Latest Assignments

 

Prairies North Magazine, Fall 2006

Saskatchewan Roughriders - All right I WAS thinking I could play with these guys - until I was up close. These are BIG men, Big and Fast men and the football field is their office. I was ushered in under the ropes that cordoned off the playing field from the fans, ushered by the throng of players and explained what was out of bounds and what wasn't. It didn't take long before I dissappeared into the landscape, forgot where I could and couldn't go and went unnoticed. Some players wanted to chat and some were all business. And some were natural comedians... . When a general rest was called the players mingled around and socialized. I kept hearing a "psst-hey-pssssst". I finally found the sound. It was coming from Fred Childress (69). He figured that Scott Schultz would look just fine with a pair of bunny ears. No comment. At least not while Scott was within hearing distance. For some, the game is still about fun.

 

Prairies North Magazine, Summer 2006

Wild Mushrooms – The subject of mushrooms, poisonous and otherwise, has always intrigued me. From an hallucinogenic fungi to tasty morsels, from Merlin the Magician to the magic mushroom cults of the West Coast, the mushroom and mankind have been entwined since their first meeting. Wandering the sandy back roads of Northern Saskatchewan I came across both in vast quantities. Mushrooms and pickers. What was interesting was that some knew what they were picking…and some did not.

Me? I just took pictures and washed my hands a lot. Using a macro lens and a fully adjustable tripod it was a fascinating inside look into another world. The fascination ended when I walked into a mushroom buyer’s camp and ran into a dog names Zeus. Half wolf-half malamute, his very large fangs and low growl told me that was as far as I was going. He was right!

Canadian Geographic
Travel & Adventure Guide/ Spring Issue

Fly Fishing on the Prairies:- I tend to take my fly rod wherever I go since I left Quebec and during my vagrant wanderings I discovered that the West has some amazing fly fishing. From luxurious lodges (I was a guest once, although never invited back - go figure) to banks along urban rivers where a homeless person once told me I cast like s...t, I have had the pleasure of throwing a fly over many species of fish. My misspent life is the direct result of my father who introduced me to fly fishing and in doing so, altered my life forever. And in case you're wondering...he taught me to cast too.

Prairies North Magazine, Spring 2006

The Hotel Bessborough:- Perched on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, the "Bezz", as it's known locally, looks over Saskatoon as a lone sentinel. Known as the Castle on the Prairies, the Hotel Bessborough dates back to the Depression years and has all the intrinsic characteristics of a haunted English castle (alas, without the ghosts) and that was the idea behind the feature on this Saskatchewan landmark: Explore the hotel late at night , camera in hand, with someone who had a key to every door. From the hidden hallways for the staff to the Governor-General's suite to spiraling wrought-iron staircases that led us out onto the roof and higher still, it was an urban adventure.

Canadian Geographic Travel & Adventure Guide/ Spring Issue

Della Falls :- Hidden in the southern portion of Strathcona Park, Della Falls reigns as Canada's highest measured waterfall. Cascading from Della Lake the falls in three tiers it makes for an impressive sight. I just wish it were easier to get to! A one-hour boatride up Great Central Lake followed by a seven-hour hike to the base of the falls and another two-hour hike up the Della Falls Trail to alpine country and some spectacular views.

If you go to photograph the Falls don't shortchange yourself on camera equipment. If need be, enlist the aid of friends to carry tripods, a camera backpack and whatever else you need. Promise thick steak dinners washed down with copious quantities of ice cold beer...just make sure you have what you need when it comes time to click the shutter!

The Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race
Prairies North Magazine, Winter 2005

What was it like to be a photojournalist in the Canadian Challenge? Well, actually it was surprisingly easy. The months and months of training, however, were not,. First thing I learned was that it helps if you really, really like dogs because your life revolves around your team: Personalities, strengths, weaknesses and heart all play a part. Despite 21st Century technology I found there is a primordial connection between man and dog that has existed for thousands of years.

Photographing a dog team is quite simple as long as they are someone else's dogs! Just sit back and watch because sled dogs are natural born clowns that seem to know when a camera is on them. The first thing I learned about photographing my own team is that they won't come back when I whistle. The second thing was one of us was just a little smarter than the other (and everyone had their own opinion as to who was which).

To learn more about our exploits in the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race and what it is like to run Canada's longest sled dog race check out the Winter issue of Prairies North Magazine.