The hikers photography

By Olivia — August 1st–4th, 2025 The long weekend arrived like a shimmering wave, thick with heat and humming with possibility. August had barely begun, and already the air felt golden and stretched — a warm invitation to lean in, slow down, and fall in love with everything again. I wrapped up work early Friday with the kind of to-do list that feels aggressively unromantic: chores, yardwork, glue. The kayak needed sealing, the garden needed tending, and the camera — believe it or not — stayed sleeping in its bag. No photos. No spark. Yet. But the evening held a soft reprieve: dancing downtown with the youngest. Music, motion, messy joy. I even got some editing done amidst the giggles and feet tapping. Not a bad trade. Saturday: Maps, Cameras & a Paddle to Little Mexico By 9 AM Saturday, I’d scooped up Elizabeth and we were off — crafting a handmade birthday card for sweet Carson, turning Marge podge and shells into love. Afterward, the marina called to me like a lighthouse for the ...

🌿✨ Juliette: The Most Beautiful Mother pottery Slug in All the Land Neurodiverse. Queer. Slow. Glowing. And deeply, unapologetically lesbian. 🐌 INTRODUCING JULIETTE – MOTHER, MYSTIC, AND MOSS ICON Somewhere deep in the glistening underbrush of Vancouver Island, tucked gently under a damp, rotting log carpeted in moss as soft as a vintage velvet jacket, lives Juliette — the mother of Emily the slug, the quiet and beloved mascot of  The Hikers Photography. But Juliette isn’t just someone’s mom. She’s a movement. She’s a mood. She’s the original forest queer icon. And honestly? She’s been emotionally processing since before you were born. With a golden, banana-hued body and feelers that twitch ever-so-slightly when she hears indie lesbian acoustic music, Juliette is the kind of mother slug who makes being shy look like a whole aesthetic. She’s the reason Emily turned out so emotionally intelligent, camera shy, and drawn to puddles with good lighting. 🌸 WHO IS JULIETTE REALLY?...

🌿  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...

  Today was a bright and sunny day. We pulled out the awning on the trailer and got ready to go kayaking today for our adventure. The temperature was hot and it was just the four of us. Elizabeth decided to go to the movies with here sister.     so the adults know are able to go for a decent paddle. so we took two vehicles Loaded up the kayaks and headed out to the park at ships point where we were going to launch our kayaks this would be Geoffrey’s     maiden voyage with his brand new wooden kayak. brand new to him that is. We got all the boats down to the waters edge. The tide was low the sun was hot and the water was super nice and calm. We were paddling across to try and get all the way to chrome Island today. we took a nice decent paddle for about an hour, and took a breather and watched all of the Seals that were everywhere. Calia then suggested after we took a small break for our arms and that we go find the waters edge and get out of our boats and go for...

  Today was a shorter day than usual, but it ended up being quite eventful. We decided to give Elizabeth a bath, and Calia stayed home with her for an early bedtime since she is still just 11 years old. Meanwhile, Bryin, Dwain, and Geoff headed to the Royston for a panel. The weather was incredibly hot, and it only seemed to be getting hotter as the evening went on. We took our paddles and set out on the water, making our way to the Rex and around the area. The paddle was refreshing, and we even spotted a seal and its companion basking on a rock near the estuary, with a stunning sunset in the background. As we paddled back, we pushed hard and created a nice breeze that cooled us down. In total, we paddled 4.36 km in just 51 minutes. It was a thrilling experience to watch the strokes of our paddles hitting the water, creating ripples in the calm sea. Despite the tide being up, the water wasn't as deep as we expected, allowing us to see the bottom clearly. Overall, it was a fun and i...

  Tonight was a night like no other. The temperature was scorching hot, but that didn't stop us from embarking on an adventure. After a satisfying dinner, we made the decision to head to the Airpark boat launch and set out to paddle through the estuary, up the puntlage river, all the way to the condenser bridge.   The process of unloading our boats was surprisingly easy this time, and we all managed to get in the water quickly without any mishaps. As we glided up the Portland River, Geoff spotted a kingfisher flying by, adding to the already picturesque scenery of the evening. Calia led the pack, effortlessly navigating the river like a pro. As we emerged from underneath the 17th St. bridge, Dwain found himself being stopped by a rescue team. It turns out that two kayakers had lost their boats a couple of hours before our arrival, and one of them had a boat llla striking resemblance to Dwain's. Hastily paddling past the fifth Street bridge, we encountered children jumping into...

  Today started off like any other summer day in our little coastal town. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and we were all excited for a day full of adventure. Dwain, Elizabeth, Geoff and Calia     quickly scarfed down some lovely breakfast made by Calia before heading out to the parade. We went to try catching a glimpse of Bryin and the pipe band marching by as well as Calia and Geoff’s grandson Anthony. After enjoying the parade, we decided to make the most of the beautiful day by heading over to Calia's parents' place to load up Dwain's truck with the truck rack for our big trip. A wile later We feasted on a delicious chicken dinner with all the fixings that Calia made before testing out the new rack that would hold all our boats and paddleboard. Our destination for the day was Royston, a picturesque spot that we had visited many times before. This time, we decided to paddle to the right- hand side, all the way to the kingfisher. Along the way, Geoff impre...

  Tonight was yet another amazing adventure. The excitement started at 6 o'clock as we loaded up all the boats with Elizabeth joining the four of us. Our destination was Royston Rex, and despite the cloudy night, we were determined to make the most of it. The water was a bit choppier than usual, adding an extra thrill to our paddleboarding and kayaking expedition. As we made our way to the beach, we were greeted by six majestic herons, some of whom were engaged in a playful scuffle. We managed to capture two incredible pictures of the eagles above us. However, goff had a close encounter with the birds as he was dive-bombed while standing on his paddleboard with Elizabeth in front. Thankfully, he managed to keep his balance, and Elizabeth had a blast taking in the sights from the front of the board. Navigating the waters around Rex proved to be a delight, especially with the strong current working in our favor. We took the time to observe the birds perched on the logs covered in bar...

  today after we all finished our dug out 9-5 jobs and had dinner, we decided to head down to Royston rex. Elizabeth decided to stay home because she had to do stuff for school that is out in a couple days.     It was just the 4!of us adults tonight so we went to Royston Rex. when we were at Royston Rex we all saw such a beautiful sunset and while we were looking at the sunset we were watching birds. there was six herons sitting on top of the posts in the racks and there’s so many different other breeds of birds they were so cool. Bryin managed to get some really cool cool pics of the birds in their nests and nesting. it is also a nesting spot with loads of     nest so they can track them all.     Calia spend some time on one of the posts in the water watching the barnacles feed. It was such a cool thing to see .     Geoff stood up on his paddleboard tonight, as the ocean was really calm.     He got really close to some nests and wa...

  June 23 2024 we had a later then normal start ie being early for most at 8 am we made a good egg scramble as Dwane like to call it. Then we decided because it was a bit windy and for a change we went to comax lake and had a really long and good paddle we were going to continue further but because none of us have spray skirts Calia took in a lot of water with it being so choppy Geoff was braking the waves with his paddle bored and getting wet from the crashing waves. It was cool but Elizabeth was having troubles paddling     in to the choppy waves at the lake. we got prity far after attaching Elizabeth boat to Geoff paddle board and he had drag once agon     but not like last time as she figured out how to paddle with Geoff and keep a pace that created less drag we got almost back     after turning back because of taking on of water. We had to have an emergency get the water out of the boat stop on shore part way back. Almosy in  we decided to co...