Katherine Martens Creative Edge

09/09/2026

I recently had the opportunity to photograph 5505 Stones Bay Road in Fort St. James, a beautiful waterfront property on Stuart Lake listed by Harjit Birdi with Lakeshore Realty Ltd. As I moved through the home capturing its spaces and views, I found myself thinking less about the features and more about the lifestyle this property offers.

With mountains behind you and Stuart Lake before you, this is a home that reminds you to slow down and enjoy where you are. I could picture the morning beginning in the kitchen, sunlight filtering through the window above the sink while coffee brews and the house slowly wakes. The warmth of the cabinetry and stone countertops create a space that feels welcoming, not just beautiful to look at.

What stood out most was the connection between the indoor and outdoor living spaces. Multiple garden doors open onto expansive decks overlooking Stuart Lake, creating a natural extension of the home. Whether it's a quiet morning with a cup of tea, lunch with friends, or an evening spent watching the changing colours across the water, every space seems designed to bring the outdoors closer.

The covered upper deck quickly became one of my favourite areas while photographing the property. Protected from the elements and perfectly positioned to capture the lake views, it's easy to imagine mornings beginning here and evenings winding down here. From there, stairs gently lead toward the lower decks and the water below, creating little destinations along the way. A place to sit with a book. A place to watch the sunset linger across Stuart Lake. A place where conversations continue long after dinner because no one is quite ready to go inside.

Inside, large windows welcome the outdoors in. The bedrooms feel like peaceful retreats at the end of the day, while the living spaces encourage you to slow down, settle in, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds the home.

Even approaching the property feels inviting. Mature trees create a sense of privacy and tranquility, while a cozy seating area near the entrance offers the perfect spot to enjoy the mountain views rising behind the home. Covered parking and the attached garage add everyday convenience to this beautiful lakeside setting.

5505 Stones Bay Road is listed by Harjit Birdi of Lakeshore Realty Ltd. If you're dreaming of mornings overlooking Stuart Lake, evenings spent on the deck, and a home that embraces both mountain and waterfront living, contact Harjit Birdi at 250-996-7040 for more information or to arrange a private viewing.

It was a privilege to capture this beautiful property and share a glimpse of the lifestyle it offers through my lens. Every home has a story. If you're thinking about selling and want imagery that helps buyers connect with your property's lifestyle and character, I'd love to help. I work with both REALTORS® and For Sale By Owner clients throughout the region.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/30235153/5505-stones-bay-road-fort-st-james

09/03/2026

Pitka Bay Resort is more than a place to stay in Fort St. James, BC

As a real estate photographer, I've had the opportunity to explore many destinations, and one thing I've learned is that the best places aren't just beautiful, they're welcoming. That's exactly what you'll find at Pitka Bay Resort.

What stands out to me most is the variety of accommodations. Whether you're looking for the comfort and convenience of a motel room, travelling with an RV, or wanting the full camping experience under the northern sky, Pitka Bay has options for everyone. It's a destination designed to make every guest feel at home.

One of the biggest advantages is that groups don't have to choose between camping and staying indoors. Family members can book motel rooms while others enjoy RV sites or campsites, allowing everyone to gather in one location while enjoying the accommodations that suit them best.

For campers, there's also the added comfort of a well-maintained bathhouse, offering the little luxuries that can make a great camping trip even better. After a day of exploring, fishing, visiting with family, or simply relaxing, having access to clean showers and modern facilities is something many guests truly appreciate.

I can easily imagine Pitka Bay becoming the perfect setting for family reunions, milestone birthdays, fishing retreats, or annual gatherings with friends. It's the kind of place where people can slow down, reconnect, and spend quality time together without feeling rushed.

The marina, beach, and waterfront may draw you here, but it's the comfortable accommodations, welcoming atmosphere, and ability to bring everyone together that make Pitka Bay a place you'll want to return to year after year.

Professional imagery helps destinations tell their story before visitors ever arrive.
In today's digital world, first impressions happen online. High-quality photography helps potential guests envision their stay long before they make a reservation. If professional photography and drone imagery are part of your marketing plan...
Katherine Martens Creative Edge - Real Estate Photography | Drone Photography

09/02/2026

This motel in Fort St. James listed with Morgan Davis Lakeshore Realty Ltd. I found myself thinking about far more than camera angles.

As I walked the grounds with my camera at 167 Douglas Ave, Fort St. James, I found myself thinking about all the unique little motels I've stayed at over the years while exploring on my motorcycle trips. The ones I remember most weren't the big chains. They were the places with character.

Having stayed in countless independent motels during motorcycle travels over the years, I've seen firsthand how unique touches can turn a simple overnight stay into a destination. Whether it's a gathering area around a propane fire pit, outdoor games that bring guests together, themed events, or other creative amenities, the most successful properties often build a loyal following by offering something guests remember long after they've left. One even had a restaurant with a mermaid show. A little unusual? Absolutely. Memorable? Definitely.

That's the thing. The most successful independent motels often aren't just selling rooms. They're selling an experience people remember. That's what caught my attention here. This property already has the scale: thirty-three rooms, four cabins, and a huge manager's suite. What interested me wasn't just what it is today, but the endless possibilities of what someone could create.

A northern adventure basecamp. A motorcycle-friendly destination. A fishing and hunting lodge atmosphere. Community events. Outdoor gathering spaces. The ideas started coming almost immediately.

Reach out to Morgan Davis Lakeshore Realty Ltd to get your information package 250-996-1272 https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/30211207/167-douglas-street-fort-st-james

As a photographer, I spend a lot of time looking at spaces and imagining how people experience them. This is one of those properties where you can see the next chapter before it's even written.

Some buyers see a building. Others see a vision. Professional photography helps bridge the gap.
Katherine Martens Creative Edge
Real Estate Photography | Drone Photography

09/01/2026

There are lake properties, and then there are places where family memories are made. This Fraser Lake waterfront property felt like the second.

While photographing the exterior of 4780 Manca Place, Fraser Lake, listed with Ted Snell, RE/MAX Vanderhoof, I kept finding myself imagining all the moments this property has likely witnessed over the years.

Summer mornings with coffee on the deck as the lake wakes up. Children building sandcastles along the beach. Paddleboards gliding across calm water. Afternoons spent swimming, boating, or simply enjoying the sunshine. Evenings gathered around the beach firepit as the sun sets and stories get shared just a little longer than planned. With sandy beachfront, it's the kind of shoreline that invites you to kick off your shoes and stay awhile.

The home is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the view, and the large deck feels like an extension of the living space, offering a front-row seat to lake life. Whether enjoyed as a year-round home or a seasonal getaway, the focus here is less about walls and more about the lifestyle waiting outside them.

The detached bunkie and space for visiting RVs mean there's room for everyone. Because lake memories are even better when they're shared with family, friends, and the occasional guest who came for the weekend and never quite seemed to leave.

As I stood on the beach looking across the calm water, it was easy to understand the appeal. The lake was still, the sand stretched along the shore, and for a moment it was easy to picture years of summer memories still waiting to be made.

Some properties offer a place to live.

This one offers a place to make memories.

For information on this property, contact: Ted Snell | RE/MAX Vanderhoof 250-567-8756
https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/29395113/4780-manca-place-fraser-lake

When buyers fall in love with a property online before they ever step foot on it, that's the power of professional photography. Whether it's a lakefront retreat, a family home, an acreage, or a farm, I work to showcase not just the property, but the life that can be lived there.

Thinking of listing? Ask your REALTOR® if professional photography and drone imagery are part of your marketing plan.

Katherine Martens Creative Edge - Real Estate Photography | Drone Photography

08/31/2026

There are properties you photograph, and then there are properties you experience. This 152-acre Fraser Lake property was definitely the latter.

It rained on the drive out to 10443 Nithi Pit Road, Fraser Lake that is listed with Ted Snell, RE/MAX Vanderhoof, but as soon as I arrived the clouds started to break and the sun put on quite the show. Light bounced across the hillsides, highlighting every curve of the landscape and making the entire valley glow.

From the air, the scale of this property really comes into focus. The Nithi River winds through the land, weaving between pasture, trees, and open spaces before disappearing into the distance. Looking down from the drone, it felt like one of those places that belongs on a calendar.

On the ground, it was just as impressive.

The home sits comfortably within the landscape, surrounded by mountain views, rolling pasture, and wide-open sky. The covered front porch immediately caught my attention. It's exactly the kind of place where you step outside with a morning coffee and suddenly realize an hour has passed. Standing there, looking across the fenced pasture toward the mountains beyond, there's a sense of peace and space that is becoming harder and harder to find.

You know those scenes in movies where a creek wanders lazily through a property and everything feels just a little slower paced? This place has exactly that feeling. The river creates one of those landscapes that makes you stop what you're doing for a moment and simply take it all in.

While being hired to photograph the exterior only, I watched ducks cruising along the water and listened to a turkey gobbling in the background. It felt less like work and more like stepping into a postcard.

And can we take a moment to appreciate the fencing? Anyone involved in farming or ranching knows good fencing doesn't happen by accident. The care and effort that has gone into this property is evident throughout.

The barn is substantial and well-positioned, ready for livestock, equipment, storage, or whatever vision the next owner brings with them. Nearby sits what may have been my favourite little feature on the property: a rustic log chicken house that looked like it had been there forever and belonged exactly where it was. As I photographed it, the turkey continued his ongoing commentary, apparently taking his supervisory duties very seriously.

Some properties photograph well.

Others tell a story.

This one did both.

The combination of 152 acres, a river winding through the land, mountain views, pasture, quality fencing, a beautiful home, and a peaceful rural setting creates something that is becoming increasingly rare.

Some properties offer a house.
Some offer land.
This one offers a lifestyle.

Call Ted Snell - RE/MAX Vanderhoof 250-567-8756 to get your information package.
https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/30073381/10443-nithi-pit-road-fraser-lake

Capturing that lifestyle is what I love most about real estate photography. Every property has a story. My job is to find it and share it through images.

If you're preparing to list your home, acreage, farm, or rural property, ask your REALTOR® about professional photography and drone imagery. Great marketing helps buyers see not just the property, but the lifestyle it offers.

Katherine Martens Creative Edge
Real Estate Photography | Drone Photography

08/30/2026

Busy weekend behind the camera!

Stay tuned this week to see some of the amazing properties and locations I've been photographing. One highlight? A gorgeous farm shoot that came with an unexpected visitor... a bear!

Let's just say it was close enough that I could hear it scratching a tree and huffing nearby.
Bear spray: ✔️
Already at the truck (door open and within arm's reach): ✔️
Bear awareness: ✔️
Very loud photographer: ✔️

Thankfully, the bear and I both agreed that keeping our distance was the best plan. The bear wasn't interested in real estate photography, drone operations, or having its picture taken. It moved on, and we both carried on with our day.

Just another reminder that some of the most beautiful rural properties come with neighbours who are far less interested in real estate photography than I am.

08/29/2026

Not every adventure starts with a plan. Sometimes it's a kayak waiting on the beach. Sometimes it's a quiet stretch of shoreline, a calm lake, and nowhere you need to be.

While exploring Pitka Bay Resort, I was drawn to this peaceful corner of Stuart Lake. Kayaks ready for the water, a small fishing boat waiting on the shore, and endless lake views stretching toward the mountains.

This is the kind of place where the day's agenda can be as simple as paddle, explore, repeat.

Spend the afternoon on the water, challenge family and friends to a game of horseshoes, or simply settle into a lakeside chair and let the world slow down for a while. As evening arrives, gather around a beachside fire, share stories beneath the Northern BC sky, and watch the last light fade across Stuart Lake.

There are no schedules here. No rush. No pressure to be anywhere else.

Just fresh air, beautiful scenery, and the simple pleasures that make a getaway memorable.

Nestled along the shores of Stuart Lake near Fort St. James, Pitka Bay Resort offers guests the opportunity to unplug, reconnect with nature, and experience Northern BC at its own pace. Whether your perfect day includes fishing, kayaking, boating, relaxing by the water, or simply enjoying a quiet sunset beside the fire, this is a place that invites you to stay a little longer.

This is exactly why I love photographing destinations like Pitka Bay Resort.

At Katherine Martens Creative Edge, I don't just photograph a location. I capture the moments people imagine themselves having there. The quiet morning paddle. The family horseshoe tournament. The evening campfire by the lake. The memories that turn a place to stay into a place you can't wait to return to.

Katherine Martens Creative Edge, real estate photographer - Capturing the experience before the journey begins.

08/29/2026

This is where the day begins. Coffee in hand. Water as smooth as glass. Boats waiting quietly at the dock. Mountains stretching across the horizon.

While photographing Pitka Bay Resort, I kept coming back to this view. Not because of the boats, but because of how it made me feel.

Sometimes the best destinations aren't about where you're going. They're about finally finding a place that lets you slow down. Nestled along the shores of Stuart Lake near Fort St. James, Pitka Bay Resort offers guests the opportunity to unplug, reconnect with nature, and experience one of Northern BC's most beautiful waterfront settings. Whether your perfect day includes boating, fishing, exploring the lake, or simply sitting by the water and taking in the view, this is a place that invites you to stay awhile.

If you're looking for a Northern BC getaway where the water, mountains, and wilderness take centre stage, Pitka Bay Resort might be exactly what you've been searching for.

www.pitkabay.com

Every property has a story worth telling. At Katherine Martens Creative Edge, I specialize in showcasing the places, spaces, and experiences that make a property unique. From real estate listings and vacation rentals to resorts, commercial spaces, and private properties, professional photography, drone imagery, and polished editing help create the kind of first impression that gets noticed. Katherine Martens Creative Edge - Capturing the feeling, not just the view.

08/28/2026

Natural light. Soaring ceilings. Rich hardwood floors. Peaceful acreage living.

Take a look inside 278 Robin Road, a thoughtfully designed home on over 10 private acres near the ski hill in Fort St. James.

Listed with Leila Roseberry, RE/MAX Vanderhoof.
Video by Katherine Martens Creative Edge

08/28/2026

I knew this one would lock in fast the moment I arrived to photograph it! Sometimes you just know when a home is going to capture buyers' attention. It was such a pleasure to showcase this beautiful property. Congratulations to Leila Roseberry and her sellers on another successful sale!

✨🥂Sold!! That was fast! 🥂✨

A huge congratulations to both parties on the successful sale of 3620 Erickson Road! Quality properties don’t last long, and this one was locked into a deal within just 48 hours of hitting the market.

Congratulations to my sellers, and cheers to the buyers on their new place! 🥂🏡