Vancouver Island Cinematic Sports Portraits: We deliver a commercial grade, cinematic sports experience typically reserved for professional athletes and brands, tailored for youth athletes ending in custom wall art that families invest in as legacy pieces.
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Category Archives
News

More than a Photograph: Why I’m launching Cinematic Sports Portraits on Vancouver Island

Posted on June 12th, 2026 in News, Photography

We live in a time when more photographs are taken than even before.  Most of them are viewed once, shared briefly, and eventually forgotten on a phone, computer, or social media feed.

Yet some moments deserve more.

As a photographer, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what makes an image truly valuable.  It isn’t the camera. It isn’t the lighting or special effects.  It isn’t the editing or even the photograph itself.  It’s what that photograph represents.

For families involved in sports, the journey is about much more than the games and competitions.  It’s about years of dedication, early mornings, long drives, hard work, setbacks, growth, and personal achievement.  Those experiences help shape young athletes into the people they become.

That’s why I’m launching a cinematic sports portrait experience on Vancouver Island.

My goal is not to simply create photographs.

My goal is to create artwork.

Artwork that celebrates an athlete’s journey.  Artwork that reflects the commitment, character, and effort behind the uniform.  Artwork designed to be displayed and enjoyed for years to come.

These sessions are different from traditional sports photography.

They are not team photo days.  They are not rushed portraits.  They are not built around collecting hundreds of digital files.

Instead, each session is designed around creating a small collection of powerful, intentional images that tell a story.

When the season is over, when the equipment is packed away, and when the athlete has moved on to the next chapter of life, those images become more valuable.

They become a reminder of who they were.

I believe the most meaningful photographs deserve a place beyond a screen.

They deserve to be printed.

They deserve to be displayed.

They deserve to become part of a family’s home and history.

This experience is for families who value both the athlete’s journey and he artwork that preserves it.  Because these years don’t last forever.

The memories should.

 

Cinematic Sports Portraits

Posted on April 28th, 2026 in News

Hi everyone, I’m launching a cinematic sports portrait project here in the Comox Valley.  This is focused 1-on-1, individual sessions with select hockey players only.  The goal is to create high-end imagery for local athletes, designed with a commercial sports media look and feel similar to ESPN, Sports Illustrated style athlete features, and Nike advertising campaigns.

This is an exclusive, limited selection of elite or high-performance level players only.  I will be working with a very small number of athletes during this initial portfolio building phase

Selected Athletes will receive:

  • Fully directed cinematic sports portrait shoot focused entirely on the individual athlete
  • Waived creative fee
  • Digital images (1-3) for personal use and athlete promotion on social media

Requirements:­­

  • Athlete must compete at a high-performance competitive rep level
  • Athletes will need to secure access to ice time for 60-90 minutes
  • Must be comfortable in a structured professional high intensity creative session.­­

Important note:

  • Digital files are included for personal and promotional use only
  • ­­­­Print and custom wall art pieces are offered separately as premium, custom produced products
  • A model release and waiver must be signed to participate
  • Athletes 15-18 years old living in the Comox Valley will get top priority

These sessions are designed to produce elite level athlete imagery, the kind you would expect in professional sports publications or brand campaigns.  These are not standard team photos or live game coverage.

This is an extremely limited selection process.  Not all athletes will be accepted and once the spots are filled, it closes.

If you think you (or your athlete) fits this level, please message me for more details.

Alex Rakic

Posted on May 5th, 2013 in News

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Night Rider

Posted on April 1st, 2013 in News

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The Backcountry

Posted on March 15th, 2013 in News

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2013 VIMFF Grand Prize Winner!

Posted on February 8th, 2013 in News, Photography

Climb For Change proudly presented the 16th Annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival Mountain Photography Competition winners on the opening night of the VIMFF… I was extremely honoured to be awarded the Grand Prize (a two-week guided expedition in Northern Pakistan with Nazir Sabir Expeditions) and still can’t believe I was selected by the jury over all of the other incredible entries!  Photographers from across the globe enter this competition and submit some seriously jaw dropping photographs… below is my winning image, which was created only 2 weeks before the contest deadline!  My wife and I were snowshoeing in the backcountry of Apex Mountain (Penticton, BC) where there was a fresh dump of powder! The snow in the interior is much different than down on the coast and made for a perfect photo!  Thanks again to Climb for Change, VIMFF, Arc’teryx and also Nazir Sabir Expeditions for the amazing Grand Prize!

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SeaWheeze 2012

Posted on August 13th, 2012 in News

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Mystery Peak twin-seater chair lift

Posted on February 14th, 2012 in News

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PDN 2011 Great Outdoors Photo Contest Winner | Skydivers

Posted on September 30th, 2011 in News

PDN Winning gallery | http://www.pdngallery.com/contests/greatoutdoors/2011/

PX3 Gold Medal!

Posted on June 21st, 2011 in News

I recently received an email with some exciting news about the PX3 contest I entered  a few months ago…

The email said:  Spencer Kovats of Canada was Awarded: Gold in category Press (Sports) for the entry entitled, “Skydivers”. The jury selected PX3 2011’s winners from thousands of photography entries from over 85 countries.

I was really surprised to find out I had won considering this was the first photography competition that I had entered!  I’m not one to toot my own horn but in this case I really couldn’t resist!  Below is the Gold medal and also my winning images.

“PX3 is Europe’s Biggest and most prestigious photography competition”  CameraArts Magazine

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