I find it hard to believe that it's been 10 years to the day where I thought...


"I love this and I never want to stop."


10 years ago today, I was traipsing through the woods with my friend Morgan. I had been assigned a photography project in art class and I was taking it very seriously. I stole my father’s camera, and the two of us made our way to Three Pond Barrons with at least three bags of clothes.

(I still shoot at Three Pond Barrons here and there).

Two people playfully pose by a large tree trunk in a black and white photograph.

I remember that day so vividly. I remember not wanting to stop. I could tell you the person I borrowed my Mad Hatter costume from, what we had to eat afterwards, and, of course, my favourite photo. But I could also tell you my favourite photo from every shoot I’ve ever done.


I’m so grateful for Morgan. Because even though life has happened in these past 10 years, we’ve still shot together. When they introduced me to their partner in the middle of a Lawton’s, they called me the best photographer in the city. I blushed.

 

Below are some of the most memorable shots from that particular shoot- including the mom and baby moose Morgan graciously declared they leave us be. Also- it was Halloween so that’s your warning for the costumes!

 

A person in a floral print top stands among green foliage.
A moose partially visible through dense forest vegetation.
A brown bear walks through a forest path surrounded by evergreen trees.
Person in plaid shirt poses playfully against a large tree trunk in a forest setting.
Figure in olive green shirt sits casually outdoors among autumn foliage.
Someone wearing striped socks lounges in a large tree's branches during autumn.
Person relaxes on thick tree branches in a wooded outdoor setting.
Figure walks along a wooden boardwalk path through autumn trees.
Black and white photo of someone exploring a forest path among tall trees.

I’m kind of using this blog post as a moment to reflect on the past 10 years and how grateful I am. At 16 years old, I didn’t think I would ever get to pursue this professionally. I didn’t I would do anything, really. The idea of life after high school scared me. And even though some scary things happened, I figured out some things along the way. For instance, I had no idea who was going to teach me how to use my father’s camera if it wasn’t him.


You see, my father got a Canon Rebel T3 for Christmas. His friend gave it to him in hopes that it would reignite his passion for the craft. But, instead, I was the one using it. I had to convince my father to let me borrow it the first time. And most times, I would straight up steal it (he wasn’t using it)! I have no idea if he ever found out. And then I inherited it.


My father passed away when I was 18. It was always a conversation that the two of us wanted to go out and shoot together and he would teach me how to shoot manual. I so badly wanted to do this. I wanted the best photographer in my life to teach me everything. And he wanted to teach me everything he knew. And the most tragic part of this blog post (I promise), is that it never came to be.


So instead, my manager from Tim Horton’s taught me how to shoot manual. And, boy, I applaud his patience. I didn’t understand ISO at all. And to this day, I get mixed up on which is a large and which is a small aperture because the the smaller the number, the bigger it is?? Because that makes sense? I guess???


Anyways, after a fair few of years of practicing on my father’s camera, I found it not being able to keep up with me. It was a sad reality to accept, but it was time to upgrade. And I did just that. In the middle of a pandemic. I upgraded to a camera that I would struggle to keep up with so that I could grow into it and use it for a long time. So, now, in the corner of my living room, sits my father’s Canon Rebel T3, the first lens I ever bought, a lens from my cousin (who has also since passed), and my father’s ancient tripod. And in the other corner of my living room, in a beautiful glass display case, is my father’s old film camera that still works and all his lenses.


And I’m shooting with my new camera all of the time. It doesn’t have time to collect dust like the T3 did sitting in my father’s closet! And here’s some proof (with a little extra to show that I still shoot with Morgan ;) )

Person in black coat and patterned scarf gazes at stormy ocean waves.
Two people in dark jackets pose against an overcast sky during golden hour.
Person in black dress walks along rocky beach with waves and cliffs in background.
A romantic couple embraces playfully against a scenic coastal backdrop during a photoshoot.
Two people share joyful laughter and hugs in a bright outdoor setting.
A couple shares intimate moments together outdoors in casual attire.
Moody landscape photography of a dark stormy coastline with dramatic clouds.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be here. During a shoot in the spring, all I could think was “This is it. This is everything I want.” I thought that while editing, after I delivered the gallery, and during every shoot thereafter.


Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of imposter syndrome that comes with this craft. For my first paid shoot, my friend insisted she pay me. It felt weird. Like I wasn’t good enough for it. I still see myself as the baby photographer I was 10 years ago. And even now, I see some of the work other people do and I think “That could never be me.” But it is! I get to make really cool shit and I am eternally grateful for that every. single. day. We all have to start somewhere. And for me that was 10 years ago in the middle of the woods.


Happy 10 years to me <3 Thanks for joining me on this beautifully chaotic journey.


Now to get back to editing.

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@MargaretHarvey