Breakout Sessions

More Information About the 2025 Conference is Coming Soon.

Check out Past Events

Lightchasers is proud to work with some of the top brands in photography and will be featuring multiple Breakout Sessions with our partners.

BRAND EXPO

Location:
Brand Expo Showroom (formerly Ezzies bar)

One of our core tenets for Lightchasers is to break down barriers to access and that includes interactions with your favourite brands. We are very fortunate to be supported by all of our incredible brand partners and our Brand Expo allows you to interact directly with representatives from Fujifilm, McBain, Kase Filters, Sony, Nikon, The Camera Store, Tamron, and Canon as well as tourism groups like Living Sky Tours and South Canadian Rockies. From free sensor cleanings to new product demos, touch and try experiences, to opportunities to try out new gear in the field, and just asking questions and chatting with reps, our Brand Expo allows you opportunities to interact with our partners in ways you won’t find anywhere else.

Brand Expo Hours
Friday 9-1030am, 1-3pm
Saturday 9-11am, 1-3pm
Sunday 9-11am, 1-2pm

Tech Talks

Tech Talks in 20

Location:
Main Ballroom

Join Lightchasers founder and McBain Camera Ambassador, Shane Turgeon, and McBain Camera General Manager, Rene Rodrigue, for a series of 20 minute Tech Talks discussing the fundamentals of topics like the night sky and wildlife photography, tips and tricks for editing and a return of last year’s wildly popular topic, “Why is My Camera Misbehaving?”

Why is My Camera Misbehaving - Rene Rodrigue
Friday 1:45pm
We’ve all been there. Standing in the field in that perfect moment ready to capture the perfect photo…we click the shutter with great anticipation aaaaaand…something has gone wrong. Our camera is not doing what we told it to do. As user friendly and intuitive as cameras have become, they’ve also become incredibly complex. In his 30 year career as a photographer and 20+ years as a photographic retail specialist, McBain GM Rene Rodrigue has likely seen it all. From the easiest fixes to the real head-scratchers, Rene is here to answer your most stubborn gear-related questions!

Understanding the Night Sky - with Shane Turgeon
Friday 2:15pm
Learning to photograph the night sky can be overwhelming for those new to the genre. But before you can properly photograph the night sky, you need to have a solid understanding of the night sky, its seasons, and its targets. Join Shane as he takes you on a tour of the various elements that make for compelling night photography and the best times of the year to do it.

Lightroom Tricks to Make Your Images Pop - with Shane Turgeon
Saturday 1:45pm
We’ve all looked at other people’s images and wonder just how it is they get their photos to look the way they do. Well, it all comes down to editing. Just how much editing you do is up to you. For some, the process is very lengthy and involved but with just a handful of easy tips, you can start taking your images to the next level with ease!

Nightscapes 101 - with Shane Turgeon
Saturday 2:15pm
Now that you have an understanding of the night sky, Shane will go over the fundamentals of how to not just photograph the night sky but how to create compelling nightscapes as well. From scouting to composing and focusing in the dark, Shane will cover all of the basics that you’ll need to get started!

Tips for Better Wildlife Photography - with Shane Turgeon
Sunday 1:30pm
Are your wildlife shots lacking the lustre you’d like? Are they blurry or out of focus? Are you having trouble finding the subjects you want to photograph? Join Shane Turgeon as he shares some tips and tricks to help you improve your wildlife imagery!

Tech Talks

Portfolio Reviews

Location:
Heritage Inn Lounge

Feedback. It’s something we’re all hungry for when it comes to our photography. But finding opportunities for meaningful and constructive feedback is increasingly hard in a world of social media platitudes or positive comments from non-photographer friends and family members. To help you improve your images and your eye, some of our presenters have generously offered to review a selection of photos from our attendees each morning. Participants are to have their photos ready to show on a tablet, laptop or in print and each review is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes to help ensure everyone has an opportunity for feedback.
Portfolio reviews are first come, first served.

Saturday 9-10:30am
TJ Thorne
Craig Hilts

Sunday 9-10:30am
Tracey Halladay
Jacquie Matechuk

Field Sessions

This year we have four brand new sessions in five new locations as well as spots at some of our favourite locations from the past for those who are joining us for the first time or who couldn’t attend these sessions in previous years. Sessions are limited to TWO per person and sign ups will go live on March 1st at 10am MT. Some sessions may change due to provincial park availability.

SIGN UP FOR A FIELD SESSION (OR TWO!)
Field Session

Beauvais Bird Walk

Bird nerds pack your long lenses and gear up for a leisurely stroll through the Beauvais Lake meadows to photograph the returning songbirds and waterfowl - and maybe even a moose or two! Located just a short 15 minutes from Pincher Creek, this leisurely stroll over relatively easy terrain will be a perfect way to ease into your conference day, losing yourself in the moment while enjoying the walk and the creatures you see along the way.

Note: there is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location.

Presenters in attendance:
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 22km (20mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: long focal length lens, bear spray

Field Session

Cameron Falls

Located in beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park, Cameron Falls is a stunning and easily accessed waterfall with ample parking and smooth terrain. Hosted by Monika Deviat, attendees will be able to take their time photographing this beauty from a variety of angles. Bring some longer focal length lenses and isolate the falls for some intimate falling water shots too! While not an official part of the session, attendees are encouraged to come to the park early to explore the Red Rock and Akamina Parkways in search of wildlife before the session begins. 

Presenters in attendance: Monika Deviat
Physical difficulty level: easy 
Distance from Pincher Creek: 56km (40mins)
Attendance cap: 30
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, valid Parks pass (not included)

Field Session

Lynx Creek Campground

The Lynx Creek area is a beautiful, relaxing spot in Castle Provincial Park. The campground is nestled right along Lynx Creek and features many smaller cascades perfect for intimate jagged rock and water shots. Attendees can stroll along the creek for multiple vantage points and creek flow should be higher during the spring meaning more water will be flowing over the rocks than at other times of the year. Wildflowers and birds should also be plentiful in the campground to round out your morning photography pursuits!

Note: there is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location. 

Presenters in attendance: 
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 46km (40mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, rubber boots

Field Session

Boulder Run/Cottonwood Campground

A Lightchasers 2 for 1! This session is spread out over two closely-situated locations in the Old Man River valley between Pincher Creek and Heritage Acres: Boulder Run and the Cottonwood Campground.

Boulder Run offers attendees intimate views of fast flowing water breaking over smooth boulders in ambient evening light as well as reflection pools, cool rolling hills and architectural views of the Old Man Dam itself. There is a huge parking area that leads to rocky river terrain. Sturdy footwear is recommended for navigating the rocks.

Cottonwood Campground lives up to its name with a landscape replete with beautiful, old cottonwood trees that are full of character perfect for more intimate portraits. Across the river lies beautiful sandstone cliffs full of interesting textures for close up photos and a different view. Birders may find flickers, songbirds and maybe even an owl in the trees!

Note, there is no cell service in this area.

Presenters in attendance:
Physical difficulty level: moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 14km (15mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to long focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod, sturdy footwear

Field Session

Lundbreck Falls

Lundbreck Falls is a stunning double waterfall located a mere 20 minute drive from Pincher Creek. The waterfalls can be photographed from a variety of angles and offer a chance for both grand scenic and more intimate shots. This beautiful spot also features a great old trestle bridge that makes for wonderful compositions as well. A variety of birds also frequent this location. This location is easily accessible by all but does feature some stairs down to the lower level that may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. The falls are bathed in soft morning light around 7am but early birds may want to catch a reverse sunrise over the falls at 530am. 

Presenters in attendance: 
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 26km (21 mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to long focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod

Field Session

Sunset on Limber Pine Ridge

Not for the faint of heart, Sunset on Limber Pine Ridge is an exclusive opportunity to explore the majesty of a group of ancient limber pines located on private property that overlooks a scenic valley covered in wildflowers with the mountains in the background. This session involves a 2km hike through uneven fields and up a very steep embankment and is not recommended for those who aren’t experienced hikers or those with limited mobility. As this is located on private property, may involve potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife and a more difficult experience overall, participation in this session is limited and will be monitored with check ins and check outs. 

Presenters in attendance: 
Physical difficulty level: hard to extreme
Distance from Pincher Creek: 11km (13 mins)
Attendance cap: 25
Recommended gear: hiking boots, wide to medium focal length lenses, tripod (though not necessary), bear spray

Field Session

Castle Falls

While the falls at Castle may not be as spectacular as their Lundbreck counterparts, this beautiful location features a great opportunity for not just capturing the larger scene but is also a small-scene photographer’s playground. Details in the smooth rock surfaces make for great intimate and abstract shots where photographers can lose themselves exploring it all. This location is also wonderful for early morning sightings of a variety of songbirds and even birds of prey. 

Note: there is little to no cell service in this area. Attendees are encouraged to carry bear spray with them as bears have been known to frequent this location. 

Presenters in attendance: 
Physical difficulty level: easy to moderate
Distance from Pincher Creek: 42km (34 mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: wide to medium focal length lenses, CPL and ND filters, tripod

Field Session

Astro at Heritage Acres

Located at our host location, the Heritage Acres Farm Museum is a veritable time capsule of prairie life and features wonderfully dark skies. An old grain elevator and beautiful barn will allow attendees to face the northern sky to capture their favourite constellations or attempt some startrails. And if conditions are favourable, some late blue hour milky way core photography *might* be possible just before moonrise as well. 

Presenters in attendance: TBD
Physical difficulty level: easy 
Distance from Pincher Creek: 15km (10-15 mins)
Attendance cap: 40
Recommended gear: fast, wide lenses, tripod

Portfolio Reviews

Feedback. It’s something we’re all hungry for when it comes to our photography. But finding opportunities for meaningful and constructive feedback is increasingly hard in a world of social media platitudes or positive comments from non-photographer friends and family members. To help you improve your images and your eye, some of our presenters have generously offered to review a selection of photos from our attendees each morning. Participants are to have their photos ready to show on a tablet, laptop or in print and each review is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes to help ensure everyone has an opportunity for feedback.

Saturday 9:00-10:30am
Alex Buisse , Anna Morgan, Viktoria Haack

Sunday 9:00-10:30am
Alister Benn, Alex Buisse

LOCATION:
The Lounge at the Heritage Inn
(Sessions are first come, first served)

find out times and more details on our schedule page

view schedule
I found the conference to be unique in that there were diverse landscape genre presenters supported by a number of appropriate companies with their products. Less a workshop and more facilitation.
Jan Lyall
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Stay tuned for more information on more conference events such as portfolio reviews, the photography competition and more!