Hands-on Hockey Photography Workshop

Get the inside scoop on how to take the perfect shot! Day one, you will head down to The Camera Store where sports and events photographer, Dave Watling will teach you everything you need to know to set up your camera and create stunning compositions.

Capture all the action up close! Day two, you will head on over to the Max Bell Centre for a hands-on Calgary Canuck Game Day photography shoot with support from Dave Watling and our on-site staff.

This sports photography workshop is suitable for everyone interested in this field of work – from beginner-level photographers shooting youth sports on the sidelines to experienced shooters striving to reach the pro level. Improve your skills and level up your photography game!

(See agenda above for more details.)

Dave has always been fascinated with cameras and photography. His first taste was a Kodak 110 Instamatic, and he was always trying to get it to do things it couldn't. Going on a vacation thinking, "should I take ONE roll of 36 or two". Cost was prohibitive to a 12 yr old. Of course, after he'd get the film developed and printed, he would have maybe half-a-dozen acceptable shots. Fast forward a few decades and the digital age has completely changed his perspective. Now Dave shoots with his Canon R6 Mark II and his new RF100-300 2.8L.

Hockey has been in Dave's life since age 5, and has always been his first love. Dave volunteered to shoot some "red carpet events" for the local Junior A team over 10 years ago, thinking he had a "decent" camera. Since then, it has been a continual progression of knowledge, gear, and learning. Dave loves all sports and has since photographed for The Hockey News Magazine, Special Olympics Alberta, The Canadian Press, Spartan Races International, Mudgirl Run International, various online magazines, accredited AJHL photographer, Salaried Calgary Canucks Team photographer.

Dave has also shot various current NHL stars and up-and-coming NHL stars, including Cale Makar, Logan O’Connor, and Connor Bedard, Gavin McKenna (Projected 1st overall 2026 draft) and Landon DuPont (received WHL’s only second Exceptional Status, second to Connor Bedard).

Capturing an athlete in the middle of a skilled move fascinates him, and having someone take joy in that photo, is the ultimate compliment to him. Dave's future goal is to become an NHL photographer and ultimately an Olympic Photographer.

Founded in 1971, the Calgary Canucks are the second-oldest franchise still operating in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), preceded only by the Spruce Grove Saints. The Canucks franchise has the longest tenure of any in the AJHL in one city. The team has 11 regular season titles, nine AJHL championships, two Doyle Cup titles, and one Centennial Cup National Junior A Championship. The team has developed multiple players that have reached the National Hockey League, including Dany Heatley and two-time Stanley Cup winner Mike Vernon. Many more have earned scholarships to American and Canadian universities.

The Canucks won the AJHL Inter Pipeline Cup last year, for the first time since 1999 and advanced to the 23/24 CJHL Centennial Cup, held on Oakville, Ont. Where they went to the semi-finals.

This year the Centennial Cup will be hosted in Calgary for the very first year ever. The Centennial Cup is the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Championship.

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].

Host or Publisher The Camera Store