly talented Maria Dunn, a Juno award winner and the inspiring Stephanie Harpe, Singer, Songwriter, International Advocate for Murdered, Missing and Exploited Indigenous People's. Their creativity and passion for their art made a lasting impression on me. I would love to extend an invitation for them to return to my studio this year so we can collaborate once again and create even more beautiful images together.

Another wonderful honor it truly was to have the opportunity to work with Bear Grease Live. The show is brilliantly written by the dynamic duo Crystle Lightning and Henry Andrade, serving as an inspiring indigenous version of the classic musical Grease. The cast comprises an energetic and diverse group of exceptionally talented actor-singers, each bringing their own unique flair to the performance. LightningCloud, the creative team behind the production, are two beautiful and remarkably kind individuals who are also extremely skilled in their craft. They truly make a talented dynamic duo. I sincerely hope to collaborate with them on future projects that showcase our shared passion for storytelling and performance.

I had a truly wonderful time meeting so many incredibly talented individuals from many different backgrounds and diverse areas of expertise. It was a fantastic opportunity to work and meet with three esteemed members from Monster Pro Wrestling during their visit to our studio for promotional photos. Meeting Massive Damage "The Tattooed Terminator", Levi Night, and The Matriarch was truly a delightful experience that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Reading Sage Mo story brought tears to my eyes. I'm honored to have met her. I look forward to many more visits in the studio.

Other amazing people I had the great pleasure of working with include Tyler, a talented baseball pitcher, Superfan Magoo, and Nipîy Iskwew.

We recently completed our very first music video at the studio, featuring the talented artist Melody McArthur.

I was asked to present at the PPOC Lightmatters event in Calgary. Unfortunately, I became unwell and was unable to attend in person, so I took the opportunity to piece together a YouTube video that encapsulates my presentation. This is just one of many YouTube videos I plan to create in the future. It features a substantial amount of my work and delves into how I develop my creative ideas for various photoshoot projects.

I recently submitted a total of 4 of my images for the prestigious Alberta PPOC Salon, and I’m thrilled to share that all 4 of them successfully passed through the rigorous selection process. One particular image that I am exceptionally proud of is titled “Call Me Ishmael.” With great enthusiasm, I will be submitting these remarkable works into the National Competition this year in 2025.

I was fortunate enough to get out and photograph the breathtaking Northern Lights, and wow, I’ve never in my life witnessed such incredible beauty. I was completely in awe of the spectacular colors and the intensity of brightness dancing across the night sky. I can't help but wish my mom was around to have seen them with me, as I know she would have been just as captivated. This experience has ignited a desire within me to explore many more hidden beauties that our world offers for us to see. It may very well be a new direction in my journey of capturing exhilarating and memorable images of the world around us.

I'm part of a talented group that encompasses many different genres, which we affectionately refer to as FX. This year, we had the wonderful opportunity to gather together for a delightful dinner and to meet each other face to face. While there were a few members who couldn’t make it and were truly missed. It was genuinely nice to finally connect in person, especially since we usually communicate through Zoom. Our creative group consists of 9 passionate individuals.

I was also approached by the talented author Alexis Marie Chute, who expressed her desire to use my image titled "Voices of Change" as the captivating cover of her upcoming book. InFocus Photo is an annual exhibit of the best Canadian-made photography, curated by Alexis Marie Chute.

One more thing I did over the summer was to get a wonderful chance to meet some other enthusiastic PPOC members at a delightful group camping trip that was expertly organized by a fellow PPOC member. Sitting around the warm fire and getting to know each other on a more personal and meaningful level was truly a nice experience. There were a variety of enjoyable activities, resulting in lots of laughter and heartfelt hugs exchanged among everyone present.

Some big surprises are coming this year for me, and I couldn't be more excited about them. I have a few traveling adventures on the horizon that promise to bring new experiences, and many more incredible people to meet along the way. I truly look forward to expanding my genre and exploring new directions that will fill my heart with love and joy. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making my 2024 year so fulfilling and blessed. It has truly been an adventure working with each and every one of you. The direction my path leads me, especially with where PPOC takes me, will be inspiring in ways I can't yet imagine. Never stop believing in yourselves and dreaming big. I’ve been blessed with a wonderfully supportive family of friends and colleagues.