Yellowknife photography – Stephanie Lauren Photography

June 24, 2015

A love letter to Yellowknife | Yellowknife Landscape Photography

Have you ever been so in love, and had to say goodbye?

In January of 2014 I was a newly wed making the long move North from the West coast of BC to the frigid NWT. I had visited before during the winter months so I was emotionally prepared for the drop in temperature, what I wasn’t prepared for was the isolation I would feel being so far from my friends and family. With interesting jobs that never panned out I found a silver lining in each situation. I made sincere friendships with my coworkers. From Joel and Samantha (Saturday nights ordering takeout and playing games or watching cult classics or amine) to Paul and Nigit Stil (Our super mellow hangouts and inspired photoshoots) to the most random group of pop culture nerds and karaoke power houses, you know who you are. I was introduced to such an amazing circle of friends!

It wasn’t just the close friendships I made, but the incredible uniqueness of the city of Yellowknife and it’s amazing residents and causal traveler passing through. Each time I ventured from my doors I found new reasons to fall in love with this place.

I felt the comraderee of the arts community I was involved in. I have never come across a group of creative people so eager to pass on knowledge and lend a hand to another photographer as I did in Yellowknife.

Getting involved with Folk on the Rocks last year was the highlight of my summer. Photographing the events, musicians, and festival goers put me in the heat of the essence of what Yellowknife is to all those who find home here, it is family! Everyone is individual and unique, but together we weaved a diverse tapestry of beauty.

Having to move away last fall grieved my heart, I still long to be living in a place that saw me as I see myself, that grieved when I left too, I remember Nigit Stil clinging to me sniffling into my shoulder as she hugged me goodbye, I don’t think I have ever had such an emotional move as I did when we left. I left a piece of my heart North of 60.

Needless to say, I am over the moon about visiting this July from July 13th to 22nd. I am coming home, I can’t wait to see you!

The photography below was taken by me on my last Helicopter ride at GSH, I hope you enjoy the view from above!

May 18, 2014

Spring Awakened | Yellowknife Fine Art Photography

The beauty of Yellowknife is found in its rolling hills; painted with a warm cinnamon hued brush and evergreen trees perched atop monolithic rock formations. Upon moving to Yellowknife I joked about the constant state of white, how I had become color-blind in the constant winter slumber. As the sun melted away the blankets of snow I saw the true character of the landscape and I was instantly inspired.

Sadetlo is a beautiful Yellowknife model; and when I asked her to join me on an impromptu photo shoot capitalizing on the beauty of nature she was excited to play with the vision I had. Nature and the human form combine in this series of images, influenced by the setting sun and moody clouds, this session centered on the Awakening of Spring shows the initial thaw of a cold world coming back to life.

April 16, 2014

Long John Jamboree | Yellowknife Event Photography

The Long John Jamboree. From intricate ice sculptures to the Snow Kings Ice Castle you cant walk a foot without experiencing the culture and personality of Yellowknife and its residents!

For those with a sweet tooth there is the “sugar shack” where you can experience the tradition of maple sugar melted down and laid upon a bed of snow. Simply roll your popsicle stick while it is still soft and it gradually hardens into a hard candy to enjoy for hours. I may or may not have chipped my tooth on this sugar goodness.

The weekend consisted of me volunteering for Great Slave Helicopters rides. There was a flurry of families, friends, and students signing their forms and going through safety briefings and patiently waiting in warmed tents for their ride in a helicopter.

And then I went up!

Photographed below was a birds eye view of the Jamboree

The famous mine that has since been closed down looked amazing from up in the sky.

After my helicopter ride I wandered around the newly finished sculptures. Varying from a merman, a sci-fi cowboy (at least that’s what I thought it was) and a stunning winter stag, I was in awe of the sheer detail.

I knew I had to venture over to the ice castle, as it is destroyed after the festival. It was an awesome display of architecture using snow and ice.

The Snow King himself took the stage to recite a poem he had wrote, about underwear, Long John underwear to be exact.

The Ice castle is complete with its own closed in court yard, with a Snow King statue and a ice slide for both young and old.

I knew I was surrounded by Canadian nostalgia when I was walking back to the Jamboree tents, I heard children’s laughter erupt from an outdoor ice rink.

February 9, 2014

Dancing Aurora | Yellowknife landscape photography

After a 2 month long hiatus from my photography, I am finally settled in to my new home. Yellowknife is well known for their Northern Lights, and though I have visited multiple times, this was my very first view of the dancing lights.

This image was taken at 11:30 at night on the frozen ice road on Prosperous Lake, Northwest Territories; at -35 degrees Celsius.

This new year will be a time of learning, self discovery, and diving into multiple new outlets of photography. Follow me this year and discover the beauty of the Great White North.

December 4, 2012

Great White North | Personal Blog

Cant believe im going to say this… but I’m feeling a little homesick for the snow and -30 degree weather.

I got to spend the week with my best friend and boyfriend (of almost a year) helping him move. I flew up to Edmonton, we packed up his whole life, and made the cold trek to YELLOWKNIFE.

The journey was packed full of “fun” little things like having the fuel gel in the tank, Turkey Pepperoni Sticks, and a bridge opening. Granted the turkey sticks hold no significant value to the story, they were just surprisingly delicious.

Early in the week I met the Taiga crew for the first time, they are some of the nicest people I have met, they were Ian’s family for a lot of this year. I was very grateful to the owner of Taiga Helicopters for letting me take some shots at the hanger.

We also spent some time with Ian’s family, and I was very grateful for that. When we finally arrived in Yellowknife I got to spend some much anticipated time with Mike and Arielle, and Adam (Ian’s closest and best friends) Quickly we got Ian settled in and spent some great quality time as a group.

I couldn’t have asked for such a great bonding time with my man, and I was beyond blessed to spend time with those he cares most about.

I really want to take a moment to let Ian know that I value every word he has spoke into my life these last 11 months, I appreciate his soft and genuine heart, and that he invests his whole heart into seeing me succeed in every avenue I apply myself in. Ian you are such a talented photographer, business man, and pilot and I honor the hard choices you have had to make in your career; I look forward to where it takes you in the next few years. I love you.

Thanks for the trip babe!

This shot was thanks to Ian's new 70-300mm lens, so grateful that he let me use it for a mid flight shot! — This shot was thanks to Ian’s new 70-300mm lens, so grateful that he let me use it for a mid flight shot!

^ The picture above was taken by me but it should be noted that I only got this shot because I was testing out Ian”s 70-300mm Canon L lens

The moon below was also taken with the same lens but this is entirely his image, composed and shot by him. He is very much a technical photographer and I love his work, there will be other shots in this album that are his as well and I will point them out!