The hikers photography

🌿  Meet Emily: The Slug Mascot of Hikers Photography By Olivia, Founder of Hikers Photography I added someone very special to the Hikers Photography crew—and no, she doesn’t take pictures, but she  does  steal the spotlight. Meet  Emily , a hand-sculpted pottery slug with a big queer heart and an even bigger sense of adventure. Made by the talented local artist Leah Rosehill, Emily isn’t just a mascot—she’s a walking (well, sliding) symbol of joy, creativity, and the beautifully weird connection between nature, art, and queer identity. You’ll find her showing up in my photos, stories, and maybe even in the mossy shadows of Vancouver Island’s wildest places. 🐌  About Emily (She/Her) • Name:  Emily • Pronouns:  She/Her • Gender & Identity:  Female, proudly queer • Zodiac Sign (if she had one):  Probably a Cancer—emotional, earthy, loyal • Favourite Activities:  Car rides with the windows down (even though she can’t roll them he...

July12 2025 It’s funny how sometimes the best days start out with no plan at all. I woke up on July 12th without any real agenda—just a great night’s sleep and the kind of morning where the clouds are still deciding whether they want to stay or leave. I had no clue what I’d be walking into, and yet, it turned into one of those days that root deep into your soul and remind you why art, community, queerness, and creativity matter so damn much. After my morning coffee, I started rendering photos I had taken for the  Wall Things Art  project—an incredible art collective happening in Courtenay from July 5th to 11th. This day marked the final celebration: the unveiling. But I had no idea what was in store. Let me just say: it turned out to be nothing short of a love letter to art, queerness, and the wild heart of this town. Island Grown, Heart Shown We began our day at the Farmers Market, a magical little space that feels like a cross between an edible dream and a living collage of...

July 10, 2025 – Vancouver Island, BC This evening felt like something out of a dream. The kind that stays with you long after the sun dips below the horizon. As I sit in my car, warming up under the glow of the dashboard lights, I find myself reflecting on an unexpectedly magical night by the ocean. Earlier today, I packed up my camera gear and made the short five-minute drive from my home down to the familiar stretch of shoreline known as Saratoga Beach. Though it’s so close to home, there’s something about the beach at twilight that always makes it feel like I’m stepping into another world. A world where time slows down, where nature takes centre stage, and where the sky writes its own poetry. When I arrived, the beach was already alive with energy. Dozens of families and friends dotted the sand, some gathered around glowing campfires, others setting up tents or relaxing with warm drinks in hand. The scent of driftwood smoke and ocean salt filled the air as laughter floated across th...

 July 6th, 2025 — A Day Painted in People, Color, and Light By Olivia – The Hikers Photography This morning started off in a way I didn’t quite expect—but exactly how I needed. I woke up a little later than usual, letting myself lean into the rest my body was clearly asking for. As I brewed my first cup of coffee, the sky outside was grey and heavy with cloud. It looked like it might be one of those moody West Coast days, but there was a calmness to it that I welcomed. Still, something shifted. Maybe it was the caffeine kicking in, or maybe it was the quiet excitement of knowing I’d be wearing my  brand-new shirt —embroidered with  The Hikers Photography  logo. That one small thing gave me a real lift, a sense of purpose and pride that today might just be something special. I headed into town with  French toast on my mind , gathering eggs, milk, cinnamon—everything needed to make the perfect batch for the  Queer Coffee Morning  at the centre. And while...

“Becoming Me: A New Chapter Begins” It’s been almost 10 months since I last logged in… and honestly, it feels like a lifetime. After my last camping trip, life took a turn I didn’t see coming. What started as a peaceful return home quickly turned into chaos. Everything changed—I had to move out and start over. I went from being surrounded by familiar faces to navigating life on my own, with only my kids and the few amazing people I’ve chosen to keep close krista, Megin, Leyland, violet, Mimi, Keven, Paton and my immediate  family members. Those first few months were heavy. Stressful. Lonely. But through that storm, something unexpected happened—I began becoming who I was always meant to be. From a man surviving on the edges of my truth, I’ve stepped into the beautiful, powerful woman I am today. And even though the path was painful, it led me to healing, self-acceptance, and a strength I never knew I had. Nature has always been my refuge, and I’m not giving that up—not now, no...