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. 

An Interview with Jesse Whitehead

Jesse Whitehead was the first dude in Regina who offered to take me out skateboarding so I could try my hand at snapping photos. We became co-workers  and as soon as he told me he loved skating I asked if he'd be down with me shooting.... I'm pretty sure neither of us would have guessed that I would fall in love so quick with skateboarding. 

After shooting photos at the Yorkton skatepark with Jesse, I started hanging around the 306 Hip Hop and Sk8 Shop in Regina with my camera and I met even more cool people who killed it on boards. I was hooked. Skateboarding is simply the best thing to shoot. It's beautiful mind bending, and so many other things to many people. I'm happy I can contribute in any way possible to this amazing world.

A few months shy of three years after I found something that I am truly passionate about, I got a chance to link up with Jesse again in British Columbia, Canada. This is quite a feat; both of us have moved to opposite ends of the country for work, and school respectively. I didn't hesitate to jump on doing an interview while we cruised around Kelowna shooting photos today, and this is the outcome. 

BE: Tell me how you got into skateboarding?

Jesse Whitehead: When I was 13, my cousins Riley and Ashley got skateboards on their trip to Vancouver and they let me use them for a bit, just practising with them... That's where it started. I've wanted one ever since.

BE: You're out in BC now, what brought you out here from Saskatchewan?

Jesse Whitehead: I needed a change. I wasn't down with living in Regina anymore, it felt it was becoming a routine. I didn't want that, so when my roommate offered me the opportunity to drive out here I was fully on board. I took it and didn't look back. 

Jesse Whitehead // Frontside Feeble // Kelowna, British Columbia,  2015

BE: Tell me about your living situation, I know it's a little unique

Jesse Whitehead: Yeah! I live about 25 minutes outside of Vernon, BC on the Okanagan Indian Reserve. I live in a log cabin right by the lake. Its in a bit of rough shape right now. The yard is huge, I'm thinking of making a mini ramp once I get some fence up and level off some ground. 

BE: What's your favourite thing about skating in BC as opposed to Saskatchewan?

JW: I love how there's a lot of skateparks, there's tons of places to skate in the province. Any small town has either a park or at least one good spot. It's mind-blowing in comparison to Saskatchewan where there isn't a lot. You have to get really creative back there. Here, everywhere, is like unbelievable. 

Jesse Whitehead // Backside Tailslide // Kelowna, British Columbia, 2015

BE: So you like to travel around lots, what's your favourite park you've been to here? 

JW: Kamloops is my favourite park for sure. I haven't been to Vancouver Skate Plaza yet though, it's got quite the reputation. 

BE: 9 years after you started, what is it that keeps you out and skateboarding?

JW: Purely passion, man. I love skateboarding. I can't explain it, theres just something in my blood. I wake up everyday and look up skate clips to get me hyped and get through the day, then I watch more goddamn skate videos before I go out to skate. I literally have no hobbies other than skateboarding, I love it.

Sometimes ya just need a quick break. This was the make or break moment at this spot. To keep battling or to move on?

BE: You told me that you were told to hand some clips to West49 in Regina, tell me a bit more about that!

JW: I was yeah, I had told Jake (Duquette) to put some clips together for me to see what would happen, then out of nowhere the opportunity to come out here came up. Even though I loved my job and it would be cool to stay around and become like a hometown hero, I just needed the change. So even a sponsorship couldn't keep me around, I just needed that change. I still feel young enough where I could still get one. Not out to be like Nyjah Huston, my goal would be to get a mag photo, like TPR just did. I'm working for it, I won't give up. 

Jesse Whitehead // Kickflip to hill bomb // Kelowna, British Columbia, 2015 

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!

2014, The Best Of

All in all for me, 2014 was an interesting year of many changes, and growth. I wrapped up my first full year of school in five years, and ventured into one of my first summers unemployed. School started up for the second and final year, which I have still not fully processed. I made my first skate tour to major city centres, and I stumbled upon an idea with tons of potential for work down the road. Ultimately, my camera took me farther across this country this year than it ever has.

I learned a lot about myself as a photographer and as a human being in 2014. I learned a lot about how thinking positive can really change your outlook on life.

As the liquor starts to flow in my system I chose 10 photos from 2014 that I feel are not my best, but some of my most memorable moments from the year.

Connor Stone -- Hardflip -- Belleville, Ontario. January

I got my hands on some pocket wizards over Christmas break, 2013, and this was one of the first shots I pulled off with em where I had an idea of what was going to happen because of them. 

Mike Van Dolder handles a corner during the Hastings Cup in Bancroft, Ontario. February. 

Bancroft hosted the Hastings Cup in February, and I found a ride up there with some of the homies for a fun day of shooting. Rented out a 300mm for the weekend so I could get something like this, happy it all worked out. 

We were given 48 hours to find an active senior citizen in Belleville during our second semester in March. After having a subject fall through and a subject take too long. I got put in touch with Turk. Turk is a 65 year old bottle picker here in Belleville. He had to undergo a triple bypass surgery in 2010 and has not been able to find adequate full time work since the surgery. March

Chatting with Turk was easily one of the most heavy experiences I have ever had going through the photojournalism program at Loyalist College. He told me one of the most heart wrenching stories life stories I have ever heard a human being go through. After a two and a half hour interview session I snapped off this photo of him. 

Tyler Riddle -- Kickflip -- Belleville, Ontario. June

Because Tyler lives in Trenton, we don't always get to skate together. Whenever we do link up, we make the most of the time we get shooting together. He's one of those guys who just seems to love skating, no matter what. Thanks for the good times g! 

A buffalo grazes in the Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan. July

The Grasslands National Park was one of the most interesting experiences of my life. I found that I have a passion for long exposure and star trail photography this year, and when I found out that Grasslands happens to be one of the largest dark sky preserves in Canada I knew I had to go. I actually found out two days before I went that it happens to also be a large free range preserve for bison as well. It was a goal of mine to get a shot of the bison in their natural habitat, and I am pleased with the result. Definitely will be back here in the near future for more photo work. 

Tyrrell LeGrand -- Backside Flip -- Montreal. August

Through the last week of August, Tyrrell LeGrand and Corbin Schmidt made an epic trek out east from the humble prairies of the 306 to put some work in the big city streets. I had never made a skate tour before, let alone to two of the biggest destinations in Canada. The trip was amazing, many memories were made (and potentially forgotten) during the whole affair. It was a g time, thanks for the trip boys! 

Benjamin Slinn -- Ollie -- Trenton. September.

This may not be the flashiest shot, or the hardest trick I have ever taken. But what this shot represents to me is an idea, an objective, a goal. In September, one of the first assignments we were given is called Sense of Belonging. It challenged us to find a community of people, and photograph at least 5 people from within this community. The skateboard community of Belleville took me in without hesitation when I moved here in August, 2013, and it was the first group of people I thought of for this assignment. 

Since showing my first 5 images in the project I have continued to pursue the project and I will continue to persue the project across Canada for as long as I can. More details will be out soon enough, I got a few more pieces I have to put together for this to be properly announced.

  

Heart Lake, British Columbia. October

In October I traveled to British Columbia under some rather unfortunate circumstances. I got some time to make a few treks up to Heart Lake and reset myself after a hectic first half of the semester. It has forever put itself in my memory as a place of peace and serenity. 

A woman walks down Front Street in Belleville Ontario. November

In early November one of my professors told us we had the class period of two hours to produce either a feature photo or an environmental portrait. I've always worked well under the pressure of a deadline, and I came back with an image I was really satisfied with. I had been watching this location for a little while and decided it was time to camp on it. 

The Bay of Quinte, frozen after a relatively mild winter. December 

This is one of the few times I've actually felt compelled to make a photo for someone. This bridge is one of the iconic images of the Hastings County. I'm happy to have gotten an image of it during a scenic sunset. 

The Hometown Adventure

For a little bit more background about myself, I was born on Vancouver Island, where I lived until the age of 13 when my family made the move to Regina, Saskatchewan. 

Since that move in 2005 I have been able to go back and visit my hometown a grand total of two times. I brought my camera along with me to document some of the things I grew up seeing. 

On two of the four days I made the hike up to Heart Lake. It is a quiet, and beautiful spot to relax and get away from everything. It's quite the hike up to the lake but it's certainly worth it.

Who makes these crazy little things?

Greeting you early on in the trail is this little brook. Cross it for a harder trek.

The first trip up myself and my little brother Andrew were surrounded by clouds.

Found a number of these guys on the way up.

You've almost made it. It was such a relief to see this sign on both trips up...

And then you see this.. This was from the second trek up with Spenser. 

 Look real close, you might just see him. We debated getting closer but as we started packing it flew off. 

When I wasn't hiking, I was waiting for the rain to let up to try and skate around. When that didn't happen I decided to explore the town and see what I could see. 

Strange little place, Ladysmith is. Love it though!

A tunnel the town built to Transfer Beach underneath the Trans Canada Highway in Ladysmith. 

Aaaand a detail shot of it. 

Growing up I had logging roads just beyond my back yard fence so I'd always wander out and explore them. On my last day in town I got a chance to do it again, and I jumped at it.

Breaking out the fisheye again.

 Look up. You'll be amazed at what we miss out on.

Poutines, Panhandlers, and Presidential Suites

Starting my trip to Montreal was a journey on its own. Upon arrival at the Belleville VIA rail station I figured it'd be a good idea to call TPR and see if they had made it through airport security in Regina without any problems. 

He and Corbin missed their flight to Toronto due to a ridiculous policy. An agreement was made and I was to change my path to Montreal direct, and go to the Toronto airport to meet both of them at the arrival gate. 

Once we had gathered all of our belongings, we were off, on an overpriced taxi ride into the heart of Toronto to find a bus to Montreal. 

We had booked in for the red eye bus route to Montreal, stopping in the country's capital city for a changeover at the glorious hour of 7:30 in the morning. After a mostly uneventful and hazy bus ride to Montreal we were free to ride our boards. After finding a few cool looking places on our adventure to find a hotel we realized that there was going to be a bit of a language barrier. I speak very little  French, and TPR and Corbin didn't know any at all.

Myself, and Corbin, running on minimal rest trying to figure out the hotel situation. Photo creds Tyrrell LeGrand

After a crazy day of travel we decided to check into an overpriced hotel and skate from downtown all the way to Olympic Stadium to find the Big O. It was a must see for all of us, and it was a surreal experience. 

 Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Smith, Montreal, 2014 

After scoping out some spots around Olympic stadium we bought our first metro tickets to get back to our hotel.  

Day two of skating began, and we set out to skate Peace Park. A few crackheads and crazies around, but it wasn't too much to deal with in the end. In all honesty they left us to our own devices. We didn't even get asked for change.

TPR had the brilliant idea of bringing along two disposable cameras. Tyrrell LeGrand // Frontside Lipslide, Montreal, 2014

Day three, we set out rather hungover after a night of festivities. We munched down a Montreal must have, the poutine. All filled up with grease we set off through Old Montreal to see the touristy sights and see what was skateable. TPR was told about a spot where people had seen skaters at before, and he knew it so we checked it out. 

Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Flip, Montreal, 2014 

It's always nice to get a helping hand..... Montreal, 2014

One last try.... Corbin Schmidt // Nollie Inward Heelflip, Montreal, 2014 

Our final day in Montreal consisted of trying to find a the last few spots we could hit before we had to catch an evening bus back to Toronto. After some discussion we decided to go back to the Olympic Stadium, as we had all noticed and commented on the well known half pipe formation that occurs on the roof of the building. 

After jumping on the Metro with all of our luggage we made it back only to find out construction workers had resumed work... Right where we wanted to ride. Corbin had separated from myself and TPR, so he hadn't seen the big construction dude at work. He didn't take too kindly to Corbin being up there so we took off disappointed in not coming away with a photo. 

Gettin' the boot... Keep your scaffolds more secure homie.

After a bus ride back to Toronto we met up with Blair Starks, who would be our guide / host / driver throughout the majority of the Toronto portion of our trip. 

Blair Starks // Backside Crook up, Stouffville, 2014

After touring around spots in some obscure cities around Toronto we eventually made our way back into Toronto to check out Ashbridges. It was a really neat experience, coming from a city like Regina to see what a small portion of Toronto skaters are like. 

Tyrrell LeGrand // Hardflip to Manny, Ashbridges, Toronto, 2014

We hadn't made any plans where to stay yet. After some frantic google searching we settled on the second or third cheapest option for a hotel, who was happy to take us in for the night, We were given a room key, and we set off to the top floor to find our room. We had walked halfway down the hallway only to realize we weren't going to find our room. We turned to the end of the hall and made the glorious discovery we had been given the presidential suite. Hype!

Gives us a nice view of  Jarvis... And the notorious Hooker Harvey's is on the end of the block there. Toronto, 2014

Our second day in Toronto, we played tourist to the maximum. It was a good day for recovery. We scoped out the Toronto Fan Expo, which was a pretty ridiculous experience. None of us had been to anything like that before, so we didn't really know what to expect.

Got the snap before he drove off with his fare... All the cabs in the city and we ran across this one! 

After a night of going hard, and minimal sleep for myself and Corbin, we set off on the second last day of the adventure in sluggish fashion. We had some dominoes in mind, and some dominoes we found.

Corbin Schmidt // Backside Smith, Toronto, 2014

"I picked up the cashflow, then we playing chicken bones, and I'm yellin dominoes" 
Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Crook, Toronto, 2014 

After cruising through some of the raw heat of the day, we took a drive over to Ashbridges to relax a little. I thought so anyways, Corbin went pretty hard in the bowl.

Corbin Schmidt // Fakie Ollie, Ashbridges, 2014

Our final day of skating through Toronto wrapped up at a spot that TPR coined "Little Roschdale by the Sea" and we all had a blast. A really low rail allowed the creativity to flow, and we got some tourists and drunken boaters excited about skateboarding!

Tyrrell LeGrand // Backside Feeble, Toronto, 2014

These are the drunk boaters. They went wild after Blair landed this! Blair Starks // Frontside Bluntslide, Toronto, 2014


We made one final stop on the way back to the van to make the last trip to Newmarket. Just out front of the Rogers Centre, Blair showed us this little gem.

Blair Starks // Gap to Backside Crook, Toronto, 2014

The final day of the tour was a bittersweet one. It happened to be August 30, which is my birthday. I got asked for ID for cigarettes (this hasn't happened in ages) and buddy almost wouldn't sell them to me... it's not like I just turned 19 either...

Anyways, we took a look at a church in Newmarket before being told to leave. We made a stop at a restaurant / bar in King City and raised some eyebrows by ordering two pitchers of beer at around 2:30 in the afternoon. After some decent food and a round of shots we made our way to the skate park.

Corbin Schmidt /// Frontside Slash, King City, 2014

We made our last journey together to the Toronto airport. Chatting a little bit about the experience we had just wrapped up we arrived at the departures terminal. We took our final snaps together, and said our final goodbyes in person. My first ever skate tour wrapped up in almost the exact same position it began.

Blair Starks // Tyrrell LeGrand // Corbin Schmidt, Toronto, 2014.... Thanks for an amazing tour. Rad skateboarding, rad times chillin.