SYDNEY MINES, N.S. — Adam Hill’s portfolio features some of nature’s most spectacular moments, from a baby loon hitching a ride on its mother’s back to a great gray owl staring out from underneath frosty eyelashes.
And among his captures of spectacular scenery are awe-inspiring sunsets and sunrises, along with waterfalls and winding roads.
After drawing national attention, the Sydney Mines man will now have his work appearing on a new stamp by Canada Post.
The panoramic shot of the Cabot Trail is among nine Canadian locales featured in the third edition of the ‘From Far and Wide’ series.
“They had something in mind, so I tried to cater to their needs as much as possible,” Hill said.
“I was quite happy with the way this photo turned out, so I wasn’t too surprised when they decided on that one.”
The image captured last July was taken by drone from the Skyline trail with permission from Parks Canada. Hill said the rights to the photograph have been sold to the federal postal agency.
A nature photographer for more than 15 years, Hill is no stranger to accolades. The 38-year-old has lived and travelled throughout the country, capturing some of Canada’s most iconic images.
In 2017, an image taken by Hill of the Northern Lights wound up a $10-coin commemorating Canada’s 150th anniversary of confederation.
But like many who move away in search of opportunity, Hill said the pull of the East Coast would eventually weigh on him.
“I was really content where I was,” he said. “I’ve photographed the Rockies and the British Columbia coastline, the aurora in the Northwest Territories, however, the call of Cape Breton for a photographer is pretty strong.
“You can hike for days, if you want, or you can drive for days. It really is a photographer’s playground especially with the amount of waterfalls we have."
Hill holds a university degree in history and a wildlife technician’s diploma, but taught himself photography by spending countless hours outdoors taking photographs.
About 15 years ago, he sold his first piece while working as an employee at the Water’s Edge Inn & Gallery in Baddeck.
BIO
Adam Hill
- Family: Married father of one
- Age: 38
- Home: Raised in Scotch Lake, now living in Sydney Mines
- Early career: Sold his first photograph about 15 years ago while employed at the Water’s Edge Gallery in Baddeck.
Hill said the business's owners encouraged him to begin selling and to continue working his craft.
“They were just really good people and it certainly didn’t hurt my development," he said. "It was a great boost of the ego when you could starting selling.”
But don’t expect Hill to rush out and buy booklets and booklets of stamps.
“I don’t even have one of my coins,” he said with a laugh. “I need to get one of those. I’ve been very fortunate in my photographic career to have diverse clients and the coin was certainly unexpected and then the stamp is certainly unexpected as well.”
Hill said the pinnacle of his career remains having close to 30 photographs displayed at his own exhibit at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife in 2017.
According to Canada Post, the set of stamps featuring Hill’s work was released Tuesday. Additional images from Atlantic Canada featured are the Swallowtail Lighthouse on Grand Manan Island, N.B., and French River, P.E.I.
