2017 - A Review
2017 was an incredible year for me, full of travel and adventure. I was truly lucky to have the opportunity to continue to pursue this passion of mine. To everyone who made this year great, from the friends I adventured with, clients I had the pleasure of working with, and those that support my work, thank you! It means the world to me that people enjoy seeing my creative pursuits. I wish each of you a happy, healthy, and successful 2018. Below I have compiled some of my favourite photos from the past year.
Client Profile: Thompson Rivers University
With a quickly expanding engineering program, Thompson Rivers University was looking for imagery to use in promotional materials and the cover of their magazine, titled 'Bridges'. When given the opportunity to create those images, I jumped at the chance. I was given a rough idea of the marketing team's vision for the project, then sent off to bring that to life. We wanted to capture a number of candid classroom moments with some engineering equipment, as well as a more staged shot for the cover of the magazine. In this process, I came to appreciate how working with an inspired team for a common creative goal is one of the best feelings! Thank you to Caitlin Johnson and the whole team at Thompson Rivers University for this opportunity!
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OutHere - TRU Ski & Snowboard Club
When approached by Myles Williamson and Cole Hooper, leaders of the Thompson Rivers University Ski and Snowboard Club to shoot photos for the organization, I was incredibly excited. Capturing media for a growing group of passionate athletes to promote a university club? I'M IN. What got me even more pumped, however, was their request. I was tasked with content not just of the action events, but also lifestyle photography for the club's apparel line. As more of a landscape photographer, these requests were just outside my comfort zone, which is exactly why I said yes. Not just in photography, taking risks and stepping out of your usual pattern is critical for progression. (click here to see what I did to step out of my comfort zone).
Over the course of this year, this partnership has produced some incredible work. From club ski days to live music fundraisers, OutHere has done it all. In fact, Thompson Rivers University played host to the first on-campus big air invitational ski competition. Riders from British Columbia and beyond came to TRU to show off their skills on skis and boards. Though issues arose the morning of the event, dedicated volunteers managed to fix the glitches and pull off a memorable event for all. Following are some of my favourite photos from the year's collaboration with Myles, Cole, and the whole OutHere team.
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Partnering with Tourism British Columbia
This week of October 17-23, I have the extreme pleasure of partnering with Tourism British Columbia as their guest photographer for the week. I am so excited to share my photos of BC with the world! The opportunity to broadcast my perspective of the province to an audience of over 250k is one that I have aspired to for some time. Now, that time is here! With each image, I will share a small story about the image and location, and a bit about my thought process in a photographic sense as I captured it. I will share with you now a preview of the week. I'll share the photos here, but in order to hear the story behind the shot, make sure to visit @hellobc and @alex_mey on instagram!
Day 1 - Night Fall
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Day 2 - Lupinus Arcticus
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Day 3 - Summit
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Day 4 - Alpine Sundown
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Day 5 - Fall Colours
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Day 6 - Ocean of Fog
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Day 7 - Last Light
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This opportunity means so much to me. I am so grateful for all of you, who have watched my progression of photography and seen where it has taken me. I endlessly appreciate the support you give.
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Take a year - 10 Reasons Why You Should Become an Exchange Student
It's coming to the time of year to sign up for exchange programs. Making the decision to spend a year travelling may be tough, but I will lay out why I think it is in your best interest, and the interest of the world, for you to take a year from your education and experience the world. Mark my words-- exchange will be the hardest year of your life; however, exchange will also be the most fulfilling, engaging, adventurous and enjoyable year of your life to date. In no particular order, here's why I believe you should become an exchange student.
Meet new friends
As an exchange student, you will spend your days, the best and worst with the other exchange students in your area. Through the ups and downs, they will be by your side. Since you experience everything together, you will become like a family, developing a friend network that stretches the globe! You will have a friend to visit, a local tour guide, and a couch to sleep on nearly anywhere you go. The relationships that I developed with my closest friends while on exchange are ones that I am positive will last a lifetime. I miss the days when I was able to see them every day, but I know that they will always be there for me.
Learn a new Language
A year may not seem like enough to time to learn a language. However, speaking that language all day, every day will give you skills you would've thought impossible! You will be surprised how quickly you learn when you are surrounded by your host country's language in all aspects of life. Everywhere you look, from TV and radio to the newspapers will saturate you with the new language. Coming home after exchange, you will can add your new skills to resume. Any employer will see the value in your ability to speak a foreign language. For me, learning Mandarin was a challenge, but my efforts to learn the language allowed me to better integrate into the life of Taiwan. I felt confident to explore, knowing that I could ask for help, order food, read a transit sign when the need arose.
See a new culture
The opportunity to live in a foreign culture, truly immersed in the way of life, is one which you will cherish for the rest of your life. In Taiwan, my eyes were opened by the unique asian culture, which contrasted greatly my own values and ideas that I brought from Canada. Seeing the beautiful temples interspersed within the city, experiencing the strict education system, and walking through the bustling night markets were all new experiences for me, ones which I wouldn't give up for anything. Sometimes, however, it was the tiniest things that seemed the most foreign. For example, when I first moved to a new host family, they found it extremely weird that I showered in the morning before school, rather than before bed. It was the tiniest thing, but showed how even the smallest decision and norm in daily life could be so different for others. In addition, experiencing the culture of other exchange students will open your mind to the world. Hearing their stories, listening to their music, and spending time with them will give you a glimpse into the way people of their culture act.
Push Your Boundaries
Exchange is not a year long vacation. In fact, exchange might be one of the most difficult years of your life. For that reason alone, you should go on exchange. The challenges that you face over the course of your time abroad will make you mature far beyond your age. Coming home, you will have the confidence to tackle any problem, because you already know that you've conquered the world.
Discover Yourself
Through the difficulties you face, the people you meet, and the time to reflect, exchange will clarify your views on the world. You will gain a greater understanding of what you stand for, the kind of person you wish to become, and what you are passionate about. Many exchange students discover what they want to study in university during their time abroad!
New Food
How could anyone forget the incredible food! No matter where you go, you will discover a incredible array of new food. Every exchange student knows about the weight gain! For me in Taiwan, some of my favourites included bubble tea, beef noodle soup, fried dumplings, and mango ice.
For your future
Participating in an exchange program is hands down one of the best things you can do for you future. Employers and schools understand the rigours that exchange students go through during their time abroad, and award them accordingly. Past exchange students are more likely to win scholarships and awards. Additionally, the self-confidence gained will allow you to pursue more challenges in your future.
A New Family (or three!)
The opportunity to live with host families during your time as an exchange student is one of the most valuable aspects of the program. You become fully immersed in the culture, eating meals, speaking the language, and interacting on a daily basis with your new family. If you are lucky, the families you live with may even take you on family vacations to show you different parts of the country, or even other countries. I was incredibly fortunate to live with great families during my exchange. They pushed me to succeed, showed me the culture and food of the Taiwanese, and took me on numerous trips to other areas in Taiwan and even to Japan. I know that the relationships that I fostered with them will stay strong for the years to come.
Global Citizenship
After a year spent in a foreign country with new families, a new school, and friends from around the world, your perspective on global issues will change drastically. Your ideas of what it means to be a member of the human race will be shifted. You become an ambassador, not just for yourself and your country, but also for your new country. Exchange kills stereotypes--- In the future, your interactions with people from around the world will guide your thoughts to remember "One of my best friends came from that country, and they were just a normal person like me".
Affordable Travel!
Please don't hate me for saying this. I understand that exchange is a large investment and I'm not trying to devalue the financial contributions that are necessary. However, I want you to think about it like this. When is the next time in your life that you can travel for a year for less than $10,000? You and I both know the answer to that question is never. What makes the price possible is the incredible contributions by Rotary and the host families. They understand the value of such program and the incredible people that it produces. Without the contributions and efforts of Rotary to push the youth exchange program forward, thousands of students per year would lose the opportunity to experience the world.
Exchange has impacted me in more ways than I can express in a blog post. I am a better person because of the experience. I urge you with all the power I have to consider participating in the Rotary Youth Exchange, not only for yourself but also for the improvement of the world. The skills you develop, the friends you make, and the personal growth you will undertake will impact you for the rest of your life!
Alex
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