Prairie Girl Photography produces precious keepsakes
By Joan Janzen
Veronica Dewald has been behind the lens of Prairie Girl Photography in Denzil for many years. “I did weddings of kids I babysat, and now I am doing their kid’s grad photos,” she said. Veronica grew up in Denzil, took her post-secondary education in Calgary, moved to Saskatoon and then Kerrobert for two years before returning to Denzil in 2007.
She had done photography part-time while living in Saskatoon but soon realized the benefits of moving to her hometown. “In Denzil, everyone knows me; it’s word of mouth. Someone will say they saw so and so’s grad photos, and so they ask me to do theirs,” Veronica said.
When the school closed in Denzil, Veronica utilized the space as a studio and operated her business full-time, only taking time off when she had her children. “In 2012, I found myself a solo mom, managing a business; it was too much to keep it all up,” she explained. “I was burnt out trying to keep it all together.” And rightfully so, because Prairie Girl Photography covers a huge area, including Kerrobert, Kindersley, Major, Denzil, Luseland, Unity, Macklin and Provost.
At that time, Veronica took a sabbatical from her photography pursuits and started working full-time at the local garage and hardware store. The regular routine allowed her to be there for her kids while doing the occasional photoshoot for family.
For the most part, Veronica set aside her camera for a period of time. “But my phone was my camera,” she explained. Veronica used an app that took vintage looking photos, and started posting snapshots of community events. Not only would she post a photo, but she would also write about it. “People told me I was able to say what they felt but didn’t know how to express it,” she said.
Fast forward to 2022, and Veronica and Prairie Girl Photography continue to thrive. “Now I’m back to photography, working full time, and raising two kids,” Veronica said. “I don’t have a studio, so my photography is mostly seasonal. I’m so thankful I get to create art for clients’ walls to be handed down as family heirlooms. It’s so important to have something to hold in your hand and appreciate up close.”
This season of Veronica’s life includes a good balance between home and work, but because she’s passionate about what she does, there’s always a new pursuit on her horizon. Her passion for photography began as a youngster. “As a kid, I would take my Kodak camera and put my baby sister in the crib with blankets as a backdrop,” she recalled. “Now, based on the time I separated from photography, I want to focus on a photo essay book. It will resonate with people who used to live in Denzil. I can base it off my Facebook posts. I live right beside our elevator, and that’s the focus of most of my stories.” Her ability to relay a captivating story originates from her college days at SAIT in Calgary, where she took Photo Journalism. Veronica is currently busy collecting stories, which cover a timeline ending in 2020.
“It will be a visual journey,” Veronica noted. Seniors and people who grew up in the area will be sure to appreciate her finished book filled with good, old-fashioned memories.
Meanwhile, Veronica also enjoys many kind gestures of appreciation. Her happy customers often give her gifts of garden produce and homemade goodies. “I love sitting down at the ordering sessions just as much as I love the photography,” she said. “Walking into someone’s home and seeing my work on their wall is great!” That work is a precious keepsake that can be handed down from one generation to the next.
Everyone in Denzil and the surrounding region look forward to enjoying many more photos from Prairie Girl Photography and anticipate Veronica’s book coming out in print.
Veronica Dewald
