Interview with Mark Vitaris

Interview with Mark Vitaris

Ryley Schmidt

We got the chance to interview Mark Vitaris, an incredibly talented photographer, accomplished photo book creator and dear friend of The Camera Store. Over the years, Mark's career has included everything from commercial and report photography to personal documentary projects. That variety has helped shape his understanding of photography and his appreciation for the ways people can engage with photographic work. From his involvement in The Camera Store's 30th Anniversary Exhibition during the 2026 Exposure Photography Festival to his most recent photo book, Áísínai'pi: A Visual Quest, Mark's enthusiasm for the craft is inspirational.

Interview with Mark Vitaris

Interview with Mark Vitaris

Ryley Schmidt

We got the chance to interview Mark Vitaris, an incredibly talented photographer, accomplished photo book creator and dear friend of The Camera Store. Over the years, Mark's career has included everything from commercial and report photography to personal documentary projects. That variety has helped shape his understanding of photography and his appreciation for the ways people can engage with photographic work. From his involvement in The Camera Store's 30th Anniversary Exhibition during the 2026 Exposure Photography Festival to his most recent photo book, Áísínai'pi: A Visual Quest, Mark's enthusiasm for the craft is inspirational.

The Two Lenses You Need For Baseball This Spring

The Two Lenses You Need For Baseball This Spring

Guest Author

Sony Artisan, sports photographer and dad Jermaine Horton brings his field experience, sharing the two lenses he trusts when photographing his son's youth baseball team. Jermaine leans on a simple two‑lens setup – a fast, flexible zoom for plate‑to‑dugout coverage and a lightweight telephoto for crisp reach and separation. Jermaine shares more on those lenses and some of his baseball imagery in the article below.

Ilford Football Collector's Edition Film

Ilford Football Collector's Edition Film

Ryley Schmidt

Relive the excitement of your summer sports adventures with Ilford's exceptional black and white films, Ilford XP2 Super 35mm and Ilford HP5 Plus 35mm now available in the exclusive limited-edition Football packaging. Perfect for capturing the energy and thrill of the moment, these films bring professional-level quality to your photography while keeping the energy of the upcoming FIFA World Cup alive! 

Meet the Authors: The New Birds of Alberta Field Guide

Meet the Authors: The New Birds of Alberta Field Guide

Ryley Schmidt
Neil Zeller is hosting an incredible, free event with David R. Scott and Gavin McKinnon, authors of the long-awaited updated edition of the Birds o...
Brian Henson Memorial Exhibition - Fundraiser for RESET Society of Calgary

Brian Henson Memorial Exhibition - Fundraiser for RESET Society of Calgary

Ryley Schmidt

During the 2026 Exposure Photography Festival, The Camera Store hosted the Brian Henson Memorial Exhibition to commemorate Brian Henson, a renowned fine art photographer and beloved friend. In accordance with the wishes of his estate, Brian’s pieces were made available for purchase throughout the festival, with all proceeds being donated to the RESET Society of Calgary. We are overjoyed to share that we raised $8,600 in Brian's honour! A huge thank you to everyone who bought one of Brian’s prints, contributing to a meaningful cause and celebrating Brian’s extraordinary legacy.

The Telephoto Lens For Landscape Photography

The Telephoto Lens For Landscape Photography

Ryley Schmidt

Who said a telephoto lens can't be a great choice for landscape photography? Joshua Saltsman is challenging this common perception with the Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f2.8 R LM OIS WR lens. This versatile, high-performance telephoto zoom lens can bring a unique perspective to expansive scenes. Joshua explores how focal length can create compression and improve your composition, so you can expand your creativity and capture stunning landscapes.

Matt Melnyk - A Winner of the 2025 Canadian Photos of the Year Competition

Matt Melnyk - A Winner of the 2025 Canadian Photos of the Year Competition

Ryley Schmidt

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Alberta landscape photographer, Matt Melnyk, won the "Weather, Seasons and Skies" category in the 2025 Canadian Photos of the Year Competition! The Canadian Photos of the Year competition honours the Canadian photographers who captured some of the best pictures of the year. 

Exposure Photography Festival Welcomes Stasia Schmidt as President & Board Chair

Exposure Photography Festival Welcomes Stasia Schmidt as President & Board Chair

Ryley Schmidt
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Stasia Schmidt, a dear friend of The Camera Store, has been elected to be the new President and Cha...
Birding with the Sony A9 III

Birding with the Sony A9 III

Guest Author

Sticking to one style can be effective because it attracts people who appreciate that particular aesthetic. However, it often confines you to a specific category, making it difficult to explore beyond your usual approach. Personally, I prefer to take photos in bright and sunny conditions, especially during the golden light of early morning and late evening. This lighting works well for the cheerful and dramatic images I enjoy creating. Unfortunately, when the sun isn't shining, I feel compelled to adopt a more subdued mood in my photography. I was reminded of this during a recent shoot, where the weather was consistently dreary, rainy, and windy, leaving me longing for that golden, crepuscular light.

Behind The Shot: The Power Of Pre-Capture For Bird Photography

Behind The Shot: The Power Of Pre-Capture For Bird Photography

Guest Author

Chris Laracy is a wildlife photographer based in the NY/NJ area. “I spend a lot of time in the field chasing clean light, clean backgrounds, and real wildlife behavior, especially the moments that happen fast and never repeat,” he explains. “Outside of shooting, I make my living teaching what I’ve learned through online lessons and mentorships, plus field workshops for photographers who want to build real skills in real conditions. I genuinely love what I do, and I feel lucky to be able to create and share this kind of work.” We came across some of Chris’ recent winter bird photography and reached out to learn more. Keep reading as he shares the story behind these shots, taken with his Alpha 1 II and 600mm f/4 G Master.

2026 Canadian Photography Conference

2026 Canadian Photography Conference

Ryley Schmidt

Registration for the 2026 Canadian Photography Conference is officially open, and it's filling up fast! Don't miss out on your opportunity to join an extraordinary group of photographers from across the country and beyond, here in Calgary, to celebrate a shared passion and hone the craft in a city known for its stunning natural beauty and artistic vibrancy. Whether you're looking to connect with fellow creatives, learn from top Canadian photographers, or explore breathtaking landscapes, this conference has something for everyone. With options to attend in person or virtually, this is your chance to immerse yourself in an event that promises inspiration, creativity, and connection. 

LowePro PhotoSport PRO - Your Must-Have, Multi-Day Adventure Backpack

LowePro PhotoSport PRO - Your Must-Have, Multi-Day Adventure Backpack

Ryley Schmidt

You're not just a photographer, you're an adventurer, an outdoor enthusiast who needs a lightweight, comfortable bag that's built to empower you on any photographic pursuit! The LowePro PhotoSport PRO Backpack is designed to carry all your camera and adventure gear, no compromises. Made for those who dare to explore, who are PRO adventure and PRO planet, the PhotoSport PRO Backpack is your all-in-one, easy-to-use, customizable solution for those epic, multi-day backcountry photography missions.

The Nature Photo Guys Test Out The Leofoto WN-03

The Nature Photo Guys Test Out The Leofoto WN-03

Ryley Schmidt

The Nature Photo Guys have released their latest podcast, and in this one, Chris and Joe take a closer look at the Leofoto WN-03 window mount, a rugged stabilization system designed for wildlife photographers and videographers shooting from inside their vehicles. With Chris increasingly relying on a cinema camera that lacks in-body stabilization, the pair set out to find a smoother, more stable alternative to traditional beanbags for long-lens wildlife filming.