Instagram takeover: Nick Tweel uses job as surf guard to capture P.E.I.'s coast
P.E.I. is 'almost like summer paradise … It's not tropical, but it's unique in its own way'
CBC P.E.I. is featuring a local photographer on our Instagram page every Wednesday this summer. This week, we're showcasing the work of Nick Tweel.
Nick Tweel says he got into photography after buying a camera as an "impulse buy" in high school.
Now in his third year at Dalhousie University, he's upgraded his gear to a Nikon D750 — and taking photos has become a mainstay in his life.
'If there's good lighting or a good shot, I'm always there'
He spends his summers back on P.E.I. working as a surf guard — one reason many of his photos are set at the beach.
"I just take my camera to work. If there's good lighting or a good shot, I'm always there," he said.
"I just think [P.E.I. is] almost like summer paradise … It's not tropical, but it's unique in its own way."
A focus on nature and the environment
Tweel said in his third year, he's finally settled on his degree — a double major in sustainability and economics.
"I'm really into the environment so I do like to take pictures of nature and the environment, so I guess that does tie into the sustainability aspect of it," he said.
"It didn't really come from what I was learning in school, it came before that."
But he doesn't limit his shoots to the shore.
Promoting P.E.I.
"I just drive around sometimes, look for things that may be of interest, and go from there," he said.
His photos have helped encouraged some of his friends from school to visit the Island.
"They see the pictures and they go, 'That looks awesome, I'd love to come visit,'" he said.
Are you snapping photos of the Island as well? Tag @cbcpei in your photos to share them with us.