Every year I say something to myself other photographers may be familiar with: “This is the year…this is the year where I get my photo catalog in order!” and then another year goes by. If you think I’m going to tell you that 2025 is finally when I get my shit together, I’m sorry to say it’s probably not going to happen, but I am doing better than some of the previous attempts. While hunting through old materials though, I came across scans of my favourite instant photos.

Instant photography for me has been a bittersweet journey. I prefer Polaroid cameras, but I prefer Instax film, so I’ve always been left with either the choice of holding a plastic toy and getting amazing results, or handling an absolute legend (The Polaroid SX-70) and frowning at the awful colours it produces. Over the years on my You Tube channel I constantly complained about the Polaroid results and at one point I gave up on their colour film, before giving up the format altogether.

When it comes to Instax I have experimented with using a Graflex and modified backs for more control but the process is tedious. You’ll see a couple examples of that below though.

In 2021 I wanted to make a zine of these best shots, and maybe at some point I’ll commit to that but in the mean time I thought I would share with you some of my favourite Polaroid and Instax photos taken over the years and the stories behind them.

Hot & Cold (Instax Square)

A chilly pepper I found in the snow. I liked the implied contradiction.

BC Train (Instax Mini)

Shot on a Graflex with a modified back that I loaded in the dark, and then needed to also reload it into a separate ejection back in the dark to process.

Untitled Flower (Instax Mini)

Another shot using the Graflex method. I pulled the bellows out farther than they were supposed to, in order to get this macro effect. Surprisingly sharp.

Car & Grocery (Impossible Project B&W)

Taken a number of years ago, it’s a good thing I have a scan of this because these early Impossible Project photos continue to fade over time. This is early into my experimenting with the new line of instant photos.

Continental Breakfast (Polaroid SX-70)

During a trip to the Badlands in 2021 while everything was closed, I stayed at a motel in Drumheller. My continental breakfast was left in a paper bag at the door, and as you can see it’s…creative.

Untitled Graffiti (Instax Square)

I bought a colourful pack of Instax Square and didn’t know which was going to pop out when. To my surprise it was perfect for the subject! When it comes to instant photos, the frame really makes the shot.

The Littlest Nope (Polaroid SX-70)

In my old neighborhood there are a number of cats, and at one point, one must have been on my front steps. What I think makes this photo is that its paws warmed the snow just enough to refreeze their prints a little harder than the rest, so when everything started to melt, this imprint was the last to go.

Untitled Rural Alberta (Instax Wide)

Just a nice, simple image of what you’d expect to see driving along the Alberta highway in the summer. Also, this truly showcases the deep, rich colours you’ll get from Instax film.

Watch the video I made that day if you’d like.

Untitled Abandoned Ramsay (Polaroid Peel Apart)

One of the few peel apart images I have before it was discontinued. This abandoned building is shot from behind and shows the massive overgrowth coming from inside and out. I wish I had shot it more before the rebuild, but this is all I have.

Here are a few more instant photos for your viewing pleasure