finally free.

The last couple of years have been a mental roller coaster. Not to know if you'll be able to stay in the place you call home is devastating and very stressful. I tried so hard to live in the moment, not worry about the future. But it's tough. Mentally draining. Denied applications. Keep trying. New ones. More uncertainty. I felt trapped in the situation. Not wanted. Powerless. In hindsight I think it affected everything in smaller or larger scale; my well being, self esteem, life balance, work life, relationships. And so finally comes the Day. Suddenly you're there. The place you dreamed about. It's right in front of you, within reach. As I drove back up from the boarder it felt like I was dancing on clouds. With a feeling that could be described as 'beyond happiness'. I'm free. I can RELAX. I can stay here forever. I can do whatever I want in life again. I was however a bit naive, and thought that this would solve all my problems. Of course life's not that easy. I had to reset. Start from scratch to be able to find life balance again. To find peace within. But I'm on my way back to a new balanced, calmer self again! And damn it feels good!

as you live you learn...

"As you live you learn. I have learned to seize the day and take chances. To focus on what makes me truly happy. That the best things in life usually happens outside your comfort zone. It's important to believe in yourself when other people don't. It's important to say yes when others might say no. I have learned that change is nothing to fear. Rather, it is something that we need, something that we can't avoid.

I try to do things with my whole heart, listen to my inner voice, be present, live free, and live simple. I don't need to be constantly surrounded by people, but I make sure that the people I have in my life are real and true friends and people who inspire and make me smile. I do things that makes me feel alive, and things that I have never done before. Every day is a gift and I'm not going to waste it." - Anna Lengstrand

no flowers grow on a paved road.

I like things to happen. And if they don't happen, I like to make them happen.

Me embracing the sunset out on a sled mission in Callaghan Valley, Whistler, BC

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them" --George Bernard Shaw

we travelled across the globe to a place i know very well.

Uppsala & Stockholm, Sweden Nov 2013. Shot with film and my new toy Canon A-1.

This place means the world to me. These are my roots. It's something in the wind here. The fields I grew up playing on. The deep forrest where I used to walk my dog. My precious little house. My family. Those pubs we used to be drunk at. My friends, my very best friends. That same street we walk up and down. Our lovely lovely city we complained so much about. We thought no one could be happy here. The place we just had to get away from. And so I did. Now these places are the ones that lies the closest to my heart. The people and environments I dream about at night. Every night. I brought him there one week in November. Showed him everything and nothing. Showed him the most personal. 

the day I broke up with Normal was the first day of my magical life.

Haven't used my camera that much this fall. The weather has been amazingly beautiful, and the mountain lakes have been looking their best with glacier green water and colourful reflections. But I'm more inspired photography wise by fog, dirt and trashed environments. Well needed break maybe. Focusing on other parts of my life and doing some changes.

With that said, I put together a preview of my latest photo project shot earlier this year. Check it out here: https://vimeo.com/78583218

In 2 weeks we are packing our bags to go to Sweden again. Super spontaneous trip. Can't wait to see everyone again!

time flies....

August has been very busy work wise, not much time for play or being creative. Had a small photo exhibition at Two Acre Shaker (music festival) and painted a top sheet for Prior Snowboard's art contest this week. That being said, my staff is back at work and I can finally have some time off. Next up is a camping trip up a glacier near by. Splurged on a new hiking backpack and a warmer, and more light weight, sleeping bag yesterday. Can't wait to try it out.

This fall I will organize a bigger photo exhibit for my latest photography project. Also spend more time painting again. Stay tuned!

back to my roots.

I jumped on a plane to Sweden. A two weeks vacation that just ended. Haven't been home in almost 2 years and it was a blast. Thanks everyone for these beautiful weeks. I left with tears in my eyes.

I also attended one of my best friends wedding, as the maid of honour and wedding photographer. Don't ask me how this was done haha, but I managed to fulfill both tasks. The wedding was as beautiful as their high school sweetheart romance (and 13 years together!). Thanks guys for this amazing day and celebration of you two.

Also shot some photos of my other best friend, who's expecting in like 6 weeks. Crazy!

I love these 2 girls. And my family. And all my other friends. And my house.... I could keep going.

Goodbyes, tears, and hugs. Vacation is over. Back home to Canada.

close your eyes and follow your breath to the still place that leads to the invisible path that leads you home.

Shot head-shots of my lovely friend Laura the other day. The ones she's getting are all in warm and nice colors that truly express her as a person. However, you know what I normally prefer: black and white. So here's a preview, in BW, of the results.

OTWK + Coldsmoke

I can finally tell you what I've been up to lately! One of my new art projects.

Tomorrow morning Eric Beckstead and myself are dropping the teaser for the video project, the Whistler Alternative Lifestyle Video Magazine, we are working on. Under the Off The Wall Kids, OTWK, label from Coldsmoke (http://www.coldsmokeco.com).

Check out Coldsmoke and our bio's here: http://www.coldsmokeco.com/otwk/

We are very excited to share another side of our beautiful and talented Whistler, unseen by the avarage weekend tourist or seasonal traveller! There are so many talented and inspiring people living up here, we want to share it all with you.