Many might not know this about me but I am a northern boy through and through. So much in fact that I can proudly say that I was born and raised near Peace River Alberta where I spent much of my childhood riding bikes, playing hockey and getting into all of the trouble my parents could handle. Fast forward almost thirty years and I have since moved away, and in many ways have left my home behind.

Through those years as a photographer and creator my bearing has often pointed me south-west to the mountains, in search of epic adventure and creative beauty. But, at least once a year I make the pilgrimage back home to capture its beauty. In most cases I make the trip on a whim or when the forecast of aurora borealis is promising. This year things shaped up a little differently, as myself and a few other creative minds were asked to come up and capture the beauty of the north for Mighty Peace Tourism. Obviously I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to have a creative itinerary planned out for me and I was very excited to execute.

Another reason I love events like these is because they allow me to collaborate with so many amazing creative folks. In this case it was definitely no different. Among the crew was Paul Lavoie, a dear friend and fellow photographer, content creator. I have known Paul for some years now. It’s always amazing having him alongside as we share the Same passion for photography. This also wasn’t our first rodeo as we have collaborated on various projects in the past and work very well together. I also had the opportunity to meet and work with a handful of amazing new folks and was introduced to some incredible businesses that are crushing it in the Peace region.

Réjean Lavoie and Dani Wearden, made up the rest of the Mighty Peace team. It was awesome to see both bring their strengths in video and content creation to the weekend. It always amazes me to see how each individual contributes to events like these. Réjean has an incredible knack on the film side of things and Dani did such a great job telling the stories from behind the scenes, I felt it was a pretty well oiled machine.

Day 1

Friday Night at Peace River Brewing!

As with weekends such as these the itinerary is packed and we got started Friday night at Peace River Brewing for some live music and pints. This place not only makes a huge variety of craft beer that's available in stores but the location that they have created has an amazing vibe! With a combination of great craft beer, tasty food and the live music this night was off the charts fun. Plus I had the chance to have a camera in hand and capture some of the moments. What made the night special was the performance by Shauit, an amazing Indigenous Reggae performer. Not only did he have the place hoping but he did it in his own Indigenous language, I thought that was so rad.

After we closed the place down we were gifted a few extra beverages and we headed to Peace River Cabins where we all got the chance to hang out around the fire, tell fish stories and make a plan for tomorrow. It was a great opportunity to connect and dive deeper into the creative mindsets of the folks I’d be working with for the weekend. These are always my favorite moments of these trips because it's simply pure passion. It’s just you and a bunch of like minded folks talking shop and that's amazing. It also gives my wife a break from my incessant conversation about things like dynamic range and aurora forecasts, so it’s a win for everyone.

After a few extra pops and some planning and great conversation I settled in for the night in the charming little cabin on the river. The plan was for a 5:30am wake up call for sunrise and I have to say I slept like a baby.

Day 2

Saturday Sunrise… Kinda.

Albeit a short sleep, it would have to be enough, as I crawled out of bed and made myself a quick cup of coffee. After an inspection of the cupboards in my cabin I realized there was coffee, tea and some other necessary amenities. I always love when good folks go the extra mile to keep people happy, and caffeinated.

Before I knew it we were piled into the truck and off to hike Misery Mountain Ski Hill, for sunrise. Although it was my first opportunity to shoot the river valley from this location I was assured by both Paul and Rèjean that it was an ideal location for great compositions and possible cloud inversions! As we began the short steep hike up I began to wonder if I had partaken in maybe a little too much fun the night before as my head and legs weren’t agreeing with each other but after a few minutes I would get my bearings and my thoughts would drift to how I was going make a photo. A heavy fog blanketed us and all that was around us this gave us high hopes for drama and mood but as I always say, when you gamble with weather you more often than not end up on the losing side of the table.

As we reached the top and set up for the sunrise the fog remained heavy and low so I began to scheme on compositions as I waited for the magic to happen. I set up a shot and took a few test images, perfect I thought now we wait. As I waited and the sun began to rise, without the fog giving an inch Paul and Rèjean pulled out their drones and began to fly above the fog. I took the time to look over their shoulders, inspired by the alternate mindset of fellow creators, as always in such situations. I began to witness some of the most incredible sunrise footage ever shot, period. As Paul’s drone slowly made its way towards the rising sun, just above the inversion of clouds, I was in absolute awe. It was like something out of a blockbuster film. It was emotional, it was beautiful. For the record I have yet to see that footage, let’s get on that hey Paul!

After shaking off what I had just witnessed on Paul's RC I trudged back to my tripod. We were calling it a morning as we realized we needed to move fast to get to our next location. I once again had to pull the pin on my expectations of a stunner of a sunrise shot and face the fact that it was another case of being skunked. Oh well, I thought, isn’t the first, it won't be the last. As I folded up the last of my tripod Paul began to bring his drone in and abruptly lost connection, causing the drone to crash. This brought on the first real adventure of the day, bushwhacking through twenty foot high willows in search of, in my opinion, not the drone but the footage. Drones are replaceable, I thought, but that footage is priceless! With the help of some intuitive software we were able to locate the drone and get the heck out of there, no harm done other than some wet socks.

A Steep Learning Curve, Literally

Our next objective was a crash course in paragliding, literally. As we snagged a quick breakfast and headed for the steep banks near the Dunvegan Bridge, an iconic landmark that I consider to be the gateway to the north for so many headed that way. After navigating some beautiful country roads we made it to an ideal spot to fly. This location was not only that but yielded some of the most incredible views of the Peace River valley that I had ever seen. Paul and I were both instantly drooling over the prospecting of shooting the location.

After hopping out of the truck we quickly met Glenn from Peace Paragliding our eccentric and highly knowledgeable paragliding instructor. He was already set up and ready for us to fly and I was pumped! Paragliding has been something I have always wanted to do so I was eager to get going. I signed my waiver and suited up to fly tandem with Glenn. We chatted and discussed the techniques of tandem flight and Glenn mentioned to us that this specific location on the hills of The Dunvegan was, in his opinion, the best place on earth to learn to fly. I was stoked to say the least. The only problem was the lack of wind. Yah, I know right! For the first time in my life I actually wanted some wind. We waited and waited some more until finally Glenn gave the go ahead to run for it. Long story short, the wind was weak and we ended up in the bushes rather than in the sky. It was a bummer but I was willing to give it another go. Glenn's enthusiasm did not match mine. He was much more calculated and you could see the wheels turning. His experience told him that it wasn’t going to happen, so we decided to take a pause and head into Fairview to one of my personal favorite craft breweries, Heilan Beer House.

After some internal grumbling on my part I decided that it was probably for the best as my stomach was also beginning to grumble and I know how amazing the eats are at Heilan. So everyone including Glenn hopped in the truck and we made our way back to town. Once through the doors we were greeted by their brewmaster who led us to the back for a full tour of the brewery and educated us on the process. It was incredible to see things coming together back there and as a beer lover I really appreciated the tour. After the tour we headed back upfront in search of good eats and a pint. I ordered the pizza and as we waited Paul and I went to work snapping photos of the place. I love the true craft brewery vibe that the place puts off. They are proud of what they do for their community as they should be. In the area the place is one of a kind and honestly makes some of my favorite beers including their Hazy IPA, the Hurricane Hayes, you really have got try it.

After some much needed and amazing food we headed back to the hills to try our luck once again. While Glenn lay in the grass having what appeared to be a post lunch siesta I began to have the feeling it wasn’t going to happen. With that thought, Paul and I began to simply shoot photos in hopes we could come away with something from the outing. All the sudden Glenn hopped to his feet and asked if I’d like to try some solo takeoffs and landings. I jumped at the chance! With the wind picking up and Glenn eager to teach me some solo techniques I was hopeful this was going to happen! With Glenn in my ear I harnessed up and prepared. He gave me the go ahead to take a few strides and instantly the wing popped into the air! Woah! I thought. As the wing came back down to earth Glenn took the time to reposition it above me on the hill. While doing this he said to me, “Well you want to give it a go?” My reply was, all the way to the bottom? To which he replied “if you feel confident I am good with it.”

Now, I don’t want to give the impression that Glenn is at all cavalier about his instructions for giving someone the opportunity to fly solo straight away. I have to stress that over the course of the morning we had talked extensively about riggings and harnesses and safety and I feel like we began to understand each other. We both grew to learn that we mutually have extensive experience in potentially dangerous situations, with Glenn being a paraglider and myself having a knowledge of climbing and the potential risks involved. At the end of the day I think Glenn knew that I had the head for it and from my experiences as a climber was able to realistically assess the risks involved in an activity like paragliding and choose whether or not I was capable of executing.

Without hesitation I replied to Glenn with an affirming “yes”. All of the sudden this was happening and I had to get my head right. I took a quick look at Paul as he snapped photos and said, “I hope I don’t get hit by a truck on the highway if this all goes south”. He shook his head and laughed. Glenn handed me a radio and I strapped it to my chest. “Whenever you're ready” he said with a grin.

I steadied my heart and replied, “let’s do it”. So, after he fiddled with the wing, an act that only built anticipation in my bones, Glenn began the countdown, “3,2,1 RUN!” I ran for the edge as fast as my legs could carry me and in an instant, boom, liftoff! I was suddenly airborne and flying. It was a feeling like I can’t even explain. Ultimate freedom, more than I’ve ever felt before. As I floated towards an open field filled with buffalo patties that looked like land mines from the air I tried my best to steady the wing. What started as flying through instinct soon turned into listening to the confident voice of Glenn on the other end of the radio. Thank God for that because he did an incredible job essentially teaching me on the fly, no pun intended.

As I descended closer to the ground I had a huge feeling of elation and calm, topped off with a large cup of raw adrenaline. I know it sounds strange, the feeling of calm with adrenaline, but that’s just how it went down. I’ll honestly chalk it up to one of the best experiences of my life and I owe that to Glenn. He’s a great teacher. Once on the ground I just sat there smiling waiting for my ride back up so I could do it all over again. I was instantly hooked. When the truck showed up everyone else was equally excited. I think they felt how special of a moment it was, it was raw, I love those moments.

At the end of it all I flew twice, gaining confidence on the second go. I really don't’ know how to explain the experience fully other than you should call up Glenn and give it a try. What I can say is that I am pursuing the sport further, let's just put it that way. At the end of the second flight I was met by the crew at the bottom including Glenn. I thanked him like you would thank an old friend then we jumped in our trucks, Glenn headed south for home and us headed north, all of us grinning after what we had just done.

Side-by-Sides and Sunsets!

Once again, as is always the case with weekends like these we were behind schedule. This is just how it goes on trips like these. You could really spend a day with each endeavor. And of course the reason for all the hustle always boils down to chasing the evening light. In this case it was no different as the next objective was a sunset shot at a promising lookout spot on the opposite side of the Peace River from the Peace River Cabins. The only problem was that we would need a couple of off-road vehicles to get there. Being that we were already strapped for time we moved quickly as we loaded up the two side-by-sides that would get us there. It would be close but a good photographer never gives up hope. I mean, what else do we have but hope? We managed to load up gear and hit the road in time to make it to the Shaftesbury Ferry with time to spare. As we were guided onto the ferry memories of boyhood came rushing back, as this was a common trip for my dad and I come hunting season. I started to recall memories that were once long gone. Times spent with my dad and returning to the ferry at dark, often empty handed, where I’d fall asleep in the passenger seat of my dads truck, knowing well that I’d have to drag myself out of bed for school in the am because as mom said, “hunting is no excuse to miss a day of school.” It was nice to feel those feelings again, feelings associated with happy childhood memories.

After enjoying the short trip both across the river and down memory lane we arrived at the water's edge, where we would make a B-line for the ATV trails that would lead us to our location. I was very grateful to have Paul along, as his knowledge of the area is extensive. It 100% aided in our efficiency and that’s key in these situations where you are racing the sun. The guy is a finely polished gem. After only a short ride we cruised our way up a steep hill where we would come to a flat plateau looking out over the mighty Peace River. I was blown away with the location and the beauty that it offered, now it was just up to the light to deliver. Could it possibly be two for two in the skunked department?

As it turned out that would be the case once again, and so with the pressure to capture the moment gone I began to play around with filters and log exposures. I often call these filters rescue filters and although the scene was incredible I didn't really come away with anything outstanding other than maybe an overcooked social media post. Hey, we're all guilty of cranking the Lightroom dial up to ten from time to time. In the end we shot some video, enjoyed each other's conversations and company and headed back down the trail to cross the ferry in the dark, just as I used to do as a boy.

We eventually made it back to our Cabins where I basically fell into bed. After a day like we had there was no real alternative, and considering we had to be up again at 5:30 for another sunrise it would have been silly to do otherwise.

Day 3

Peace River Adventures

A true epic of a day delivers on every level. Sunday would be one of those days. We would be rolling at six am so that we could meet Felix from Peace River Adventures and his beautiful boat, just in time to shoot in amazing light. As we loaded up gear my exhaustion quickly flipped to excitement as the light was popping like it had yet to this trip, I was eager to shoot and we had all the variables that would make this a special day for photography. We had everyone along for the ride this morning and that was exciting. After a few snaps of the boat at dock we were loaded up and motoring down the river on a boat like no other boat I had ever ridden before. This boat was designed to cater to folks looking to explore. It was built with a mass amount of seating, a covered roof and two powerful motors dubbed “Lloyd and Harry, paying homage to the movie Dumb and Dumber. I loved this as although I am not a boat or motor guy, at all, I completely appreciated the reference to a boat that was ”stupid fast” considering its stature.

We soon found a spot to shoot and were dropped off to catch the boat in action, the light was still going off and Paul and I were in our favorite place, we had the golden hour fever for sure. After getting, what I can only describe as bangers, we loaded up and headed further down the river to a beautiful sand bar. Here we took some time to pull back and explore the sand between our feet and discover odd unusually shaped rocks. After a few minutes we once again made our way back to the boat and on the way I noticed a composition that struck me. A reflection of the boat that we were able to capture. This image has to be one of my favorite images of all time. I once again give credit to Paul for being the voice in my head when it comes to reflection simply because the man executes these shots so well. I’m in love with this shot and I am proud to say I nailed it!

With a feather in my cap we loaded up and headed to our last destination on the river, a cozy spot that is maintained by the folks who boat the river in the area. It gave me a look into the culture, passion and respect that the folks who explore the river have for it. I always love when I can feel that coming through in a culture and group of people that love what they do and that was especially the case here. The amount of care and work put into keeping these places special makes it obvious that it's a labor of love. We spent the time chatting about the spot and learning about the history of the location before snapping a group photo and loading back onto the boat. As we made our way back up river to the town of Peace River I spent the time considering what life would be like if I still lived back home. I even had the thought of what it would be like to pack everything up and make the pilgrimage for good. It had been a wild weekend and it definitely had an impact on me on a personal level.

Board and Barrel and The Riverside Patio Vibes!

Once back to shore and off the boat I thanked Felix and loaded my gear into my truck. With my insatiable appetite for good food and drink, I was glad that myself and the rest of the crews next move was to head to a restaurant, I had never been to in town, called Board and Barrel. My first impressions of the place when I walked through the door was how beautiful it was, another super cool business in Peace River doing it right. I also noticed right away that it was a glorified gallery for my friend Paul Lavoie, there’s even a few images that I was unfamiliar with that blew my mind like the monochrome Peace River Bridge image that graces the entry. Go there and buy a print, they are all stunning! Once through the doors and into the building I was led back to the patio, where everyone had already settled. Once again I was blown away by the location. “Right on the water” ,I said. “No way!” All the locals chucked at my comment. This place gave me a Vancouver Island feel, like I had somehow teleported. It was unreal! Not to mention the food. They had my favorite beer on tap and some of the best fish tacos I had ever tasted, made from freshly flown in fish, obviously. This place was no joke! After some laughs, and an amazing lunch Paul quickly walked me through his personal gallery. After all we had one more adventure to attend to before the trip was officially over, little did we know we would be in for a wilder ride than expected!

A Canoe Ride to Remember

Our last objective of the weekend was to have the entire crew paddle a short section of the Mighty Peace. So we all loaded up into Peace River Adventures 15 passengers and headed for the launch. Here we were able to choose our weapons of choice as Peace River Adventures has a huge selection of canoes and kayaks. Rèjean and I chose a canoe and were determined to not only keep up to the kayakers but shoot some worthy content in the process. We would soon find out that it would be trickier than we anticipated as we were faced with seasonally low water levels that would cause us to run aground on more than one occasion. After portaging for the third time we realized that at our backs was a looming storm that was headed our way fast! The rain was inevitable so I managed to grab a few more quality images before stowing my gear in a dry bag that was generously provided by PRA. I then shifted my focus to bailing rain water and aiding in the paddling efforts. All in all the trip lasted a few hours and although we were soaked by the time we reached our destination we were all still smiling and telling tall tales. It was another ten out of ten experience on the mighty Peace River.

Final Thoughts on a Wild Ride of a Weekend

As we all made our way back to our vehicles, to change into some dry clothes, I couldn’t help but feel the weekend was a huge success. Not only did we go non-stop to explore this beautiful place but we also managed to capture that beauty through our own lenses. But what really struck me most was how coming home and spending this much time diving deep into the places I grew up affected me emotionally. I mean, it was deep. I felt the connection like never before as an adult. I was able to take the time to enjoy not only physically being here but the emotions that came along with it. It was a special weekend that I will never forget and I truly hope to enjoy the feeling of coming home again and again.

Coming Home to The Mighty Peace