cores, ventos e ondas (colours, winds and waves) by Ryan Osman

In February 2024, I decided to go on a much needed surf trip after a long time out of the water. After discussing it with some friends, I realized that a trip to the ocean would be the best way to get back into surfing and to challenge myself. It did not take our group long to decide where we wanted to go: the Azores. The concept of cores, ventos e ondas (meaning colours, winds and waves) originated from the feelings of excitement, enjoyment and awe I experienced when returning to the ocean. In a way, the photographs in this book are more an expression of these feelings than a photojournalistic documentation of the trip. I hope that this book ignites your passion and inspires you to push yourself to go beyond your comfort zone and seek adventure. Available for pre-order!

OUR LAND - CALL TO ACTION #83 ART PROJECT

“For 10,000 years, the Innu People were educated using their own knowledge through observation, experience and listening. They knew how to survive.”

These words by Jean Pierre Ashini have strongly resonated with me since I first met him in 2021. It is simple, honest but says so much about my Indigenous counterparts. It also makes me feel privileged to have friends like Jean Pierre helping understand the Truth.

“Our Land” is a series of photos that explores the relationship between the Land and Canada’s Indigenous People. It aims to highlight how the Land can provide a safe space Indigenous People to heal, learn about their history and culture and provide them time to look at how they want to move forward. They say that “a picture is worth a thousand words”, however the Truth about the history of the Indigenous People of Canada and the relationship with the Land is well worth over a thousand words.

The photos from this portfolio are exhibited at Ogimaa Miskwaaki Gallery in Orillia, Ontario. The photos at the gallery are also accompanied by excerpts from interviews I did with some of the subjects I photographed. Each person photographed felt that by understanding their Truth first that only then would the photos truly highlight their unique relationship to the Land. Here is the teaser trailer for the exhibit:

IATUEKUPAU - SHESHATSHIU INNU FIRST NATION

Sheshatshiu (Shé-ha-ji-u) Innu First Nation (SIFN) in Labrador is investing in a long-term climate change monitoring program. The monitoring plan has a focus on their water quality, water availability and fisheries. This project will also support SIFN’s efforts to get more Youth on the Land, provide jobs on the Land while stewarding the Land and to generate revenue for the community by restoring a lodge on Iatuekapau (Park Lake) in central Labrador to be a 100% Innu owned-and-operated tourism and education facility. The project is a partnership between Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and Water First, of set to wrap up in the Spring of 2024.

I got to visually document and work on this project. To read the full story, click here.

FAR OUT

Short video of glimpses of 2021 so far.

WATER FIRST: INDIGENOUS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Water First does not identify as an Indigenous organization. As such, its Indigenous Advisory Council members provide valuable feedback on their programs and delivery in communities.

I got to film and edit a four-part video series highlighting Water First’s Indigenous Advisory Council in their member’s own words about their relationships with the organization.

THE DECADE

Cheers 2019 and the 2010s!

The past decade (2010 to 2019) has been an amazing time of change and discovery for me. I made this video to encapsulate how I am forever grateful for the good times, friends made, lessons learned and the adventures during that time, and I am looking forward to the 2020s.

WATER FIRST: DRINKING WATER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Water First Internship program is a 15-month internship designed to give young First Nations adults education and training in water science management. I recently made this video with Marc Heroux, from Alert Labs, to show how the Water First's Internship Program is helping youth prepare for a career while providing a solution for clean water in First Nations communities. This program was supported by RBC Future Launch, Alert Labs and other donors.

ALTERNANCE

A short film showcasing glimpses of what I like the most about the Great Lakes.

GREATNESS project

I recently collaborated with the environmental nonprofit organization, GREATNESS, to created and curated visual content for their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, including visual stories, photos and short videos.

Abby Zotz - Good Bones

I directed the music video “Good Bones” for Abby Zotz. This music video was the second video from the well-received album “Local Honey”, which has been nominated for “Best International EP” and won “Best International Artist” at the 2018 LA Music Critic Awards.