At the 2024 PPOC-BC Awards Event in Kamloops, BC on October 5th, not only was I a Finalist for Photographer of the Year along with thirteen others, I was awarded my PPOC-BC Fellowship, and also received a Citation of Service Award!

After serving in various volunteer positions on the Board at the regional and local level, I was nominated to receive a Citation of Service. This is such a great honour and is bestowed on a member who gives back to their community by sharing, volunteering, and doing whatever it takes to keep things moving forward in the organization. 

To top it off, I was the Keynote speaker for the afternoon. And what better way to earn my Fellowship than to speak to a group of professional photographers about Photographing the Night Sky, a passion of mine for almost ten years now.

My Fellowship Award is a great honour, and after fourteen years serving on the Board and actively participating in competitions and events, it was such a wonderful way to celebrate with my peers. In my beginning years I looked up to those 'Fellows' who shared their knowledge and helped me gain confidence in my craft. 

A few of our "Fellow" members were unable to attend in person, but sent congratulatory notes that were read at the presentation. Their words meant so much to me. Here is just one I will share today.

From Andrew and Arlene Simpson: "The honour of Fellowship being presented is not given lightly. It shows dedication to the art of photography and also a dedication of passing your knowledge to others through service and sharing your talent. We would like to extend our sincere congratulations on your achievement."

When these and other words were read one by one, I truly felt honoured by those who I have looked up to in awe over the years. As Kent told me, now I am "One of Them". Haha. Yes, perhaps I am. 

Photos courtesy of Debbie Malm Photography

Terrill Bodner, MPA, SPA, F/PPOC-BC 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 Portraiture and Headshots (in studio and on location), and Fine Art photography.

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

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. 

Recently I received this red/black flannel shirt from a friend with whom I was about to embark on a road trip. As I looked at it, my heart jumped a bit, then I recovered quickly and thanked her for the thoughtful gift. (She explained that it came from Carol at Beau Photo in Vancouver, so thanks, Carol!!) I tried it on immediately and it fit so well that I wore it almost all weekend while we were out photographing wildlife and landscapes together. (above, photo credit: Philomena Hughes Photography)

But I didn't mention what it felt like the moment I laid eyes on it. I'll tell you now if you care to read further... 

My dad worked in the woods when I was young, and I can still bring back memories of him with just a whiff of freshly cut lumber. And he almost always wore a plaid shirt or jacket when he was working outdoors. I don't know who took his photo above, probably Mum or my sister, or maybe even me, it doesn't matter. When it came time to choose an obituary photo of our father when he passed away Oct 29, 2013, it was easy to agree on this one. It captured the essence of the man we dearly loved.

Plaid runs in our family!

I wonder who took our family photo of us sitting on the sofa? Most lightly my aunt, Mum's sister, because I think it was when we visiting in Toronto back in 1962.

The black and white photo is of my parents when they were engaged. Even my mother wore plaid! Her skirt is a tartan. 

Upper left is Mum and Dad on their trip to Alaska in the 80's. Plaid and more plaid!

Upper right is my grandmother on Dad's side, with Dad and his four siblings. (Who says you can't wear plaid, florals and stripes in a family photo session??)

Lower left is on my parents' 40th anniversary when we made time for a family photo. That was back in 1997!! And there I am in the plaid shirt, and so is Dad. (No clothing consult prior to the shoot, that's for sure!)

The black and white photo with my grandfather (with his hand over his eye-whatever for, I don't know!) wearing his plaid shirt.

Family...gotta love 'em!!

As a professional photographer, I enter images into competition, and recently when I had some of my session photos critiqued to see if they were good enough to be considered to enter, it was pointed out to me that plaid will probably never be accepted in competition. WHAT?? It draws too much attention away from the subject. Just as busy prints and logos on shirts, and stripes! OMG! One judge even admitted she didn't like plaid and never wore it, but really, that shouldn't make a difference in how the image gets judged, right? She did suggest trying to tone down the plaid, or make it black and white, so I appreciated that input.

But my clients LOVE plaid and wear it to so many of my fall sessions. And to that I say, THANK YOU! You are presenting your authentic selves when you dress the way you love to dress, and I will never force anyone to try to change their look just so I can enter an image in competition.

But I might just try to enter one for the fun of hearing what the judges say!! Maybe I would even get an Excellence score for showing how in the 2020's people dressed. What do you think?

Terrill Bodner, MPA 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 Portraiture, Personal Branding and Headshots (in studio and on location), and Fine Art photography.

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

Recently I was asked "How do you define yourself as a photographer?" and it got me to thinking. As a photographic artist, the tools I use to create don't define me. Just like a painter isn't defined by the medium or brushes he or she uses. It lives deeper than that.

So with what content do I fill my blank canvas? Sometimes it depends on my mood, sometimes on my assignment, sometimes on what is presented to me. But still, to define myself, I must dig a little deeper.

What is it that I want to say? It is not "look at this pretty picture", is it? No, it's deeper than that. This 'shovel' is getting heavier as I dig deeper, and it's getting darker and a little bit scarier to me now. I don't show much emotion on the surface, but they exist below the surface. It's more personal, more real, more authentic when I have to dig deeper. And it's ultimately more rewarding.

When I ask myself this question I have to cut through the noise, then I get to find an answer. What I am trying to say through my photography is we live in a beautiful world. Let's take care of it. Let's do our part and enjoy what we have, and leave it in better shape for our children and grandchildren. There is beauty in the everyday things, in the natural world around us, in being honest and vulnerable and in the feeling of being so small in our galaxy. What I am trying to say is we'd all be a little better off if we let our guard down every so often and lifted our hearts to the heavens and appreciated just this very moment we are standing in. 

Truth lives in light, not in darkness. I am a seeker of light.

Terrill Bodner, MPA 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 Portraiture, Personal Branding and Headshots (in studio and on location), and Fine Art photography.

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

"Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering." ~ Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

I cannot picture myself 'Doing Nothing" but I am intrigued by the thought of listening to all the things I can't hear, and not bothering. To me, that means being in nature, listening to the sound of the wind tickling the grass, hearing the birds chirp in the early dawn, the babbling of a cold mountain stream. And not bothering...enjoying the moment and not stressing. Just breathe.

You see, I'm retiring from a full-time position on July 11th, 2018. A Monday to Friday day job that came with the perk of a pension. But after ten years the sitting all day kinda got to me along with other things, so we decided it was time to finish my career in admin and just continue with my photography business. 

Projects have been piling up, waiting for my attention. I haven't painted the inside main living areas of our home in over ten years. Paint swatches litter my dining room table. The peonies above have grown from a root of my Aunt Edie's peony garden in Antigonish! 

Only three days left to work at my day job, and I'm already chomping at the bit to get painting. But I can wait until my sister arrives at the end of this week to help choose the main colour. Summer is starting to fill up with vacation time, volunteering for Port Moody Rib Fest again this year, photographing the three-day event. Seeing friends, picking up our new (-to-me) Ford Edge. Road-tripping back with Rob. So the feeling that I am now 'retired' probably won't kick in until holidays are over and I don't go back to work.

One thing I try to stick to is doing outside jobs when it is nice outside and leaving laundry and housework, and painting interiors, to when it is not so nice outside. A sunny Sunday today was all I needed to haul out the power washer and clean up the cement, deck landing and stairs, fire pit area and my favourite old Adirondack chairs. Next I will be staining the deck and painting the chairs before moving onto the upper deck area. Nothing like the idea of a summer barbecue with friends over to get things done around the yard! And now, without having to go to work I won't be killing my back every weekend cramming it all in! It's a good thing I love old things! There's something to be said for the comforting familiarity and the memories that come with them. 

But I do still have a boss. Me. Dreamer that I am, I have worked on my photography business ever since I came home from Image Explorations in 2011 with a new Canon 7D I had to pay for. And the endless purchases of great lenses and PPOC Conventions and education and the list goes on! Silly me, I thought I'd leave my day job a year later! Not so! And if you're an aspiring photographer, let me tell you something. It is a lot of work to build a photography business. The most important thing I believe is getting the education from both skilled photographers and professional photographers. I list both because I have had much encouragement and guidance over the years from both hobbyists and pros alike. And they share one thing in common with me, Passion. Passion to create, passion to learn, passion to share.

So it will be hard for me to "Do Nothing" just yet since I plan to continue to photograph football this fall (my ninth year already), grow my children and family photography, do some commercial work and head shots, keep active and volunteer for PPOC, and work on my current personal projects.

Terrill Bodner, MPA is an Accredited Professional Photographer living in Prince George, BC, specializing in Family Portraiture, Lifestyle, Headshots, Real Estate and Fine Art photography. Terrill is a member of Professional Photographers of Canada, accredited in Fine Art/Photo Decor, Animals, Wildlife, Nature, Ornithology/Bird, Botanical, Pictorial/Scenic, Travel Illustration, and Night Photography and holds the designation of Master of Photographic Arts from Professional Photographers of Canada.

She shoots in studio and on location. Come on in and snoop around!