Life is a journey. It's a well-used phrase.

For me, that journey has frequently been a physical one as my work and personal travel has enabled me to explore over 35 countries across 5 continents, fueling my passion for discovering the nature, people and landscapes they hold.

I’ve explored the forests and savannahs of West Africa, and gained wisdom from the teachings of Indigenous Elders in the Canadian North. I’ve tasted the cuisines of diverse communities throughout Europe, and experienced the contrasting cultures of the historic trading ports of Arabia.

My continuing quest is to find and tell stories that connect people with these places. Through film-making, photography, travel writing, and guiding experiences in the natural world with my binoculars & telescope, I experience my world through a lens.

Why am I telling you this, you may ask?

August 2018 found me deep in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. A guest of ME to WE I was there to document the story of 7 youth from across North America as they experienced life in the jungle. What began as a work project quickly evolved into a transformative journey.

Meetings with local farmers,  taking hikes surrounded by birds & animals, participating in a community build project, tapping into the spiritual traditions of the indigenous Kichwa. It had a profound effect on all of us.

It sparked a desire in me to combine my passions for travel, sustainability, sharing stories and making connections to shine a light on remote places - and meet the people that you meet there. These are powerful stories - whether experienced first hand, or through recorded images, sounds and words.

I needed a name for this new venture - a name that reflected the source of its inspiration.

The current name of the lodge where we stayed, nestled on the banks of the Napo River by the village of Mondana is Minga, which means to "work together" in the local Kichwa language, a word that united our group during our trip. 

Before that, the lodge was called Yachana, which roughly translates as "a place to find knowledge and wisdom". I could not imagine a more fitting name to describe what I wanted to do.

And so Yachana Pictures was born - somewhere to find inspiration, to be guided on a journey to new places, to feed your curiosity. A place to make connections, and see your world through fresh eyes.

Yes, life IS a journey, with fascinating characters awaiting you. And when you choose to venture ON the beaten track - following in the footsteps of those who have walked these paths for generations - the experience will change you.