Footprints In Nature: Reflections

In this episode of Reflections, Chris recounts a moment at the Lightchasers Nature Photography Conference that changed everything. Scheduled to close the event with a prepared, hour-long presentation, Chris instead faced an immediate technical failure that silenced his visuals and left him standing alone in front of 250 people. Stripped of his polished corporate presentation, Chris was forced to d...

In this episode of Reflections, Chris explores the philosophy that defined his journey for years: "I am just a passenger on the road of life." While this mindset once felt like a shield against stress and a way to avoid the pressures of control, a sudden reality check from his oldest daughter, Alyssa, forced him to rethink everything. Catch up on previous episodes, including Episode 18:...

In this episode of Reflections, Chris explores a fundamental trait that defined him long before he ever picked up a camera professionally: the drive to help, lead, and motivate people. While it’s easy to get caught up in the idea of "competition" in the creative industry, Chris explains why he views other creators as fellow travellers on the exact same road. From organizing neighbourhood...

In this episode of Reflections, Chris shifts the focus to his literal daily uniform. We often talk about the "many hats" required to run a creative business, but in real life, Chris really only wears one: a basic, black ball cap. From childhood habits and 25 years of competitive darts to wearing a special fuzzy winter edition in the snows of Churchill, that black cap is a constant compan...

In this episode of Reflections, we confront our modern obsession with the finish line. We live in a world that constantly pushes us to want the final product or result immediately, tempting us to find the shortcut and skip straight from A to Z. Drawing from his early days threading one-inch tape onto massive reel-to-reel machines to flying modern drones, Chris explores the danger of relying on the...

We often focus on the artistic or therapeutic value of our photography and filmmaking. But what happens when we view our cameras as tools to document history? In this reflection, we explore the profound responsibility of being a "visual historian." From the frozen tundra to the quiet corners of the mountains, we are doing more than just capturing beautiful images—we are preserving a vita...

In this episode of  Reflections , we explore the therapeutic side of nature photography and what my friend Brett calls the "self-regulating component" of the craft. We discuss how the simple act of hunting for a composition forces you to look up, step out of your own head, and truly immerse yourself in the present moment. Whether you are looking for a single still frame or capturing the...

The beauty of being a freelancer is being the director of your own life. The reality? The director still has to show up on set, even when they have a severe case of the man cold. In this episode, we talk about the quiet grit and professionalism required when you are the entire business and there are no paid sick days to fall back on. If you have ever pushed through a pounding headache to check you...

When you leave a structured career to build your own business, you trade the corporate safety net for total freedom. But without boundaries, the fear of failure can trap you in a seven-day hustle, turning you into a machine that never unplugs. In this reflection, we tackle the perfectionism and people-pleasing that leads to working from dawn until midnight. Discover how implementing the "Inte...

We all love dreaming about the latest cameras, the perfect light, and cinematic shots. But none of that matters if your backend infrastructure fails. This episode shines a light on the unglamorous "Storage Wars" of the digital age. From the days of paying a dollar per megabyte to the modern anxiety of a "Disk Full" notification, we explore the reality of managing massive amount...

It is dangerously easy for creative entrepreneurs to become ghosts at their own desks, prioritizing client work and deadlines over everything else. In this episode, we explore the mental health toll of working in dark rooms tied to an editing screen. Sparked by completing a 2,000 push-up challenge for the Canadian Mental Health Association, we dive into the vital importance of stepping away to reb...

If you look at the social feeds of a creative professional, you usually see a highly curated highlight reel. But what does it actually take to keep that creative signal alive? In this reflection, we pull back the curtain on the invisible grind of running a photography and filmmaking business. From luxury real estate shoots to sitting in the quiet Canadian wild, we discuss the relentless juggling a...

Nature photography is often viewed as a solitary pursuit—a quiet wait in the cold wilderness. But the true work happens the moment you share the capture. In this episode, we discuss the concept of "The Visual Bridge." We explore the profound responsibility of serving as a witness, bringing the intimate, raw stories of the wild back to those who may never have the chance to stand there th...

Inspiration isn't always found in the grand, sweeping moments on a mountain peak; sometimes, the most powerful inspiration fits right in your pocket. In this reflection, we dive into the story of carrying exactly seven dollars as a physical reminder of resilience and hard work, inspired by the journey of Dwayne Johnson. We talk about the importance of dreaming big, building your own vision, an...

With over 35 years of experience behind the lens, there is one difficult truth to shooting in the wild: the biggest barrier to an honest moment is technical noise. We explore "the weight of readiness"—the mental and physical checklist you carry before ever seeing an animal. Discover why obsessing over settings, data rates, and gear at home is the only way to be light enough to follow the...

It is incredibly easy to get caught up in past regrets, wondering where you might be today if you had only started that project five years ago. But dwelling on lost time doesn't change the future. In this episode, we issue a simple challenge: Just start. We discuss why creative businesses and deep nature connections are a "long play" that require consistency and a refusal to wait for...

Every wildlife photographer has that one animal that sits at the very top of their bucket list. For this reflection, we dive into the pursuit of the Canadian Lynx—the ghost of the northern forest. We explore what it means to spend hours driving, waiting, and scanning the treeline for a shape that never quite appears. But rather than frustration, we look at the magic of the wait, the joy of celebra...

Drawing from decades of experience in the intense, high-pressure world of television broadcasting, this episode explores the mindset of being the "last line of defence." When you are used to managing satellite signals down to the exact second, you carry that hyper-vigilance into your own business and life. We reflect on the heavy pressure of never letting the signal drop, and the difficu...

In this episode, we take a drive down the backcountry roads of Alberta and confront the days when the wildlife just doesn't show up. We are so used to measuring our days by output and results that it is easy to view an empty memory card as a failure. We discuss how to let go of the expectation of the capture and embrace the healing power of simply being present. Discover why the days where you...

In the inaugural episode of  Reflections , we introduce a quiet, calm, and inviting space designed for the thoughts that linger. While most media today moves fast and is designed to grab your attention before moving on, this space is different. We explore why it is so important to step away from teaching, gear reviews, and tips, and instead focus on the simple act of noticing. Tune in for a short,...