My new studio is open for business and is welcoming new clients over the next few weeks for a Christmas themed mini-photo session.
I am beyond stoked to finally re-establish my photography business after a year’s hiatus. A year has passed since our big move out west and there’s no better time than with the holiday season.
My holiday theme photos can be used on their own or inserted into one of the many holiday templates you can find online to create a unique card for friends and family.
I am working in conjunction with both my sons school’s Christmas fair and am really looking forward to it. I recently set up my portable studio during the school’s Halloween night and had an absolute blast.
Please email me if you would like to book an appointment for your family (pets or people). I would love the opportunity to create a wonderful memory for you!!
The PNWMA first XC kicked off the 2014 season with the Barry Groundwater Memorial race. CGP was on hand capturing the event. Please click HERE for all event photos.
Despite the bleak forecast the SDBA reported over 140 riders braving the mud, and slick roots. Touted as one of the hardest races of the season the former Cat Scratch Fever XC separates the weak from the tough. In abundance were rocks and roots, and for the A riders a long, technical uphill and two challenging enduro sections. Yet despite the arduous conditions riders came out in droves to compete and face the elements knowing that by the end of the race the word ‘tired’ would be a huge understatement. Perhaps because it is a well organised event, and spectators encourage and support the riders cheering, helping and urging them on. Or perhaps it’s because it is the first event of the year and competitors are eager to begin the race season. What ever the reason it’s apparent that this is a race to attend and in the end the challenges it presents only serve to help a rider become stronger, more skilled and ready to tackle the rest of the season.
A spectator laughs off the mud from the roost he received helping out a rider in the swamp.Ryan Dey showing his skills in one of the many rocky, rooty yet breathtakingly beautiful S turns.
Many thanks are extended to Steve Klassen and Ted Blow for helping me find my way around the course. It is indeed a photographers dream (eye candy). Finally, kudos to ALL the volunteers who worked unselfishly before and after the event – without you there is no race. Love you all!!
Meet Zayne Heyes. He’s just turned nineteen and his future is bright with cycling. Formerly a XC ski racer, Zayne turned his attention to cycling only a few months ago in October 2013. Pumped with passion and his dislike for waxing skis Zayne has found that both track and road cycling fuel his competitive spirit and need to excel.
Quickly working his way up the ranks at the Burnaby Velodrome Zayne spends time riding both his road and track bikes to push him ahead of his competitors. He is coached and races for TaG – former cycling Olympians Leslie Tomlinson and Gina Grain.
I was stoked to set up the studio for Zane because I had never shot a roadie before! Hahaha…spoken like a true mountain biker and a downhiller at that! Jokes aside though it was a treat to photograph Zayne – his enthusiasm and ability to listen to directions made my job easy. Plus, he’s got a wicked carbon fiber bike and matching weave on his TaG jersey. At first I had thought about doing some black & white work but after seeing the bike and jersey combo I knew instantly the look I was after. My goal for the photoshoot was to give Zayne ample photos to use for potential sponsors.
I am really happy with how the photo shoot turned out. Next up are a few action shots of Zayne in the velodrome. I will be honest though…being in a velodrome scares me because I know I will want to try riding a track bike and I know I will want to pursue it. Which scares me because then I will have to buy a bike and some how I know my husband will give me an evil look. But my answer to that is ‘what’s another bike in the mix…you can never have too many!’
Rocket Lal is synonymous with perpetual smiles during rides and photo shoots. Even after a few hours in front of the lens, Lalena Desautels, still pumped out great energy by the end of the day.
I know Lalena is very proud of her new bike and she should be. Her 2014 Transition Covert is a one very light, capable machine with killer looks. She took the time to build it up with some sweet bling. Hopefully, in the future she’ll let me take it out for a rip in the local hills.
The focus of the shoot was to get some photos of her bike before it gets that’ worn in’ look from an ace rider. I’ll save the mud and scratches for a future shoot with her shredding the trails. Looking forward to that day because I know Lal can ride with the best of them and style it like no other women rider can. Her junior days on the Canadian National Downhill team may have been a while ago but time has only made her a more skilled and finesseful rider. Plus, she’s just plain fun to hang around with!
So while we were concentrating on bike shots I couldn’t help but notice Lal’s multifaceted personality – from a sweet little girl to a strong, and confident woman who can ride and shred a photo shoot. Saweeet. I really happy with how the photos turned out. I believe that my goal to capture her with emotion and give the world a taste of who Lal is came across.
I am very proud of this issue for a few reasons. But it’s not just because two of my articles and photos are featured in this months magazine but simply because I made a great friend in the process. I had the opportunity to interview Robert Perkins for the ‘Riding with MS’ article at the end of August and in that short time a life long friendship blossomed. I am very proud of the article but my success could not have been without my amazing editor Aija Marshall. She has a way with words.
I hope you take the time to check out the December issue. It’s chock full of goodies, editorial content and crazy pictures.
Don’t forget to share the link with your friends as well and if you haven’t already please sign up to receive Traction directly to your inbox. The magazine is FREE.
Finally had a bit of time this past weekend to take the annual Christmas photo. Unlike other years, we had time working against us as the late afternoon light was quickly fading.
Luck was on my side though as a sliver of sun poked through the low hanging clouds. I had set up my flash, put the family beside a big, moss covered cedar tree (or was it a Douglas Fir?) looked over my shoulder and saw a shaft of light hitting another tree. I must have had a look of panic as my husband understood to grab the kids and shuffle them over – which is easier said than done as our youngest decided he wanted to run…away. While David was busy wrangling in the kids and tying the dog back up I changed my camera settings to allow as much ambient as possible.
I really like this photo of us as it completely represents us. Luc had me in a choke hold and was yanking backwards almost choking me, while David my husband was trying to hold him from doing so. Sebastien in his typical self was being a ham. By the time the timer counted down we were all laughing and ‘click’. Perfect shot with amazing side lighting. I had one flash on camera used as a fill in.
After the shoot, we walked around a bit. The sun had gone back behind the low lying clouds and darkness was quick to come. On our way back to the car I came across an incredibly textured wall and just told the kids to go stand there. I didn’t think there were just going to stand there and pause which is fine by me because these are the best photos IMO.
Merry Christmas everybody and safe stay during the holiday season!!!
To finish the article I am currently writing for Traction eRag Magazine I decided it was necessary to ride the ‘A Loop’ of the Fall Newbie Ride to give a more complete overview of the ride. I took my Gas Gas TXT 200 trials bike and was called a cheater by some of the DSBC members (LOL!!) for using such a light weight bike but I am glad I did as we hit snow. I know it would have been a handful and the thought of falling with rather heavy and expensive camera equipment on my back and my KTM 200 didn’t really appeal to me. After all, this is the A Loop and Tom Timmerman, president of the DSBC was quoted saying this was hard because it is the HARDEST. To see more photos please clickHERE.
As promised the A Loop did not disappoint. Buffalo Jump, Parish Hill…all trails that deserve a blog on their own. Six riders in total (7 by the end of the day) travelled together and knocked off one trail after another. One hill after another. One mud hole after another until our tires no longer travelled on dirty, wet leaves but left traces across fresh, wet snow. As we climbed the snow became deeper and wetter.
Riding along a narrow goat path, rocks hidden under a foot of snow the trail turned and opened to reveal a bowl. My jaw dropped and I had to stop to take photos. It was eye candy. Every turn was as beautiful as the last – snow covered pine trees absent of noise – it was a true winter wonderland. I stopped several times. I had to – the photographer inside me begged me to.
I had not ridden in snow in a long time and it was indeed a test of balance. I was called a cheater for using my trials bike but I don’t think I was. In fact, in my eyes the others were cheating as they sat and paddled their way through the deep stuff. I, on the other hand, have no seat. The difficulty came when the snow and ice would freeze creating a layer of ice on my pegs after crossing open creeks. My feet would slip off pushing me forward onto my bars and digging my front wheel into the soft snow. This was on the flats. The downhill was another story as my rear brake kept freezing up forcing me to use more front brake than wanting and again causing my front end to dig in. But, I survived and it was fun and I only fell once…of course, in front of everybody.
I’m all smiles after this ride. The scenery was unreal!! Our ride stopped here and we were forced to double-back as the snow and trail were too hard on Parish Hill. Next year I will have to tackle the boulder infested hill.Riding along the ridge of the bowl. Check out the 3 riders from our group below.
Sylvain’s Beta all snow covered and looking pretty in red.Having left the snow behind Mitch expertly navigates his bike through a rocky part of the trail.
From an alpine setting to a tropical environment this ride had it all.So much eye candy and great trails to ride.
Thanks again to Tom Timmerman for leading the group and taking me out on an amazing ride. I’m still in awe at the scenery and the fun time riding in the snow along narrow goat paths. Next week Tom has a call out for DSBC members to help clean up and maintain the trails in the area. If you can lend a hand contact the club for more information – preserving trails and keeping them safe for our use is important to us all. Thanks for all the hard work!!
For Vedder or for worse I went riding today. Ok…bad pun. This past weekends riding destination was at Vedder Mountain near Chilliwack, BC.
The day started early with a 5:30 am wake up call to pick a long time mountain bike friend, Karley Cunningham. I had not seen her in over 10 years. Thankfully I packed the night before so I was out the door in 20 minutes. From her place we picked up her friend, Cynthia. From there it was a short drive to the local UHaul to pick up a trailer and finally a quick stop at the storage center to get their rigs – a Yamaha 125 and a Honda CRF150. I used my KTM200 this time around and felt like a fish out of water! After two weeks of riding the trials bike and my mountain bike, the KTM felt really heavy and sluggish. No wonder my upper body is lightly sore today.
I found single track reminiscent of Ontario at Vedder Mountain albeit with a few more roots and killer vistas. From what I understand the umbrella group Vedder Mountain Trails Association oversees several mutli-user groups (horse, hikers, mountain bikers, and ATV’s), including the Cascade Offroad Motorcycle Club. All groups work together and have been doing a fantastic job of maintaining over 90 trails covering over 200 km of fire roads, double and single track combined!! It is great to see all sport groups functioning as a whole and creating a safe, and fun environment for all.
Cynthia decided to almost go for a swim on her Honda (it was a good save!) and the only injury was water in her boot. You got lucky girl! Next time, slow down before entering an unknown water hole, scan the area and look for other riders tracks.
Cynthia, notice the tire tracks to the right of the puddle. LOL!Slosh. All meant in good fun. I’m sure many of my friends can tell you stories of me watering out again, and again, and again.
As for me…no injuries this time. The only casualty was my KTM kickstand. Broke in the parking lot!! The only positive about this is that my bike is now a few pounds less.
Randy on his rare ‘Ivan Cervantes’ Gas Gas. Nice bike…wish I could have tried it.
We ran into Randy who was a real sweetheart. Basically showing us the way as none of us had ever ridden there. And, if you know me I’m lousy with directions so it was always nice to know that Randy was somewhere close by ready to redirect us. Have to love dirtbikers – they are such a friendly bunch. There are not too many other sport groups that have this type of camaderie. One of the reasons I love this sport so much – no one will leave you to hang dry!
Thanks for the great day Karley and Cynthia, Cascade Off-Road Motorcycle Club, and to Vedder Mountain Trails Assoc. Next week…I’m off riding with Kellee Irwin. I don’t know where she’s taking me but I know it’ll be some more fun.
A blue sky, warm temps, killer trails and snow capped mountains! Awesome. What through me for a loop though was the steepness of the trails from minute one onwards. Guess I’m used to a smooth, gentle rise in elevation. BC single tracks, in general, are pretty tough and I admit that the narrow paths, steep granite walls, and slick roots made my heart patter more than once. My years as a downhill racer led me to race more than once on BC trails so you would think I would be used to the difficulty. I have come to accept that I am green. My skills on a trials bike is negotiable and my friend Jon has now rated me as a beginner. After todays ride I accept that I am a newbie.
The technical – a 12.4 km ride, with over 800 metres of climbing in 4.5 hours (break time, photo time) and approximately 2 litres of fuel used. The start, as mentioned, clearly took me by surprise as the rapid narrow ascent became gnarlier and greasier as rocks and roots jutted in all directions. While you are visualising this throw in about 10 tight switchbacks into the mix. I surprised myself being able to keep up with Jon and Steve. I dabbed my foot on a slippery rock and that threw me off and I landed hard on my right hip. No problem. Pick up the bike and keep going. If I stop it’ll be that much harder to get going again so … ‘don’t stop’ became my mantra.
Eventually the trail straightened and a sea of lush green moss welcomed us into the higher levels. Only a few deciduous trees remained while big cedars and Douglas Firs (I think…I’m not really a botanist) lined the forest standing tall and majestic. The trail continued upwards but relaxed a bit in the steepness until faced with a few monstrous rock walls slick from moisture and drizzled with moss. I realised then I should pay heed to the kind words given to me by Jon before the start of the ride – he calmly and clearly stated for me not to be afraid to ask for assistance. Looking up at my first obstacle it didn’t take long to first laugh at the thought that I would even consider attempting this and finally, cave in and loudly cry ‘help’!
Now before I paint a picture of myself as some unskilled damsel I would like to say that I have matured and grown during my last two rides in BC on my trials bike. Clearly, it was evident that at times I was not going to clean some sections. And in an attempt to keep both myself, my bike and my friends happy I accepted the help and let the guys ride my bike up on some of the (as I found out) intermediate to advanced climbs. Afterall, we were riding a single black diamond downhill trail backwards so I guess I shouldn’t feel too bad asking for help once in a while. Besides…riding is way more fun than falling and fixing myself and my bike.
As I lay in bed that night I had some time to reflect upon my first two rides in BC on a trials bike and realised that there are 10 Cardinal Rules for Riding in BC. Along with my own thoughts, words of wisdom from both Jon and Steve led me to the following:
1. Be prepared – for me that means bring zip ties so when I loop my bike I don’t have to rely on friends to put my fender back on.
2. Tire Pressure – they are pretty much flat right now and grip is much better.
3. Back to the basics – clutch control, balance, body position need to be well rehearsed.
4. Commitment – Give ‘er!! is appropriate at times. Whatever the case…follow through and don’t back off.
5. Whoa! – and sometimes we need to stop and look before we ‘give ‘er’ as steep drops and giant boulders are the norm.
6. Feet on the pegs – self explanatory. If you must dabble at least keep on foot on for traction.
7. Plan a route – that means plan your route of attack before actually trying it.
8. Plan an escape route – just like the above plan an escape route should you not attain your goal and decide when and how to fall should the need arise.
9. Breathe – do not underestimate this Cardinal Rule.
… and the top cardinal rule …
10. Ask for help – there is no shame asking for help over an obstacle.
I cannot thank both Jon and Steve for their assistance. Without them I would have missed out on an incredible ride. I have learned a lot and plan to continue learning. One day I will tackle that monstrous granite wall…but maybe when it’s a bit drier. For now I am a beginner and loving where it takes me.
‘Up, up and away’. Jon tackles steep, slick rock. I chose to take photos instead.Having made it the highest Jon is King of the Hill as he tackles this steep, slick rock face. Can we go back so I can get more photos?? Need to work the rock on my end to showcase how steep and long this wall is.
There goes my Gas Gas expertly being ridden by Steve Bonnet. This was a 3 stage climb – the entrance steep, narrow and slick with a thick root at the top followed by a tight turn. Still charging upwards, parallel to the rock, and finally another steep, right turn and over some more greasy roots and rocks. Thanks Steve!! My bike and my body appreciate your help 🙂Taking a breather and soaking in a few rays.Steve laying down the law over the trail.Riding the front down the hill. Steve has some serious bike handling skills that I can only dream of!‘Roots, what roots? There ain’t no stinking roots here!!’
I think I have a bag fetish. A camera bag fetish to be exact. In preparation for my first big trials off-road ride in BC I marked the event with a few new purchases shopping for both myself and my trials bike for the unknown ride in Crumpit Woods. And by unknown I mean just that. Riding new terrain, in a new province, in an area that my good friend Jon Mutiger had never been to.
To start off my new adventure I decided to purchase a Lowepro Flipside 15L Sport Backpack which came the day before my ride. I needed a camera bag that would allow me to bring one pro camera body with either 1-2 lens and an external flash. I also needed a bag where I could store a few non-camera essentials such as bike tools, spare spark plug, some food, my phone, a point & shoot camera and some water. Water proof capabilities, adjustable straps and easy access were also high on my list. The Lowepro did not disappoint. It rained throughout the entire ride and the inside of the bag remained dry thanks to it’s external rain cover. The beauty of the bag though, and ultimately what sold me on this model, was how easy it is getting my equipment. I was able to stay on the bike, swing the pack around and grab my camera through a unique rear panel. Genious!! My only complaint would be the zipper system, and the waist band. I would prefer seeing a more rugged and waterproof system to keep out dirt, and dust as well as a padded waist belt.
My second purchase was for my bike. No longer wishing to carry extra fuel in my back pack I purchased an Acerbis Auxillary Fuel Tank for my Gas Gas TXT 200 Pro. This also meant that my camera equipment would be that much safer as I never really liked packing pre-mix along side. A relatively inexpensive addition ($99 plus free shipping from MX1) the tank, despite it’s garish looks, functioned flawlessly, providing me with an extra 3L of fuel (bringing the total up to 6L for me to play around with). The idea behind the tank is rather simple as the gas is drawn from the auxillary tank first and once empty it would take from the OEM tank. I should note though that I lost my breather hose in one of my ‘few’ falls. Victim of the trails I suppose.
So, it became quite clear that my first off-road motorcycle ride in BC was going to be a wet one as the weather man correctly forecasted foul weather. No matter…I was pumped and a ‘little’ rain did not damper my spirits as my friend Jon and myself headed towards Crumpit Woods just outside Squamish. The main trail head is in a new subdivision. Various mountain bike groups were assembled and ready to ride when we pulled up with our two Gas Gas’s on the trailer. No questions were asked or eye brows raised.
After checking the map and being gleefully delighted at all the trails available we hopped on and began our trek into what became a maze of never-ending trails. Meandering across the forest, the terrain varied in elevation and continued to twist and turn across rock and root infested trails in one area, and smooth, flowy turns and straights in another area. As we gained elevation the paths led us up steep granite hills. I tempted a few, fell, and than happily watched Jon as he gracefully manoeuvered his bike up and over the slick rock. I won’t bore you with the details of my falls but will tell you that my ego was bruised and I need to replace my front fender, bracket and possibly handle bars after a few newbie moves!
I followed Jon as I clearly had no clue where I was going. We had a blast exploring and thought at one point he was going to run out of gas, or me having to drag my bike out of the woods due to a mangled front end – details not available 🙂 Click on this link to see our route as recorded by Jon’s phone: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8Oj9VklLPwjS0NhMERYem1sdWM/edit?pli=1. I’m not sure how long we rode for nor the distance. I did go through approximately 3.5 litres of gas riding at a slow to medium pace.
Despite the wet rock and terrain I was amazed at how well the trails held up and how little mud there was. Being my first ride in BC I cannot tell you if there is a better trail to ride on a rainy day but I can say with certainty that Crumpit Woodss is a great place to ride in the rain with great traction and no wear and tear on the trails. Our faces weren’t even mud speckled! I will be back to visit Crumpit Woods again.
Thanks to Jon for a spectacular day. It was great to ride with him again!! Next up is a ride on my big bike with Kellee Irwin. I do not know where she will take me but I do know I am in for another great day of riding 🙂
Look for the black dotted lines, the solid purple lines and the purple dotted lines. Now check out the legend below!!
First time I have ever seen the words ‘Trials Motorbike Trail’ on a legend. Uber cool!!Jon Mutiger with his Gas Gas TXT 280 and my Gas Gas TXT 200 with an Acerbis long range fuel tank.
My new studio is open for business and is welcoming new clients over the next few weeks for a Christmas themed mini-photo session.
