Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about who you are.
I’m an adventurer. I’m an artist. I’m an avid traveller and outdoorsman.
In 2017, I found myself deep in rural Quebec because my sisters decided it would be a good idea to ride their horses across Canada. Having just gone through a bad breakup, I was going to move to Australia, but my parents convinced me to tag along with my sisters to document their journey ‘for at least two weeks’. Anyways, a month in, there I was, still on the road: it was raining. All I had was my bicycle, all our food for the next 5 days, a camera and a Google pin of the farm we were supposed to meet at for the night. I turned a corner and all of a sudden, a big guard dog rushed out at me. Usually, they stop at the fence line, but this one came right out to the road, hackles raised, snarling and snapping at my feet. I kicked out and pedalled like my life depended on it. Weighed down by saddlebags of food and camping gear, plus a full 40L backpack, this made no easy task. My hands were frozen from the rain and cold, and adrenaline sweat beaded off my forehead. It took probably 500m before the dog gave up. And this was just one of the 249 days we spent on the road, going from Mahone Bay, NS, to Vancouver, BC.
I don’t know if I have any photos from that particular day, but during that trip, I shot thousands of photos of Canada, my sisters, the Canadians we met and the experience of life lived on the road. We endured torrential downpours, hailstorms and even a tornado as we crossed the country at 6km/h.
What I am, what I want to be, is a storyteller. I want to do things people won’t do or can’t do and create imagery that allows them a glimpse into what that experience might be like.
When you stick your neck out, get dirty and do hard things… that’s when you get the shot.
The Lions, from Mt. Brunswick, Vancouver, BC
When did you get into photography and what made you stick with it?
I’ve always had a camera in my hand, but more so for video. I started by using my parents’ camcorder to make silly home videos. Usually some kind of “action movie” that involved me throwing my brother off of something (sorry Ty). I adopted the point-and-shoot digital camera and documented holidays and vacations. I bought my first DSLR in university for a video project, but I really started to get into photography when I moved to Montreal a few years later. I originally focused on portraits and street photography, even though that wasn’t my calling; it wasn’t my passion.
The moment that truly lit my fire was going to Envision Festival in Costa Rica in 2018. I weaselled my way onto the media team, became friends with everyone there, and they all inspired and pushed me to be better and really level up my work. Doing that for three years in a row skyrocketed my capabilities and gave me so much joy and confidence.
@damexplores in Cappadocia, Türkiye
@bennrow95 in Blackcomb Backcountry, BC
When did you realize that photography was something you wanted to do as a career/work?
During Covid, I finally decided to move out west. I became friends with a handful of photographers, some of whom were transitioning into full-time work. They showed me that it was possible to actually make this a career, and I followed suit. It took a while, and a lot of mistakes learning, but I’ve never been good at “traditional” jobs anyway. They never gave me the freedom I desired, and I don’t love answering to people haha. I’ve kind of always had the idea that I was going to work for myself. My dad also created and ran a successful business in the arts, so having him as a role model made it a lot easier for me to say, “Yeah, this is something I can do; I can figure this out.” I’ve been getting paid for over 10 years, but full-time for about four years.
With photography being part of your full-time job, do you still find yourself taking photos for pure enjoyment outside of work?
Oh my gosh, yes! I’d say I take more personal photos than I do client photos. Video is where more income comes from, which allows me to keep the art of photography alive. It’s something that has just… become me. It’s more of a lifestyle or meditation… a practice that I step into often as a form of being present. And as someone who’s had a lot of brain injuries from sports, my memory is not the greatest (and I am worried it’s going to get worse). Photography is a way for me to capture not just an image, but the feeling of what I was experiencing. I love being able to look through my photos (especially when I print them) and be transported back. And this leads well into the next question…
@wandering_claud atop Mt. Brunswick, Vancouver, BC
@katarinakeca somewhere in Saskatchewan
Triple Peak from 5040, Clayoquot, BC
What’s your favourite type of photography you do when you aren’t working?
Travel photography! It keeps things fresh and takes me to new places. I love the challenge of trying to capture a location that has been shot millions of times in a way that feels unique to me. This usually means waking up way too early before sunrise for a shot, or hiking down many kilometres in the dark after sunset. But that’s all part of the fun.
Another thing I love is taking my camera into the backcountry. The brain injuries came with a lot of mental health struggles, and I found photography and hiking were the best medicine for getting out of the mind and into the body and moment. I love the process of planning a trip, hiking, shooting, curating, and editing until it all coalesces into something beautiful. The work takes a lot of time; I have to be really focused on every aspect of the process so it does an excellent job of quieting the noise.
I like to think of my visual style as “ethereal realism.” I want people to know that this was a real moment, but for it to feel slightly heightened and dreamy, like how the high of summiting a mountain makes everything feel brighter, more saturated, and almost overwhelming.
Old Harry Rocks, United Kingdom
Rovijn, Croatia
What’s your go-to gear setup these days? Any favourites you always bring with you?
I like to keep it fairly simple: Canon R6 with a SmallRig cage, RF24-70mm, and a 1/4 Pro Black Mist filter. I’m a huge fan of that filter (it was monumental in honing my style over the last few years). Recently, though, I have found myself leaning more toward the RF15-35mm. And for hiking, I do try to only bring one lens (I try, sometimes I’m lugging everything). I’m a big believer in constraints begetting creativity. They force you to know your gear, know the limits, and find unique ways to get the shot that doesn’t feel boring.
I also got an iPhone 17 Pro this year, and for the first time in I-don’t-know-how-long, I actually went on a few hikes without my camera. That thing can take some crazy photos, and it’s been nice not to lug an extra 6–10 lbs around. And again, limitations breed creativity. It’s been a fun exercise to shoot intentionally on a phone and get some imagery that is *almost* as good as a camera.
The Black Tusk, Whistler, BC
Are there any other photographers, artists, or creators that really inspire you creatively?
I’ve been asked this a few times lately, and funnily enough, for the most part, my friends. Brad Flowerdew (@bradflowerss), Alex Mackenzie (@alexmacknzie), and Damien Abad (@damexplores) are all super talented photographers I’m lucky to call friends. They have all helped me grow. Brad taught me that quality and quantity can exist together, and that dedication and work ethic are everything. Alex showed me just how potent creating a small collection of her strongest curated images can be. And Damien has taught me to shoot, edit, and post, don’t sit on content, just get it out into the world!
Other artists who currently inspire me are Cath Simard (@cathsimard), her images and dedication to “the shot” are insane. Jake Forsythe (@jakeforsythe) is also a monster on the camera; the quality of image he puts out and his use of colour and depth of light blow my mind every time.
Lastly, I’m a huge music lover. I grew up playing tons of instruments, even teaching guitar and piano for years; I once thought my career was going to be music-related. So I love to listen to music while I edit. It helps inform my mood as I craft images. Current go-to artists for editing are Kiasmos, Teebs, Jon Hopkins, berlioz, and Arcade Fire.
@bennrow95 in Blackcomb backcountry
@bennrow95 viewing Wedgemont from Mt Cook, Whistler, BC
You offer everything from photography and video to strategy and editing. Where do you think clients get the most out of hiring you for the full package?
I can speak to them about every part of the process, and I know it intimately. My goal as a solo-op is to deliver an agency-level product at an affordable price. I really think my clients value my ability to work with them strategically and creatively to deliver content that exceeds visual expectations, resonates with their audience, and meets their budget. I’m also a really big believer in photo and video coming from the same place. This makes sure that everything feels unified and also saves time and money. When I work with a brand on a longer-term contract, we’re really able to develop a strong visual identity.
Working solo also means I can be flexible, so I can meet smaller companies where they are while having upward scalability, skills, and insight to take on projects from bigger clients like L’Oréal or Financeit.
And lastly, what’s the best way for someone to reach out if they want to collaborate or book you?
The main three ways to get in touch are through my website (www.josephkeca.com), my email (hello@josephkeca.com), or through Instagram (@joekeca). I love to hear about any and all projects you may have, and I love talking shop, so feel free to reach out and say hi!
Porsche 993 in Banff, AB