On the heels of winning Can Geo’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the Quebec-based photographer sits down with ML podcast host Feet Banks.
Maxime Légaré-Vézina’s photo career launched in 2014 after a minor argument with his then-girlfriend. “She had a camera and we’d both use it when we went out on trips, then argue about who had taken which photos,” Maxime told Feet Banks in an ML feature in 2024. “So I realized, OK, I should get my own camera. And then, quickly, taking photos was my entire life.”
Check these highlights from their recent conversation:
Feet Banks: There’s that famous scene in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” where the photographer finally sees the animal he’s been searching for and chooses not to take the photo. Could that ever happen to you?
Maxime Légaré-Vézina: I wish I could be that person, just living in the present moment and enjoying what’s happening in front of me. But I feel like there’s too much photography inside of me. What I’d be thinking is, “Oh my God, I hope I get this shot.” For me, if I can come out of an experience with some good photos, I’ll be even happier because after that I can look at those images and relive the moment. The photograph is only one ten-thousandth of a second. The animal is still there, hopefully for a while.
FB: How did you get started in wildlife photography?
MLV: Everything started about 12 years ago when I bought my first camera. I was traveling and wanted to get some good photos. That’s when the real passion began. I remember one of the first animals I photographed was just a muskrat, but I was so excited to have this little wild critter in front of me. For eight years it was only a passion. I still had a full-time job and was going out in the field as much as I could, often five mornings a week. In 2022, I decided to quit my office job at a bank and go all in.
FB: You recently won Canadian Geographic’s 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year. What did that mean to you?
MLV: It was a big deal. I still remember getting the email. I couldn’t tell anyone because I had to wait for the official announcement. I’d entered three or four times before. Usually, I would submit my 10 or 20 best photos and hope maybe for a category award. This time I won the biggest prize, which felt like great recognition for all the time I’ve spent in the field.
FB: One of the images people keep talking about is the close-up portrait of a bear. Tell us about that moment.
MLV: I was on northern Vancouver Island in September when the salmon were returning to the rivers. The bears were waiting for them. The light was gorgeous. This bear came fairly close, though I was still at a respectful distance with a long lens. Then he looked straight at me. Half of his face was in the light and the other half was in shadow. It’s definitely one of my top five images ever.
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FB: When you spend so much time observing animals, what do you see in them?
MLV: It depends on the species. Lately I’ve been photographing a loon family. The interaction between the chicks and the adults is incredible. You see the male bringing back fish while the female watches over the babies. There’s a lot to see there, especially when you have a family in front of you.
FB: Are there animals that strike you as especially intelligent?
MLV: Ravens, for sure. Birds in general can be fascinating. Owls, for example, are specialized hunters. They hear everything. They’re basically killing machines. Animals are smarter than we think.
FB: Has spending so much time in nature changed your views on conservation?
MLV: I’m trying to do more. Nature has offered me a lot, and I think it’s important to give back. Through social media, I can showcase how beautiful nature is and hopefully get people to care about protecting it. I still feel like I need to do more conservation work, and every chance I get, I try.
FB: Do you still have days where you come home empty-handed?
MLV: Absolutely. In spring and summer there’s lots of activity, but in winter you can go out every morning for two weeks and come back with nothing. It can be discouraging. But patience pays. Even when I don’t get photos, I’m still happy to be out there. I spend a lot of time photographing from my kayak, and every morning I’m thinking, “This is my office for the day.” It’s a lot better than being inside.
Listen to the full convo here.
