Bio

The Man Behind the LensIt has been my experience that no matter where I go, what I do, with whom I speak: we all have a story to tell. Some are tragic and break your heart, some are humorous anecdotes of a long life, lived to the fullest. Some stories are about unimaginable strength, failure, and courage in the face of adversity. Regardless of origin, stories have the ability to share valuable messages to those seeking the truth in everyday life, from everyday people, doing everyday things.

My Story, lives SMACK in the middle of all of the above. For the better part of two decades I have lived with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A brutal and sometimes crippling residual of a firefighting experience that left me in the hospital with second and third degree burns requiring skin grafts and months of rehabilitation. Since this time, I have spent a good portion of my energy trying to understand and subdue the effects from day to day through various forms of adventure, and employment including; Occupational S.C.U.B.A. Diving, Fire Fighting, Kayak Guiding, Animal Cruelty Investigation, and even Lighthouse Keeping on the west coast of Canada. As it turns out, it is through photography and writing that I find my greatest source of peace and focus.

With a keen sense of adventure and restless feet, my love of Canada and all it has to offer has propelled my curious mind forward, beyond even where I thought possible. I have traveled with my wife and two Boxers, from coast to coast, via the unbeatable Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 van I call home most of the time. I have lived in many wonderful places including; Charlottetown PEI, Courtenay, and Quadra Island BC, Banff Alberta, Kingston and Advocate Harbour, Nova Scotia. Each ridiculously interesting in their own right. The beauty of Canada's Maritimes inspired my wife and I to purchase two acres near Cape Chignecto Provincial Park on the Bay of Fundy in 2007 in the quaint little hamlet of Brookville N.S. (famous for its ship building in the late 19th century, and full of amazing history), which we still own today in hopes of building a small sustainable home, sometime... in the future. Not to be confused with my home town, and current place of residence, Brockville Ontario. In addition to Canada's greats, I have been fortunate enough to live for six months in the wonderful town of Napier, New Zealand where I experienced new cultures, and a new way of being.

With the spiritual, and emotional insights that I have gained from all that I have done, and all of the amazing people that I have learned from, it is my goal to help you translate and share your story as true to life as possible through photography. For the last eight years I have been working on developing my skills, with both my camera, and my mind, to help this translation take place.

Whatever your need, without exception.

The following is a small sample of organizations in which I assisted, in telling their story.

Beanz Espresso Bar & Cafe, Charlottetown P.E.I
Nav Centre, Cornwall Ontario
SPACES Magazine, Brockville Ontario
Reviving Design, Brockville Ontario
Corell Custom Cabinetry, Brockville Ontario
The Recorder & Times, Brockville Ontario
The Hungry Eye Newsletter, Quadra Island British Columbia
The Discovery Islander Magazine, Quathiaski Cove British Columbia
The Comox Valley Echo, Courtenay British Columbia
The musical and always enjoyable - River City Junction, Cardinal Ontario
Toronto Ottawa Body Painting, Brockville Ontario
Rideau Trail Association - Rideau Arts Council, Perth Ontario
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Peace.

Geoffrey McNamara
613-803-7807
geoff@smackphotography.com
"I think we all know somebody who could use a good Smack."