Dan was born in 1944 in the suburbs outside Oakland, California. Like some, Dan was born into a middle-class home and had horses growing up, and as time went by, the family seemed to be moving closer and closer to rural living. In 1971, Dan moved to the Kispiox valley on a piece of property where he still resides today…

I can’t recall how I acquired Bob’s number. However, I do remember making the call, explaining who I was, my intentions, a request for his time, and why I’m photographing random strangers across the country. Anyone I request to feature for my Back To The Land series, I still find asking the question stressful, which in my head sounds like, “So, do you mind if I invite myself to your home, force you to hang out with me, ask you some personal questions, and if you don’t mind, allow me to take your portrait?”. I have thoughts where someone pulls a twelve gauge on me…

His name, Greggo Mutch. You often hear stories of city dwellers trading in their nine to five, two-story home and unnecessary amount of stuff in an attempt for a back to the land experience. A lifestyle that can sometimes be romanticized into feel-good feelings of self-sufficiency, seclusion, and being nature's companion. Seeing Greggo’s situation was like stepping back into 1887 and the harsh reality of homesteading where the only comfort was a wood burning stove. Greggo still endures the realities people faced 150 years ago and he seems to be doing just fine…

Recently I was put in contact with Everette, an ex-school teacher who at one point created his own skateboard class where he once taught. We met over coffee and I was curious about his story, possibly doing a photo project around skateboarding, and what he’s been doing since leaving the Calgary Board of Education. He then mentioned pro blind skateboarder, Dan Mancina. My eyes wide, then asking him to repeat and confirm that there are blind skateboarders. In hindsight, it was ignorant of me to even think that the visually impaired could not skate. Hell, there are blind photographers, so why not blind skateboarders…

My wife and I woke up at the crack of dawn, I prepped the gear the night before as to save time in case of a delay, and drove using the directions Landon gave us which in my head translated to: find the makeshift road that you can barely see, no recognizable sign or landmarks, just make a sharp left when you hit roughly mile 30. I checked the speedometer with white knuckles on the steering wheel, both with stage fright and excitement…