Exploring the natural beauty of British Columbia is something Desir茅e Patterson has always enjoyed.
But she never expected her love of travelling the province to turn into a thriving career.
Patterson, who grew up in 91原创, is a professional contemporary photographer based out of a studio in East Vancouver.
From Nov. 15 to 18, Patterson鈥檚 studio at 224-1000 Parker St., Vancouver, will be featured in the 2018 Eastside Culture Crawl.
Patterson was four years old when she began taking photos with her grandma.
鈥淢y grandmother and I, whenever she gave me a camera to play with, we鈥檇 be on walks in the forest or with her camera club, so it was all about engaging in nature and being in places and documenting things.鈥�
Her passion for art and the environment creates the basis of her work鈥攖o inspire others to protect and preserve the Earth.
鈥淚n 2015, I transitioned my focus to one of advocacy and environmentalism. I had this burning desire in my heart to make work that was important to me but I was petrified to make it.鈥�
Patterson has been taking photos professionally for the past 12 years, but it was just a few years ago that she set her focus on creating 鈥渢hought-provoking鈥� art that resonates with her own lifestyle choices.
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Throughout her young adulthood, Patterson has travelled in 37 countries and lived and worked in Whistler. It was during these explorations that her photography shifted to an environmental focus.
鈥淚鈥檓 super dedicated to raising awareness on two issues: climate change and ocean plastics 鈥� the two biggest threats I feel compelled to spread awareness (about) 鈥� to try and make a difference.鈥�
Sustainable living fills every hour of Patterson鈥檚 life, whether it鈥檚 through art or practice.
Patterson said she strives to live sustainably as a minimalist whether it鈥檚 limiting how much she uses a car, to eating a vegetarian diet.
This past August, she attended Al Gore鈥檚 Climate Leadership Training, a three-day session on how to empower and educate citizens about a sustainable future.
鈥淭o witness Al Gore in person 鈥� he鈥檚 my hero 鈥� it was an extremely powerful experience.鈥�
When she鈥檚 not creating art, Patterson is constantly engaged in public presentations, artist talks, blog-writing and engaging with the community about environmentalism.
Some of Patterson鈥檚 work has been exhibited internationally in California, New York, Los Angelas and London, England.
鈥淚 never really clock out,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a big commitment and a challenging one for sure.鈥�
