Going Strong at 65

I am officially 65 ... now what? What do I want to do with the rest of my life? A good question, but the answer escapes me. Perhaps there is no answer. I can just float along doing what I love doing. It's worked out so far!

Travel. That's always been on my bucket list, and this year I've had plenty of it so far. A quick little trip to the island in April with Philomena, where we were able to spend time with our families, and go to PPOC's annual Gala event to celebrate the accomplishments of our friends. It's great to have a photographer travel buddy. She creates great images of me!

Bike riding. I want to do more of that! My son, Malcolm, got me an e-bike kit for my birthday, and it has made going up hills so much easier for me. Now if only I can figure out how to make the odometer work, I'd know how far I ride!

The photo above was captured by my friend, Philomena, on a recent trip to Quesnel. There's this wonderful wall painting downtown just below the Granville Coffee shop. Check it out sometime if you are passing through there. The coffee is fabulous!

Photographically, if there is something that I really want to focus on it is night skies. And long exposures, and ICM (Intentional Camera Movement). And write a book that is niggling away at my brain, keeping me awake at night sometimes. More about that later though.

In May I went on a week-long trip to Alberta to attend a weekend conference in Pincher Creek where I met other like-minded photographers who enjoyed photographing nature and wildlife. And what an abundance of wildlife there was in southern Alberta. I wish I had stayed another week! 

When I was travelling home, which took two days, I was so thrilled to find five spots with wild horses close enough to photograph! Ever since I read about the band of wild horses on Sable Island off Nova Scotia I have wanted to see a real wild horse. This trip ignited a spark in me I never knew existed. If I lived closer to these wildies, I know I'd be involved in one way or another with others who watch over these bands. For me, the memory of seeing them is still so vivid. Oh, I am allergic to horses, but only if I touch them. So a long lens is my friend.

Getting to 65 makes me think back on all the friendships I have had over the years. Funny how friendships change over a lifetime. Some come in for a short time, others last a decade or more. This group has been a major part of my life for more than 10 years. Some I have know longer, and a few I just met last year, but being a member of Professional Photographers of Canada can be a lot of fun too! I am eagerly looking forward to our second Camp and Create event at the end of July when we meet again in 150 Mile House and learn from each other.

Most of all I have enjoyed travelling around with Rob for 45 years! Wow, we were teenagers when we met, (not in this photo!!) and now, well, we are semi-retired. Doing what we like. We've been to so many concerts over the years, perhaps there is another one coming up soon?? 

One of our adventures took us to Inuvik once. What a drive that was! The sculpture was at the tourist information centre there. 

Newfoundland was another great adventure. So we have been all over Canada, but there is still so much more to see. Stay healthy my friends!

Terrill Bodner, MPA SPA is an Accredited member of Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) and nationally qualified judge, and is one of a very few professional photographers living in Prince George who have achieved the designation of Master of Photographic Arts from Professional Photographers of Canada.

Terrill specializes in Family Portraits, Headshots (in studio and on location), and Fine Art photography.

Her Accreditations include Portraiture, Environmental Portrait, Fine Art/Photo Decor, Animals, Wildlife, Nature, Ornithology/Bird, Botanical, Pictorial/Scenic, Travel Illustration, Stock, and Night Photography.