There’s a moment, just before everything clicks, where things feel slightly out of control.
The light isn’t quite where you expected it. The subject moves faster than planned. The frame isn’t perfectly composed. And yet … somewhere in that chaos … something real happens.
That’s what “Freeze the Chaos: Action Photography Workshop” at The Camera Store was all about.
This wasn’t a workshop about perfection. It wasn’t about technically flawless images or textbook lighting setups. It was about chasing something far more interesting: energy, movement and the feeling of a moment as it unfolds.
Because the truth is, the most compelling images rarely come from playing it safe.
Bringing Motion to Life
Hosted at Millenium Park, Calgary by The Camera Store and by PHOTONews Canada and Laowa Canada, the session brought together photographers who were ready to experiment. We explored how to blend daylight with the precision of strobe: two tools that, on their own, are powerful but together create something far more dynamic:
- Daylight gave us contrast, saturation, shadows and atmosphere;
- Strobe gave us clarity – a sharp anchor point in the chaos.
When combined, the result was something cinematic. A single frame that held multiple moments. Movement layered over stillness. Control layered over unpredictability. Details in the shadows.
It’s not about choosing one or the other. It’s about understanding when to let go of control and when to grab it back.
The Athletes: Movement with Purpose
Of course, none of this works without subjects who can bring motion to life.
We were fortunate to work with three incredibly talented athletes, each bringing their own style, discipline and presence to the set.
An up-and-coming young rider, Liam Baylis brought raw power and precision. Riding his dirt jumper, park tricks aren’t just about speed – it’s about control under pressure, reading the park and committing fully to the line in front of you. Watching Liam ride, you see confidence built from repetition and experience. That translates beautifully on camera. Every movement has intent.
Skateboarder Devon Binnion brought creativity and flow. Skateboarding has always lived at the intersection of sport and art and Devon embodies that balance. There’s rhythm in how he moves, a natural timing that makes even complex tricks feel effortless. For photographers, that rhythm is gold. It gives you something to anticipate, something to work with.
And then there’s Carson Donovan – a Canadian champion BMX rider who blends technical skill with fearless execution. Carson has that rare ability to make difficult tricks look smooth and controlled, even when they’re anything but. BMX is fast, unpredictable and often unforgiving, but Carson rides with a level of confidence that allows you to push creative boundaries as a photographer. You can ask for something a little different, a little riskier and know he’ll meet you there.
Each of these athletes isn’t just performing – they’re collaborating. They’re helping shape the image in real time.
Embracing Imperfection
One of the biggest takeaways from the session was this: Not every image needs to be perfect.
In fact, sometimes perfection is the problem.
When everything is technically flawless – sharp focus, clean lighting, perfect composition – you can end up with an image that feels safe. Predictable. Forgettable.
But introduce a little motion blur, a little unpredictability, a little “mistake,” and suddenly the image starts to feel alive. A streak of light where you didn’t plan it. A frame where the subject isn’t perfectly frozen, but you can feel the movement. A train rolling by on the overhead track. Three athletes jumping and flipping at the same time.
A moment where the timing isn’t exact but it’s real. Those are the images that stick. Those are the images that tell a story.
Controlled Chaos
We leaned into techniques and equipment that encouraged experimentation. Long lenses for details. Ultrawide lenses for scenic vistas. A fisheye zoom for fun perspectives. Flash bursts froze key moments, giving the eye something to lock onto. And sometimes, things didn’t go according to plan. That’s where the magic usually happened.
There’s a fine line between control and chaos in photography. Too much control and the image feels rigid. Too much chaos and it falls apart. The goal is to live somewhere in between … to guide the moment without suffocating it.
Special Moments
One of my favourite images from this workshop wasn’t of just an athlete – it was of Liam’s father taking video of Liam attempting a new line. I watched Liam direct his dad – showing him the line and the angle and talking about the trick he was going to throw as he dropped in. Liam ran the line a few times. As I moved around the bowl, I captured an image of Liam hitting the big drop into the bowl, spinning his bars, with his dad leaning over – camera tracking the action.
More Than Just a Workshop
What made this session special wasn’t just the techniques or the gear. It was the mindset.
Everyone in the park showed up willing to try something different. To step outside of what they normally do. To risk getting it wrong in order to get something interesting.
That’s not always easy. As photographers, it’s tempting to stick with what works. To repeat the shots we know will deliver.
But growth doesn’t happen there.
It happens in the experiments. In the frames that don’t quite work. In the moments where you think, “I’m not sure if this is going to turn out …” and you press the shutter anyway.
Moving Forward
“Light in Motion” wasn’t about mastering a single technique. It was about opening a door.
A reminder that portraits don’t have to be static. That motion can add depth, emotion and energy. That imperfection can be powerful. That timing is sometimes more important than bursts.
Most importantly, it was about capturing something real.
Because at the end of the day, photography isn’t just about what you see – it’s about what you feel when you look at it.
And sometimes, the images that feel the most alive are the ones that break the rules. So embrace the blur. Chase the moment. And don’t be afraid if it’s not perfect.
It was never supposed to be.
More workshops
Many camera stores across Canada host workshops like these. Make sure you follow your favourite Canadian photography store via their newsletters and social media. If you received this post from a friend, be sure to follow PHOTONews Canada social media and subscribe to our newsletter. If you’d like your camera store to hold events like this, send them this and we’ll see if we can bring a photography event to a store near you.
Author: Will Prentice
A portrait, fine art and commercial photographer for 30 plus years, Will Prentice is not just a contributor to PHOTONews magazine, but also host of PHOTONewsTV, owner of Captura Photography+Imaging and Technical Support/Brand Manager for Amplis Foto, Canada’s largest distributor of photographic equipment.
Will teaches photographers of all skill levels how to improve their craft – from creative photo projects to picking the right gear for their needs to flattering lighting to getting the best expressions to creating final images for screen and print. His unique style of highly detailed images with perfect tonality, wide dynamic range and stunning colour is instantly recognizable. Commercial clients rely on Will’s creative eye and mastery of lighting.
When he’s not behind the camera or in front of a class, you’ll find Will outdoors in any weather – usually on one of his bikes or enjoying time with his grandchildren.
