The Camera Store Blog

Creativity is the lifeblood of any photographer or videographer. Whether you’re facing a creative block or just looking for new ways to inspire your work,  finding sources of inspiration and techniques can reignite your passion. Here are five tips to help spark your creativity and take your content creation to the next level.

The Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary has announced the winners of the 10th annual Japan Photo Contest! There were an outstanding 210 photo entries from people across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nunavut. The judges had quite the tough, but enjoyable time choosing from the unique photos taken in both Canada and Japan. The Camera Store is happy to have helped sponsor the Consulate-General of Japan and the 10th Annual Japan Photo Contest. Congratulations to all the winners!

Redefine creative photography with OM-System's newest addition! Welcome the OM-3, a stunning combination of timeless elegance and innovative features, ready to empower both photographers and videographers. With its sleek, compact body inspired by the iconic Olympus OM-1 film SLR, the OM-3 delivers flagship-level performance, customizable creative tools, and robust video capabilities. Whether you're capturing stills or cinematic content, the OM-3 provides form and function, and inspires you to explore your artistic potential! Need to see it to believe it? Check out Dave and Evelyn's TCSTV first impressions review.

You don’t need a giant content creation rig to produce big results. Watch as YouTuber and Sony Artisan Miguel Quiles shows how he sets up his Sony Alpha 7CR "mini rig" for content creation in this episode of creator setups.

Sony users, we have thrilling news! Sony has rolled out significant improvements to its Creators’ Cloud platform, refining the Creators’ App to make content management smoother for creators through new automated cloud transfer options. Drawing from feedback from Sony's creative community, version 2.6.0 of the Creators’ App streamlines workflows by allowing direct uploads from select Sony cameras to Google Drive or Adobe Lightroom, enabling creators to easily integrate their work into popular editing and storage solutions. These user-driven updates provide creators with powerful, intuitive tools to transition from shooting to sharing with minimal steps and fewer technical obstacles.

We are thrilled to announce that Alberta-based photographer, founder of the Light Chasers Conference and great friend of The Camera Store, Shane Turgeon, has won the Canadian Geographic 2024 Photographer of the Year Award! The Canadian Geographic’s Canadian Photos of the Year competition brings to life the meaning of photography - drawing with light. 

Exposure Photography Festival 2025 is approaching quickly, so it's the perfect time to plan which thrilling events you'll attend! One event we are particularly enthusiastic about is Exposing the Darkroom: 50 Years at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, an exhibition spotlighting photographers who have perfected their craft and passion for the darkroom at SAIT.

A highlight for me on a recent trip to Japan was a visit to the Imperial Palace, residence of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, in Tokyo.

Back in 2009 I was assigned by Reuters to photograph the state visit of their Highnesses on their trip to Canada. Needless to say on a recent trip to Japan I was excited to learn we were staying just blocks away so it was a great opportunity to visit their garden in Tokyo and see where they lived.

Golf enthusiasts, get excited! Nikon has introduced two new laser rangefinders designed to boost your confidence from the tee box to the green. Presenting the advanced Nikon COOLSHOT PROIII Stabilized, the top model in the COOLSHOT series, and the versatile Nikon COOLSHOT 50i GII, a feature-rich mid-range option.

Canon has enthusiastically revealed its latest, budget-friendly lens aimed at content creators who use mirrorless cameras. The RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens offers remarkable image quality, superb portability, and unmatched adaptability, making it an excellent choice for those looking to capture breathtaking photos and videos.

Unleash your creativity like never before with the unmatched analog and digital hybrid camera, the amazing Fujifilm Instax Wide Evo! Designed to prioritize your creative expression, the Instax Wide Evo stands as Fujifilm's most advanced Instax camera, loaded with exceptional features that ensure each photo you take turns into a masterpiece. For an in-depth look, check out Dave's TCSTV review to see why he thoroughly enjoyed using this fantastic new camera!

Did you know we have an extraordinary event as part of the 2025 Exposure Photography Festival? Come to the beautiful Calgary Central Library for Todd Hido - Photography Collections Talk & Book Signing. That's right! We are featuring the internationally renowned photographer, Todd Hido! One of the most celebrated photographers of our time, Todd Hido will take us through a mesmerizing presentation, showcasing his extensive collection of award-winning, artistic images. If you're unfamiliar with Todd Hido, it's worth noting that he is a major creative influence for Jason Momoa, who even interviewed him on an episode of On the Roam!