Lenora Barrett
Artist Story
I am a photographer who mainly focuses on landscapes, aurora borealis, and wildlife. I will sometimes shoot portraits or special events such as weddings, but I prefer the freedom of being in nature to take pictures whenever and however I want. That lessens the pressure: if I get a good shot, it’s great, and if I don’t, I will just go out another day. I love to experience that sense of autonomy with my art.
I am mostly self-taught. I got into photography in 2014, when I started taking photos out on hikes. I would share my phone photos on social media with my friends and family. One day, a relative told me that they had created a slide show with some of the images I had posted, which made me think that this might be something I am good at. So, I got a real camera and started learning as much as I could about the technical aspects of photography. That’s when my passion truly began.
Taking photos keeps me in the present moment. When I’m out taking pictures, I’m focused on making my visions come to life. I am very patient, waiting for the sun to be in the right place or an animal to come visit, and this helps me tackle the challenges of crafting the unique images that I want to create. I follow a lot of photographers online who inspire me tremendously. When I see images that I like, I always wonder how they did it and what they had to do to get there. It has helped me find my own niche and my own style.
I like to share my photos on social media, because I never know what will resonate with someone. It is very special for me to know that I might be able to touch someone in a way that I never thought was possible. That alone makes me feel really good about sharing my art with other people all around the world.
It never occurred to me that I would be a photographer. However, I’m a firm believer that we all have gifts. I think it’s so important for people to pursue whatever is special about who they are, whether it be sewing, painting, carving, or cooking. Following our unique passion is bound to make us all much happier!
Lenora was born in Fort Smith. She moved to Yellowknife when she was eight years old and still calls it her home to this day. The Northwest Territories have offered Lenora boundless sources of inspiration. Accompanied by her dogs, she loves to hike Yellowknife’s surroundings to capture images of what nature and its occupants have to offer. Lenora also joined a small group of local photographers called the Aurora Trackers, and she always brings her camera along with her while she travels to other countries. She shares her favorite images regularly on social media.
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