Shane Turgeon, an award-winning nature photographer known for his breathtaking landscapes, night sky images, storm photography, and wildlife shots, has been named the grand prize winner of the 2024 Canadian Geographic Photo of the Year contest. His exceptional work has been recognized by Canadian Geographic, the Natural Landscape Photography Awards, PhotoLife magazine, Black Rapid, and major media outlets such as CBC, CTV, and Global News. Turgeon is also a proud ambassador for f-stop gear and McBain Camera.
Turgeon, who spent the first six years of his life in Vermilion and still has strong ties to the community through his grandmother, Margaret Baguley, was selected as the winner by a panel of esteemed judges, including Christian Fleury, Jenny Wong, Scott Forsyth, Ryan Tidman, and Canadian Geographic’s editorial and design teams.
Following the announcement on January 29, Turgeon’s grandmother proudly visited the Vermilion Voice to share the exciting news.
“I’m not sure you will find this newsworthy, but I have a story about my grandson who was just named the grand prize winner of the Canadian Geographic Photo of the Year Contest for 2024,” Baguley said with a beaming smile.
She enthusiastically showcased some of Turgeon’s stunning photographs and directed attention to his website, shaneturgeonphotography.com, where his impressive portfolio is displayed. Baguley also shared insight into his dedication and passion for photography, highlighting his commitment to capturing the perfect shot.
“One time he called me and said, ‘Grandma, do you want to go storm watching?’ Of course, I said yes! But by the time we got out there, the storm had fizzled out,” she reminisced. “Another time, during the lunar eclipse in January a few years ago, it was minus 40 degrees. Shane left Edmonton at 1:30 a.m. because he had researched the best location to view the eclipse. He drove all the way to Derwent and arrived at my house at 8:30 a.m. the next morning. That’s how much he loves photography.”
Turgeon’s journey into photography began in 2015 as a means of escaping his fast-paced professional life and battling depression.
“It scared the hell out of me, and in the process of that, I discovered photography,” he revealed. While walking his dogs, he started capturing small scenes—flowers, trees, and frost-covered grass—using his iPhone 4, and not long after, he purchased his first DSLR. This rekindled his connection with nature and became a form of therapy. Over time, he ventured further into the outdoors, seeking solace and inspiration, which ultimately shaped his unique style and deepened his passion for the art.
His work has since taken him across western Canada, exploring and photographing both well-known and hidden landscapes. Beyond his personal pursuits, Turgeon is dedicated to sharing the benefits of nature photography for mental health. In 2022, he founded the Lightchasers Nature Photography Conference in Pincher Creek, Alberta, an annual event designed to educate and unite photographers while fostering a sense of community and exploration.
In late 2024, Turgeon suffered the heartbreaking loss of his loyal adventure companion, Kwinn, his beloved dog, who had been by his side on many photography expeditions.
Outside of photography, Turgeon leads a dynamic life in Edmonton, Alberta, where he manages multiple businesses. He owns Shades of Grey Tattoo, organizes The Edmonton Collector Con, and runs a vintage toy and comic space inside Rolling Tales Pop Culture. Additionally, he is the author of The Force in the Flesh Star Wars tattoo book series and has been practicing and teaching Japanese Jujitsu for nearly 20 years, offering regular classes and self-defense seminars.
Turgeon’s incredible journey, from discovering photography as a means of healing to becoming an acclaimed photographer, serves as an inspiration to many. His recent achievement in the Canadian Geographic Photo of the Year contest is a testament to his dedication, talent, and the power of perseverance.
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