A local photographer's work is gaining some national recognition.
A photo Shaun Antle took at Canatara Park has been named a finalist in the Photo of the Year contest through Canadian Geographic.
"It's actually a capture of a great blue heron right here in Lake Chipican at Canatara Park," said Antle. "They're there all the time, so I was just on my belly shooting away and with digital cameras nowadays you can do 10 to 30 frames per second, so it would go down to dive for fish and every time it would dive I'd snap away."
Antle said finding out his picture was up for Photo of the Year, is a dream come true.
"The aim, the goal or the dream of ever having Canadian Geographic in the same sentence as me, if you asked me two years ago I'd tell you it's never going to happen," said Antle. "So, to get that email was nothing short of incredible. It's one of the best feelings I've had outside of getting married and having kids."
He said Canadian Geographic will be selecting the winning photograph on Friday, January 12.
Antle, professionally known as Oh Me Nerves Photography, said he's been taking pictures since he was a child, and said the art form saved his life.
"I've always loved photography," said Antle. "I'm a financial advisor by day and photography is kind of that release, hobby, escape for me. I tag photography as something that has had a part in saving my life. I'm an open book about sexual abuse as a kid, bullying. And photography has been a means to therapeutically work through those problems."
He said his portfolio includes photos of his travels over the years to Newfoundland, across the United States, England, and West Africa.
Antle's work is also on display at Gallery in the Grove this month, part of the Looking Through Their Lens exhibit, which also features photos by Glenn Ogilvie, Mary Kilbreath and Scott Clarke.
The exhibit runs until February 3.