Matechuk took home four major honours at the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) Alberta Gala Dinner and Awards on October 24, including the prestigious Master\u2019s Award and three Best in Class distinctions.<\/p>\n
Her photograph, Just A Bite Right, earned the Master\u2019s Award in honour of Phanh Tram, MPA.<\/p>\n
The award-winning image was captured during a trip to Kenya, where Matechuk spent time photographing two male lions.<\/p>\n
“It was just one of the mornings that we had gone out to see them. As the sun had come up, it was still really cool and crisp and he just was letting out some big roars,” explained Matechuk.<\/p>\n
“It was beautiful because the light was nice and we were nice and low and just to be able to see the breath in the morning crisp air was really beautiful.”<\/p>\n
Matechuk also received three Best in Class awards for her photographs Collision of Forms in Architecture, Echoes of Aurora in Experimental\/Unclassified, and Look At It This Way in Fine Art.<\/p>\n
While some of her photography takes her around the world, one of her award-winning images was captured much closer to home.<\/p>\n
Echoes of Aurora, featuring the northern lights, was photographed just outside Cochrane.<\/p>\n
“The more I travel and the more people I meet, I mean, for them to be able to see Aurora in their lifetime is so high up on their list of things to do,” said Matechuk.<\/p>\n
“And we have that opportunity multiple times a year and spectacularly so. So it’s lots to be grateful for, that’s for sure.”<\/p>\n
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The annual PPOC Alberta Image Competition recognizes photographic excellence through judging by a panel of qualified professionals.<\/p>\n
Selected photographs become part of the 2026\u20132027 Alberta Salon, a travelling exhibition showcasing outstanding photography from across the province.<\/p>\n
Matechuk, who also serves on the PPOC Alberta board, says plans are underway for this year’s travelling exhibition, and she’s hopeful it will make a stop in Cochrane.<\/p>\n
Last year’s exhibition was displayed at Route 22.<\/p>\n
For aspiring photographers looking to capture their own award-worthy images, Matechuk says there’s no shortage of inspiration right here in town.<\/p>\n
One of her favourite locations is the Cochrane Ranche.<\/p>\n
“You can spend easily a full day on everything from macro to portrait to landscape,” she said, pointing to the area’s sunrise and sunset opportunities, changing light and moving water.<\/p>\n