Project Made Possible: NWT Photographer Bill Braden Releases Aurora Book

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Project Made Possible is an ongoing ITI blog series celebrating the achievements of NWT residents and businesses. ITI offers many programs and services to support economic development and growth. This series shares the many faces, stories and achievements that reflect their success.

Bill Braden estimates that he’s taken hundreds of thousands of photos of the sky, scenery, wildlife, industry and people of the Northwest Territories (NWT) over the last 50 years and last month, a collection of those photos made it into Bill’s newly released photography book Aurora Up!

The idea of creating the book had simmered in the back of Bill’s mind for years; however, he began working on it in earnest two years ago after seeing an economic opportunity with the rising number of aurora tourists. Bill was on to something – in fact, in 2015/16, the number of aurora visitors in the NWT increased by 48% over the previous year.

“I was inspired by the number of people coming to see the aurora and felt that there was a need for a good book to help tell the story of the Yellowknife experience. The book is a marketing tool to attract visitors to the NWT. It’s something that tourists can take home and also for residents to pick up and share with friends and family outside of the territory to entice them to visit,” Bill says.

The 100-page coffee table book explores the science, myths and legends of the aurora borealis and is infused with local flavor. In addition to the colourful history of the territory’s capital, the book also includes images from three other photographers, including Ron Ross, a guide with Enodah Wilderness Travel Ltd.; Dr. Wayne Lynch, who has photographed the north extensively; and Yuichi Takasaka, a pioneer of aurora photography who got his start while working for a local tourism company.

Bill also recruited a local agency to handle the design of the book.

Aurora Up! is Bill’s third photography book and is currently available at the Yellowknife Visitor Centre, Yellowknife Airport, the Book Cellar, and the Down to Earth Gallery.

Through SEED, ITI provides support for entrepreneurs and businesses to grow, improve their capacity and skills, enhance offerings and help communities to expand their economies. As these businesses and economic initiatives flourish, their success is reflected in regional economic growth and the sustainability of the NWT’s economy overall. To learn more about the NWT’s Economic Opportunities Strategy, click here.