Camp // When you hear "Camp" you think of a scared and nervous 12 year old. They are going away from home and their comfort zone & possibly don't know anyone else there. They wonder how they will make friends. They hope that people like them. And most of all they want s'mores, like, every night....
That was me, but it was this past September and I am 28.
Unknown // I had no idea what I was walking into when I purchased my ticket to camp and my flight to Calgary. I stumbled upon the Socality Camp announcement via Instagram - looked more into it - watched for when tickets were to be sold - and then, I promptly purchased one. To say this was the best decision I have ever made is an understatement. I learned more about myself and my photography in those 4 days than I ever expected or thought possible.
Socality Camp: (noun) 1. A creative camp experience for the mavericks, creators, and adventurers. Socality Camp brings together 150 like-minded artists, world-class speakers & workshop leaders. It’s a 4-day, 5-night experience to connect, create, and learn together in one of the most beautiful settings in the world: the Canadian Rockies.
Inspiring // Being constantly surrounded by people who are dreamers and do-ers is an amazing thing for a person like me. I do not know what I want my future to be or look like, so listening to people talk about their passions and about their dreams was beyond inspiring. I was asked by someone on the first day "If you could work anywhere and do anything what would it be?" ....I have never been asked this before, not even by my closest friends. It was eye opening to meet peers who wanted to delve into you, and learn about your dreams after knowing you for only 5 minutes.
Connect // One of the best parts of camp in my eyes - was the lack wifi & cell phone service in the barn (where we ate our meals). There were these moments, while we were all eating a meal, where I would look around, and see everyone engaged in a conversation. In 2017 how often do you see that? How often do look around the table and see people really connecting and not on their phones? Our meals were the time for us to eat, drink coffee and listen wholeheartedly to those around us.
Birds // After hours spent at Moraine Lake we traveled as a group to Lake Louise. I’m not going to lie, once I saw how many tourists were there the air got sucked out of my lungs. I was a little disappointed. To be honest I might have been a little spoiled earlier that morning, having a peaceful Moraine Lake to ourselves for a bit - but I was still slightly annoyed at the crowds.
I don’t know how but suddenly I found myself walking the path around the lake with Aaron Froese (the way this kid lights up whenever he talks about life is infectious). We walked away from the tourists and towards the other end of the lake. Then we ran into Dave B. Jongerden - and let me tell you, he is one of he most genuine people I’ve ever met.
The three of us stopped and suddenly the boys are playing with the birds. By the looks of it all, they have done it before. It those fleeting moments of birds coming in and out when I saw three people who were strangers, totally connect over these little guys.
I learned a lot about taking risks and doing what it takes to get the shot from those two boys.