Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

I had been taking photos for many years and in 2018 I decided I would make the move to share my work with the world by creating a professional photography business. Life had other plans. After 4 years of dialysis for undiagnosed kidney failure and failing health, I headed into the last quarter of 2018 with no energy for anything but to try and stay alive. A 1.2 km easy walk to a waterfall took an hour to complete with a friend carrying all my camera gear by the time we reached the end. I went home after that trip and accepted that I was going to die. I started organizing my stuff and began gathering my thoughts as to what to tell my family. Thankfully, the next month, I received the gift of life in a kidney from a deceased donor. As I was recovering, I saw the world differently. I felt driven to share with the world what I was seeing and understanding as I roamed along the ocean and through the forests and mountains when I returned home. What a gift life truly is. By sharing the natural beauty and mystery of the wild places and faces surrounding me, I hope I can encourage others to be mindful, vulnerable, and compassionate to themselves, others, this Earth, and all of its creatures. I've spent the last 4 years observing and sharing the wonders of the natural world around us and am now compelled to do the same with the captivating human beings I am lucky enough to cross paths with. I want to show and share their stories, good and bad. The hardships and journeys and the triumph and sorrow that happens. I want to show love, passion, victory, and defeat. I want to show life. To make others appreciate it as I appreciate mine now.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

My community is amazing! Their support has been so wonderful. I truly am blessed to live where I do and have the support I do from Elkford as well as the other communities in this area. Thank you all so much! Over the years, I have volunteered to take photos for figure skating, and Santa photos, and have shared photos I have taken from other community events on our local online bulletin board. I've donated items to numerous community auctions for various fundraisers, have created gift baskets for Christmas to give to nominated community members, helped judge local photo contests, and am always open to questions from others regarding anything photography-related (or wildlife).

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

I am committed to my community. After living here for over 40 years, I am always happy to help assist in the development and success of my community. I have volunteered and participated on numerous committees when my children were young. Myself and my family have helped to keep our community clean by picking garbage in the spring after the snow melts. I have sat on the Chamber of Commerce and am an active member currently. I've volunteered with our local Lions Club when needed and helped create their online Facebook presence. A community is only as strong as it's members and ours rocks. In order to have a successful community - especially in a small town- you need participaction from various members. Not the same people all the time as then burnout happens. If I can help pick up "the slack", volunteer my skills when it's possible, and share my knowledge with others, we all succeed.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

My workplace most of the time is just me. For the last few years, I've cruised the backroads of the Elk Valley watching for wildlife and atmospheric conditions. As I've ventured off into other genres, I maintain a friendly, professional relationship with my clients. The majority of the work I have completed so far has been in outdoor conditions, which is where I have been comfortable. I'm learning about lighting so I can offer more services to my clients and am looking forward to seeing where 2023 and the future takes me.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

The requirements state that this award is presented to a business that has "the unwavering and loyal support of their community". I am so grateful to have experienced this the past 4 years and especially in 2022 when I debuted my collection of "Through the Mist" and the words to accompany it. My community is a sounding board for new projects and images. My community is willing and able to share their feedback on my work and more importantly, I am open to receiving their opinions and taking to heart suggestions and critiques. I love my community and honestly, without their support, I wouldn't be in the headspace I am now. Thank you and "be a donor". Love always. T