Narrated and illustrated by Dave and written by Kelly, the Hutchinsons of Greater Victoria launch their first book this month, one that celebrates decades of wildlife photography and the southern B.C. coast they love.
“It’s more than a picture book. It’s stories along the way over the years, the stories behind the images, intertwined with the Island’s history,” Dave told the Saanich News. “It’s a celebration of Vancouver Island through my nature photography over the last 20 years."
Vancouver Island – The Art of the Landscape took Kelly a year to write, fact check, dig deeper and make changes before publishing through newly minted Two Trees Art Publishing – started just for the occasion.
Kelly had a longtime love of nonfiction and nurtured a childhood dream of writing for National Geographic, set aside for a time.
“Dave and I have only been together a couple of years, we actually met through his photography. It’s a long story but I share a bit of it in the book,” she said. When Dave shared that he wanted to write a book, it presented an opportunity:
“I’ll write the introduction and see what happens, and I just kind of continued on.”
She intentionally wrote it in Dave’s voice, telling of his 20 years worth of adventure tales in nature photography, interwoven with tips, tricks and history.
“Inadvertently it’s become a bit of a guidebook,” Dave said.
A visual journey and celebration, as seen by nature and wildlife photographer Dave Hutchison, more than 150 full-colour images capture the Islands’ diverse landscapes, flora, fauna, cityscapes and wildlife.
The book is organized into seven geographical regions for easy reference: Victoria, Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula; Cowichan and Carmanah valleys, Nanaimo and Parksville; the Southern Gulf Islands; Sooke to Port Renfrew; Tofino, Ucluelet, Bamfield and area; Comox Valley, Campbell River and area; northern Vancouver Island and area.
Well known on the West Coast with a growing following, Dave’s work has sold far and wide in other formats previously. To get the book into bigger markets like BC Ferries and other large bookstores, while allowing time to continue to focus on the art, they hired out edit, design and distribution.
“We didn’t want to be in the business of books full time. We’re in the business of creating art full time,” Dave said. “When it comes to the selling, artists can often drown in that part.”
Vancouver Island - The Art of the Landscape is already stocked at Chapters, and they’ve set up several author appearances Island-wide.
The first is a book signing at Bolen Books (Hillside Mall), Saturday, March 1 from 1 to 3 p.m..
March 8 they appear at The Mullberry Bush Book Store in Qualicum Beach; April 5 at Chapters Indigo at Mayfair Mall and at the Sidney/North Saanich branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library on April 26.
The hardcover, 224-page book is available to order at any bookstore after the Feb. 15 launch.
Get a taste of the art at davehutchisonphotography.com.
