I had taken part in a travelling dress project before, but it was usually limited to photographers within the same city, or close proximity, and handing the dress off in person. I loved the concept, but kept thinking about how fun it would be to take it beyond one location and include more people. That idea led me to start a travelling dress project for PPOC members, Professional Photographers of Canada.
It began here in Alberta and quickly grew as photographers from other provinces wanted to join in. Opening it up to PPOC members across Canada felt like the obvious next step.
The dress started its journey in Westlock, travelled throughout Alberta, and then made its way into British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario—picking up new stories and creative energy at every stop.
15 photographers, including myself, participated and below are their images!
Angela Patrick – Westlock, Alberta | Tumbleweed Portraits and Photography
www.tumbleweedportraits.com
www.instagram.com/tumbleweedportraits
https://www.facebook.com/tumbleweedportraitsandphotography
Marlene Palamarek – Lacombe, Alberta | Painted Light Photography
https://www.paintedlightphotography.ca
https://www.instagram.com/paintedlightstudio
https://www.facebook.com/PaintedLightPhotography
The year was 2020. We all know what that means.
My youngest son was experiencing his first great love, and I was about to photograph her graduation session at a breathtaking location called Dry Island Buffalo Jump. After that session, I had every intention of bringing my son back to photograph him there as well. But as graduation came and went, the relationship ended—and with it, my desire to ever return.
That place became tangled with heartbreak. I never felt that warm, fuzzy connection to the images again because they only reminded me of my son’s pain. So I quietly avoided the location altogether.
When the opportunity to participate in the Traveling Dress came along, I jumped at it—knowing immediately where I was going. I could already see the colour and fabric in my mind, moving against the hoodoos and fall landscape. The contrast of soft, luxurious fabric against the prickly ground and rugged formations was exactly what I had imagined.
And I wasn’t wrong.
As we spent the evening walking, laughing, creating, and sharing friendship, something shifted. The light wasn’t perfect at first—the sun was still high—but I could feel it happening. A renewed appreciation. A softening. A return.
Those images gave me more than I expected. They gave me a new way to hold that place again. A deeper appreciation for time spent with fellow creative souls, and a renewed love for simply getting in the car and driving—trusting that there’s magic waiting at the end of the road.
Jaime Knight – Killarney, Manitoba | Jaime Knight Photography
https://jaimeknightphotography.mypixieset.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jaimeknightphotography/
https://www.facebook.com/jaimeknightphotography
When I first heard about this exciting project I was so excited to join it. I needed a fun creative shoot for myself. So I put out a model a call and ended up photographing 15 models for it!! Although in all fairness, 3 were my own children 😉
I knew I wanted to highlight the beauty that is Manitoba in the fall. So we went up to Steep Rock with its a stunning beach that has turquoise waters with bright blue skies. So my first image to highlight is Model Alyssa ion Steep Rock.
My next image was a fluke, I had thought of this concept a few days before I had to ship, so didn’t think it would happen, BUT “luck” would have it, the postal strike delayed shipping while we found an alternative shipping method, so I was able to photograph the talented Dancer Lucy,
My final image was a way to include to my youngest daughter, who didn’t fit the dress so well, but this was a fun play on ‘dressing up like mom’, and on the act that little girls often love to wear the prettiest dresses all the time, no matter what they are doing.
Thank you so much to Angela for setting up this fun project, I can’t wait for the next one!! If you want to see more of the images please check out my blogpost on it, PPOC Travelling Dress Project 2025 – Jaime Knight Photography
Krisztina Beothy – Calgary, Alberta | Beothy Photography
www.beothyphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/beothyphotography/
https://www.facebook.com/Beothy.Photography
This photo concept came together quite naturally. When I first saw the dress—with its satin sheen and deep, rich blue—I immediately thought of the elements: water, air, movement. My daughter kindly agreed to model, and my husband helped by tossing the dress repeatedly so I could capture multiple flowing layers to composite later. I wanted drama, motion, and atmosphere. The sun was setting and clouds softened the sky, but the diffused light worked beautifully, complementing the mood I envisioned. And that’s how this image came to life.
Joan Kennedy – Medicine Hat, Alberta | Joan Kennedy Photography
https://www.instagram.com/humansofmedicinehat
Concept: Sunset in Red Rock Coulee – An Iconic Site in Southern Alberta. My two daughters are the models (“Sisters”). The orange color of the rocks and sunset compliment the blue of the dress. One daughter is a Muslim, so her image shows her as a “Desert Princess”. My other daughter is more of a free spirit, “Joie de Vivre”.
Ann Poole – Winnipeg, Manitoba | Ann Poole Creations
www.annpoolecreations.com
https://www.instagram.com/ann_poole_creations/
https://www.facebook.com/annpoolecreations
Charlene & Don Wold – Grande Prairie, Alberta | Beyond the Lens Photography
https://beyondthelensonline.com/
https://www.instagram.com/beyondthelensphotography2024/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555417341327
The Whisper of Teal is a visual story about confidence, movement, and stepping fully into your own presence. The series begins with a dreamy, mysterious vibe as the model reclines in a flowing teal dress, her mask adding a touch of fantasy and elegance.
Then the mood shifts—the dress lifts, swirls, and fills the air with movement. Each pose shows emotion in a different way: curiosity, strength, softness, and creativity. The satin becomes almost alive, moving like water around her as she stretches and reaches through each moment.
The final portrait is bold and empowering. With the fabric rising behind her like wings, she stands centered and self-assured.
This series celebrates expressive fashion and the power of owning your space. It’s a reminder that movement is beautiful, confidence is dynamic, and sometimes the simplest backdrop can make a powerful story.
Lianne Matieshen – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Lianne Matieshin Photography
www.liannematieshinphotography.com
www.instagram.com/liannemphoto
www.facebook.com/LianneMatieshinPhotography
My first idea was to shoot in an amazing location that showcases the natural beauty near Saskatoon along the South Saskatchewan River. Since I specialize in pet photography, I knew a pet needed to be included in the images. My friend Kendra and her dog Fitz were the perfect models as I love the bond they have. Unfortunately, Fitz has since unexpectedly passed away, so these images prove how special photos with our pets are and that it’s never too late to have them done.
Megan Groenenboom – Lethbridge, Alberta | Megan Kelsey Photography
www.megankelseyphotography.ca
https://www.instagram.com/megan_kelsey_photography/
https://www.facebook.com/megankelseystudio
The Travelling Dress series captures a woman’s journey through strength, freedom, and self-discovery. The flowing teal gown becomes a symbol of movement and transformation—stretching across landscapes like a story in motion.
On the bridge, the dress cascades toward the water, reflecting a sense of grounding and introspection. In the open field, it lifts and expands with the prairie wind, representing release, confidence, and forward momentum.
Together, the images show a woman rooted yet rising, creating her own path as the dress “travels” with her through every chapter.
Kerry Frigon – Edmonton, Alberta
I wanted to go a different route than I assumed others would go (I’ve still got one more image in me but I don’t have time to work on it just yet). The color is what directed me and because it reminded me of ice I thought I would go with an Ice Queen sort of vibe. The dragon came into the image by way of my model (daughter-in-law) as she loves fantasy novels. For me the color is one of the characters in my image with my Ice Queen and her dragon. I ensured that the blue and various shades of it were the only colors in this image: the dress, the water, the dragon, dragons eye, and the border.
The second image came about because I just had to dress up my son as well and get him involved and we all loved Game of Thrones so I made that my inspiration. I made everything in the costumes with the exception of the dress. My son and husband made the axe and handle. I dragged the two of them to Bow Lake in -25 degree weather and shot most of my images there. Some were done in a garage (I don’t have a studio). Even though I agonized over just about everything (never having put a composite together before), and it consumed me for well over a year, it was a lot of fun stretching my imagination and skills.
Kirsten Lynch – Ardmore, Alberta | Sees The Day Photography
www.seesthedayphotography.ca
http://www.instagram.com/seesthedayphotos
www.facebook.com/seesthedayphotos
My travelling dress project was born from a desire to blend storytelling, adventure, and artistry into one meaningful concept. While travelling to Mexico to photograph a destination wedding, I brought the dress with me, envisioning it as a way to capture beauty beyond borders. The bride and groom generously agreed to model, allowing the dress to become part of their wedding story as well.
About two kilometres down the beach, the landscape completely changed—rugged, dramatic rocks rose from the shoreline, and I instantly knew this was where the dress needed to be photographed. Beyond the rocks was a secluded cove, raw and untouched, with powerful winds moving through it. The conditions were wild, unpredictable, and absolutely perfect. In that moment, the travelling dress became exactly what I had imagined it to be: a symbol of movement, place, and emotion—captured in one unforgettable location.
Ilse Van Loon – Tiger Lily, Alberta | Ilse Van Loon Photography
www.ilsevanloonphotography.com
instagram.com//ilse.vanloonphotography
http://www.facebook.com/ilsevanloonphotography
I had contacted a friend who works for a modeling agency to come to our area. My original plan was to take a photo at an outlook point in our area, which would have looked really nice with all the snow.
However, a snowstorm hit, and it became very cold, so we had to adjust our plans. I started looking for an indoor location in Edmonton, but did not realize these places have to be booked well in advance and need proper city licences. Going over different locations, I noticed a set of stairs at Grant McEwan University and got a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” vision. After a few phonecalls we got permission to take photos. The photos were shared with the University’s Photography department and were very well received. I had a great time and I am looking forward to participating in the next project.
Michelle Zemlak – Delburne, Alberta | Michelle Marie Creative
www.michellemariecreative.com
www.instagram.com/michellemariecreative
www.facebook.com/michellemariecreative
“Throne of Stories” is a concept that has lived quietly in the back of my mind and in the pages of my sketchbook for quite some time now. When I first saw this flowing teal dress, I immediately knew it was time to bring that idea to life. My original vision placed the scene deep in a moss covered forest, but weather, timing, and a handful of small obstacles nudged the project into my studio instead. In the end, that shift allowed me to create a world entirely my own.
As a lifelong lover of antiques and a devoted collector of old books, I knew the throne itself had to be built from volumes that felt lived in. Books whose worn covers and frayed pages already carried stories of their own. Most of the books came from my personal collection, but I reached out to a few close friends when I realized I needed even more. Their contributions helped create the towering structure that surrounds the model.
Among the collection, a very special group stands out: the Bibles. These are the only open books in the scene, resting in the model’s lap and hands as she reads scripture. This choice reflects my intention to portray scripture as the oldest, most enduring story among all the stories that form the throne. No matter how many tales gather around her, these sacred texts remain the ones she returns to.
Every element from the moss, dirt, and dust to the scattered dandelions, mushrooms, and butterflies was placed quite deliberately. I wanted the environment to feel ancient, as if the throne had stood untouched for centuries, slowly being reclaimed by nature. Yet the presence of the open bibles suggests something timeless and steadfast: a narrative she continues to revisit throughout all those imagined centuries.
The setup for this piece took nearly two hours. Building the throne, arranging the books, shaping the natural elements, and crafting the composition required patience and precision. This was all done around the model as she sits. But once everything was in place, the actual photographing took only moments. The image came together better than I had originally imagined honestly… An intimate portrait of a woman surrounded by countless stories, yet always drawn back to the scripture at the heart of them all.
Sarah Fresz – Fort McMurray, Alberta | Be Beautifully Driven
https://bebeautifullydriven.mypixieset.com/
www.facebook.com/bebeautifullydriven/
http://www.instagram/bebeautifullydriven/
As soon as I saw the dress, I knew I wanted to do a woodland fairy vibe down in the creek behind my house and I knew my friend Morgan would be the perfect model.
Adam Delmar Moser – Medicine Hat, Alberta | Delmar Photo
www.delmarphoto.ca
Instagram.com/delmar.photography
I wanted to capture the silk texture of the dress and the length of it. I envisioned the dress flowing like waves or a waterfall. Lastly, I wanted my photos to have the contrast between the chaotic flow of the dress, and a calm subdued model.
This month, February 2026, the next round of the Travelling Dress for PPOC members has started with a beautiful red dress. There are a few spots remaining, one in the Spring and a few in the Fall of 2026. If you would like to participate, please send me an email at info@infotumbleweedportraits.com
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post and I hope you enjoyed all these beautiful images from this group of talented photographers.
~ Angela
Leave a Reply to Marlene Cancel reply
Angela, This was so much fun to be a part of! Thank you for all the work you’ve put into it!