A former teacher turned photographer has begun a small business in northern Ontario.
Patti Parker, who called Pelham home for a number of years, took up photography after moving out of Niagara and has not been able to put the camera down.
Upon early retirement from teaching after 25 years, Parker and her husband began looking into purchasing property up north.
Soon after, they found the perfect location along Gosling Lake.
Parker, who also played in a local rock band, had never been one to shy away from a challenge, but admits the move was not so easy at the start.
“I said goodbye to teaching and my music career when I moved.
“It was a rollercoaster ride. Going from being busy all the time, to having everyday off in a location away from friends and family was tough.”
That’s when she decided to reinvent herself, starting with the new hobby of bird watching.
Being located near Algonquin Provincial Park, the opportunities for sightings were endless and Parker quickly begun bringing a point-and-shoot camera on her travels.
Photos of birds turned into deer. Deer turned into moose. Eventually, she had a wide assortment of nature shots from her new home, leading to the new business venture.
She decided to start printing the photos on note cards and selling them at the local farmers market.
“The door was opened for me to continue furthering myself in something I’d grown to love to do all the time.”
Now, Parker’s photos are in 33 locations, including Kingston, Muskoka and Niagara as her business starts to expand.
“Every day is a new adventure,” Parker said. “I never thought I’d be a person who would be requesting to go moose watching on my birthday, but it has turned out to be a great experience overall.”
Not everyday is paradise up north for the pair.
Black flies, blizzards and other gifts from Mother Nature often cut hikes short, but Parker always makes it back in search of that perfect shot.
“Wind can be challenging to shoot in with the freezing temperatures and falling snow. But if you like something enough, you put up with the conditions that are presented in front of you.”
Parker still visits Niagara, making the trip down once every two months to visit with family and friends, but says her bag is heavier now.
“I take my camera everywhere. I’m always on the lookout for that next great shot, no matter the location.”
You can purchase Parker’s note cards at Sobeys, Natures Corner and Vermeer Garden Centre. To view her collection of photos, visit www.pmbparker.wix.com/photographybypatti.
