Snapshot: Standing still under a dancing sky

Remember staring up at the sky in wonder as a kid wishing on stars, seeing animals take shape in the clouds and being in utter awe of our wondrous universe? Those star wishes and cloud animals begin to fade away as we start to adult, but that awe never does.

Standing quietly under Manitoba's vast, daydream-y skies is where you can usually find Karyn Suchy (@_soley_) looking up in awe...then pressing *click.* Her Instagram feed is a sight to behold if you love your sights to be heavy on the sky side, and really, which Manitobandoesn't? She's our first profile for Snapshot -- a new weekly series where we chat with local photographersto find out what goes into making an Insta feed look so darn good.

So, tell us Karyn...

Why do you love to take photos?I love taking photos because it's a nice change of pace from my day job as a Biological Oceanographer. Spending time under the night sky allows me to quiet my mind, recharge, and reconnect. Long exposure photography is especially great because it requires the kind of stillness that is often absent from our day-to-day lives. The best part about taking photos is that I get to remember the special moments that I experience, alone or with others, in the places I love most in this world.

What are your three favourite places/things to shoot?

• Northern lights This choice is probably obvious from looking at my feed, but I will never tire of watching the auroras dance across the sky. It's a phenomenon that is different every single time you experience it. Some of my favourite moments are those spent with people seeing the auroras for the first time.
• Gimliand surrounding areas This will always be home for me and I try to spend as much time here as I can. After being away for so many years, it's nice to come back and explore this area as if I am a tourist in my own town.
• Iceland Can you blame me? It is one of the most photogenic places in the world! I've visited Iceland many times over the last 10 years and on each and every visit I am in awe of the ever-changing landscapes.

Among your vast feed, which photos are your favourites? And why?

The most recent aurora show, and the best one I've seen in years. This photo is special to me because I knew that so manyof my friends were out underneath the same beautiful sky.

I went on a solo camping trip toHeclaIsland in an attempt to become more brave in the dark and was rewarded during the first night when this aurora corona appeared right above my tent.

Kirkjufellis the most photographed mountain in Iceland. I love the interplay between the clouds and auroras in this shot and that the beloved Big Dipper is right above the mountain.

A friend and I set out in frigid (at least -30C) temperatures to watch theGeminidmeteor shower. I love how otherworldly Lake Winnipeg looks with the ice formations piled up on the shoreline at Willow Island.

I have a bit of an obsession with moonlight swimming. The calmness of the lake and the soft light of the moon created the perfect mood for this shot (and the swim!).

Who are your favourite follows on Instagram and what is it about their photos that you love?

• @josh_hydeman Josh Hydeman is one of the first people I ever followed on Instagram and his work is why I was initially inspired to take up landscape photography.
• @rezphotography Rayann Elzein is an aurora photographer extraordinaire! I'm in love with his aurora and landscape photos from Finland and Greenland.
• @pauleppic Paul Epp is a true Manitoba outdoors person with an innate ability to capture stunning wildlife images while adventuring with his family (talk about family goals!). So many of his photos take my breath away.

What's your secret? Can you share some advice on how to take an epic photo? Photograph what you love and practice. A lot. The common theme that I see in all of my favourite photographers' work is that they are passionate about what they are photographing and they get out there as often as possible. When you love the subject matter, the photos often speak for themselves.

I think my secret is (should I even admit this?) that my photography is often secondary to the experience I'm having. The majority of the time I'm using a remote shutter release and only making minor adjustments to my camera settings because I want to be as fully present in the moment as possible.

That said, I do have some technical tips specifically for astrophotography: a wide angle lens with a large aperture (below f/3.5 is best), a tripod, and patience are a must. Also, snacks. Do not forget to bring snacks!

What's missing from your feed?Arctic landscapes. I'm a lover of winter; the colder and snowier, the better. Both the Canadian Arctic and Finnish Lapland are on my bucket list of places to photograph in the next few years.

If "a picture is worth a thousand words," what story do you want your photos to tell? That some of the most beautiful moments are experienced when we are quiet and still. I hope that my photos show that these moments can be found right in our own backyard, no matter where we are in the world. I can only hope that my photos will inspire some people to step away from the busyness of everyday life to get outside, quiet the mind, and spend more time in nature.

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See Karyn's photos featured on our Instagram feed this week.

Want to be featured in Snapshot? Tag us and #lovecbcmbin your Instagram pics!