2nd Annual Traditions Through the Lens: 2025 Capturing the Indigenous Spirit. A Curiosity Refresh cultural photography workshop.

A Curiosity Refresh cultural photography workshop honouring living Indigenous heritage.

On Saturday, September 20th, 2025, photographers will gather at Ralph Klein Park in Calgary for a deeply meaningful and immersive experience: Traditions Through the Lens: Capturing the Indigenous Spirit.

Hosted by Curiosity Refresh Workshops, this photography workshop is more than a styled shoot it is a respectful collaboration with Indigenous dancers, artists, and knowledge keepers, designed to celebrate and document living Indigenous traditions with intention and care.

A Setting Rooted in Nature

Taking place at the City of Calgary: Ralph Klein Park & Environmental Education Centre, the event unfolds against prairie wetlands, open skies, and natural Alberta landscapes a setting that beautifully complements the movement, regalia, and cultural storytelling of the dancers.

Photographers rotated through:

• Sponsored portrait bays with professional Nanlite lighting

• “Photo booth” style one-on-one regalia portraits

• Outdoor portraits within the park

• Live cultural moments filled with movement, colour, and emotion

This is a hands-on experience designed to elevate technical skill while honouring cultural context.

A Fun Fueled Day

The afternoon opens with a smudging ceremony, a sacred moment of grounding and intention.

Photographers will respectfully document this ceremony with quiet shutters and mindful distance. Focusing on the rise of smoke and the movement of hands, this opening sets the tone for the entire workshop: reverence first, artistry second.

We then partake in a live Powwow demonstration to flex our action photography muscles. Photographers will capture dynamic action photography powerful regalia in motion, expressive dance, and rhythmic storytelling.

After a brief break we resume for portraits of our dancers in our curated photo bays (backdrops provided by Backdrop Galleries and lighting by NANLITE). Each dancer will be photographed individually in controlled lighting environments, allowing for precision detail capture of beadwork, fabric textures, and handcrafted regalia.

Dancers and models then changed into modern indigenous fashion designs by Indigenous fashion designer and artist Dorienne Proulx. An Anishinaabe-Cree Métis artist, dancer, and founder of Little Star Artistry. Dorienne’s denim ribbon and beadwork designs represent contemporary Indigenous streetwear rooted in culture and storytelling.

The Dancers & Models

We extend deep gratitude to the dancers who are generously sharing their regalia and cultural expression:

• Bashir Tootoosis – Grass Dancer

• Amelia Tootoosis – Jingle & Fancy Dancer

• Dorienne Proulx – Jingle Dancer / Indigenous fashion designer

• Ranya Tootoosis – Traditional Dancer

• Ariel Tootoosis – Fancy Dancer

• Rachel Harder – Indigenous Model

Their participation transforms this workshop into a living cultural exchange rather than a traditional styled shoot.

A Space of Respect & Reconciliation

Hosted just days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this workshop carries deeper meaning.

It invites photographers to:

• Reflect on Indigenous history and resilience

• Engage in respectful cultural documentation

• Build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities

• Use storytelling as a tool for connection and healing

This is a cultural photography workshop with purpose.

Community & Creative Growth

At Curiosity Refresh Workshops, we are committed to safe, inclusive spaces where creativity thrives.

Photographers are encouraged to:

• Share edited images with participating artists

• Engage in networking and support

• Approach every frame with intention and humility

  
  

Traditions Through the Lens is more than a photography workshop it is an invitation to slow down, to listen, and to create with intention.

This gathering is about honouring living Indigenous traditions, amplifying Indigenous voices, and approaching storytelling with respect and humility. It’s about recognizing that behind every frame is a history, a family, a community, and a culture that deserves to be seen with care.

To the dancers, artists, singers, and leaders who are generously sharing their regalia, movement, and teachings thank you. Your trust transforms this from a creative event into a meaningful act of connection.

And to the photographers joining us: may you leave not only with powerful images, but with deeper understanding.

Because when we capture culture with respect, we don’t just take photographs we help carry stories forward.

Photo Credits: Pat Cutmore/ JKPeters Photography / Lynx Photography by Randi Ingram / Jon Jozef Photography