For local wildlife photographer Chris Gornisiewicz, capturing the perfect image is about more than getting the right shot. It\u2019s about sharing a feeling and helping people appreciate the wildlife living right in their own backyard.<\/p>\n
The Cochrane resident has spent years photographing birds, bears, moose and other wildlife in the surrounding area, including Cochrane\u2019s parks, nearby ponds, Ghost Lake and the Canadian Rockies.<\/p>\n
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And while people often ask where they can buy his photographs, Gornisiewicz has made a deliberate choice to keep his work off the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not selling my photography,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m giving my feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
From tennis courts to wildlife photography<\/p>\n
Gornisiewicz\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He eventually gravitated toward wildlife photography, a pursuit that brought a new challenge and creative outlet.<\/p>\n
The learning curve was steep. Wildlife can appear for only seconds, require hours of waiting or remain elusive for an entire day.<\/p>\n
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Gornisiewicz connected with photographers online, including experienced professionals, to develop his skills and learn more about the craft.<\/p>\n
Despite moments when he considered giving up, he kept going.<\/p>\n
Today, he shares his work through social media and his website,\u00a0kgwild.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Finding wildlife close to home<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Rather than focusing on destinations across Canada, he concentrates his photography on Cochrane and the surrounding region.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n His photographs offer a glimpse into the lives of animals that many residents may live near without often seeing them up close.<\/p>\n Patience, preparation and respect for wildlife<\/p>\n Capturing those moments can take considerable patience, and Gornisiewicz says wildlife photography also requires an understanding of the risks involved.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He says photographers must be prepared for unpredictable animal behaviour and maintain appropriate distances.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For him, the goal is to capture wildlife without disturbing it.<\/p>\n Sharing the art, not selling it<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Like his photographs, the calendar is not for sale. Instead, he hopes to share his work with others as a gift.<\/p>\n Residents can explore his photography and learn more about his work through his website and social media channels.<\/a><\/p>\n For Gornisiewicz, the reward is not a sale or a price tag. It\u2019s the opportunity to share his passion and help others see the wildlife around Cochrane in a new way.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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