about

Known for her striking images of people, yet equally attracted to making portraits of the land, Tessa Macintosh has made a home and a life’s work of the compelling Canadian North for the past 40 years.

About Tessa Macintosh

Tessa is an award-winning northern photographer, based in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada. She began documenting images of the North in 1974, when, as part of her degree course at the Nova Scotia College of Art, she chose a photo project in Cape Dorset on Baffin Island. A few years later, she headed to Yellowknife to work as a photographer for the Native Press newspaper, followed by several years as photographer to the NWT Government. In 2002, Tessa was awarded with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for her photographic service to the Northern Community. Tessa has worked as a freelance photographer in Yellowknife for the past two decades. Currently, she is photo-illustrating a series of children’s books about northern indigenous culture and the environment.

Works on…

Experience

FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER – 1995-PRESENT
On assignment to various governments, corporations, and NGOs throughout the NWT and Nunavut
* On-location public relations, promotional, tourism + illustration photography
* Comprehensive & extensive northern stock photography library – scenic, communities, Dene, Inuit, NWT, Nunavut, traditional life ways, activities & events
* PhotoVoice workshops, photo-styling, research and art consulting
* Fine art photography exhibitions

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT PHOTOGRAPHER – 1982-1995
Government of the Northwest Territories – Yellowknife
* Responsible for extensive on-location photo assignments across NWT
* Managed and exercised editorial control of the most comprehensive contemporary collection of northern
stock photography
* Responsible for all technical phases of production including darkroom processing of films and prints
* Determine photo requirements in consultation with
departments, initiate travel itineraries, co-ordinate community contacts and hire assistants

ART CONSULTANT – 1982
NWT Native Women’s Association – Yellowknife
* Responsible for promotion of NWT Dene and Inuvialuit artists
* Development of brochures and art cards
* Design of craft shop display
* Native art trade shows in Southern Canada

MUSEUM PHOTO ARCHIVIST – 1981
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre – Yellowknife
* Organization and identification of new collections
* Responsible for archival printing of negatives

HEAD OF PHOTO SECTION – 1976-1980
Native Press Newspaper – Yellowknife
Native Communications Society of the NWT
* Responsible for all photos in visually oriented biweekly newspaper
* Responsible for BxW darkroom procedures and exhibitions of the NCS photo collection
* Successfully completed on-the-job training of two Native photo students according to a self-designed lesson plan
* Conduct extensive travel on-assignment to visually record the NWT Dene and Inuvialuit

FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER – 1974-1976
Cape Dorset, Baffin Island, NT
* Conducted assignments on-location
* Developed stock photography portfolio
* Process BxW films and prints in personal darkroom
* Portraits for Annual Inuit Art Collection

Education

CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP – MAY 1991
One-Week Intensive with renowned Canadian photographer Freeman Patterson

ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP – AUGUST 1986
Western Pacific Academy of Photography – Victoria BC

NOVA SCOTIA COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN – 1971-1974
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Majoring in Photography

MERIVALE HIGH SCHOOL, OTTAWA, ON – 1968-1971
Senior matriculation – Grade 13