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I've spent a good chunk of my life in the Columbia Valley.
Back in the 90s, my family spent a lot of time around Invermere, Dutch Creek, and the surrounding area. Now that I have kids of my own, we're still heading out there for summer holidays and long weekends. I'm pretty lucky that we have a family cabin in the area.
So when I came across the wildlife photography of Keltie and Stan Masters of Back to Nature Apparel, something immediately caught my attention.
I recognized landscapes I'd visited and spent years exploring. There's something pretty special about seeing a familiar place through someone else's lens.
I first met Keltie at a market in Invermere, and we crossed paths again at markets in Radium and Invermere this past summer. We got chatting, and now we've decided to introduce our communities to each other's businesses.
And that's why I wanted you to meet them.
Who Are Keltie and Stan Masters?
Keltie and Stan are the wildlife photographers behind Back to Nature Apparel, a Canadian business featuring their original wildlife photography on clothing, accessories, and home decor.
They're spent years photographing wildlife and landscapes throughout Canada and Alaska, capturing everything from grizzly bears and owls to loons, wild horses, and the elusive spirit bear.
What makes their business interesting is how they've found a way to share those photographs beyond the traditional prints.
What Does Back to Nature Apparel Make?
Their wildlife photography appears on a range of Canadian-made clothing, accessories, and home decor.
Back to Nature Apparel's collection includes:
- Leggings featuring original wildlife photography
- Kimono cover-ups with nature-inspired designs
- Beanies with soft bamboo linings
- Market Bags featuring wildlife and landscapes
- Cushion covers that bring their photography into your home
I've had the opportunity to see and feel their printed products at markets, and it's interesting to see how the photographs translate onto fabric.
As someone who makes jewelry by hand in Canada, I also appreciate that they've choose to keep their production in Canada.
What's the Story Behind Their Wildlife Photography?
Getting a good wildlife photograph takes patience. You can't exactly ask a grizzly bear to turn toward the camera or tell an owl to hold still.
Keltie and Stan spend time observing and photographing animals in their natural environments, and each image comes with it's own experience.
On their website, they share a Story Behind the Image series where you can learn about the photographs, the animals, and the moments behind them.
I like that you can find out more about the photograph you're wearing rather than simply choosing a design because you like how it looks.
• Read the Stories Behind the Images •
How Does Back to Nature Apparel Support Wildlife Conservation?
Their photography isn't just about capturing beautiful images. Keltie and Stan also use their business to raise awareness and funds for wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
Their work has supported organizations including:
- Medicine River Wildlife Centre
- Help Alberta Wildies Society (HAWS)
- Pacific Wild
They also give wildlife presentations, and organize photography and nature excursions to help people learn more about the animals and landscapes they photograph.
Their conservation and educational work has been featured on CTV News and Global News.
I appreciate that they've found a way to combine their photography, their business, with something they genuinely care about.
Why I Wanted to Introduce You to Back to Nature Apparel
I've always enjoyed meeting other Canadian makers at markets. When you work for yourself, it's nice to meet people who understand what goes into running a small business.
Keltie and Stan work with wildlife photography, and I work with sterling silver. Two very different mediums, but we both create things that hold meaning beyond how they look.
For them, it's photographs that can remind someone of a favorite place, an experience, or an animal they love. For me, it's meaningful words and messages translated into Morse Code jewelry.
We all can appreciate businesses that put thought into what they make and why they make it.
If you enjoy wildlife photography, spending time outdoors, or finding Canadian-made gifts that are a little different, I think you'll enjoy having a look at Back to Nature Apparel.
And while you're there, check out the stories behind their photographs. You might recognize a familiar landscape or two, just like I did.
