For local wildlife photographer Chris Gornisiewicz, capturing the perfect image is about more than getting the right shot. It’s about sharing a feeling and helping people appreciate the wildlife living right in their own backyard.
The Cochrane resident has spent years photographing birds, bears, moose and other wildlife in the surrounding area, including Cochrane’s parks, nearby ponds, Ghost Lake and the Canadian Rockies.
And while people often ask where they can buy his photographs, Gornisiewicz has made a deliberate choice to keep his work off the market.
“I’m not selling my photography,” he said. “I’m giving my feeling.”
From tennis courts to wildlife photography
Gornisiewicz’s path to photography began after a 2013 injury forced him to step away from the sport that had been a major part of his life.
A former tennis player and coach, he spent time searching for a new passion before a friend suggested he try photography and lent him some equipment.
He eventually gravitated toward wildlife photography, a pursuit that brought a new challenge and creative outlet.
The learning curve was steep. Wildlife can appear for only seconds, require hours of waiting or remain elusive for an entire day.
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Gornisiewicz connected with photographers online, including experienced professionals, to develop his skills and learn more about the craft.
Despite moments when he considered giving up, he kept going.
Today, he shares his work through social media and his website, kgwild.com.
Finding wildlife close to home
After moving from Calgary to Cochrane with his wife in 2016, Gornisiewicz wanted to show residents just how much wildlife can be found close to home.
Rather than focusing on destinations across Canada, he concentrates his photography on Cochrane and the surrounding region.
He points to local parks, Riverfront Park, nearby ponds and Ghost Lake, along with Kananaskis Country and the Canadian Rockies, as places where wildlife can be found.
His photographs offer a glimpse into the lives of animals that many residents may live near without often seeing them up close.
Patience, preparation and respect for wildlife
Capturing those moments can take considerable patience, and Gornisiewicz says wildlife photography also requires an understanding of the risks involved.
He recalled a close encounter with a bear that prompted him to use bear spray, as well as another occasion when he helped a visiting photographer who had left their bear spray in a vehicle.
He says photographers must be prepared for unpredictable animal behaviour and maintain appropriate distances.
Gornisiewicz also chooses not to share the exact locations where he photographs wildlife, explaining that keeping those details private can help protect animals from unwanted attention.
For him, the goal is to capture wildlife without disturbing it.
Sharing the art, not selling it
Gornisiewicz has extended his approach to sharing beyond his online photography. He has also created a calendar featuring some of his wildlife images, including bears and moose.
Like his photographs, the calendar is not for sale. Instead, he hopes to share his work with others as a gift.
Residents can explore his photography and learn more about his work through his website and social media channels.
For Gornisiewicz, the reward is not a sale or a price tag. It’s the opportunity to share his passion and help others see the wildlife around Cochrane in a new way.
