A year ago I was in a completely different place. Although 2021 had plenty of roadblocks and lockdowns, I ended the year in a rough mental state and felt stuck. I didn’t feel like I had grown much or challenged myself enough. On a quiet New Years eve, I told myself that 2022 would be different. 

It’s been many years since I’ve been to Western Canada. I have a faded memory of the Canadian Rockies and the country’s west coast, so I’m grateful to have brought my camera gear with me for this trip

The biggest caveat was a limited access to nature and time, so taking my camera out became more of a chore. I still managed to get out once in awhile but it was not sparking the same enjoyment as it had initially.

Three days in the Swiss Alps gave me just enough time to enjoy some absolute peace and quiet. The mountains were calm and the sun kept me warm as I photographed the serenity surrounding me.

I love the mountains, but Toronto is severely lacking in that department. Whenever I get the chance to travel somewhere with these geological giants you can bet I’m going to spend a lot of time taking photos and pushing my lungs and legs a little more than they’re used to. The results - breathtaking.

Travelling through France packed an experiential punch in a short amount of time. Arrival in Paris was exhausting and rainy but had that mysterious quality that comes with arriving in a new place for the first time. Still, walking through the history and culture of the capital made for a great memory. The vast, symmetrical gardens of Versailles were eye-candy. Strasbourg’s quiet cobblestone streets made for one of the most beautiful evenings I’ve spent in Europe. Yeah, France just has it all.

I suppose the rain and overcast skies that come with autumn in Canada lend themselves well to my creative flow. Unfortunately, these kind of days can also present an absolute creative block.

The last week or so I have been feeling a positive change in a few ways. I try to avoid negative thinking in general but the last couple of years and the last few months have been especially difficult. COVID has brought a heavy weight to everyone’s shoulders.

In 2016 I had the opportunity to visit Iceland for a university credit. My classmates and I travelled across the west coast and into the west fjords. We witnessed the midnight sun, relaxed in hot springs, got a tour of an old herring factory in Djúpavík, and took many photos.

The trip made such a huge impact on me that I returned with my dad in 2018. The two of us drove around the country together, following the Ring Road (a.k.a. Route 1). We captured some fantastic photos and grew closer as we experienced rapidly changing weather and absolutely breathtaking light. Here are some of my favourite photos from both of those trips.