The watersheds of BC are a landscape photographer’s dream. There’s a major challenge, though: to capture them, you have to be willing to get wet.
Waterproof boots are so essential to her work, says photographer Jeanine Philippe, that she named her Facebook and Instagram pages Adventures In My Trusty Boots.
That name will be recognized by everyone who sees Philippe’s stunning images on social media. The person behind the lens is less well-known--and that’s just how Philippe likes it. She says she wants to share beauty, and has no interest in becoming a self-promoting influencer.
Skeena River during eulachon run
"I just love getting outside, then trying to share what I can about different landscapes, and our watersheds," she told CodeBlue in a break between road trips and hiking expeditions.
“There are a lot of places to explore.”
Eulachon run on the Skeena
Philippe sells calendars featuring her work in shops in her home town of Terrace, and offers prints online through her website. But she stresses that Adventures In My Trusty Boots is a sideline to her day job.
“Photography is therapeutic. It lets you focus on something positive, look for beautiful things, and get your mind off everyday troubles,” she said.
“We live in a dynamic blend of magic and adventure,” says Philippe on her website. "My desire to share the precious things we have here inspired me to get a camera and try to capture what I saw.”
Kasiks River, BC
Her regard for BC's wilderness began with her childhood.
“My parents homesteaded, off the grid, at the edge of a beautiful meadow. Everything we had we built from the ground up. The meadow and the surrounding woods were my playground. I spent my free time running and playing, catching frogs and other creatures, from our pond. This is when my love of nature first took root. At age 11, we left our home in the woods and moved to Northwest British Columbia, settling in Terrace.”
Terrace remains Philippe’s base for exploring throughout BC’s Northwest.
Kasiks River, BC
Over the years she’s noticed big changes, notably lower water levels.
The biggest change is the number of forestry cutblocks. “They affect the surrounding area, and they make me wonder how they affect the watersheds, for erosion."
Cutblocks make landscape photography difficult, she said. "I like to avoid them, but it's pretty hard."
Kitseguecla River, BC
Philippe is a self-taught photographer who learned composition in high school art classes, “carried over into my photography.”
“I encourage people to take pictures themselves, using phones or cameras. Just look for things that are beautiful.”
Water can be difficult to photograph, so she offers a tip: use a polarizing filter and a tripod.
Salmon on the Skeena River
“The polarizer cuts the glare and allows you to see through, into the water. And, it can extend your shutter speed.”
As for the other essential part of her gear–trusty boots–Philippe recommends neoprene. “But I’m still searching for the most trusty ones.”
Jeanine Philippe in her trusty boots