The Talented Photographers of Victoria - Part 2

We hope that this blog of pure talent was able to inspire you!  To continue seeing their content, as well as others, give us a follow on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.  Now take to the streets, and create some stunning visuals for yourself!

LIGHTS, CAMERA… ACTION!

Erin, @E.L.Mackenziephotography

Instagram: @E.L.Mackenziephotography

“My name is Erin and I’m proud to be born and raised in Victoria. I love taking photos of Victoria because it’s so diverse; from the many gorgeous parks and beaches to a dynamic urban environment within the downtown core.  Victoria is situated in a photographer’s paradise on Vancouver Island.  Waterfalls, sunsets and wildlife are among my favourite to photograph.
My wife and I love exploring Cook Street Village & taking it down to Dallas Road for a sunset picnic followed by an ice cream cone at Beacon Hill Park.”

The above photo is an outcome of one of her excursions down Dallas Road. Have you found the stairway to the sea on one of your ocean walks? Make a day of it, and see if you can find it for yourself. The below photograph is a tough one to pull off and shows her expertise playing with shutter speed and aperture. If you look closely, you can see the rooftop of the Bay Centre illuminated, as well as the front of Finn’s Seafood Chops Cocktails.

Colin Smith – @ColinSmithTakesPics

Instagram: @colinsmithtakespics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colinsmith2112/
Website: https://www.colinsmithtakespics.com/

Colin is a professional current events, music festival and concert photographer based in Victoria, who shoots for the media company VictoriaNow.  His focus is to document current news, protests, and music events through his photography. His Instagram account, where he posts daily, is full of engaging events and chuckle-worthy captions. If something exciting is taking place in Victoria, you can bet Colin will be there!

The photo above was taken at Mayfair Shopping Centre the weekend of April 29th – when West Coast Amusements was in town. Across from Hotel Zed, a shopping trip to Mayfair is never a dull time, providing a venue for many weekend events and pop-up stores. A wizard at puddle and reflection photography, Colin’s photo of cherry blossoms (below) is a fine example of his skills.  We hope his photos can inspire you to get outside and try your own hand at reflection photography. If they do, we recommend stopping by at Hey Happy or Bubby Rose’s Bakery & Café and heading towards the Inner Harbour (the grandest of mirrors to practice on). Then, make your way down to the neighbourhood of James Bay, where trees are in full bloom.

@Shotbykipp

Instagram: @ShotbyKipp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shotsbykipp

@ShotbyKipp, as he is known on Instagram, has been fueling our feeds with stunning sunset, wildlife, and lens-ball photography.  He primarily shoots on his Sony R74, and on an iPhone 13 pro max. His photos often feature vivid colours and an element of low-sun and sky. In the past, he enjoyed dabbling with wildlife photography, often choosing to capture close-ups of birds of prey in great detail.

Some of his favourite locations to shoot at are Royal Roads University grounds, home to Hatley Castle and bordering Esquimalt Lagoon. It’s a great spot for bird watchers and photographers, being a protected Migratory Bird Sanctuary for waterfowl. Also check out Goldstream Provincial Park for opportunities to see wild bald-eagles in the tree-tops – especially during the salmon-run!

Doug Clement – @dougclementphotography

Instagram: @dougclementphotography
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DougClementPhotography
Prints: His Etsy Page

Doug is a professional artist, videographer and photographer. He’s a life-time resident of Victoria, capturing its beauty on film for over 40 years. During the 80’s, Doug was an artist and photographer for many up-and-coming bands, taking promotional photos and drafting album covers.  In the 90’s he worked as a videographer on a show called Video Adventures, showcasing Vancouver Island’s cities and towns. He later became a free-lance photographer for magazines and the film industry, his photos winning awards around the world. Nowadays, he does mostly commercial photography and travel guides! His work can be seen on Social Media where he gives travel insights around Victoria and the island.

The stunning photo above is taken of the Fairmont Empress – a centre pillar in Victoria’s downtown core, attracting visitors from far and wide to its world-famous high-tea experience. Drop in at Q at the Empress for a stunning cocktail made of their vibrantly coloured Empress 1908 Gin (insider’s tip: We recommend the Empress Lavender Lemonade!).  The photo below was taken at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park – one of Doug’s and his dog Azu’s favourite spots. If you’re looking for beaches to practice shooting on, check our page here. You can also visit our guide for more dog-friendly beaches, trails, and accommodation around town!

Graham Cox – @Geebird11

Instagram: @Geebird11
Twitter: @vanislandgee

Check out his seven must-have Graham Cox facts:

1. I hail from the streets of Delta, B.C. but there are very few things of interest for a budding photographer in Delta. Victoria offers one of the most incredible backdrops for anyone with a camera or a lens, all you have to do is start shooting!
2. Bought my first camera maybe five years ago now, knowing absolutely nothing about how a DSLR works or what makes a good image.
3. Many people that stay behind the lens can be considered quiet or stoic, but I work in media and have previously been an on-air sports anchor locally here in Victoria. I pursued broadcasting largely in part due to the philosophy that ‘I talk a lot so I may as well get paid for it.’
4. My top three places to shoot in Victoria: Fan Tan Alley, Dallas Road, and up at Walbran Park overlooking Gonzales Bay (check his photo above!).
5. I prioritize landscapes as British Columbia offers some of the most incredible scenery in the world (I challenge you to change my mind), but have recently started shooting for local Island businesses including fitness trainers, camping gear and outdoor products!
6. One of the less-travelled Island gems that I encourage everyone to visit is Century Sam Lake. Stunningly teal waters + ice caves…what more could you want?
7. I get asked a lot if I play basketball because of my height. I’ll save you some time…yes. Realistically, I probably could have called my photography business The Photo Giant.

Check out my stuff if you like vibrant colours and Victoria sunsets and hit me up as I am always looking for the next place to explore and capture!”

The Pacific Ocean, Gulf Islands, Mount Baker, and a beautiful coastal Oak Bay neighbourhood are framed in Graham’s stellar capture above. When exploring Oak Bay, make sure to check out the contemporary art at The Avenue Gallery, topping your day off with a pint from Penny Farthing Pub. The below photo shows off his unique, colourful editing style in Trounce Alley – a hidden gem of Victoria. If you look closely, you can see the sign of the Tapa Bar Restaurant, illuminated in neon. If you’re looking for Trounce Alley, seek out ecologyst – a Victorian outdoor apparel and camping store prioritizing sustainably sourced materials. Keep an eye out for Quazar’s Arcade also, the spot for pinball and classic arcade games! On the other side of the Alley is Bodega – giving you another option for delicious Spanish small plates.

We hope that this blog of pure talent was able to inspire you!  To continue seeing their content, as well as others, give us a follow on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.  Now take to the streets, and create some stunning visuals for yourself!

LIGHTS, CAMERA… ACTION!