Biography
In July of 2023 my wife and I moved to Pender Island and have been able to capture, what I think are some iconic images of this island and of many of the other Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia.
I was born and raised on the Great Lakes in Southwestern Ontario and have been living and working around water and nature my entire life. My interest in photography began at the age of twelve with my first film camera and has continued to this day but now with Nikon’s digital equipment. Water has always been a great influence on my life and still continues, as you will find water in the majority of my photographs. Throughout high school, college and onto careers with the Ontario and Alberta provincial governments I was only able to dabble in photography but in 1999 that all changed when I left government life and entered the private sector. This change allowed me the time, resources and opportunity to get serious about photography. In 2013 I moved from Alberta to Mayne Island. I have travelled and captured images extensively across Canada, France, and Egypt, the results of which you will find here. Hopefully later this year or next I will be back in Europe and back again to the East Coast of Canada.
Over the years I have won several photography awards including from Canadian Geographic, Elk Island Art Society, and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. I continue to develop and perfect my technical skills and develop my own style.
This year I have been lucky enough to be chosen to be a PAS 2025 Finalist in the Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP).
Artist's Statement
Across my photography, there is a strong and evident engagement with elements of the natural world. The recurring presence of trees—whether alive, leafless, submerged, or standing sentinel atop a cliff—serves as a connecting motif, anchoring each of my compositions in a study of organic form and structure. This focus on trees, logs, roots, and branches lends a sense of continuity to my work, allowing viewers to experience nature from varying perspectives: grounded and monumental, tranquil and mirrored, powerful and cascading, or serene and sunlit. Stylistically, I try move fluidly between monochrome and colour, with one work rendered in black and white and the others in a palette dominated by warm sunsets, cool shadows, and natural earth tones. Despite this shift, there is a foundational consistency in my use of contrast—between light and shadow, solidity and reflection, or movement and calmness. Dramatic silhouettes and careful attention to texture are notable throughout, reinforcing my ability to convey mood and draw attention to nature’s intricacies. The photographs—whether composed in daylight or under the enveloping darkness—share a sense of stillness and contemplation, even as some scenes incorporate dynamic elements like flowing water.
In terms of theme, my work gently touches on the passage of time and the cyclical quality of nature: the endurance of living trees, the starkness of those that have fallen, and the interplay between vitality and decay. The use of water as a canvas for reflection, both literal and metaphorical, provides a subtle depth to the series. Quiet moments—boats at harbour during sunset, a tranquil mirrored lake—balance the more imposing, solitary forms of trees and cliffs.
Ultimately, consistency is a subjective pursuit, and there is value in the variation and evolution of a series. These observations are meant to spark reflection and encourage you to think about how formal and thematic consistencies might deepen the resonance of my work. Consider what consistency means to me and how it might serve your creative intentions, remaining open to wherever my instinct leads.
Prints
Each image is printed on my own Epson SureColour P600 Inkjet printer and I use only Epson’s Signature Worthy papers dependent on whether the image is colour or black and white. Each print is signed and dated by me to ensure its authenticity.
Now all my large prints (12x18 inch) are limited editions of no more than 25 and are numbered accordingly. If you have any questions you can email me directly at [email protected].
Gear
Although my first camera was a film Pentax, I switched to Nikon early on and have loved their cameras and lenses ever since. My first digital camera was a Nikon D100 and that’s when my photography really took off.
Below is a list of what I currently have in my cabinet:
Nikon D850
Nikon Df Silver
Nikkor 500 mm 1:4G ED
Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G II ED
Nikkor 105 mm Micro 1:2.8 D
Nikkor 17-35 mm 1:2.8 D ED IF
Nikkor 50 mm 1:1.8 D
Nikkor 20 mm 1:2.8 D
Nikkor 85 mm 1:1.4 D
Nikkor 24-70mm 1:2.8G ED
Nikkor 28mm 1:1.4 E ED
Nikon Teleconverter TC-20E III
In July of 2023 my wife and I moved to Pender Island and have been able to capture, what I think are some iconic images of this island and of many of the other Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia.
I was born and raised on the Great Lakes in Southwestern Ontario and have been living and working around water and nature my entire life. My interest in photography began at the age of twelve with my first film camera and has continued to this day but now with Nikon’s digital equipment. Water has always been a great influence on my life and still continues, as you will find water in the majority of my photographs. Throughout high school, college and onto careers with the Ontario and Alberta provincial governments I was only able to dabble in photography but in 1999 that all changed when I left government life and entered the private sector. This change allowed me the time, resources and opportunity to get serious about photography. In 2013 I moved from Alberta to Mayne Island. I have travelled and captured images extensively across Canada, France, and Egypt, the results of which you will find here. Hopefully later this year or next I will be back in Europe and back again to the East Coast of Canada.
Over the years I have won several photography awards including from Canadian Geographic, Elk Island Art Society, and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. I continue to develop and perfect my technical skills and develop my own style.
This year I have been lucky enough to be chosen to be a PAS 2025 Finalist in the Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP).
Artist's Statement
Across my photography, there is a strong and evident engagement with elements of the natural world. The recurring presence of trees—whether alive, leafless, submerged, or standing sentinel atop a cliff—serves as a connecting motif, anchoring each of my compositions in a study of organic form and structure. This focus on trees, logs, roots, and branches lends a sense of continuity to my work, allowing viewers to experience nature from varying perspectives: grounded and monumental, tranquil and mirrored, powerful and cascading, or serene and sunlit. Stylistically, I try move fluidly between monochrome and colour, with one work rendered in black and white and the others in a palette dominated by warm sunsets, cool shadows, and natural earth tones. Despite this shift, there is a foundational consistency in my use of contrast—between light and shadow, solidity and reflection, or movement and calmness. Dramatic silhouettes and careful attention to texture are notable throughout, reinforcing my ability to convey mood and draw attention to nature’s intricacies. The photographs—whether composed in daylight or under the enveloping darkness—share a sense of stillness and contemplation, even as some scenes incorporate dynamic elements like flowing water.
In terms of theme, my work gently touches on the passage of time and the cyclical quality of nature: the endurance of living trees, the starkness of those that have fallen, and the interplay between vitality and decay. The use of water as a canvas for reflection, both literal and metaphorical, provides a subtle depth to the series. Quiet moments—boats at harbour during sunset, a tranquil mirrored lake—balance the more imposing, solitary forms of trees and cliffs.
Ultimately, consistency is a subjective pursuit, and there is value in the variation and evolution of a series. These observations are meant to spark reflection and encourage you to think about how formal and thematic consistencies might deepen the resonance of my work. Consider what consistency means to me and how it might serve your creative intentions, remaining open to wherever my instinct leads.
Prints
Each image is printed on my own Epson SureColour P600 Inkjet printer and I use only Epson’s Signature Worthy papers dependent on whether the image is colour or black and white. Each print is signed and dated by me to ensure its authenticity.
Now all my large prints (12x18 inch) are limited editions of no more than 25 and are numbered accordingly. If you have any questions you can email me directly at [email protected].
Gear
Although my first camera was a film Pentax, I switched to Nikon early on and have loved their cameras and lenses ever since. My first digital camera was a Nikon D100 and that’s when my photography really took off.
Below is a list of what I currently have in my cabinet:
Nikon D850
Nikon Df Silver
Nikkor 500 mm 1:4G ED
Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G II ED
Nikkor 105 mm Micro 1:2.8 D
Nikkor 17-35 mm 1:2.8 D ED IF
Nikkor 50 mm 1:1.8 D
Nikkor 20 mm 1:2.8 D
Nikkor 85 mm 1:1.4 D
Nikkor 24-70mm 1:2.8G ED
Nikkor 28mm 1:1.4 E ED
Nikon Teleconverter TC-20E III