Vanessa Dewson, MPA (Master of Photographic Arts)
Founder/Travel Advisor/Host
Ottawa, Ontario
Travel led to my love of photography, I can’t imagine one without the other. I was a long-time member of the Professional Photographers of Canada having earned my Master of Photographic Arts as well as several awards for my travel photography. In 2021, I began travel writing and have joined the Society of American Travel Writers where I have also won awards for my photography. I am also a part-time instructor of photography with the Ottawa School of Art. I have travelled extensively since I was a teenager, including living in Mauritius and South Africa. I have visited over 50 countries and have led photography tours to India, Iceland, Sri Lanka, France, South Africa, Namibia and Morocco. I can’t think of a better way to combine my two passions of travel and photography than planning and hosting a photography tour. Join me on a future tour or let me help you plan a trip with a focus on photography.
UPCOMING TOURS: Vietnam & Cambodia – February 2025, Wild Horses of Tuscany – June 2025, Gorillas & Great Migration – August 2025, South Africa – November 2025
You can see more of my work on my website, Instagram and Facebook.
Sandy Sharkey
Ottawa, Ontario
Sandy Sharkey is a former Ottawa morning show radio announcer who is now following one of her lifelong passions: horse photography. From a very young age, Sandy was drawing horses on the back of grade school assignments. She eventually discovered new freedom behind a camera lens; travelling extensively to find and photograph her favourite subject: the wild horse.
In 2013, Sandy photographed wild American mustangs that had been displaced from public lands in Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. She has since photographed wild horses all over the world from Mongolia to New Zealand. Closer to home, she has been running regular workshops to photograph wild horses in Alberta and on Sable Island. Sandy’s images have appeared in several publications and her work adorns the walls of public spaces and private homes alike.
A tireless wild horse advocate, Sandy is also a frequent guest speaker, webinar host, and writer, raising awareness for the protection of wild horses around the world. Her wild horse retreats help to support the work of wild horse advocacy groups and efforts to keep wild horses running free for generations to come.
Along with founder & photographer Vanessa Dewson, Sandy Sharkey is thrilled to be co-hosting a remarkable journey to Italy in June 2025 to photograph the wild horses of Tuscany. Stay tuned for more details soon!
Follow Sandy on Instagram and Facebook.
Tracy Elliott
Calgary, Alberta
Tracy Elliott is an Alberta based photographer who loves combining adventure with his camera. His Dad started him on the path to this wonderful way of expressing himself when he was quite young and he has had a camera in his hand ever since. He has studied art and photography all through high school and University where he definitively learned that he can’t draw or paint, but a camera did feel very natural. Along with taking pictures Tracy also has a love for doing anything outside. Photography is an inherent part of anywhere he goes.
Over the years Tracy has done many different types of photography; landscape, sports, portrait, real estate, wedding and event. Since 2007 he has had the opportunity to teach photography for the Continuing Education department at Mount Royal University. He has developed most of the courses for the department and loves teaching students the finer points of photography.
Through Mount Royal, and privately, Tracy has conducted many workshops from ice climbing photography to photographing landscapes in places like Banff and Waterton National Parks.
“I love learning about photography, teaching photography, talking about photography, and of course taking photos.”
Tracy lives with his wife and daughter in Calgary Alberta.
Kevin & Sheryl Minnett
Toronto, Ontario
We are Kevin and Sheryl. We have been partners in life for over 30 years. We did not step on a plane until our 10th anniversary but have traveled to over 50 different countries since then.
Our passion for photography began more than 20 years ago while volunteering in Mali, West Africa and Bolivia, South America where we soon learned the beautiful people we encountered needed to have their story told, and the best way we could do that was through images. For more than 10 years, we participated in sustainable community development and led teams of volunteers to these regions. So, when it comes to logistics, traveling with groups, and exploring new territory we have a bit of experience behind us.
In our photo tours and workshops, we aim to give personalized instruction, to create a positive experience, and to provide you with photographic opportunities for those shots you can’t wait to take home and share.
To see more of our work, visit our website here.