Meet Jared French aka ApexxNation! He has lived in PG ever since he was little!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My wife, her bubbly personality makes me smile, being around her is a joy every single day.
What is your favourite local store in Prince George and why?
I would have to say London Drugs in Parkwood, their electronics department is amazing and they always have the latest camera equipment available at a decent price. I've never owned a DSLR but I hope to one day save up and get one.
Describe yourself in one word.
Introvert haha
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would really want to go anywhere in China, I've always wanted to experience the traditional oriental culture. It's quite amazing how honourable the live their lives, as well as the cuisine!
What is your favourite activity in Prince George?
Photography is my life right now anything and everything with cameras and learning new styles of photography.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Talking with a friend back in elementary school walking down the road I smashed my face into a hydro pole!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
My wife and my family believes in me and being by my side.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I come from an Indigenous background so most of my favorite childhood memories were either from my father teaching me my culture or our many road trips across Canada with my family.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Currently, I work up at the youth correctional centre working alongside the youth and introducing them to the Indigenous culture. We do crafts and drumming as well as various ceremonies.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Greed, whether its money, power, food, social status anything really greed plays a big part in today's world. I really wish people could become more humble and open minded to the possibilities the world could have if we all worked together.
Where would you sneak away to in Prince George to spend some time alone?
The trails up to the university behind my apartment. I live in an area below UNBC and the walking trails look fantastic.
Where would you like to see positive change in Prince George and why?
I would like to see more community based, family-friendly events happening around the city. Maybe a night festival or something.
What do you think makes Prince George great?
Prince George is based on Indigenous land and I feel very proud that it is becoming recognized. I love that their are spirit bears around town it just makes it feel like good place to call home.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. travel around China with my wife and see all the different cultures as well as eat great food.
2. be able to create a full time business in he community out of my photography.
3. become friends with toronto based photographer Peter Mckinnon so he can teach me his insane videography and photography skills.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Mostly on my Instagram account @apexxnation.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Apexxnation Studios
Why did you get into/start this business?
I've always loved photography and videography so when I finally started making videos and posting my photography I got an amazing positive response. I never thought it would be this big and overall im just happy that people enjoy my work.
What is the goal of your business?
To show my life through the lense of a camera, as well as build a local photographer community that can help me gain clients and potential business partners.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Perseverance. Being able to push through anything and everything. All the speed bumps and roadblocks in life are just obstacles and challenges for me to overcome.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would do thing different, for one I wouldve picked up a camera ages ago. I would be more outgoing and push myself more and more each day.
What do you always find yourself saying?
I'm always curious and asking questions but my biggest is my philisofical side of asking "what would happen if".
Tell us your best piece of life advice
Just keep going. No matter what life throws at you it's mainly what you make of it. I myself have had rough spots but I always got up and kept moving forward. A year ago I never would have thought I would be getting interviews or be in news articles.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I think it would be a pretty cool experience to spend the day with Peter Mckinnon or Chis Hau. The level of skills they have with a camera is amazing and I would spend the day learning as much as I possibly could.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I believe it's very important to shop locally, you are not only helping out local businesses but also the community as well as our local economy.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Getting married to my wife. It was such a special day and I cherish it every day.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I would have to say Steve Smoch, @thestweeb, he is a local tattoo artist in Prince George and I have been seeing his work though out my instagram feed lately and it is absolutely amazing! I have to go check them out soon and get myself a tattoo.
My choice for the PrinceGeorgeNow In Focus spotlight is:
Steve Smoch.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I just want to say that it has been an honor to be featured in another article for the my PrinceGeogreNow team. I really appreciate it and hope to do more in the future. I would also like to give a big thanks to my wife, family and followers for supporting me!
Thank you so much!
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Prince George!
