How did Young Guns get on your radar?

I first learnt about Young Guns through my close friend and director, Cameron Thuman (YG22). Once I learnt about it, I went on a deep dive and realized so many of the people I look up to have won in the past. It’s a very cool competition and community, spanning so many facets of the creative space.

How did you end up in the creative field?

It was a happy accident. I grew up being taught televisions would make your eyes go square and rot your brain (thanks Mum!), so I never really grew up with the influence of movies or TV. From a young age, I was heavily embedded in the world of action sports.

Our home was at the base of our local mountain in Vancouver. I spent every waking minute either mountain biking, or skiing in the winter. When I was about 11, my dad let me pick up his stills camera — an early Sony Alpha at the time — and I remember putting it up to my eye and seeing the focus points light up red. My mind was blown. I thought this only happened in James Bond films (some of the few movies we were allowed to see), so I was hooked from that day forward.

After a year, I bought a Canon DSLR, a fisheye, and a Glidecam HD2000, and started shooting my friends on the hill. The rest was history. I later had a few mentors introduce me to the world of commercial and documentary filmmaking. I saw a path forward and haven’t looked back.

I started working in commercials in my final year in high school, and much to my Mum’s chagrin, I spent most of that final year working full time as an editor — I’d done my school courses ahead of time so I could focus on this path. I’ve been fortunate to be working freelance pretty well ever since.

“When I was about 11, I put the camera up to my eye and saw the focus points light up red. My mind was blown.”

Why did you decide to enter this year?

I entered this year thanks to my good friend, collaborator, and YG22 winner Cameron Thuman. He spoke very highly of Young Guns, and suggested I put my name in the hat.

You only get to submit six projects. How did you decide what made the cut?

It was a tough decision. I wanted to include films that felt like they conveyed my creative voice and ability — and were unique in their own ways.

I enjoy the fact that I work in such a collaborative medium. It means that each project is truly unique because of the different voices involved. I feel like these projects represented that: all different looks and feels based on the creative, the location, and the people involved.

What was your reaction when you found out you won?

I was in a taxi to the airport at 3am on my way to a shoot, and got the email. I thought for sure it was a mass email saying, “Thanks for applying, but maybe next year.”

It was such a nice surprise opening it and suddenly having this feeling of, “Oh no, you are on the right path.” It felt like a nice pat on the back saying: keep going.

“Oh no, you are on the right path.”

In what ways does where you’re living right now inspire your creativity?

I draw a lot of inspiration from photojournalism and documentary photography. Having incredible bookstores nearby with huge archives has been a huge asset.

Those who know me well also know that I am most me when I’m on my bike. Getting lost without cell service is my happy place. This city surprisingly has a huge swath of trails and mountains that I can lose myself in for hours on end.

Riding really centers me between shoots. It forces me to leave all thoughts behind and focus on what’s in front of me. Type 2 fun is good for my brain. A little suffering is a good thing.

Now that you’re part of the Young Guns community, are there any past winners you admire?

Absolutely. There are so many past winners that I look up to. One I’d love to mention is Mika Aberra (YG22). I had the pleasure of working alongside Mika a few years ago on a project in France with a good friend and YG23 winner Parker Schmidt.

Mika had such a grounded energy on set, and seeing his work since… I’ve always been a fan. I like good people. Alexander Farah (YG20) is another incredibly talented past winner. He’s got an amazing storytelling voice that feels so humane and real.

If you could create a new Young Guns tradition, what would it be — and why?

Check back in after the ceremony and I’m sure I’ll have some ideas. Maybe a group trip exploring Central Asia on horseback, or skiing in Japan… just some thoughts for now.

Name a dream project you’d love to do next. Who would you want to collaborate with?

This is a tough one. I have so many dreams right now. I really want to shoot a narrative coming-of-age film that focuses on human strength, fragility, and boyhood.

But also a wild commercial campaign that pushes us to the far edges of the earth to tell a story in harsh conditions. And also shoot a big action film on a proper big set.

I’m excited by so many things and people at the moment, and I’m so happy to be able to do what I do — and continue to explore this artistic journey.