Image
Image Caption
By Sam Laskaris
Windspeaker Contributor
CALGARY
Candice Ward thought she was simply quietly doing her job as a photojournalist, but the Calgary-based Cree woman has discovered that many are admiring the work she is doing, primarily as a sports photographer.
This past week Ward found out she was on the Most Influential Women List for 2016 that was put out by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS).
A total of 20 women from across the country were named to the list. They were selected based on their inspirational efforts, either at the local, national or international levels.
Those who were chosen for the list were then subdivided into five categories: Athletes, Coaches, Builders, Media and Ones To Watch (Women Under 30).
Ward, who was born in Bonnyville, Alta., was one of four women chosen in the Media category. She still isn’t sure who nominated her for the list. Nonetheless, she’s impressed to be included.
“It’s a little eye-opening to realize that the work you are doing is influencing other people,” said Ward, a member of the Kehewin Cree Nation in northern Alberta.
Ward, 35, graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) two-year Journalism program in 2008. She started to specialize in photojournalism during her final college year.
Since graduating, Ward has built herself an impressive collection of clients. She is currently the official team photographer for the Calgary Roughnecks, a pro squad in the National Lacrosse League, and the Calgary Hitmen, a Major Junior franchise that competes in the Western Hockey League.
Ward has also done work for the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames and the Calgary Stampeders, who compete in the Canadian Football League.
Her list of clients has also included Hockey Canada, USA Today Sports Images, Chicago Tribune, University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. Her photos have also appeared in about 15 publications in Canada, the United States and Australia.
All five of the categories in this year’s Most Influential Women List included four individuals. And an overall winner was named in each category. The winner in the Media category is Lori Ewing, a Toronto-based sports reporter who works for The Canadian Press.
A pair of other Toronto women also made the list via the Media category. They are Kate Beirness, the host of TSN’s SportsCentre, and Dawn Landis, TSN’s live sports director. Ward was honored to be included in this group.
“I find that the title is impressive,” she said. “It makes you feel super impressive. To be told you have an impact on other people is an interesting thing.”
Ward also believes making the list will result in a bit of an adjustment for her future assignments.
“I think it will affect how I shoot moving forward knowing there are people who look at my work,” she said.
The CAAWS announced its inaugural Most Influential Women List in 2000. This year marked the first time those on the list were subdivided into different categories.
Besides Ewing, the other overall winners from the list were Jen Kish, Chantal Vallee, Krista Devoe and Penny Oleksiak.
Kish, who took top honors in the Athlete category, was a member of the Canadian women’s rugby sevens team that captured the bronze medal at the Rio Olympics last summer in Brazil.
Vallee, the head coach for the University of Windsor women’s basketball squad, has had her share of successes at the school. Her team’s won five consecutive national championships from 2011-15.
An Indigenous woman was the overall winner in the Builder category. That would be Devoe, who is the physical activity strategy co-ordinator for the Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia.
Oleksiak, the star teenaged Olympic swimmer, was chosen as the winner in the Ones To Watch category. Though she was just 16, Oleksiak captured four medals (one gold, one silver and two bronze) at the Rio Olympics last summer.
As in previous years, those on the Most Influential Women List can also be recognized in subsequent years.
“I guess my goal now would be to stay on the list,” Ward said. Ward said she is quite content now with the work and people she is working with.
“I’m happy where I am,” she said. “I’m happy with the teams I have.”
Though the bulk of her work consists of taking sports photographs, Ward also does her share of corporate photography. And she’s also a writer, primarily writing advertorials on education.
Ward has also worked with numerous female athletes, including members of the national ski jumping team, to provide them with creative shots to better market themselves.