The Squamish Valley Photography Club take us on a trip around the world at the Foyer Gallery this month. The work of several photographers is on the walls.
Erin Yeo鈥檚 passion for photography started after she caught 鈥渢he travel bug鈥� on her first trip overseas. She and her husband Kelly have travelled through more than 30 countries, capturing images of all the unique adventures, cultures, people and foods around the world.
Hobby photographer Tanya Verret loves how relaxing and calming the process can be. 鈥淚 love taking pictures of nature and the things that come with it,鈥� she says.
Doug Hackett, founding member of the club, has been a student of photography since he first borrowed his mother鈥檚 Kodak Brownie instamatic in 1963. He continues to learn and practise his photographic skills, and he says he feels privileged to live in Squamish, surrounded by such natural beauty. 鈥淚 feel like a photo assistant to Mother Nature,鈥� he says. 鈥淪he takes care of the scenery and the lighting 鈥� I just press the shutter at the right time.鈥�
Jennifer Roberts is an adventurer and nature lover who travels the world in search of new experiences, fresh perspectives, interesting people and beautiful views. She has visited 70 countries on seven continents and tries to capture the beauty found in nature and express her experience through photography.
Sarah Kavsek has been interested in photography since she was a preteen. She bought her first green Kodak film camera from an ad she saw in a comic book. When it arrived, she went around the neighbourhood, taking pictures of all of her friends. The only problem was that she soon had to slow down because she didn鈥檛 have enough money to develop all the pictures, even though she earned cash from babysitting.聽
When Kavsek retired 12 years ago, she became interested in photography again and bought her first digital camera. Since then she rarely goes out without her camera in her pocket.
Petra Walter loves combining her interest in photography and travelling around the world. Her favourite subjects are broad landscapes and black and white. 鈥淭he world is such an inspiring place,鈥� says Walter, 鈥渁nd photography is a great medium to tell stories, capture emotions or freeze the short moments we would otherwise miss.鈥�
Five years ago, a small group of photography enthusiasts came together to form the photo club, and since then, they have met regularly to take shots in various locations or get together for discussions and tutorials. The association wants to promote the development of a photography community in the Sea to Sky Corridor through education and collaboration, but mostly, they exist to share tips and tricks and have fun learning about cameras. Follow on Facebook or e-mail [email protected].
Wire and watercolour
In the Foyer Gallery display cases this month, West Vancouver artist Joanne Waters exhibits her collection of whimsical wire sculptures, mini scenes and small watercolour paintings that celebrate life and adventure in the boundless Squamish outdoors. Waters 鈥� yes, her name endorses her love of oceans and the coastline 鈥� has created this recent collection, inspired by her ocean view and the activities of her grown children and grandchildren.
鈥淲hen I started doing wire sculpture, it was mainly sea creatures and sea birds, then I got interested in doing people enjoying the outdoors and eventually started putting my work into frames and creating scenes,鈥� she says, adding her mission is to have fun. Waters recently started to paint petite watercolours to complement the wire sculpture; they serve to intensify the themes.
Over the years, Waters has mastered a myriad of artistic mediums including weaving, spinning, knitting, kelp baskets, doll-making and coloured pencil drawings but she plans to stick with wire and work on improving her watercolour skills.
Waters is an avid volunteer but also seriously thoughtful and passionate about her job as a grandmother to four kids under the age of 11. 鈥淭hey expect an exciting craft with every visit,鈥� she laughs.聽
