Save Our Scruff - Spay + Neuter Clinic in Dominican Republic

If you follow along any of my social media channels, you know that a few weeks ago I was volunteering with Save Our Scruff down in Dominican Republic. I traveled with 12 other SOS volunteers to go work alongside volunteers from all over the world who were working for our partner organizations: Geo Veterinary International, AAAS and Moringa's Mission.

My main role was to head down there to document the project and give the media (photos + video) to all the organizations to use for future promotions, marketing and fundraising efforts. 

Soon I am going to do a piece on my experience and curate my favorite images, but for now, here is the highlight video I shot and edited. So incredible to be a part of and I can't thank everyone enough for bringing me along. 

that time we got engaged in Scotland | surprise proposal in Glencoe

This whole trip started to become reality when my best friend got engaged to her other half, who is from Manchester and then she made me her MOH. Obviously I would never miss her wedding so Corrie and I decided that since he had never been overseas before and I never travel to a country without seeing others, that we were going to turn this into an epic trip. When we started planning, Corrie had one request and that was Ireland. I didn't care where we went but with having family in Ireland, we needed to make that happen and whatever else we did I would be a happy gal. So what's between England and Ireland, SCOTLAND! It only made sense to do all three while we were over there, and so we did. 

Before embarking on the trip I reached out to a photographer colleague/friend who I have been following for a long time and who's work I adored, Keith Bridle. I knew he traveled alot but thought "what the heck, worth the try" and wrote him to see if by chance he would be in any of those countries and close by while we were there. Well it turns out, Keith and his other half (Em) were wanting to plan a trip to see her family in Scotland and they wouldn't be too far from us. So, we planned to meet up and for Corrie and I to have couple photos taken together in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, Glen Etive. 

If you have been to Scottish Highlands, you have probably driven through Glencoe (and if you haven't you need too). Glen Etive is about 45 minutes away from Glencoe, down a single car road into the "middle of nowhere". Em has been going to Glen Etive since she was a young girl and has since, introduced Keith and it has become a very special place for both of them. Keith always wanted to photograph people there so when I reached out, all the stars aligned.

We piled into Keith's jeep and hit this tiny little road without a clue as to where we were going but were trusting Keith and Em that it was worth it. The entire drive was full of "omg look" "holy @#$! look at that!" "omggggggggg". Everything along the entire road was picture perfect from the deer to the waterfalls cascading the mountains to the rivers to the natural rock walls to the abandoned shed (in our pictures). Everything was perfect...so perfect that Corrie decided to pop the big question. 

Now Corrie didn't have any idea he was going to do this but "brought the ring along for the ride". Did he let Keith know? NOPE! Keith had no idea, Em had no idea and I had absolutely NO idea. Obviously when you get to be our age, people constantly ask "so do you think you will get married" and all those silly questions and of course, I had thought about it and Corrie and I had (drunkingly) talked about it but I never thought this would be the time and place, but I am so glad he did as it couldn't of been more perfect. 

At the end of the road we stopped at this body of water with an old home, surrounded by highlands and Keith asked us to climb down on to the rocks... so we did. As we got down there, Corrie and I just looked around taking it all in and looked at each other and just started cuddling for the camera. All of sudden, Corrie says "can we do adventures like this forever?" and I said something romantic like "ya" (clearly no clue what was about to happen) and then boom, he's on the ground and the first words out of my mouth are "@#$! off!" because well, I am romantic. After I said it a few more times, and continually asking if he gave Keith a heads up (because that was a big concern for me apparently haha), the poor guy was still on one knee asking for my answer and with a giant yes and a bunch of tears, I crouched down and embraced him.

I never thought I would be someone who would have their proposal on camera but I am so darn glad we do. This day will forever be remembered through these beautiful photos and we both can't thank Keith and Em enough for introducing us to their special place, exploring with us and documenting this life moment. 

All photos taken by Keith Bridle

Ring designed by my good friend Tyson Taylor, Taylors Jewellers

Behind the Scenes in Costa Rica

For those who don't know yet, on top of being a photographer and freelance graphic designer I am also the Creative Director at Photographers Without Borders(PWB). With PWB, I have seen countries and met people I may of never had the chance too, and it has been incredible.

On February 2, I left for Costa Rica for the second PWB Photodocumentary Workshop to help Danielle Da Silva (the founder) facilitate the workshop and capture behind the scenes footage (both photo & video). Here are a few of my favorites!

Interested in taking one of our workshops? The next one is full in May but our fall one will be announced soon!

www.photographerswithoutborders.org/workshops

 

The journey continues: Minca, Colombia

When I first joined the PWB team of photographers in July of 2014, to work with Casa Guatemala in Rio Dulce Guatemala, I was beyond excited and ecstatic (read about it here). Never ever did I think that upon my return, I would be offered a position with the organization that I had only dreamt of. Upon my return, I became the Creative Director for PWB and it has been an amazing experience ever since. It's been stressful, exciting, a learning process while meeting some incredible like-minded people.

Seven months into my director role, Danielle (Founder of PWB), approached me asking if I would be interested in going and helping on another project. At first I didn't believe her, and was fighting the urge to scream with excitement but of course, I said yes (and will always say yes to projects Danielle! ). I soon found out I was headed to Colombia and not alone this time, with another Canadian photographer.

I instantly ran home and did a tonne of research not only on the organization and the country, but to find out who this stranger was I was going to be traveling with, Michael Bednar. From what I had been told, and the creeping I did online, Michael Bednar seemed like a cool dude who had quite the impressive photography portfolio. He had also traveled everywhere I hadn't which made me feel a bit better about traveling to unknown land with him.

Michael (and now myself) had been chosen to go and work with an organization called Mision Gaia (MG) in Minca, Colombia. Mision Gaia is an organization that works with rural communities, local schools, governmental and private organizations in the Minca, Sierra Nevada area. Focused in three areas, our programs help strengthen educational and environmental practices and the responsible development of tourism.

The town of Minca, where MG works, is described as "a small town of five hundred inhabitants (660 meters above sea level), nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and lost among the lush vegetation". From that description, I thought "oh this town sounds so cute and lovely" but when I arrived in Minca, I was even more in love with the town.

After a few skype calls with both the ladies at MG and with Michael, it was time to finally leave for this journey.

Highlights from our project:

  • the people - everyone in Minca is so incredibly nice, hospitable, kind and I can't wait to go back and visit some of the friends we made
  • seeing the biodiversity of Colombia - not many countries can you be 3000+ metres above sea level and see the snow peaks and cloud forest and as you descend down the mountain, experience the forest, dry forest and then the ocean and all the wildlife along the way
  • the view after our hike to Cerro Kennedy
  • helping to rescue a stray pup, who had an injured ear with a horrible infection, and helping to clean everything and save his life

Not so highlights:

  • losing my baggage for the first 3 days (then returned with a smashed up tripod)
  • the hike to Cerro Kennedy (it was SO beautiful, but I was nowhere near the shape I should of been in to do this hike, it was extremely tough for us)
  • getting sick - this is bound to happen when you travel anywhere so I powered through

This past Friday July 31st, Photographers Without Borders launched Issue 3, where I was fortunate enough to be the Creative Director and Editor. Michael's photos from our project in Colombia are featured along with 11 other incredible projects.

To preview or order a copy, click here