Our Team
Our department has high standards for teaching. Each instructor must complete an ISW course and continue with professional development and learning throughout their career at Langara. Our classes have a lot of hands-on instructions and students get a lot of experience working on set and in a professional photography studio.
Jonathan Chater
Jon is a Vancouver-based photographer who brings to the classroom 20 years of experience in the photography industry. His academic training includes a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, a Master of Arts in Photographic Studies, and a PGCE in Post-secondary Education.
Jon’s approach to teaching is to get students ‘hands-on’ with cameras as much as possible. His classes encourage experimental and creative approaches to photography. Students gain a new understanding of how a photograph engages a viewer and effectively communicates the photographer’s intentions.
When he’s not teaching, Jon enjoys wandering the streets of Vancouver with his camera. He is an active member of Vancouver Street Photography Collective, a non-profit society bringing together photographers to create and share diverse street photography approaches and aesthetics. He has participated in several group exhibitions in London and Vancouver.
Jon’s work can be found at: https://www.jonchater.com/
Caroline Ross
Caroline Ross is a commercial and portrait photographer. She also runs an international photography awards program (WCWA), which recognizes and celebrates new and experienced photographers in the wedding industry. Caroline’s education is in Fine Arts, and after graduating from Laurentian University, she worked as a Graphic Designer and Creative Director. Caroline has been published in the areas of fashion, editorial, travel, food, and weddings, and recently exhibited at the Round Hole Square Peg 4 in West Hollywood in February 2020.
Christoph Prevost is a commercial photographer and photo assistant with a wealth of experience in local and international advertising campaigns. He specializes in studio lighting and commercial photography, delivering high-quality images that stand out.
Known for his attention to detail and creative vision, Christoph has worked on a variety of projects across different industries. His professionalism and dedication ensure that he consistently meets deadlines and exceeds client expectations.
Website: https://www.christophprevost.com/
Eric Stewart
Eric Stewart is a technical photo-geek and lover of all genres of photography. He strives to impart the technical expertise students need to excel in the field of photography. A curator for Canada's World Photographic Cup team and an international photography judge. His true passion lies in teaching students how to critique images in order for them to grow and create even better photographs. Through innovative teaching practices, students take ownership of their own learning and push themselves towards excellence.
After a successful career as a commercial photographer and producer, Catharine joined the Professional Photography Department at Langara, where she has now taught for over 25 years. In the Diploma program, Catharine has taught studio lighting, technical photography, B&W and colour technology and printing, history of photography, professional issues, as well as organizing guest speakers, seminars, and conferences. She is a past Department Chair and one of the architects and original instructors of PHOT1100. She has won awards for photography and community service and worked in the Media Centre at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Her clients now are mostly architects, landscape architects, and horticulture related businesses and services. She also coaches emerging artists in areas of business and strategic planning and works with First Nations Communities. She loves outdoor sports, travel, and gardening.
Sara McIntyre’s multi-disciplinary career is grounded instorytelling. She trained as a film director through Women in the Director’s Chair; as a co-active coach through The Coaches Training Institute; and as a sexual health educator through Options for Sexual Health. Sara has collaborated on short and feature-length films about indigenous culture (Two Indians Talking, The Healing Dance), and with Canadian author, Kim Clark on stories about sexuality anddisability (Disease & Desire). She has also earned her living in corporate communications and as a casting director, and holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Sara’s approach to teaching photography and video production centres curiosity, creativity and personal narrative.
Andrew (Andy to most) is a photographer and educator who strives to help students achieve their photographic vision and career goals. A self-professed photo nerd, Andy loves technical knowledge and works to demystify and explain these aspects of photography in a way that is accessible to everyone. He uses his compulsion for problem solving to assist students with planning their photo shoots and to help them develop a photographic tool-kit to use in their careers. When not at the college, he shoots still life and product photography for a roster of commercial clients.
Kevin Smith
“Imagination, engagement, and exploring our students’ own innate creativity is what gets me excited and is what I enjoy most about what I do at Langara."
Kevin has over 35 years of retail visual presentation, fashion exhibition, styling, and show production, as well as tradeshow and special event experience. His work can be found throughout the city, subtly communicating to the public with humour, good looks, and insight. He has been an instructor in the Design Formation Program for the past 15 years and in Professional Photography for the last 6.
Istvan (Steve) Pinter has spent his life studying, capturing, crafting, and presenting the beauty of light.
Steve is a graduate of Langara College’s Photography Program. He is well-versed in the old ways. Film is where he started color and printing, scanning and proofing; CMYK and prepress; page assembly and typography; one by one, he mastered them all. He embraced digital early, working in prepress was where digital retouching was done first. Later, retouching found its way into the hands of the photographer and the studio artist.
11 years in pre-press, four years at an advertising agency, offered him a deeper understanding of the workflows of Photographers and Art Directors.
Currently, he operates Pinter Creative Studio to collaborate with Photographers and Art Directors to deliver award-winning work to the advertising, film, and marketing industries.
To view examples of Steve’s work, go to pintercreative.com.
Richard Lam is a Vancouver, B.C.-based freelance photographer specializing in editorial, sports, and commercial photography. He is currently freelancing for The Canadian Press and several other publications as well as the official photographer for the University of British Columbia’s Athletic Department. His work has appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines around the world.