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In the fall of 1986, when I was 25, two events shaped the course of my life. First, I picked up a book called The Photography of Natural Things by Freeman Patterson. From this book I saw that nature photography could go beyond documentation and be a form of personal expression. I was blown away by what Freeman could do with a camera. He photographed nature the way I felt when I was in nature. I wanted to do that as well.
The second pivotal moment was joining a local camera club, Images Alberta Camera Club that had an amazingly active membership passionate about photography. The club has produced a number of high profile nature photographers and is certainly responsible for my early growth as a photographer. Freeman's book and Images Alberta Camera Club were the catalysts that gave me an insatiable passion for nature photography. By 1991, I gave up my job as a wildlife researcher at the University of Alberta and turned full-time to nature photography. It was not the wisest move financially, but it has rewarded me with richness in experience and spirit.
I have had my images and stories published in all the major photography magazines and have 11 books to my credit including Dances with Light - The Canadian Rockies and How to Photograph the Canadian Rockies. I have won numerous international photography competitions and recently was named Travel Photographer of the Year - 2008. I write a monthly column for Outdoor Photography Canada magazine and lead or co-lead numerous workshops, and photo tours each year. As well, along with my partner Samantha Chrysanthou, we run a popular photography wesbite www.oopoomoo.com where we have articles, eBooks, and other learning resources for photographers.