The Peace Region is home to talented people, thriving businesses and strong community organizations. Through our Energy Lives Here series, we’re introducing some of the local people and businesses Energy Alberta works with as we connect with communities and advance the Peace River Nuclear Power Project.

The Story Behind the Lens

For photographer Paul Lavoie, northern Alberta offers a landscape worth sharing. From the aurora borealis and Milky Way to prairie fields, river valleys, forests and wildlife, the region provides the backdrop for the images that have shaped his career.  

Paul grew up in Peace River and spent nearly a decade travelling the world. When he returned home, he wanted to show the friends he made abroad what made his home region special - particularly the spectacular cosmic light displays that illuminate northern Alberta’s skies.

That goal led him to photography. He taught himself in the field, learning how to photograph stars, storms and the northern lights through research, patience and trial and error.  

“I think I see this region through a different lens,” Paul reflects. “We might see the canola fields or the night sky every day, but I try to see them from the perspective of somebody who’s never seen them before.”  

More Than a Moment

Paul's photographs can look spontaneous, but the work begins long before he presses the shutter. He spends hours driving through the back roads, planning compositions and securing permission from landowners. He studies where the aurora is likely to appear and the direction from which storms are approaching, allowing him to choose the right location when the moment arrives.

“People see an awesome photo and think, ‘Oh, that’s great,’ but they don’t see the hours of planning and scouting locations that actually go into building that image,” Paul says.

Over time, Paul’s work expanded beyond night skies and wildlife. An opportunity with SnowSeekers opened the door to travel and tourism photography, challenging him to photograph people, adapt quickly and bring destinations to life through his lens. Today, he works with organizations including Travel Alberta and Mighty Peace Tourism, as well as corporate clients across the region.

Paul believes the Peace Region gives entrepreneurs room to develop their skills, find a niche and build strong relationships.

Local Images, Real Connections

Paul first connected with Energy Alberta when the company was looking for a local photographer who understood the region. Since then, his work for Energy Alberta has taken him from community engagement events and field studies to capturing scenic images of the region for use across Energy Alberta’s website, social media channels and other communications materials.  For Paul, using local photography is about more than capturing beautiful images. It allows people to see familiar places and recognize their own community in the story being told.

“People respond differently when they recognize a location,” he says. “It can trigger an emotional connection and make a big difference in how they perceive the image.”

His photography also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people and activities involved in the Project’s early planning and assessment work.

“Working with Energy Alberta has shown me that the company is here in the community, hiring local people and using local imagery,” Paul says. “I think that helps people from the region connect with the work.”

Looking Ahead

Paul sees the Peace River Nuclear Power Project as one of the developments that could bring significant opportunities for local businesses and workers, while allowing more people to build careers closer to home. For Paul, what matters is that any growth happens gradually and sustainably, while maintaining the qualities that make the region a special place.

“Most people choose to be up here because we like the quiet,” he says. “If growth is slowly progresses  into something that’s sustainable, then why not?”

Through his lens, Paul continues to show what makes northern Alberta distinctive: its landscapes, its people and the sense of possibility found close to home.