Press Corner

Recognizing the best The Chilliwack Progress - December 11, 2007

Ana Macedo Article The Chilliwack Progress - July 23, 2007

"Adventures in Outdoor Photography" The Chilliwack Times - October 27, 2006

"Book Shows Off Our City" The Chilliwack Progress - November 14, 2006

Member of the Professional Photographers' Association of BC;
Level 2

Growing up with a father who was a draftsman and an artist instilled a love of the arts in me at a very early age. Some of my first memories are of my father, camera in hand, snapping pictures. I first began exploring art through the mediums of drawing and painting. By sixteen years of age I was creating and selling my own artwork. On my twelfth birthday I received my first camera, and put it to good use capturing images I would later recreate through pencil and paint.

I continued to draw, paint and take pictures during my time at university where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. After settling into marriage I decided on a more practical career working as a travel agent. However over the ten years that I worked as a travel agent I realized I had abandoned my real passion. It was after the 9/11 tragedy when the travel industry went through a huge slump, that I decided to enroll in a graphics arts course. I then began to explore the arts again and awaken an old love, that of seeing and creating.

It was in 2003 after moving to Chilliwack, where I entered a Christmas craft market as an exhibitor, and discovered to my delight that my photography sold far better than my artwork. I decided then to pursue photography as my life's work.

I began creating and selling bookmarks and scenic cards using images that I had photographed. In addition I went around to the local elementary schools in Chilliwack talking to young children about my passion for photography and the arts. Along the way an idea began to form in the back of my mind. Having moved to an unfamiliar area, and not being able to find any helpful photography books that could assist me in getting to know Chilliwack as well as being someone with a deep appreciation for the outdoors, I started roaming around Chilliwack taking pictures of things, places, and activities that I found interesting and beautiful. By the end of regional travels I had compiled enough pictures to create a book, and so "Chilliwack...Adventures Outdoors" was born. After ten years of sending people to far off places for exotic holidays, I found a way to draw people to their own doorstep, and help them discover the beauty of British Columbia. I also discovered, through experience, my own personal vision. Today my goal in working with others is to help them experience the joy of photography, not just as an activity but as an art, a means of communication and a different way to "see".

One of my most memorable and enjoyable of projects was one in which I set two groups of children along the 49th parallel, one group in Chilliwack and one group in Poronaisk, Russia, the task of taking pictures of where they live; their homes, schools etc. The objective was one not unlike that of the practice of "pen-pals" only this form of communication would reveal their similarities and differences through pictures, and images of things they shared and enjoyed, rather than words.

Photography is a way to captures moments that most people pass by. I have often been told that I have a "great eye", and I take this as a compliment. I find the camera and the medium within it, in my case digital, the tools of communication that are used to explore the beauty in nature and to be able to share with others the way I have "seen" something. My work is meant to show to others the beauty in the everyday and common, a raindrop, a farm animal, or a spider web; the small, often unnoticed things that hold a natural and timeless beauty. As an artist I am always trying to better myself, and learning is an integral part of this process, and I am forever looking for new and interesting projects and love exploring new territory as a photographer.

Along these lines I am pleased to announce that I was chosen as the Chamber of Commerce New Small Business of the year 2007 for Chilliwack. In addition I have suceeded in being recognized by the Professional Photographers of British Columbia for an upgrade to Level 2. Acheiving these two things shows my commitment to my business and to photography.

I believe that it is a good thing to stretch and reach to new heights and it is my purpose to continue to do so.