PhotoEd: A Treasure for Canadian Photographers
by Jody van der KwaakThere are still several photography magazines being printed today, but many focus primarily on camera gear, technical reviews, and the latest equipment. While those publications certainly have their place, there is one Canadian photography magazine that stands apart: PhotoEd.
A Magazine Devoted to Photography Itself
PhotoEd is a magazine dedicated to photography itself and the people who create it. It provides a platform for Canadian photographers to share work that is often artistic, thought-provoking, and experimental. For photographers who see the camera as a creative tool rather than simply a piece of equipment, it is a wonderful source of inspiration and discovery.
The name PhotoEd comes from "Photo Education." While the magazine isn't focused on technical instruction in the traditional sense, there is always something to learn within its pages. After all, growth as a photographer never truly ends. Every image, every story, and every featured artist offers a new perspective and reminds us to keep exploring and evolving creatively.
More Than a Magazine
Each time a new issue arrives, I look forward to sitting down with it. Beautifully designed and thoughtfully printed on high-quality paper, it feels less like a magazine and more like a collection of visual treasures waiting to be discovered.
Perhaps that is why I am so protective of my copies. A bent corner or a damaged cover genuinely bothers me. As both a photographer and graphic designer, I appreciate the entire experience: the quality of the paper, the printing, the typography, the layout, and, of course, the photography itself.
In an increasingly digital world, PhotoEd reminds me why printed work still matters. It is more than a physical publication. It is a source of inspiration, creativity, and connection.
A Community of Canadian Photographers
What makes PhotoEd even more special is the community that surrounds it. Through its Patreon membership and regular calls for submissions, photographers are invited to participate and share their work around a wide variety of themes. Each issue celebrates the creative contributions of its members, and editor Rita Godlevskis makes a point of acknowledging and supporting the people who help make the publication possible.
Honoured to Be Featured
For that reason, I am especially honoured to have my work published in PhotoEd for the third time.
My photograph "Axis of Order" was published in Issue #76. You can browse the digital edition on the PhotoEd website.
In the Colour Issue (Winter 2024/2025), two more of my pieces appeared: "Draaiorgel" and "Box Machine."
My photograph "Dandelion" was featured in the printed edition as well, with my name listed among the contributing photographers.
If you love photography, I highly recommend spending some time with the magazine. Accessing the digital edition requires a name and email address, but for anyone passionate about photography, art, and visual storytelling, it is well worth the visit.
I will continue supporting PhotoEd because it motivates me to keep creating, experimenting, and growing as an artist. And who knows, perhaps there will be a fourth publication in a future issue.
Why Print Still Matters
As a photographer who believes photographs deserve to be experienced beyond a screen, I deeply appreciate organizations like PhotoEd that continue to celebrate photography as an art form. Their commitment to creativity, community, and print is one of the reasons I am proud to support them and grateful to have my work featured in their pages.
Love the idea of photography made to be printed and kept? That is exactly how I approach every session, creating portraits meant to live on a wall, not disappear into a camera roll. Explore my work or book a session and let's create something worth holding onto.
