KelownaNow is excited to feature some of our favorite Instagram profiles from the area!

Mr. Okanagan is a Kelowna-based amateur photographer and outdoor enthusiast. He started his Instagram profile to share his love of the region and all it has to offer. Having moved to Kelowna just a year ago, he’s quickly embraced the Okanagan lifestyle and almost always has his camera in tow.

Why do you use Instagram?

Instagram is a simple but powerful social medium. With the freedom to couple rich and vibrant photography with fulsome captions, there’s nothing else out there quite like it. I find the Instagram community to be highly engaged and relentlessly positive, which is a satisfying combination. It’s a perfect excuse to go out and explore; to discover new things and new places.

What will people see on your feed?

The first thing you’ll notice is that you won’t see me. I want to help bring the Okanagan to life through impactful imagery of the region rather than of the person behind the lens. Plus, a little bit of mystery doesn’t hurt.

Beyond that, I try to capture as much of Kelowna and the Okanagan as I can. From sweeping landscapes atop Pincushion to fiery beach sunsets to the flair of local cultural events, there isn’t much that I won’t turn my camera to. I’m a sucker for landscapes but my goal is to capture more of the developing social and cultural fabric of the region.

My wife often jokes that it takes us twice as long to get anywhere because I’m always stopping to take photos. Luckily, I’m never in much of a hurry.

Does your page have a specific style?

I’m more candid than portrait, more nature than urban and I love a mind-bending wide angle. That said, I’m not tied to any particular style. I tend to take an obnoxious number of photos and pick out the one or two that catch my eye. I suppose that makes my style “shoot first ask questions later”.

Favourite Instagram accounts to follow?

I often turn to Instagram for inspiration. I’ve lived in the region for only a relatively short time and so I’m always getting great ideas and suggestions from some of the established photographers. @KelownaNow and @TourismKelowna are great at collating local content and accounts like @HikingtheOkanagan have an amazing repertoire of local viewpoints.

How do you decide on your location for shoots?

Mostly by accident. If I hear of a good hike or a fun event, I’ll go check it out and I almost always bring my camera. Even when it’s cumbersome and annoying. I’ll readily admit that I suffer from FOMSP—Fear of Missing Something Pretty.

Biggest Instagram moment?

I went down to the beach a few weeks ago near the Lake Avenue beach access point to take a photo of the setting sun casting its glow on Okanagan Mountain Park. There were the remnants of an old pier in the foreground and as I was setting up my tripod, the sun reflected off of a glass house behind me and bathed the derelict pier in a warm orange hue. That photo made my week.

Favourite hashtags?

#ExploreKelowna #exploreBC #choosemountains #exploreOkanagan 

If you would like to be featured for Sunday Social Connection send an email to dylan@kelownanow.com.