The BYTE team leading a worship last winter. That’s Jesse in the middle.
In less than a month the BYTE team is heading north. That’s pretty standard for us, it’s a large part of what we do here – hop in a car, drive north and deliver workshops to high school students on everything from healthy relationships to safe partying to bullying. But this trip is special. We’re delighted to have received funding from Environment Yukon and The Small Change Fund to travel to Old Crow, and then Inuvik. There we will be delivering three-day workshops on photography. Thanks to the Yukon Film Society, we’re bringing with us a handful of brand-new DSLR camera to work with.
The point of the workshops is for youth to document how they see climate change affecting their community. We’re hoping to share the photographs with galleries in the North, and possibly across Canada.
We’re so excited about this project we’ve closing shop for a week here and all heading north. We’re even bringing Whitehorse photographer, musician, BYTE facilitator, and all around stellar guy, Jesse Whitehead, to lead the workshops.
Jesse dropped into the office this week. We took the opportunity to ask him a couple questions about photography and why it’s so important to him.
When did you start taking photos?
My dad took photos when I was growing up, so I was always exposed to it. But I guess it really started taking pictures of my Grade Seven yearbook on an Olympus manual camera my neighbour gave me. After that I got a film point and shoot, and then my dad bought me a film SLR, even though digital SLR’s were available. I promised myself I wouldn’t get a digital camera until they were just as functional as film cameras. I’m really glad I learned on a film camera, it helped me focus my intention. Everything was less disposable.
What’s one thing you want to talk about in the workshops in Inuvik and Old Crow?
I want to explore what I think any photographer questions, and that’s asking what you’re trying do with the photograph. Are you trying to convey beauty? Then focus on that. Or are you trying to convey meaning? You should be aware if you’re trying to take a pretty picture, or one that tells a story. I think the best photos are a combination of both.
Why do you take pictures?
 I think there is a human need to document what you’re doing. It’s not like I’m taking pictures of anything new. It’s my desire to say this is what it means to me.
In short: it’s what I’m compelled to do.
Why is it important to do these workshops?
 Fundamentally, everyone has a story to tell. Some narratives in life we hear loud and clear. We hear them every time we open our computer, or talk to our friends. Other stories we never hear. As a Canadian and Northerner, I think it’s important to give these stories space.
The BYTE team is heading to Old Crow and Inuvik for ten days at the beginning of October. Stay tuned for updates.
