Chris & Sage (Halloween, 2007)

Chris McDowell

Chris was born and grew up in north-east Toronto, Canada, and found his niche during his high school years at Wexford C.I., where he developed an interest in photography and computer graphics.

After graduating, Chris got a job at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital in the media services department, performing tasks such as audio visual conference support, laying out scientific illustrations and even doing the occasional photography and video work in the operating rooms.

During his 5 years there, he was able to travel extensively through the United States & Europe, and also earned his Private Pilot's License (although it hit a bit of a tough spot when an after-takeoff engine failure forced him to ditch the Cessna 172 he was flying into Toronto's Outer Harbour one winter's night during a solo flight).

A year later, interest in a life change made him decide to apply for a work visa, to allow him to live in the United Kingdom for 1-2 years. He settled in Walthamstow (East London) and, shortly after arriving, met his future wife Amy (a native of Mariposa, California), who was there studying.

After returning to Toronto, getting married and earning a diploma in website development at Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology, Chris & Amy went through the immigration process and settled in the Yosemite Sierra region. They currently live in Coarsegold's Yosemite Lakes Park with their son Sage, who was born Thanksgiving Day, 2005.