2015: In Review

Tis the season for reflection... 2015 has been a wild ride from start to finish. I met a lot of interesting people along the way! I graduated college (what the hell? four years ago if you told me that was a possibility I'd have laughed.)

Yet again, I found myself in a new city, in a new part of Ontario. I miss Bellevegas a lot more than I realized I would. It had it's quirks, it had its characters. I met a number of incredible skateboarders, made a lot of friends, and I had a lot of good times there. When it's time to go, it's time to go though. I'll never forget y'all!

I had some interesting experiences behind the lens and personally, and I feel to an extent that I have grown from them all. That's what we're all after right? Personal growth? I'll celebrate that as a win.

My 5D is currently with Canon, getting repairs done to the hotshoe and a few of the buttons. I've been encountering a lot of problems lately with my flashes not syncing correctly with the shutter, which has taken it's toll on my shooting. Right from the end of May until now I've been regulated to one flash, on my camera body in order to achieve high speed sync shots. There have been a number of times this year where this was incredibly frustrating, and ultimately I chose to dedicate my summer to filming two video projects.

As I did a year ago, I'm gunna make a list. This year however, there are my most memorable experiences from the past 365 days (In no particular order.)

Cirque du Soleil was simply one of the most incredible things I've ever had the privilege to shoot. Being asked to cover such a big event as an intern was a little nerve wracking at first, I'll tell you. As things got underway all self doubt left and I had a blast. The colours of Varekai were amazing. The acrobatics were mind-bottling. Being able to tour the stage and speak with the performers and some of the people in charge of the production was incredible. It's events like this that remind me how lucky I am to use a camera every day.

 Ahhh.. Banff. More specifically the Johnston Falls. Easily some of the purest oxygen I've ever inhaled, along with some of the most dynamic scenery. In my second day of traveling across Canada I took a shorter driving day in order to make it to these falls. I made my way rather slowly through the Rockies, stopping at my leisure to photograph the sights. Making the falls just before magic hour only left me a little bit of time to shoot so I tried to make the most of it. After discovering a strange looking trail off the main paths I mosied my way down to this little spot.

 Getting to meet up with Jesse while I was in BC was a great time. It's always awesome to get to explore new places to skate with homies! Kelowna was a blast, and despite a papering of no skateboarding signs we managed to get in some great shots and do so relatively hassle free. I can't wait to get back out west and see ya again dood!!

Long Beach will always be the best place in the world to me. I'm not a beach person at all either; I just think that the forests surrounding the wild Pacific ocean, and the smell of salty air  is the most amazing environment to wake up to every day. It was also great to see Spenser Smith, my oldest friend, and shoot together like we used to 10 years ago. The waves normally get wild, and the tide is usually a lot closer than it is here. It was nice to see a father taking his young one to enjoy the natural beauty before we eventually destroy it.

This photo will forever remind me how insane a journalists life can be. In one day, I went from shooting a beer fest, to taking photos of kids and rubber ducks, to sitting in a court room listening to the verdict in a double murder trial. I'll always have a soft spot for photojournalism, even if it doesn't end up being my career. 

TPR you crazy bastard. 306 Rooftop Tour is basically what happened when we met up this year. I'll never forget it, that's for sure. Shout out to you too, Chevy. You're a natural born killer! Keep at it!

A large older dude didn't like the fact we were skating on this schools roof, and he felt the need to be vocal about it. I played deaf up until he was literally right behind me yelling about damage and hurting ourselves or some such bullshit. After he insulted our collective intelligence (as this frame was being made) I'd had it. Being the only guy on the ground sucks, but I'll stick up for my homies. We aren't stupid, we know the risks of what we do, and I'm pretty sure we aren't five year olds with mommies who'll sue the daylights outta anyone. Fuck off and let us do what we do.

More TPR on more rooftops. Noseblunt Pull, at a spot a lot of people have dreamed of skating.

Try it, you never know what'll happen!

This was one of those awesome wake up at 5am to go skate sessions. It was a blast, and I could never ask for a better way to start my days.

Bellevegas. 

This was an idea I had actually come up with in the Spring of 2014. As I found issues with my camera, I adjusted to accommodate. There was no better year to get started on filming this project that had been floating around in my head! I actually filmed this simultaneously with production of That Life 2.0, so that gave me a challenge. After countless hours editing, I produced a full 22 minute video on DVDs for the homies to watch and enjoy. Once the fatigue from that project wore off I began working on a shorter web edition. I couldn't be happier with the results!

Filming was a new challenge to me, and one I'll always enjoy. My passion lies in still images though, so as my gear gets back to 100% I'll move my focus back to stills.

I've been messing around with some architecture stuff here in St. Catharines. I'm working a full time job in a greenhouse now, so I'm free to shoot some of my other passions. I haven't gotten to do any skating here yet outside of filming with Connor, but I hope to meet some people once the snow melts! There isn't a lot of street skating here sadly, a lot of guys go up to Hamilton for it I guess. We may see what's up there next year!

Until then, keep it real my friends. I miss you all, even if we don't talk much anymore. Life's a trip, make it a good one.

The Internship: In Conclusion

I wrapped up my time at the Penticton Herald a few weeks back. I went above and beyond the required hours for the photojournalism program, but it was well worth it. 

I got the opportunity to travel to Spokane, Washington and watch Cirque du Soleil's production Varekai and the following day got to interview members from the cast, and crew. 

I pitched a photo story to my editor James Miller about the Salmon Hatchery on Penticton Indian Band, and almost everything fell perfectly into place for that to happen. It's always nice when things fall into place, and lately it feels like just that is happening. 

Overall, the internship was a great experience. I've learned so much, and I've grown so much from when I left Loyalist over a month ago today. I couldn't be happier with how every thing played out while I worked at the Penticton Herald. I met some incredible people, and watched some interesting things happen with my camera in hand. 

Some of the photos and stories from the last two weeks I spent working:

http://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/article_45bb45c6-f2b5-11e4-bf05-6f2d6f16e3ba.html  

This is the Fish Hatchery story. I also got pointed towards the Penticton Fly Fishers Club while I was working on this story. This was an unexpected surprise, none of my previous research into hatcheries in the area had brought them up. Getting their approach was fascinating to me as well; I hope they get a chance to start raising rainbow trout fry!

Cirque du Soleil Stories: 

http://www.pentictonherald.ca/entertainment/article_7f4ee080-f923-11e4-bd26-17acbd5f74a1.html

Anyone who knows me should appreciate the clown photo. That wasn't easy.

http://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/article_34226950-f77b-11e4-b338-0b00803e4af3.html

How the hell do you move a circus? 

http://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/local_news/article_dff8a3b8-f6c5-11e4-bd93-8bfc72e41ccc.html

19 years old, and she's been in Cirque du Soleil for three years. Much respect! 

http://www.pentictonherald.ca/entertainment/article_2134b914-f524-11e4-919a-5b608ad5e60a.html 

When you get to do what you love for the rest of your life, you're pretty damn lucky. 

Couple More random shots:

Odds and Ends:

I spoke with Sarah Cornett-Ching, a Summerland native who started her racing career at the Penticton Speedway, over the phone before she raced at Bristol Speedway. 

http://www.pentictonherald.ca/sports/article_6fbfc59c-ea34-11e4-8081-af44fea030f4.html 

I took this photograph of the Run Club at Outma Sqilix'w School on Penticton Indian Band, who has a few members participating in the Unity Run this year.

http://www.pressreader.com/canada/penticton-herald/20150421/textview 

I went to Young @ Art, and took some photos of youth making art. I learned that Penticton schools no longer offer the chance of taking art and drama in the same year, so the art gallery opened up an after school program to accommodate to those who wish to take both. 

In conclusion, here was a thank you letter I wrote to my editor and the city of Penticton for being so open with me while I was working there. 

http://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/article_141bf1b6-ff74-11e4-8188-6f21150b5ab1.html 

The Internship, Part 1

I gotta find an internship that is "photojournalistic in it's nature" in order to graduate.

This was on my mind the past few months, and at times it felt like it was weighing me down or stressing me out.

I made up my mind a long time ago I wasn't staying in Ontario in order to complete this last step. Being realistic and in a graduating class filled with talented shooters, many of whom call Ontario home, I knew I was heading back west for this.

I couldn't be happier that the Penticton Herald was happy to take me on as a writer / photographer for my time as a "practicum student," which has been my title for the past few weeks. I haven't been in Penticton for five years, and a lot has changed in my life in that time span. It's cool to be out here and able to take in everything with totally new eyes, and a camera. I've been able to catch up with family I haven't talked with face to face for years, and it's been awesome.

I've put a lot of hours in already, shooting a wide variety of news events. From taking photos of small children, to witnessing a double murder verdict handed down, I've been handed such a wide variety of assignments. I've fallen in love all over again with journalism. I don't thing there's a better way to put it I guess!

Second day on the job, I get told about this challenge that was thrown down to the local RCMP detachment.

PENTICTON, BC -- Corporal Don Wrigglesworth participated in the Lyme Sucks challenge on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Wrigglesworth passed the challenge along to Fire Department chief Wayne Williams after he ate a slice of lime. The Lyme Sucks challenge was developed to raise awareness about Lyme disease, which is commonly misdiagnosed across the country as a variety of other diseases. Photo credit Bryan Eneas

My first ever A1 photo, which was really cool. A few hours later I found myself in a conference hall listening to Chief Clarence Louie speak about a wide variety of topics. He was captivating to say the least. Another assignment took me outta there early, and that was a pity.

PENTICTON, BC. -- Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band addressed the Penticton Rotary club on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Chief Louie spoke on the topic of Aboriginal growth in business, and his aspirations for the remainder of his time as Chief. Photo credit Bryan Eneas

Listening to him speak inspired me to take a look into economic growth on the Penticton Indian Band, my home, of which there has been tons. It's amazing to see. If you haven't been following my stories through facebook, take a little bit of time to read this one later.

( http://www.pentictonherald.ca/business_news/article_70d3e762-e181-11e4-b966-8b88ae71c87f.html )

Then we go to Fest-of-Ale. Goodness me, if I drank beer and didn't have to work it would be the time of my life. Chatted with some interesting characters.

PENTICTON, BC. -- Kelsey Kendall, Stephanie Harborne, Ashley Lucas, Courtnee Neuls, and Alysha Davis all made the trip from Chilliwack, BC to check out Fest-of-Ale on Saturday, April 11. Photo credit Bryan Eneas

PENTICTON, BC -- Samantha Brown purchases a craft brew from Carson Ruhland of the Firehall Brewery from Oliver, BC. The 20th annual Fest-of-Ale kicked off at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Friday, April 10, 2015. 47 independant brewers were present to show off the best of their craft to the public of Penticton. Photo credit Bryan Eneas

PENTICTON, BC -- A group from Christina Lake poses for a shot during the 20th annual Fest-of-Ale in Penticton, BC on April 11, 2015. Members from this group have been attening Fest-of-Ale for at least 5 years. Photo credit Bryan Eneas

Just as I was getting in my car I got a phone call from my editor, James Miller. There had been a double murder trial going on during the time I was finishing my classes at Loyalist College, and now it was time for the verdict. Sitting in that courtroom those few minutes was intense. My colleague Joe Fries and a few other local reporters were scribbling like mad, and I was just trying to keep up on understanding what was being discussed up until the verdict was actually handed out. In the end, for me it amounted to a wire photo, which I honestly never expected coming out here. A handful of papers ran the shot, as it was a pretty prominent trial here in British Columbia. The feels! 

John Ike Koopmans is taken away by sherriffs outside a Penticton B.C. courtroom after being found guilty on two counts of second degree murder plus an additional count of attempted murder. Saturday, April 11, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Penticton Herald-Bryan Eneas

My second week consisted of the most writing I've ever done in my life. So much writing. Just a variety of topics. Apparently I got my first hate letter today (April 18) regarding a story I had written about Electromagnetic Fields. Apparently I didn't do it justice, but I'll leave that up to y'all. I personally think that it's up to you if you wanna believe in it. 

(  http://www.pentictonherald.ca/life/article_ae614c9a-e3da-11e4-a40b-4f2081abc177.html  )

Got to drive out to Oliver, BC to take photos of the cast of the South Okanagan Secondary School, who is putting on High School Musical. That was a nice little drive for sure, the more I get out around here the more I enjoy the Okanagan. 

OLIVER, BC. -- Kaden Chernoff, Bethany Smith, Tony Abellan, and Lauren McGibbon have been casted as the leads for the Southern Okanagan High School's rendition of High School Musical. The cast has put in over 200 hours of practise under the guidance of Alison Podmorow, a director of the school's musical, The production will be showing at the Venebles Theatre in Oliver, BC from April 16 - 18, 2015. Tickets are $10 for students, and $15 for adults, available for purchase at the SOSS main office. Photo credit Bryan Eneas

Aaaaaannnnndddd then more and more writing. After working almost two weeks straight I started feeling it on Friday. I got an opportunity to get out of the office and shoot something, something I wouldn't normally shoot at all. Something that honestly kinda freaks me out, and has freaked me out ever since I started up photojournalism. 

Small children. 

I couldn't have asked for it to go any better than it did though.

PENTICTON, BC. -- Corina holds Matias during the Baby Songs and Rhymes hour hosted at the Penticton Public Library on Friday. The hour is filled with fun songs for small children, and is concluded with a story or two. The library hosts this event every Friday until the end of May, with May 22 off. Photo credit Bryan Eneas

I've still got some hours to put in here in here at the Penticton Herald. I got some really, really exciting news earlier this week. I won't tell y'all but the next update is going to be pretty wild I think. 

I just got my hands on a 120mm film camera as well today, a Mamiyaflex TLR camera. I've wanted a chance to use a medium format camera for a long time now, so needless to say I'm incredibly stoaked. Got my hands on some film, and that's what I'm heading out to do tomorrow... Stay sharp folks. 

The Last Keepers, pt. 1

During the second semester of school, I am doing bi-weekly reporting through the Loyalist College student run newspaper, The Pioneer. This week, I got a chance to meet a really cool guy in Belleville named Roger Boomhower. Meeting and chatting with him has given me an idea for a project to occupy my time waiting for the snow to melt  so I can finally jump on my skateboard again.

The Last Keepers aims to document the final few pigeon keepers in and around the Belleville area. Through word of mouth myself and two colleagues have managed to get a hold of three of these guys and get the project off the ground. This is the first profile style article I have written on these guys, keep your eyes open for a few more of these photo stories to come in the next few weeks!

The first posting... More to come soon!

My photographic voyage began at the age of 11 years old when I first traveled across Canada with a cheap camera and about 10 rolls of film. Ever since that trip I've loved having a camera close by to capture moments as I see them.

For the past two years my focus has shifted to skateboarding because I have found an interesting community of people who are passionate about what they do. Day in and day out people are willing to sacrifice their bodies for the rush of landing a trick. I have a lot of respect for every individual I have encountered on my journey, and I continue to be amazed and inspired every day by what I watch happen on a skateboard.

Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Flip, Regina, Summer 2014


For the past 13 months I have lived in Belleville, Ontario, where I am completing a diploma in Photojournalism at Loyalist College. I left my home in Saskatchewan to follow my dreams, and I am excited for what the future has to bring.

I will post some of my school work here, and some of my adventures on four wheels on wood. Stay tuned folks!