A Tale of Two Conferences

This image was accepted into the Image Salon of the PPOC and got honourable mention at LIghtchasers

Over the past two months, I had the pleasure of attending two very different conferences — distinct in focus, format, and the communities they bring together. While a handful of us attended both, most participants belonged firmly to one world or the other.

BTS image of the group photo being set up poolside. Mike (guy in orange) jumped into the pool!

The first was the Canadian Imaging Conference and Exposition (CICE), held in Saskatoon as part of the annual meeting of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC). The event featured a national image competition, an awards gala celebrating individual achievement, and an impressive lineup of speakers. I was thrilled to receive my CPA (Craftsman of the Photographic Arts) designation — something I've been working toward for quite some time. At the gala, Kayla Gordon and I had the honour of serving as masters of ceremony, and it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with so many talented people working across the photographic industry. The expo floor was well-attended by vendors, and the energy throughout was that of a profession proud of its craft.

One of my lightchasers entries

The second conference, Lightchasers, was held in Pincher Creek, Alberta, with a focus squarely on nature photography — landscapes, astrophotography, and wildlife. I entered five images into the competition; only one, a polar bear photograph, earned an honourable mention. The competition has a particular aesthetic sensibility that won't appeal to everyone, but the calibre of work on display was remarkable. The event draws a deeply passionate crowd of skilled photographers, many of whom had travelled considerable distances to attend. Lightchasers is capped at roughly 250–300 participants and sold out within minutes of registration opening — famously crashing the website in the process.

Cinnamon black bear in Waterton

Part of what makes Lightchasers so special is its location. Pincher Creek sits just a short drive from Waterton National Park, putting incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes practically at your doorstep. Field sessions take groups out to specific sites to photograph everything the region has to offer, and that hands-on, location-based experience gives the conference a flavour all its own.

The two events serve different purposes. CICE is centred on community, professional recognition, and the kind of image critique and judging that sharpens your eye and your standards — alongside the broader work of the PPOC. Lightchasers, now in its fifth year, is the passion project of a small group of organizers led by Shane Turgeon, and it has grown into a major event for a small southern Alberta town.

What both share is the ability to reinvigorate your creative energy. Deadlines have a way of making you look more critically at your own images, and surrounding yourself with talented, enthusiastic photographers — whatever their specialty — has a way of raising your own game. I'm grateful to have experienced both.