Hey,
I'm AJ.
I'm an introvert, but I still enjoy connecting with new people.
I'd say I'm pretty down to earth and most would tell you I'm easy to get along with.
I'm quiet and analytical, which is a great combo to have behind a camera, capturing your special moments and memories as they happen, without being loud and in the way.
I'm a huge lover of dogs and have 3 of my own.
I live in the small town of Sylvan Lake, AB, Canada.
For so long I took for granted the incredible landscapes surrounding the place I now call home, southern Alberta. I changed all that in 2020 by hitting up 37 different mountain adventures and exploring mountain summit after mountain summit. Taking in the incredible views only an hour or two drive away.
During that time, I fell in love with the process of photography, and that brings us to where I am today.
PERSONAL LIFE
I'm a multi-business entrepreneur. Although I'm actively growing my photography business, I also work full time in the marketing and tech automation world. https://rekot.tech
When not serving my clients and growing their business, I'm enjoying downtime (mostly outdoors) going on adventures with my incredible life partner, Holly, and our three pups.
Our adventures range from camping, hiking, kayaking, fishing, trips to the dog park, spending time with family and sometimes just hanging out and having a quiet day at home.
We have a busy, but blessed life!
Our pups:
Isah - She's our youngest. A German short-haired pointer with lots of sass and spunk.
Bear - He's our boy, he's goofy and loves soaking up the sun on the back patio.
Akila - She's the smallest, but mightiest of the three. She's the old grump of the trio.
From grass-roots
beginnings.
I'm a backroad country-to-my-core kind of guy. I grew up on farm where I was driving tractors and combines at starting around 9 years old. That type of "country kid" growing up, I'm pretty sure I spent more time outdoors than I did anything else. My favourite memories growing up were those of harvest season. Where the whole family would be involved. Some driving combines, some driving and unloading the trucks, others making cucumber sandwiches and ice tea for lunch.
When it comes to memories, like the one above, I work at seeing those before I raise the camera up to my eye.
This drives me to capture better and better moments and memories so they are a permanent reminder in your life.
My upbringing definitely seeps into my photography and the output from my camera.
From my heart for animals to the care for others around me...those roots definitely run deep and I try to put that same care into each project.
Creating powerful imagery
Whenever I get a reaction to a photo like "WOW" or "Incredible". That's when I know I've captured that feeling that I originally had when taking the photo.
Every photo has a story and my goal is to make sure I capture those that tell good ones!
The Process
01. Connect
Step one is for us to connect and get to know each other.
I choose my clients just as much as you are choosing your photographer.
We both want to make sure it's a great fit!
Share your story
02. Conceptualize
The next step, if we decide we're a good fit. Is to lay out your vision of what you'd like captured, how you want it captured, and what your expectations are.
Develop Your Vision
03. Create/Capture
The final step is to establish a contract and prepare to create and capture the moments and memories you're looking for.