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.
  • Home
  • Photography
    • Cinematic Sports Portraits
    • Adventure
    • Lifestyle
    • Commercial
    • Projects
      • Game 7
      • Tattoo Project
      • Movember
      • Snowbirds
      • Prints
  • Motion
    • Commercials
    • Television
    • Feature Films
    • Libra L7
    • Mini Libra L8
  • Info
    • About
    • Resume
    • IMDb
  • Contact
  • Blog
Menu
  • Home
  • Photography
  • Motion
  • Info
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • See my resume on IMDb
  • See me on Instagram
  • Find me on Facebook
  • Follow me on X
  • Watch me on Vimeo

Categories

  • News
  • Photography

Archives

  • June 2026
  • April 2026
  • February 2014
  • August 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • 2026
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011

Links

  • Andrew Zuckerman
  • Brian Howell
  • Brian Kuhlmann
  • Dan Winters
  • John Keatley
  • John Paul Caponigro
  • Michael Muller
  • Richard Avedon
  • Vincent Laforet
  • Walter Iooss

Category Archives
Photography

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.

 

Sarah Burke featured on Canada Post Stamp

Posted on February 3rd, 2014 in Photography

Sarah Burke, Canada Post Stamp, Canadian Women Winter Athletes, Pioneers of Winter Sports, Spencer Kovats Photo
Sarah Burke | Photo: Spencer Kovats

I am extremely honoured to have a photograph I created of Sarah Burke turned in a Canada Post stamp.  As a Pioneer in Canadian Winter Sports, Sarah’s life was tragically cut short at a young age doing what she loved the most, Freestyle Skiing.  She was a champion and was considered to be one of the main reasons the event will debut at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in a few days.

I didn’t know Sarah personally but I knew that the second I took this photo I had captured a special moment in time.  I hope for her legacy to live on, and I know that she is an inspiration for me and a reminder to be passionate about what you love to do and live life to it’s fullest!  #celebratesarah

Mountain tops…

Posted on August 1st, 2013 in Photography

Here are two new panoramas from a recent hike in Chilliwack, BC. The top image is of Mt.Baker and the bottom image is the view from the top of Mt Cheam…

SK_130727_50

SK_130727_36

If you’re interested in doing this hike you can check out vancouvertrails.com

Whistler Bike Park

Posted on June 7th, 2013 in Photography

SK_110911_22

SK_110911_78

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!

Spencer_Kovats_2013_VIMFF_Grand_Prize_Winner

Surfing in Tofino | Cox Bay

Posted on November 2nd, 2012 in Photography

Here are a few images from my trip last week to one of my favourite places in the world!  Tofino is a magical place, and even though it is often cold, wet, and cloudy, it still is an amazing place to spend time.  I was fortunate enough to travel there for work, but it’s just not the same…  I now have the itch to head back there and spend some quality time doing absolutely nothing!  If you have never been to Tofino, I highly recommend you look into it.  It truly is the West Coast and you will not regret it once you’re there…

  • Home
  • Legal
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
©2026 Spencer Kovats web design: Rakic Creative™