Snapshot: Take me home, country roads

When someone can capture the heartland as lovely as Eric Qually (@eric_qually) can, they give you a little reminder that the prairies are a place you belong.

Eric says he's been snapping photos for only a short time, and while you wouldn't think that in image quality, you would in the sense of joy and wonder that breathes through his shots. He's been tagging #lovecbcmb on his photos for forever and we always enjoy seeing where his lens takes us next. Eric is this week's Snapshot profile. Here's what he had to say about his home and making the most of a moment...

Why do you love to take photos? I love to capture a moment and freeze it in time. I look at it as creating art really. Something that my eye is attracted to. Something I want to look back upon and relive the memory of that moment.

I still look through my family photo albums and they make me smile, reminding me what life was like back when I was more carefree. Those are memories I will forever cherish. I hope the photos I take today will be looked upon the same in the future.

What do you think makes a memorable photograph? Every photograph can be memorable to someone in their own way. That's what is so special about us all. We all have our own vision of this world and what's around us. As far as what makes any given photograph memorable? You. You make it memorable.

What story do you want your photos to tell? That there is beauty everywhere around us all the time. That in an age where we are all moving at breakneck speed, we should take pause and savour the small moments.

Which photos are your faves? The shot that started it all. I've always loved photography but never really got behind the camera. After capturing this photo, I knew I wanted to continue. It quickly became a passion.

Growing up on a farm, I can remember spending hours in the combine with my dad. I don't know what it is about taking a crop off the field, there's just something soothing about it. (Minus the breakdowns, of course.) The meals in the field, the old country music, the smells, the sounds, are all moments I cherish to this day.

The vast prairies landscapes and big open skies will forever hold my heart. This shot blended my love for the country with the beauty of a prairie sunset.

Capturing a macro photo in black and white is one of my favourite things to do. We walk past things like this every day without taking a closer look.

The Arizona sky on thisnight was alive with colours changing fast and furiously. I could sit watching sunsets for hours and hours.

What are your three favourite places or things to shoot?

• Starbuck -- I love to photographclose to my hometown. I've since moved, but growing up on a farm made me appreciate the beauty of the prairies. I always appreciate thepace of country living.
• Nature -- Whether taking off to the Whiteshell, day tripping through Pembina Valley or finding my way to Riding Mountain, you will most likely find me on a random gravel road looking for something new to shoot.
• Arizona -- It's amazing what you can see when you explore a new location. The hills, palm trees, different reflections,Even the sky looks different than home whenthe sun sets.

Who are your favourite follows?

• @andre.brandtA favourite since I started taking pictures. His ability to capture the beauty of northern Manitoba is absolutely stunning!
• @smashley33_33 Has a unique style all her own. Vivid and unique. Her photos have inspired me and she's one of my biggest supporters.
• @831gaberodriguez Let's just face it, the man takes some killer shots!

Can you share some advice on capturing a great photo? From the centre of a spider web to a bird overhead, things look different to everyone. So even though someone has already taken a shot you like, when you see the same thing in real life, look at it from different angles, you'll be surprised at how you can capture it differently.

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See Eric's photos featured on ourInstagramfeedthis week.

Snapshotis a weekly series where we chat with local photographers to find out what goes into making an Insta feed look so darn good. Tag your photos with#lovecbcmbfor chance to be featured. Previous features include:

• Snapshot: Capturing a complicated city
• Snapshot: It's all coming up Rosie
• Snapshot: Standing still under a dancing sky