I had an opportunity to visit Calgary in April, 2023 for the first time. I haven’t explored the prariers as much as I’d like to, that’s for sure.
I had intended on doing a full shoot in Calgary but Day 1 was spent at Launchpad Golf with the family. I highly recommend it actually if you are a pro, or a novice. It was an incredible time. On Day 2 I headed out to capture some footage for some projects but like I have heard frequently happens, Calgary got hit with a brief snow dump and some crazy strong winds. The downtown core of Calgary felt like downtown Vancouver, but the outskirts of the area were completely different. Business is interesting in Calgary, lots of oil-fueled (pun intended) business and corporations.
As I always like to read about where I am traveling to, I found the history of Calgary quite interesting. The region where Calgary now stands was first inhabited by Indigenous peoples, particularly the Blackfoot, for thousands of years. The first European to explore the area was David Thompson in 1787, but it was not until 1875 that the Northwest Mounted Police established a fort and started the settlement that would eventually become Calgary. The city experienced rapid growth with the arrival of the railway in 1883, and soon became a major transportation and commercial hub for the surrounding agricultural region. In the early 20th century, Calgary’s economy diversified with the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the nearby Turner Valley, which led to the development of a thriving energy industry. Today, Calgary is a vibrant city with a dynamic economy, a rich cultural heritage, and a strong sense of community pride.
Here’s the video I did capture as my little Mavic Mini fought the wind.