The Artist
Thank you for taking the time to visit The Secret World of Crystals and I hope you have enjoyed viewing these images.
I began my photographic career as a professional wedding, portrait and landscape photographer in the Canadian Rockies. It has been my full time occupation for over a decade. The pristine beauty of the mountain environment inspired my growth as a photographer and deepened my appreciation for the profound beauty of our mother earth. During this time I grew in skill and I received numerous national awards from the Professional Photographers of Canada. My commercial work has been featured in international advertising campaigns and on the Canadian stamp. My first book of landscape images was published in 1999 “Jasper and the Columbia Icefields” Altitude publishing and my work has been featured in numerous magazines and publications.
The Secret World of Crystals represents a personal evolution to focus my full attention on creating spiritual imagery of the heart. The creation of these images has been an organic process of synchronicity and growth.
It began with the feeling drawn to the idea of photographing the elemental energies of nature. Wishing to create photographic images, which extend beyond the confines of traditional landscape imagery and explore the subtle shapes, colors and forms existing just beyond our regular frame of perception.
I began by focusing on the fleeting light and dancing movement within the clear water of streams. Often walking without shoes I savored the smells, sounds and feelings as I opened my senses to the environment around me. Feeling playful I allowed myself to explore the shapes, faces and feelings that came and went as my mind tried to make sense of the patterns created by the water. I felt like a child absorbed in discovery and imagination.
Encouraged with my initial abstract creations I pondered how to create images with greater clarity and form. Being vaguely aware of crystals and their healing properties I began to research how they might help with my photographic goals. Reading a number of crystal guidebooks and visiting retail shops increased my appreciation for the delicate and intricate patterns found within them. Each crystal had a story and I found myself lost (similar to the streams) for hours observing the play of light reflecting from within the different facets of each crystal. The knowledge that some of these crystals had been forming for millions of years was fascinating. While pondering the exquisite beauty of these ancient gifts from the earth I decided to acquire some specialty camera equipment to explore the inner world of crystals.
During the first few photographic sessions of observing and recording the beautiful shapes, colors and patterns within the crystals; I remember focusing my lens on an unassuming quartz crystal which stopped me in my tracks. I froze as a simultaneous flood of questions and emotions ran through my mind. I was looking at the clear profile of a face. I remember clicking the shutter and staring at the image in disbelief. This image titled “Protection” became the first strong manifestation of my intent to photograph the elemental energies of nature. Over time as the number of these images grew—so did my questions. What kind of energy do these crystals contain and where does it come from? Do crystals have personality? Why do some crystals feel different than others?
The willingness to explore these questions has led me on a journey of self-discovery and transformed my life in the process. For me, crystals are tools to assist us in reaching beyond our self-imposed limitations. They are one of the many ways to expand our universal awareness and deepen our connection to the source of all things.