About this Event
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of sports photography with renowned photographers Kelly VanderBeek and Leah Hennel! Ignite your creativity with inspiring presentations that take a look into all elements of sports photography, from prepping for the big event to immersing yourself in the emotions of a big win or loss. It's all in the passion for capturing the sport!
What’s in store?
• Meet & Greet | 6:30 - 7 PM – Mingle with Kelly and Leah, along with fellow Calgary creatives over welcome refreshments and snacks.
• Seminars - Focusing on the Action | 7 PM – Get ready to be inspired by Kelly and Leah! The presentations (45 min each) will take a unique look into sports photography, sparking new ways for you to approach your next sports event.
• Live Q&A | After the Presentations – As the evening wraps up, ask your burning questions or express your comments with an open, interactive Q&A with Kelly and Leah.
About the presentations
Kelly VanderBeek - The Secret to Catching the Action: It’s All in the Prep
Behind every great moment—whether in sport or life—is preparation. From physical readiness and mental sharpness to having backup plans when conditions shift (bad locations, limited mobility, cold, rain, or delays), preparation is the difference between missing the moment and capturing it. This talk explores the habits, mindset, and research strategies that allow you to anticipate, adapt, and be ready when the action unfolds.
Leah Hennel - Emotion and Anticipation in Sports photography
What makes a photo unforgettable isn’t just what it reveals — it’s how it makes you feel. In this talk, we’ll go behind the scenes of sports to discover the emotional moments that happen off the field and away from the action. Sports photography isn’t just about action, it’s about emotion, the atmosphere, those in-between moments. How composition and anticipation work together to capture the human side of sport — the quiet focus before a race, the behind-the-scenes drama during a game, the heartbreak after a loss.
Sponsored by Sony Canada.
Please Note:This is an In-Person, Paid Event. Paid events are non-refundable. Your registration is required. Your registration assists us in gauging attendance numbers and we'll provide you with a reminder and further details about the event. Should you have any questions or issues, please email [email protected].
For over a decade, Kelly VanderBeek professionally threw herself down mountains at speeds exceeding 145 km/h—earning her place as an Olympian and World Cup medallist. Today, she channels that same energy and passion into her entrepreneurial work, which specializes in communications excellence. Her work as a broadcaster, photographer/videographer, speaker, and educator focuses on connecting people through story.
Since transitioning from competition, Kelly has helped cover 8 Olympic Games and brings a creative edge behind the lens as an award-winning photographer and SONY industry advisor. Her sports photography has appeared in international newspapers, magazines, social channels, and commercial campaigns.
Beyond her public-facing roles, Kelly remains deeply committed to high-performance sport, serving as a Director with both WinSport and Alpine Canada—helping shape the next generation of Canadian athletes.
Leah Hennel has been following her lens for nearly three decades. It’s a pursuit that has taken the award-winning photographer everywhere, from small-town Alberta to countries all over the globe. The SAIT graduate got her start in daily newspapers at the Calgary Sun at the age of 16 and went on to an 18-year career as a staff photographer at the Calgary Herald.
Leah has covered numerous Olympic Games on behalf of newspapers and the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Leah has also published two photography books — Along The Western Front as well as Alone Together: A Pandemic Photo Essay, which received the International Communications Arts Award.
She is passionate about telling stories that showcase her home province, especially the lesser-known communities and landscapes that make Alberta unique.
Her work has been recognized by Pictures of the Year International, the National Newspaper Awards, and the News Photographers Association of Canada. She also claimed the Sports Media Canada’s Outstanding Photography Award. And, in 2022, Leah received an honorary degree from SAIT.
Her clients include The Globe and Mail, Canadian Geographic, The Guardian, Washington Post, The Narwhal, Canadian Olympic Committee, Getty Images.
Agenda
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Doors Open. Meet & Greet with Snacks & Refreshments
🕑: 07:00 PM
Seminars Start
Info: Each Presentation will be approximately 45 minutes long.
🕑: 08:30 PM
Q&A with Kelly & Leah
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Central Library, 800 3 Street Southeast, Calgary, Canada
CAD 21.00
