Rob Wilson

I am a lifestyle photographer (and sometimes filmmaker, designer, writer) from Vancouver Island, British Columbia.In development since 2012, my photographic ethos can be described as lifestyle inspired, natural-light-focused, 'posed-candid', with heavy inspiration from the film era of days past.In addition to my personal work, which typically focuses on my time spent with friends and traveling, I've also produced a variety of commercial content for companies large and small, along with captured numerous weddings, families, and individuals and have been featured in a variety of publications.

Portfolio

Weddings

I seek to authentically capture any couple’s special day, with a focus on the natural movements and genuine moments, using gentle posing to coax out natural chemistry, rather than an ultra-composed, rigid, editorial-style shoot.From extravagant farmyard dream weddings, to intimate beach elopements, I'm ready to work with any vibe. From moving like an apparition unnoticed in the background, to directing family members on the forefront, my desire is to capture images that will be timelessly enjoyed.Wedding packages can be tailored to meet specific needs and requests in order to accommodate each wedding’s unique circumstance. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have by completing the form below.

Ceremony/Formals Package - CAD$1650.00 + GST

For clients looking to capture just the ceremony with a formal photo session either before or after.Generally suitable to elopements as well.150-200 digitally-delivered, edited photographs.Up to 3 hours of shooting time.

Half Day Package - CAD$2500.00 + GST

For clients looking to capture the bride and groom getting ready, the ceremony, formal photos, and perhaps some of the reception.250-350 digitally-delivered, edited photographs.Up to 5 hours of shooting time.

Full Day Package - CAD$3650.00 + GST

For clients looking to capture the greater part of their special day including the bride and groom getting ready, the ceremony, formal photos, and the reception.400-650 digitally-delivered, edited photographs.Up to 8 hours of shooting time.

Please note that for any package, in order to secure a date, a 25% deposit is required.

Example Gallery:Bree and Soren, Sept. 03, 2022.

I do my best to reply within 3 business days. If you don't receive a reply, please check your spam folder. Thanks!

Brand Work

Over the years I have worked with a variety of brands, ranging from large corporations, to local 'mom-and-pop' shops. No matter the size of the business, I strive to create authentic and engaging creative content that speaks to the customer in a meaningful way.Whether with a pre-determined brief in hand, working together to form a campaign direction, or working completely independently to conceptualize an idea, I look forward to working with you.No matter the size of the project, I want to hear from you. Please use the form below to connect.

Journal

A collection of project case studies, written works, various adventures, and more. Updated now and then.

Case Study: Cowichan Tourism

In early Autumn of 2023, Cowichan Tourism reached out looking to get some photography work done which matched the aesthetic of their then-ongoing marketing rebrand. Sought images were those that highlighted the unique experiences that the valley has to offer, and entice potential travellers to visit. The images shouldn't simply show an activity, but instead convey the authentic feeling of Fall in the valley.

2022 Wedding Faves

As I did last year, a look back at the previous wedding season, highlighting a selection of my favourites. 2022 was my biggest year for wedding photography yet, and I was very happy with the resulting images, culminating in a strong body of work which I'm proud of. Aircraft hangers, farmyard animals, and a park I visited frequently as a child all made appearances.

A Long Weekend in July on Lake Cowichan

A simple photo dump highlighting a great weekend spent on Lake Cowichan, enjoying each other's company, fishing, hiking, swimming, and exploring. After my busiest season yet, the value in taking time off to both create and relax for myself, with little obligations, was exemplified here perfectly.

A Clandestine Cabin & Location Secrecy

A photoessay revolving around a snowshoeing trip up a local mountain, focusing on the dilemma of keeping 'secret' places secret, and the guilt I feel surrounding such decisions. Can we maintain location secrecy as more people become outdoor enthusiasts? Should we keep locations secret at all?

2021 Wedding Faves

With the new year upon us, I wanted to take a look back at 2021 and highlight some of my favourite wedding photos from the season. From atop glaciers to under the canopy of old growth, 2021 looked different than we had all perhaps hoped, but was rewarding nonetheless.

Case Study: Vivid Vans

Vivid meaning Vancouver Island Vehicle Design: Vanagon Division. Creating exciting and brand-authentic content showing that not only does Vivid make bespoke VW builds, but they also know how to have some fun.

Bikepacking.com Features

Recently, I had a couple of pieces published by my friends over at Bikepacking.com.
The first piece covers a custom bike build by my good friend Grant over at Cowichan Cycles. The second is a blog post covering a bikepacking [mis]adventure. Focusing on the trip itself, the piece also explores coming-to-terms with aging as a young adult on the cusp of Millennial/GenZ.

Accessible Alpine & Outdoors Appreciation at Hišimy̓awiƛ

Somewhat of a follow-up to a previous photoessay regarding special places and outdoor preservation. This piece focuses on easy accessibility to the outdoors revolving around the incredibly beautiful Hišimy̓awiƛ Alpine Hut and its potential to inspire people to protect natural wonders.

Through Hell & Cold Water

A bikepacking misadventure trudging up incredibly steep hills, smashing through overgrown roads, and fording freezing rivers to reach a remote mountain lake. A photo essay of four friends and a total 117km journey, with over 1500m total elevation gain resulting in a rewarding test of will marked by challenge but also marked by laughs (many at our own expense).

Case Study: Evo Car Share

Evo Car Share has been one of my longest commercial clients. As the years have progressed, I have done a number of shoots for Evo, all with the same goal of creating authentic and engaging content for Evo’s social media channels, highlighting how Evo users utilize the vehicles to make their lives easier, as well as more exciting.

Case Study: HipCamp

HipCamp is like Airbnb, but for campers. Most importantly, my goal when shooting for HipCamp has been to capture the camping experience that comes along with each site, whether that’s enjoying crab fishing at the local pier, or watching the cattle being herded from one field to another.

Blog Archive

When leaving my old web host, I unfortunately had to abandon the great number of blogs I used to have up. In an effort to archive these memories, I've converted these old blogs into images, which can be found here.

About /
Contact

My work looks to evoke the feeling of warm evenings in the late summer. Evenings where a t-shirt and jeans, with a light jacket tied around the waist, is the perfect outfit. The ever-fleeting, untroubled and airy moments of youth frozen in time. The emotion felt driving into the sweet, cooling September twilight. Inspired by these halcyon days, the viewer hopefully reminisces of their own moments of summer joy and adventure, no matter their age or the season.If you'd like to work with me on any type of project, anywhere in the world, please use the contact form below.

Select Clients

Cowichan Tourism
Vancouver Island Tourism
Mosko Moto
San Poncho
Acorn Slippers and Sandals
Vivid Vans
HipCamp Canada
AllTrails
Uber Eats Canada
Evo Car Share
The City of Langford
Ride Cowichan
Insurance Bureau of Canada
Vancouver Island University
Cowichan Cycles
The Green Point Project
Febreze
Fintan
Crowfoot Collective

Select Features

2023On Bikepacking and Coming of Age... Again - Bikepacking.comReader's Rig: Grant's Berg In-Betweener - Bikepacking.com202120 Snapwire Creators to Watch Out for in 2021 - Snapwire2020The Green Point Project - SABMagazineMOMENTS - ROBERT WILSON - Nikola DjordjevicQ&A: Chasing summer with photographer Rob Wilson (Victoria, BC) - Focal2018Sunday Social Connection - VictoriaNowIn Focus Friday - VictoriaNow2017Taft Point - Digital Camera/Digital Camera WorldDeath Valley Bedroom - Photo Life/Photo Solution2016Watchguards of the Walbran - Incline MagazineRise of the Dispensaries - The NavigatorAbout Mead - Small Farm Canada Magazine

Blog Archive

When leaving my old web host, I unfortunately had to abandon the great number of blogs I used to have up. Luckily, these old memories are still available on Tumblr as well as in image format within the following Google Photos Album.

Case Study: Vivid Vans

VIVID Vans first came to my attention when far up the north of Vancouver Island, exploring backroads and camping on a remote beach. From my camp, I could see in the distance a group of VW vans, ripping around and then setting up camp. Of course, I shot some photos of the iconic vans being used just the way they should be.A couple years since, I have built a relationship with the Vivid crew, who are conveniently located just a few minutes from my current place. We've worked together to create content with the aim to present the crew as they are: hard workers who create exceptional, bespoke VW builds, but who also know how to get sideways.Go check them out at vividvans.com.

2021 Wedding Favourites

With the new year upon us, I wanted to take a look back at 2021 and highlight some of my favourite wedding photos from the season. When 2021 began, I think many of us, especially those in the wedding industry, were hoping for something very different from what 2020 brought. Unfortunately, that wasn’t exactly the case, and ‘business-as-usual’ wasn’t quite in the cards.However – looking at the bright side – those getting married were presented with an opportunity to take a unique approach to their weddings, focusing on smaller and perhaps more intimate forms of matrimony. With this came elopements atop glaciers, beneath canopies of old growth, and on the sandy beaches of Tofino. It also included backyard weddings with only the closest of family and friends, as well as an after-dark ceremony within one of Gastown’s highest acclaimed restaurants. Together these experiences were incredible and rewarding as a wedding photographer, although perhaps not what I expected at the beginning of the year.With all that being said, let’s hope for a return to normalcy this year. While I’m no epidemiologist, things are looking up for 2022, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.I still have dates available for this year, so please feel free to browse my packages at www.robwilson.photography#weddings.

Case Study: HipCamp

Everybody knows about Airbnb, but not everyone knows about HipCamp. Following a similar model to Airbnb, HipCamp allows campers to book campsites (as well as experiences) at various hosts who have opened their properties to those looking to spend a night, or a few. Every HipCamp is unique, with some serving the completely self-sufficient backcountry tenter, with others serving those looking for a cozy cabin to bunk in.My goal when shooting for HipCamp has been to document the beautiful properties in all their glory, including the natural features, as well as those built by the host. Most importantly, my goal has been to capture the camping experience that comes along with HipCamp: whether that’s enjoying crab fishing at the local pier, exploring a nearby waterfall, or watching the cattle being herded from one field to another. Camping has long been one of my favourite activities, so shooting camping as a commission is a dream come true.Want to book or host a HipCamp? Go check them out at hipcamp.com.

Case Study: Evo Car Share

Evo Car Share, based in Vancouver and owned by BCAA, has been one of my longest commercial clients. I began working with Evo a few years ago, starting with limited scale projects, shooting lifestyle content, primarily self-directed. As the years have progressed, I have done a number of shoots for Evo, all with the same goal of creating authentic and engaging content for Evo’s social media channels, highlighting how Evo users utilize the vehicles to make their lives easier, as well as more exciting.Although when I first started working for Evo the shoots were small in size, Evo projects in the last couple years have been more expansive in scale, involving multiple models, coordinators, and stakeholders, including shooting collaborative content with Evo’s many partners (e.g., Duer Apparel, Harbour Air, Lagree West, etc.). These more expansive projects have been full day or sometimes full weekend affairs, taking the team and I across Vancouver and back, completing a predetermined shot list throughout the day, working in, at times, everchanging and stressful situations due to changing traffic, weather, and other logistical challenges.When Evo announced its expansion into Victoria in 2021, the team and I looked to plan some shoots there. Being familiar with Victoria, I took on a further role in helping plan the Victoria shoots by providing insight into locations that are iconic to the city. Our first shoot in Victoria came in February of 2022, and took us across the city, looking to achieve a number of objectives ranging from hero shots of the car in front of Rock Bay’s murals, to student/Evo interactions at UVic, to creating content to remind users to remove their trash from the Evo before ending their trip. Being blessed with a rare day of winter sun, we were able to achieve high quality results I was exceptionally happy with.

A Clandestine Cabin & the Dilemma of Location Secrecy

It’s a hike that could be described as a slog, even when the hours of fire road trudging are tackled mid-summer. Add snow into the equation, and there’s no doubt at all – especially if there’s that deceptive crusty layer on the surface, which tests your patience each step, as your snowshoe breaks through, and plunges deep into the soft snow below. Despite the effort, it’s a hike more than worth it, for once the road tromping is complete, and the plateau is reached, one is met with the subalpine terrain I so deeply adore. But what hike am I talking about? Well, I’m not sure I should say.I’d left my girlfriend’s parent’s house around sunrise, with her, her father, and our good friend. The four of us wanted to get an earlier start, as it was Jan. 22nd and there wasn’t much light in a day. As we reached the parking spot along the edge of Cowichan Lake, we unloaded our packs and showshoes, as another car arrived. It was a couple on touring skis, and we briefly chatted, before beginning on our way, as they unloaded their Subaru. It was a Saturday, and the hike is of moderate popularity, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise to see others. Although I wasn’t surprised, I was a mix of slight worry and disappointment.My mix of emotions was the due to the fact that we weren’t planning to just finish our hike once reaching the plateau, nor attempting to summit the peak beyond the plateau. Our goal was to reach a clandestine cabin, subtly hidden among the trees. The exact history of the cabin is unknown to me, but one thing is known: the cabin is illegal, and we are trespassing even doing this hike at all. I didn’t want the couple to follow our tracks in the snow, and discover the small A frame. The more people who know about the cabin, the more likely the cabin is to be destroyed by either the forestry companies that own the land, or by the type of person outdoor enthusiasts are all too familiar with. You know the type: the type to leave shells, cans, and other types of litter strewn about, with no regard whatsoever. Although the couple didn’t look like the type to disrespect the environment, I never feel I can be too trusting. After all, I don’t want to be the one who leaked the secret and lead to its demise. Yet, I didn’t discover the cabin for myself by accident; I’d been told by a friend.As we reached the plateau, our emotions were elevated knowing the endless fireroads were behind us. Crossing the plateau, we dipped off the trail towards the cabin, unavoidably leaving tracks in the snow. Ironically, it was the other three’s first time. I was showing three new people, who I can vet, but even then, I felt some sense of guilt. At the cabin, we took a look around, and began unloading our packs to make lunch. Just then, my fears were realized, and the couple walked through the trees.“I didn’t know there was a cabin up here! We followed your tracks and wondered where you were headed.”We chatted for a bit, and I very politely noted the cabin was illegal, and asked if they didn’t mind keeping a secret. They understood completely, and they continued back towards the summit trail. My feelings of unease had subsided once talking to the friendly couple some more. It was clear they cared deeply about the environment, and knew the importance of keeping beautiful places close to the chest. Plus, they weren’t from the Island, so it was unlikely they’d have too many friends to tell anyway.It’s a scenario that’s all too familiar. Let too many people in on the secret, and a special place can be ruined by garbage and/or crowds in no time. Tell a friend or acquaintance, and get hit with a sense of guilt. Choose to keep it a secret, and get hit with a different sense of selfish guilt as you infer “you can’t sit with us”. It sucks to be on both ends. I’ll often scroll through Instagram and see a beautiful location, with the geotag reading “tag responsibly, keep [X] wild”. I completely understand, yet want to know the location myself, as I’m not the one who ruins these locations. Yet when I go to geotag, I’ll do the same type of thing, and when I see someone tag a ‘secret’ location, I’ll wince.As we finished our lunch, we packed up, and headed back across the plateau, towards the fireroad. As we took one last look at the mountain’s summit, we saw the couple skiing down the face. Just as we reached our cars, the couple ripped by us, and we yelled our final farewells to each other. While dusk settled, and we began driving home, I was left, once again, contemplating a solution to the dilemma of location secrecy. How can we share these breathtaking locations with others without feeling a sense of guilt? Overarchingly, how can we inspire others – especially those outside our circles – to follow tread lightly practices?Some say that it’s exposure to the outdoors that gets people to care about preserving the natural environment. Yet, we’ve seen firsthand there’s many individuals that get out into nature only to disrespect it. As the pandemic ushered in a new wave of outdoor enthusiasts, there’s fears that ‘secret’ places will no longer exist on our small island. However, perhaps this new wave is a majority of those who care enough to preserve our wild places. Perhaps we may have to live with crowds, but at the benefit of less littering and disrespect. If that’s the compromise we are provided with, I suppose I’ll take it.------------------Like what you read? This journal entry wasn't supported by any brand or otherwise. Instead, it can be supported by you: the reader. Please feel free to show your support by buying me a coffee! It's much appreciated.

Through Hell and Cold Water: A Bikepacking Misadventure

After an arduous climb pushing our bikes loaded with camping gear up a surprisingly steep gravel road in the hot June sun, the four of us took a much-needed break leaning against a logging company’s Caterpillar excavator parked for the weekend. Once we’d started pedaling about four hours earlier, the beginning of our bikepacking trip had gone surprisingly smoothly, even including a section of unexpectedly paved road. While the sudden monument of a hill had quickly ended the breeziness of the expedition, we didn’t realize that we were only beginning an onslaught of difficulties to come.In what may have been a bad omen, the troubles actually began before we departed, when one of our bikes was crushed being run over by a pickup when Jack (a great long-time friend) left it on the side of his driveway, concealed from the pickup driver by long grass. Needless to say, the bike was a write-off, and Grant (great friend and owner of Cowichan Cycles) scrambled to find a replacement in time. Luckily, he was able to source something, and on Saturday we loaded up our bikes with camping gear at the bike shop and headed out to begin our journey, being dropped off by Jack’s dad (shout out to Walt) at Kissinger Lake, just past Cowichan Lake.I had taken it upon myself to pick a route for us, and out of the options I presented, Grant, Jack, and Grant’s little brother, Luke (another great friend), agreed that following a network of logging roads from Cowichan Lake to Cameron Lake near Port Alberni would be our goal, stopping for a night at a remote mountain lake to hang out and wash a few lures. While the route looked simple and fairly easy when reviewed on online maps, the reality was quite different.Before the great hill, about three hours into our journey, we’d stopped for a lunch break at a recently repaired bridge, washed out by incredible Autumn rains. While eating, we heard a motor approaching in the distance, and a motorcyclist stopped to chat, asking where we were headed. After telling him, he asked if we’d done the route before. Replying that we hadn’t, he warned that the section beyond the top of the hill was impassable via truck, may-as-well-be impossible via motorbike, just possible on foot, and debatably so with bicycles. While we exchanged nervous looks between us, he rode off, saying he was going to assess it for himself. Quite some time later, he returned, saying the road was near completely overgrown with alders, and a large trench had formed down the middle of the 'road' due to erosion. Already hours in, we decided to push ahead up the big hill—pun intended.After our break at the excavator, we began attacking the overgrown and washed-out road. A narrow animal path cut through the alders, along the edge of the 4ft deep eroded trench. Bear scat, some fresh, lined the path, and the idea of riding was impossible, as fallen alders were everywhere, whether directly on the ground, or crisscrossing. We heaved, pushed, ducked, and fought our way for what seemed like an eternity, slowing our pace to a crawl, and stopping to filter water numerous times at small creeks contributing to the trench. After a couple hours of trudging, losing a water bottle and snapping a fishing rod in the process, we made it out to a real road, and took a long descent, re-inspiring us.While riding the clear roads and on a high, with Mt. Arrowsmith towering above us, we came face-to-face with a heard of elk, saw a few grouse, took a brief detour due to a wrong turn, and were then met with our next challenge: a deep and very cold river crossing, which left us numb from the fording. Drying off and taking a little break, we expected the last 10kms to the lake to be easy—we should have known better.The entirety of the last section was uphill, and took three hours, consisting of delusion, many expletives, and—being the one who'd found the route—a good amount of joy from the others noting my suffering along with them. When we finally arrived at our camp for the night beside the lake, it had been almost ten hours since we'd departed, travelling about 60kms, with just over 1200m in elevation gain. After setting up camp at the lake, we ate dinner, had a couple cans, some of us swam, and we then had a well-deserved sleep.The next morning, we had a slow start at the lake, fishing, swimming, and Grant even got in a morning nap. After packing up, we had a comparatively very easy journey for the day ahead of us, consisting of mostly downhill, well-established roads to our camp for the evening at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Campground. However, our day wasn’t without it challenges, with some bike adjustments coming quickly after leaving the lake, and Luke blowing a tyre soon after that. With the repairs behind us, we ripped along the dirt roads, raising dust and enjoying the fruits of our uphill labour the previous day.About three hours after leaving the lake, we reached the paved Highway 4, coming out at the Port Alberni Summit. Flying down the paved highway, we reached Little Qualicum Falls about an hour later. Having set up camp, we rode our bikes to nearby Bigfoot Burgers, where we enjoyed smash burgers and some cans, stocking up to bring some back to camp. Back at the park, we headed to the river to wash the dust off, then head back to camp for a fire.The next day, Jack’s dad picked us up, and we grabbed brunch in Parksville, reflecting on the insanity of the last two days. While we had expected more actual riding as opposed to pushing, the total 117km journey, with over 1500m total elevation, and hitting a top-speed of just under 100km/hr when bombing down Hwy 4, was a rewarding test of will, marked by challenge but also marked by laughs (many at our own expense). Undeterred by past experiences, we’re in the process of arranging this year’s bikepacking trip; hopefully with better route selection.------------------Like what you read? This journal entry was supported in part by Cowichan Cycles. Additional support can be provided by you: the reader. Please feel free to show your support by buying me a coffee! It's much appreciated.

A Long Weekend in July

A simple photo dump highlighting a great weekend spent on Lake Cowichan, enjoying each other's company, fishing, hiking, swimming, and exploring. Summer 2022 was my busiest season yet, and the value in taking time off to both create and relax for myself, with little obligations, was exemplified perfectly during this long weekend. Super thanks to Dave for always letting us enjoy his little piece of paradise.
------------------Like what you read? This journal entry wasn't supported by any brand or otherwise. Instead, it can be supported by you: the reader. Please feel free to show your support by buying me a coffee! It's much appreciated.

2022 Wedding Favourites

As I did the beginning of last year, it's now time to take a look back at the year previous to highlight some of my favourite wedding photos from the season. 2022 was my biggest year for wedding photography yet, and I was very happy with the resulting images.This season's weddings were a good mix of established venues--some I'd been before and some I'd not--as well as a variety of personal properties. Aircraft hangers, farmyard animals, and a park I visited frequently as a child all made appearances. Included in this year's weddings were a few instances of familiar faces, shooting for Brides and Grooms I'd met as wedding guests the year previous, or friends and acquaintances in my personal and professional life.Overall 2022 represents my strongest body of wedding work yet. I look forward to continuing the momentum in 2023.I still have dates available for this year, so please feel free to browse my packages at www.robwilson.photography#weddings.

Accessible Alpine & Outdoors Appreciation at Hišimy̓awiƛ

Some time ago, I wrote a piece concerning the dilemma of wilderness preservation regarding a clandestine alpine cabin. Said piece raised the forever unsolved-question of whether bringing certain special places to the attention of the masses works to the undoing of these places at the behest of overuse by disrespectful visitors, or works towards preservation efforts due to increased attention on these special places and their overall need for protection. That debate is made more complicated when applied to the clandestine cabin in question, due to its placement on private lands controlled by resource-extraction companies, who have a history of dismantling user-built cabins on Vancouver Island, including those built long before the companies in question formed. This piece, however, looks at a different alpine cabin, one well within the limelight, much bigger, with much more established amenities, and not at risk of destruction. That cabin is the Alpine Club of Canada’s, Hišimy̓awiƛ (Hi-SHIM-yawit) – meaning gathering place in Ucluelet First Nation.Formally known by its placeholder name, 5040 Hut, Hišimy̓awiƛ stands on 5040 peak within the traditional territory of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations, and is accessible by a 2.4km trail at the end of a high-clearance-recommended forest service road off of Hwy 4, between Port Alberni and Tofino. The trail is steep and moderately challenging, but should be easy enough for anyone in decent fitness with some hiking experience to complete the 700m elevation gain in about 2-3hrs. After climbing up beside small streams through forest, one begins to see mountain peak vistas teasing between the trees. Once reaching Cobalt Lake, the views begin to come into full effect, and the lake itself beckons for a quick dip (during the day at least; not exactly once the sun has set when we hiked up after work). From the lake, it’s another steep section for a short while until reaching the hut. The hut itself is composed of a main living space with a semi-stocked kitchen, chairs, tables, etc. and two bunk rooms for a total sleeping capacity of 12. For charging devices there’s solar power (backed up by a generator if necessary), and a wood pellet stove for warmth. Water is provided by small lakes or snow, and a urine-diversion outhouse nearby will be a contender for the best view one will ever experience while on the toilet.It can’t be overstated: the views surrounding the cabin are extraordinary. Wildflowers bloom along the mountainside, and other peaks rise above the morning clouds as the sun illuminates them. Most dominating is Triple Peaks, standing across the valley below, and well worth a day-hike from the same parking lot as 5040. Continuing the climb above Hišimy̓awiƛ leads to endless exploration opportunities, with the most obvious being the peak of 5040 itself, an amazing place to catch the sunrise at its most spectacular, looking down on the hut below, and Cobalt Lake below that. We spent two nights in the cabin, and spent our day and a half exploring the peaks and ridges, swimming in Cobalt Lake, relaxing in the cabin and generally enjoying the mountain air. For a destination soaked in beautiful views and terrain, it’s amazing that it’s only 2-3hrs from the trailhead.To me, Hišimy̓awiƛ provides one of the best opportunities for those who aren’t avid outdoorspeople to experience the true beauty of the great outdoors with relative ease. Although us staying in the hut was more of a novelty due to our possession of trekking gear, for those without compact tents, cooking gear, and other backpacking accoutrement, the hut provides opportunity for almost anyone of good fitness to experience the breathtaking alpine environment overnight, with only the need to pack food, clothing, and a sleeping bag. Well-established and far-from-secret, Hišimy̓awiƛ doesn’t face the same risks of destruction that unsanctioned cabins face. In this, Hišimy̓awiƛ stands as an incredible opportunity to bring attention to the surprisingly-accessible and staunch beauty that the outdoors of Vancouver Island and beyond hold. While at the cost of increased traffic, this hopefully will inspire those who haven’t ventured too far off the beaten path to protect what's beyond the pale, without having to travel too far off the beaten path at all.For more information on Hišimy̓awiƛ and to book it for yourself (finding availability may be the most challenging part of your journey) check out the Alpine Club of Canada’s website.
------------------Like what you read? This journal entry wasn't supported by any brand or otherwise. Instead, it can be supported by you: the reader. Please feel free to show your support by buying me a coffee! It's much appreciated.

Bikepacking.com Features

Recently, I had a couple of pieces published by my friends over at Bikepacking.com.The first piece is a short one covering a custom bike build by my good friend Grant over at Cowichan Cycles. Grant worked with a variety of local bicycle builders to create a bespoke frame suited for basically anything he can throw at it, with the exception of hard enduro or downhill riding. It's a very cool bike and a cool story behind what went into it. Check out that piece here.The second piece is a blog post similar in spirit and theme to last year's Through Hell & Cold Water: A Bikepacking Misadventure which was published here on my journal. This year's entry, published on Bikepacking.com, covers our annual bikepacking [mis]adventure as we pedalled up to Holyoak Lake for a one-night camp. Focusing on the trip itself, the piece also explores my own coming-to-terms with aging as a young adult on the cusp of Millennial and Gen Z. Check out that introspective piece here.------------------Like what you read? This journal entry wasn't supported by any brand or otherwise. Instead, it can be supported by you: the reader. Please feel free to show your support by buying me a coffee! It's much appreciated.

Case Study: Cowichan Tourism

In early Autumn of 2023, Cowichan Tourism reached out looking to get some photography work done which matched the aesthetic of their then-ongoing marketing rebrand. The brief was to capture autumnal vibes at a variety of local businesses from wineries, to cafes, to farm stands. The resulting images would have the possibility of appearing in a wide range of places, from social media posts, to visitor's guides, to even billboards. Sought images were those that highlighted the unique experiences that the valley has to offer, and entice potential travellers to visit. The images shouldn't simply show an activity, but instead convey the feeling of Fall in the valley, while communicating authenticity which appeal to specific types of travellers interested in adventure and deep cultural connections.Born and raised in the Valley, it was an absolute honour to highlight was this beautiful part of the world has to offer.

Rob at a Glance

My work looks to evoke the feeling of warm evenings in the late summer. Evenings where a t-shirt and jeans, with a light jacket tied around the waist, is the perfect outfit. The ever-fleeting, untroubled and airy moments of youth frozen in time. The emotion felt driving into the sweet, cooling September twilight. Inspired by these halcyon days, the viewer hopefully reminisces of their own moments of summer joy and adventure, no matter their age or the season.