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Canadian Landscape Photographer

My name is Dean McLeod and I am a Canadian landscape photographer based in Saskatchewan. I create luxury limited-edition fine art prints of Canada’s breathtaking landscapes, as well as striking scenes from other countries around the world, available to collectors worldwide. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to share my work with an international audience.

Photography has been a passion of mine for many years, but I started my professional life in a different field, choosing a “safe” career as a denturist. Reaching this point in my photography career has required dedication and persistence, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Landscape photographer Dean McLeod stands on the banks of the south Saskatchewan river at sunrise in autumn with the Canadian flag superimposed over the water. — The beautiful colours of autumn appear along the South Saskatchewan River.

I first discovered my love for photography as a teenager with a film camera. Growing up on the prairies of Saskatchewan, professional landscape photography wasn’t something I had considered possible, yet over time it became my passion and my second career.

Exploring Canada’s Diverse Landscapes

A bright yellow field of canola in full bloom with a tiny patch of trees in the distance. — 'Full Bloom', an unreleased image of the most beautiful canola field I've ever laid eyes on.

Saskatchewan is vast, covering roughly the same land area as Texas (albeit much colder in winter). The southern half is largely flat farmland, while the north is rich with boreal forest and lakes. Camping and exploring the outdoors here from a young age gave me a deep appreciation for nature and inspired my love of landscape photography.

Lightning storm over a farm in southern Saskatchewan. — A surreal lightning storm lit up the sky over this farm in southern Saskatchewan.

Camping is a big deal is Saskatchewan, where many locals love to spend the summer season outdoors at their favourite lakes (there are over 100,000 of them). We also have our fair share of mosquitos and flesh-eating horseflies to keep us honest, but we are used to it.

Landscape photographer Dean McLeod as a five year old sitting beside a campfire at a lake in Saskatchewan. — My parents started taking me camping when I was six months old. Here I am as a five year old with a few years of experience under my belt. What is it with little boys and fire?

These early experiences taught me patience, observation, and how to see the extraordinary in ordinary places. They remain central to my work today — whether I am photographing the Canadian prairies, the Rockies, or landscapes abroad.

Mobile Photography Adventures Across Canada

A strange thing about Canadians, which I think is simply built into our DNA, is that we love to drive almost everywhere. Yes, this is what we do, no matter how far away our destination. But in my business, that can be a good thing.

Collage of three images showing the interior of a modified Jeep used for landscape photography exploration. — Left; setting up for a meal. Middle; storage bins underneath my mattress carry all of the dry goods and water I need. Right; my cooking stove on the folding tailgate table.

Being mobile is essential for capturing the best light at sunrise and sunset. My Jeep is modified with the rear seats removed and a folding table on the tailgate, creating a “home base” for photography expeditions. This mobility allows me to explore remote locations efficiently — from Saskatchewan’s prairies to the Canadian Rockies, and even internationally.

Collage of three images including a camera on a tripod in a river, a mattress in the back of a Jeep, and Dean McLeod in his sleeping bag in the back of the Jeep. — Left; scouting my composition many hours before the night shoot. Middle; my sleeping quarters in my modified Jeep. Right; settling in for a nap before my 12:30 am alarm.

The story behind my image 'Moonlight Sonata', a photo of Mount Chephren on the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies, is a good example of how a home on wheels comes in handy as a photographer. There is no lodging in that particular area of the Rockies, so I simply drove to the mountain and parked in a pullout on the highway as a home base for the day.

A twenty minute snowshoe down to the lake allowed me to scout the area during the daylight hours, and settle on a composition for the nighttime shot that I had envisioned in my head. Back at the Jeep, I prepared dinner and afterwards, settled in for a few hours of sleep before my midnight alarm.

Mount Chephren in Banff National Park receives bright sidelight from the moon during the night with ice and snow on the shore of the river in the foreground. — The fruits of my labour. All of the planning paid off, as I was rewarded with clear skies and the shot that I had hoped for. 'Moonlight Sonata'.

When the time was right, I geared up and returned to the icy stream, set up my camera gear and photographed for a couple of hours in the middle of the night.

There's nothing more exhilarating than coming away with a successful image after all of the planning and travel, and having a home away from home makes things a whole lot easier.

Capturing Canada’s Landscapes Through the Seasons

Canada’s landscapes are dynamic and change dramatically with the seasons. From -40ºC winters to +40ºC summers, the environment challenges and inspires me. Snow, ice, thunderstorms, and autumn colours all offer unique opportunities to create powerful imagery.

A collage of two images; Crowsnest mountain in winter, and photographer Dean McLeod selfie shortly after taking the photo of Crowsnest mountain. — Left; my image 'Crowsnest', captured in the extreme cold of winter in southern Alberta. Right; my obligatory selfie after I got the shot. I had snowshoed in the dark with my headlamp up to a high vantage point to capture sunrise after scouting the location the day before.

Although winter photography can create many challenges like protecting your camera gear or simply keeping warm, it has become one of my favourite times of the year to explore. The air is more pure in the cold, while snow-capped peaks or hoar frost clinging to the trees can create images that are uniquely beautiful.

Moraine Lake and Crescent Falls by photographer Dean McLeod. — Left; 'True Blue', the iconic Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. Right; 'Crescent Falls', a mesmerizing moonscape over the double waterfalls of the same name in west central Alberta.

Spring, summer, and fall provide endless variety, while winter offers purity and clarity that is ideal for photography. Collectors around the world appreciate these seasonal variations in my fine art prints, which capture the essence of the Canadian wilderness.

Two images; Sunwapta Falls in Jasper, and a rainbow over a farmer's field in Saskatchewan. — Left; 'Harmony', an image of Sunwapta Falls near Jasper in Alberta. Right; 'Living Skies', a spectacular rainbow captured on the Saskatchewan prairie after a passing summer rainstorm.

Summer heat waves frequently lead to thunderstorms and skies that come alive with amazing clouds, lightning, and rainbows, while the cool air of autumn transforms the trees into pillars of breathtaking colour.

Panorama view of red maple leaves hanging in front of a gentle cascade on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. — 'Tranquility', captured in the fall on Vancouver Island.

My time spent photographing trees in autumn on Vancouver Island has produced some of my favourite images, as the temperate climate provides the perfect conditions for colorful trees like Japanese maples to thrive.

Canada’s Dark Sky Photography & Astrophotography

Canada has 22 Dark Sky Preserves — areas with minimal light pollution — perfect for astrophotography.

A time-lapse with star trails over Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan. — 'Alone'; an unreleased image I captured in Grasslands National Park, a spectacular dark sky preserve in southern Saskatchewan.

The expansive, sparsely populated wilderness allows me to capture stunning night skies, from the Milky Way to auroras, and share these images with an international audience.

Old barn in Saskatchewan at night with Neowise comet in the starry sky. — 'Lost In Time'; an unreleased image of the Neowise comet as it passed by the planet in 2020. The barn was built by my grandfather in 1939.

Another benefit of practicing night photography is the lack of crowds, especially in more popular areas. Some iconic locations have become so popular with tourists in recent years that it is not uncommon to sit shoulder to shoulder with other photographers during sunrise and sunset hours.

Aurora over an old barn Canadian landscape. — In Canada our proximity close the the auroral oval rewards us with amazing shows of the Northern Lights.

Arriving after dark gives me more freedom to move about less inhibited, while creating images from a unique perspective with beautiful starry skies, and on some nights, spectacular aurora.

Backcountry Exploration for Stunning Canadian Landscapes

Many of Canada’s most pristine landscapes require trekking into the backcountry. Packing camera gear, camping equipment, and supplies can be challenging, but the rewards are unmatched.

Left; the rubber-chewing porcupines of the area required me to surround my Jeep with chicken wire. Right; My pack still weighed about 80 pounds for a two-night trip.

One such expedition was to Bugaboo Provincial Park in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia — a strenuous hike with 80 pounds on my back, but worth it for the breathtaking vistas and unique compositions.

Left; an evening climb to a tarn below Snowpatch Spire in the Bugaboos. Right; home base for two nights. Backcountry camping permits must be purchased ahead of time to ensure a spot.

But to me, there's no better way to enjoy nature than a trek into the backcountry, where I can immerse myself in the sights, sounds and solitude of the outdoors. It is calming, allowing me to explore and photograph creatively while experiencing the wilderness in its truest form.

Left; Anniversary Peak, Houndstooth, and Marmolata Spire, surrounded by Bugaboo Glacier. Right; Crescent Towers at sunset.

Landscape photography is a wonderful creative outlet that combines everything I love into a single craft. I love the feeling of connection to the land when I travel to explore new locations in hopes of capturing them at their best with beautiful light and atmosphere.

Inspiring Collectors Worldwide Through Fine Art Photography

It is a privilege to explore and photograph the beauty of the wilderness, in Canada and abroad, sharing these images with collectors around the world. My goal is to create original, compelling photographic art that conveys mood and emotion, whether capturing a prairie sunset, a mountain peak in Canada, or landscapes from other countries.

Castle Butte in the Canadian landscape of southern Saskatchewan. — Historic Castle Butte catches the last rays of sunshine in southern Saskatchewan.

I am honored that you’ve shown interest in my work. Please explore my image galleries to view the full collection of limited-edition prints and find the perfect piece for your home or office.

The Three Sisters mountain in Canmore, Alberta glows at sunrise with a small, rocky cascading waterfall in the foreground. — The snowcapped Three Sisters of Canmore receive their first kiss of morning sun while the spring meltwater cascades along the rocky creek below. 'Three Sisters', Limited Edition of 150.

A Japanese maple tree with twisting branches of orange leaves in Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada. — I could gaze upon this gorgeous Japanese maple for hours, like a vivid dream. The explosive fall color and velvety moss on its branches add so much to its beauty. Truly a tree of life. 'Dreamweaver', also available in panoramic format. Limited Edition of 150.