Here at TheRockies.Life, we love celebrating our Alberta nature photographers. Alberta has some of the best in the world – several of our photographers, including John E. Marriott and Julya Hajnoczky, recently graced the pages of National Geographic, one of the most prestigious photography magazines in the World.
In 2023, Cochrane’s Jackie Matechuk won the prestigious title of Nature Photographer of the Year and, last year, a Gold Medal in the World Photographic Cup.
Another Alberta Photographer Wins
And now another Albertan, Shane Turgeon, was recently named Canadian Geographic’s “Canadian Photographer of the Year” for 2024.
For those who don’t know Shane, he is an award-winning nature photographer from Edmonton, Alberta. His work spans landscapes, astrophotography, storms, and wildlife, but at its core, his photography is deeply personal—a way of reconnecting with himself and the world around him.
Turgeon’s journey into photography began in 2015 as a means of coping with a nervous breakdown he experienced in 2012. “It scared the hell out of me, and in the process of that, I discovered photography,” he recalls. Seeking solace, he started taking photos with his iPhone 4 during walks with his dogs, focusing on the small details of nature: dewdrops, frost-covered grass, delicate flowers. This simple act of observation became a form of mindfulness, helping him heal and rediscover a sense of purpose. Over time, his passion grew, leading him to explore the night sky—a subject that had fascinated him since childhood in rural Saskatchewan—and eventually expand into all aspects of nature photography.
Beyond personal fulfillment, Turgeon is also committed to sharing the mental health benefits of photography with others. In 2022, he founded the Lightchasers Nature Photography Conference in Pincher Creek, Alberta, fostering education, exploration, and community among photographers.
His photography journey was deeply intertwined with his beloved dog, Kwinn. Their adventures together took them across vast landscapes, forging a bond that shaped Turgeon’s work. When Kwinn fell ill in the summer of 2024, Turgeon turned his lens to more intimate scenes—backyard insects, auroras over waterfalls—finding inspiration in the world immediately around him. The day after Kwinn passed, the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet appeared in the sky. Chasing its light became a way for Turgeon to navigate his grief.
“Photography is this place of light,” he says. “We’re constantly chasing the light, figuratively and literally, because, in life or photography, we want that light in our life.”
The Significance of the Win
When we asked Shane what the Canadian Geographic win meant, he said, “It’s honestly such a huge honour. I’ve been published by Canadian Geographic a few times in the past and that always felt like a huge deal to me, so to come away with this is massive.”
“I feel it’s the biggest prize a nature photographer can receive in this country and even a few weeks after learning I’d won, I’m still struggling to find the words to properly express just how much it means. It’s surreal, thrilling, and humbling, and I’m so grateful to be recognized in this way by such an important publication and organization.”
“As for what it means for my career, that remains to be seen. But at the end of the day, I’ll still be out doing what I love: spending time in nature and creating images that resonate with me first and foremost and that hopefully others can connect with as well.”
Balancing Likes And Creativity
We also asked Shane how he balances the need to promote himself on social media with the healing aspects of photography, shooting for your inner self and not outer accolades. He responded, “I’m honestly not that interested in acquiescing to algorithms or trends to stay “relevant” on social media.”
“I don’t create reels. I don’t use generic filters on my images. I don’t pigeonhole myself into one set style or landscape. I’m a nature photography generalist and shoot what I want to shoot. Of course, everyone hopes for more followers, but the days of growing a meaningful audience on platforms like Instagram that are increasingly hostile to their user base are long gone.”
“I’d rather connect with my audience by being as authentic to my work and myself as I can, and I hope that it resonates with people in that way as opposed to creating endless, mindless, disposable content to appease what tech bros think we should do to drive their profit motives which in turn greatly harm humanity and society.”
“I’ve sort of created a philosophy for myself and my work that if I post a photo I love on social media and it bombs, then I know I’ve created a meaningful image.”
What’s Next?
When we asked Shane what was next on his photographic horizon, he told us, “I’m just taking things day by day right now.”
“I do have some ideas for bigger trips this year, but am trying to sort out what makes sense against the backdrop of my other professional commitments (I own four businesses). I’ve spent the last four and a half years since my first pup, Kneesa, passed away dedicating my time to Kwinn and the adventures that we could have together close to home and now that she’s passed, I’m trying to balance managing the grief from her loss with an excitement to get back out to the larger world of international adventure once again.”
“I also hope to keep growing Lightchasers in meaningful ways and expand the types of workshops that I offer.”
More Alberta Winners
Shane was not the only Alberta photographer to receive an award in the Canadian Geographic contest.
Matthew Littlewood took home the Runnerup position in the “Outdoor Adventure” contest category with his image of an ice cave on Dome Glacier, on the Icefields Parkway.
Pete O’Hara received an Honourable Mention in the “Weather, Seasons, Skies” category with his image of northern lights dancing over Vermillion Lakes in Banff National Park.
Finally, Donna Feledichuk from Lac La Biche scored the March/April cover of Canadian Geographic with her stunning image of a lynx.
Congratulations to our talented Alberta Photographers!
