keri coles

Victoria, BC – Anti-Enbridge Rally

A large anti-Enbridge rally against the Northern Gateway Pipeline happened in Victoria last Sunday. Hundreds turned out to the Legislature lawns before taking to the streets to march to Centennial Square. Once at the square, there was an afternoon full of workshops and panel discussions related to the environment, the energy sector, and effective ways to get involved in the debate. Here are some images from the day:

Behind the scenes of the Bella Bella trip.

My trip to Bella Bella involved beautiful landscapes, good friends, small world run-ins, and fabulous boat rides. Thank you, Yoey, for being such a wonderful friend, host, and inspiration. It was so great seeing your place and all the incredibly beautiful work you have put into it. It is a little slice of heaven. Thank you, Anna, for being such a fun, passionate, and thought-provoking friend and adventure buddy. I look forward to our next project. Bella Bella Wharf: The wonderful Yoey: Anna capturing the seascape: Yoey’s place and our home away from home for the week: I *heart* adventure…

Bella Bella rally against Enbridge pipeline.

I flew to Bella Bella yesterday to witness and photograph the Joint Review Panel Hearings being held there for Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline. Sharing my flight were the panel members as well as Heiltsuk’s high ranking Chief Woyala. The community came to the airport to greet their chief and to stand in solidarity against the pipeline. The demonstration was powerful, respectful, and peaceful. The panel members were taken in a van from the airport into town and over to a resort called Shearwater.  The rest of us walked into town where there was a feast, speeches, and dancing. The afternoon was a moving…

Gitga’at Rally to protest the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline.

It was so moving being up at the rally in Prince Rupert and seeing community come together with such solidarity against the Enbridge pipeline. Many remote and coastal communities depend directly on the lands and waters for their food, livelihood, and cultural practices. If there was a spill in the area, it would not just be an inconvenience, it would completely desecrate the way of life for thousands of people, not to mention sealife and wildlife. In opposing the pipeline, these communities are fighting for their lives. One of the reasons I feel so strongly about getting personally involved as…

Haida Carver – Lyle Campbell

When I was up in Prince Rupert for the rally, I spent Friday just wandering around. I came across Lyle Campbell’s carving studio and went in to check out his amazing work. I love spending time with artists and witnessing the process of creation. Lyle’s fiance Kim was there as well, painting. I was grateful for the opportunity to hang out and chat and capture them in action. They are such a lovely couple. Be sure to check out their studio if you are ever in the area! You can see Lyle talking about his art here.      …

Beautiful & Brilliant Bif.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Bif Naked up at the Prince Rupert rally. I had never seen her live before. She has a casual and intimate air about her that made it feel like she was playing for us in her living room. For someone that has had to face some major challenges in her life, it is apparent that she rolls with the punches and comes out smiling. I will definitely try to catch her show again.              

Exhibit A

What a great show it was. I feel so fortunate to have connected with all these amazingly talented women photographers for the Exhibit A gallery show. The turnout to the opening was incredible; the gallery was packed from the moment we opened the doors right up until the end. The day that I sat the gallery, it was pretty quiet which allowed me to take a few photos and have some fun 😉 The series that I did for this show is called “Modern Portraits of a Heritage Town”. I created abstract art by incorporating movement into my shooting while…