Places

Announcing the “What is home” re:Location photo competition winners

As part of our re:Location project, we saw hundreds of entries to our photo competition. Here are the top three.

Published Jan 15, 2021
Updated Oct 19, 2023
363 words
2 minutes

By Can Geo Staff

Community relocations are part of the story of what has and continues to shape Canada as a country. As part of our educational project on relocations in Canada, we asked: what does home mean to you?

From hundreds of entries showing homes, backyards, neighbourhood parks, family members and family pets, our judges chose a first, second and third place entry whose photo and caption both depicted the feeling of what “home” means.

First place: Sara Kempner

“This is a self-portrait I took while visiting my parents at the property I grew up on, and it is an homage to my childhood. We were fortunate to have the beach as our playground as kids and I truly believed that this place shaped me into the person I am today. Being creative and adventurous outside as a child translated into a lifelong love of the outdoors, which is now reflected in my overall lifestyle as well as my photography. I will be forever grateful for this beach and all it taught me.”

Second place: Michael Winsor

“Living on the east coast of Newfoundland provides the most magical visitor every spring: icebergs. The east coast of Newfoundland is known as Iceberg Alley and growing up here has always made residents feel special. Icebergs are one of the reasons why Newfoundlanders do not relocate to mainland Canada for work. Instead we struggle with the local economy in order to live in a place that is wide open, beautiful and home.”

Third place: Laurence Stassen

“A dog embodies the joy and love that are integral to a healthy home. In this picture my dog, Joji, displays her unbridled passion for the simple act of retrieving a ball. In her canine mind, there are no cares about finances, job stress, or a pandemic. When the chase is over she will love each member of our family with the same sort of unmitigated enthusiasm. Her simple approach to living among us helps us all to keep our own lives in a healthy perspective.”

Canadian Geographic thanks everyone for entering the photo competition. We encourage you to explore the history of community relocation in Canada at relocation.canadiangeographic.ca.

Help us tell Canada’s story

You can support Canadian Geographic in 3 ways:

Donate Subscribe Shop

community relocations

Announcing the winners of the 2024 Canadian Photos of the Year competition

Canadian Geographic honours 14 photographers who captured some of the best shots of 2024

819 words
4 minutes

Wildlife

Announcing the winners of the 2022 Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year competition

Canadian Geographic is pleased to honour 14 photographers for their outstanding images of Canadian wildlife

1238 words
5 minutes

Environment

Announcing the winners of the 2023 ECOP Canada Ocean Decade Photo Competition

Canadian Geographic, ECOP Canada and SOI Foundation are proud to recognize five early career ocean professionals who captured outstanding images showcasing what it’s like to work on, in and for the ocean

707 words
3 minutes