NWT Arts

I got into photography when I was 14 years old. I was living away from home for school at the time and I didn’t have many friends. Learning about photography became an outlet to express my feelings through creativity. I had this giant iPad at the time that saved my photography ideas from Pinterest and took poor-quality images. I would then post my pictures on social media to keep in touch with my friends and family back in the North.

During one of my visits home, one of my friends said that she loved the images I posted online and asked me to take pictures of her with her camera – which was a real camera! I fell in love with it. As soon as I moved back home and started my first job at a youth centre, I used my first paycheck to buy a camera. I taught myself about photography and I started my business with that camera, and even though it doesn’t work anymore, it’s still so precious to me.

Photography makes me feel really happy. I love being behind the camera, and I especially love to create meaningful human connections in order to portray someone’s story through an image. My favourite part is getting to know people. I want to understand where they are coming from, why they want to do this, who and what it’s for. Those one-on-one conversations are the main source of inspiration behind every shoot.

Right now, I am focusing on portrait photography, as well as creative and boudoir photography. Creative photography projects usually come together through collaborations with other artists, working together for a client or just for fun. I love boudoir photography because I can really focus on the connection that I share with my client. I love to learn more about what makes people feel beautiful and confident. Once they see the results, their whole experience ties in together, and that’s truly amazing to witness.

A lot of my work also ties back to my culture. The Tłı̨chǫ Government has always supported me through my journey as an Indigenous artist. For instance, I was once able to fly out to Whatì to take pictures of the Dene Nahjo moosehide tanning camp. Photography has brought me closer to my culture and traditions. If I wasn’t doing what I am doing today, I would not know about half the things that I have had the opportunity to photograph. It’s been an incredible journey so far!