PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
DANIELLE BARABÉ-BUSSIÈRES: MINDFULNESS, DETAILS, AND FOLLOWING PASSION SUMMER 2020 | GALLERIE MAGAZINE | 12
By Chelsea Jones, MPA DANIELLE BARABÉ-BUSSIÈRE’S REACTION TO BEING THE 2020 RECIPIENT OF THE PPOC PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD WAS INITIALLY ONE OF SHOCK AND DISBELIEF. VIEWING HER IMAGES, IT IS APPARENT THAT SHE IS DESERVING OF THIS TITLE AND EXHIBITS THE VERSATILITY AND STORYTELLING ABILITY THAT MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS CAN ONLY ASPIRE TO. DESPITE HER NUMEROUS ACCOLADES, DANIELLE’S PHOTOGRAPHY JOURNEY IS DEFINED BY MINDFULNESS, PATIENCE, PASSION, AND DETERMINATION. Danielle was born in a small village in the countryside of Trois-Rivières, Québec. She later moved throughout Canada, eventually ending up in her current residence in Ottawa, ON. While a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Danielle picked up an old camera for the first time and realized she was interested in photography. With the demands of an intense career and motherhood, this interest was put on a temporary hold until it could be fully embraced after her children had grown and moved out. In June 2014, Danielle became a member of Professional Photographers of Canada and started her business, Danielle Bussières Photography, shortly thereafter. Danielle creates prints that are sold at art exhibitions as well as online. Her favourite genres to photograph include landscapes, nature, wildlife, and macro photography. She also has memberships to other local artist collectives and associations. Joining
the PPOC fulfilled Danielle’s need for goal-setting by providing milestones to work towards such as designations, accreditations, and awards. Danielle loves a challenge and saw the PPOC as a venue to facilitate inspiration, creativity, and personal growth. When asked what inspires Danielle in her photography, she replied, “Life. I am inspired by everything around me. Life is about having passion (and) photography is my biggest passion...nature, wildlife, landscapes... life is not about work. I want to keep it a passion.” Danielle has always been attracted to nature and enjoys activities such as hiking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. Despite having a full-time profession aside from photography, she practices her art daily. Danielle has a number of favourite conservation sites, backroads, and areas where she can watch and wait for wildlife; even if just from a vehicle on cold winter days. This mindful, patient, and deliberate approach while embracing
