I started shooting "for real" in 2007 - after a lengthy career in photography! hahahahah...well, fact is - I started getting some great work after I didn't need it anymore, why's that? Life is what happens' when you've made other plans!!!!!
Anyhow, the image above is an executive with Wasaya Airways LP and the image to the right is one I took for Travel Manitoba and another spectacular Manitoba Premium Lodge - the Gangler Property in Northern Manitoba. Quite an amazing lodge and great owners.
Now I've been around a while - and know marketing, customer service and the hospitality game - these lodges in Manitoba are simply the best of the best. Pretty scary - combining awesome food, great drink - and a level of service that many restaurants in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles and beyond could really take a lesson from - all this in the middle of the bush - hundreds of miles from the nearest grocery, wholesaler or other commonly found supply depot that others in the business rely on from day to day. Grows a new appreciation for these lodges in the remote North, no? Images of Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters by Kevin Palmer, me...
The Manitoba Hunting product - better known as the "Manitoba Monster Grand Slam" is taking shape as we enter 2010; the year that we're starting to take our share of the marketing mix in the Midwest USA and Canada. Here writers from the top magazines in North America congregate at a Manitoba Outfitter by the name of Lake Manitoba Narrows; Field and Stream's Jay Cassell, Skip Knowles from Petersens' Hunting, Raymond Blades from Ontario Out of Doors, Ralph Lermayer from Waterfowl and Retreiver Magazine, Scott Olmsted from American Hunter and Paul Wait from Wildfowl magazine - all getting together in Manitoba for stories on both Winchester / Browning and Bushnell / Final Approach products: a very nice gathering and a great opportunity for Manitoba to "bolt" ahead in the hunting markets in the future.
Could you imagine - these guys all in the same place - at the same time??? Unreal!!!! Thanks to Kevin Howard of Howard Communications and of course our own Jillian Brown at Travel Manitoba for putting together such a great group of people in the same facility!!!!
Blair Olafson, Lake Manitoba Narrows Lodge can be reached for hunting and fishing trips - fantastic lodging, amazing hunting, great fishing and of course - more Manitoba Hospitality!!! Call him direct at 204.768.2749 or email him at info@narrowswest.com
Photos by Kevin Palmer.
After an hour and a half with these guys, I realized the passion and integrity that writers and editors of this caliber exhibit - it wasn't about where they were from, who they represented - or anything else. It was all about the job and getting it done professionally and maximizing the benefit to the client.
Learned more on this gig - again. Thanks again guys...Top - John from Bushnell and Jay from Field and Stream magazine.
Maybe, one of my favorite images that I've taken - although my favorites aren't usually ones I've taken...hahahahahaha...
Got Tyler Langlade to pour water into a wine glass as I had pre-lit the scene with a blue filter on a white backdrop and did my thing...I like it...
This was done for friends of mine - as all the lodges and outfitters are - in Manitoba - Tom and Judy - but I didn't give it to them because of conflict issues.
The deer was taken from about ten feet away - I'm not sure if it's a good one or not - but the ad seemed to work good for me.
Another of my favorites - I made this into a billboard ( x3 ) in my home Province of Ontario advertising the amazing fishing in Manitoba. The billboards are at key highway locations where US and CANADIAN visitors will definitely see them...upon returning from their fishing trips.
Kind of mean, but very effective. The fact is - I believe Manitoba Lodges are far superior to the others - if not just for fishing, then definitely for their hospitality, their transportation, the owner's abilities - and more.
'Feel very strongly about this product...and brand.
Another billboard created from site visit imagery - this one of my good friend - Stu MacKay of Cats on the Red in Lockport, Mb.
What the name of his business fails to mention is that he and a select few others own the frozen waters of Lake Winnipeg in the Winter and really are responsible for promoting one of the most amazing fisheries in the world - Lake Winnipeg Ice Fishing.
Shown is the famous Greenback Walleye - and by the way, one of the best photos I've taken of fish to date - although I've only had a few dozen opportunities - as time passes I will get better.
I hope. hahahahahaha...
Stu MacKay - Cats on the Red - 204 757 9876
Todd Longley - City Cats - 204 955-2744 an excellent choice as well.
This guy was about ten feet away as well, while I was on one of my journeys over the past few years...appears to be a timberwolf and I understand he may have been sick - allowing me to shoot him whilst posed = they generally do not let you even see them, never mind take their portrait.
Oh well, another notch on the belt...
