It’s not hard to find photographer Betty Meredith in the mornings.
She likes to wake early and often sets out with her camera and a friend to snap photos around Mahone Bay.
But if you don’t catch Meredith during her sunrise jaunt, you can now find her work at your local Canada Post store.
Meredith’s photograph of the town’s famous Three Churches has been chosen as a stamp for Canada Post’s From Far and Wide Series.
The stamp series highlights parks and landscapes across the country.
“I’m very honoured to have that particular shot (chosen) because I always look for a good fall photo. I take one every year of the churches and never have I come up with one where the colour is so vivid,” she said.
Understandably, Meredith said she couldn’t recall the circumstances of the photo other than it was taken in the fall of 2015; over the last few years, she has taken hundreds and hundreds of photos of Mahone Bay.
She originally posted the winning photo to the popular Facebook group We Love Nova Scotia and received an email eight months ago to inform her it was in the running for the stamp series.
A few more months went by until finally Meredith heard that she had won.
“I was told to keep quiet for a while until it was announced,” she said.
The photo was one of 10 released in January for the second issue of the From Far and Wide Series.
And yet despite having her work shared across the country, Meredith is relatively new to photography.
She said she only started shooting in 2015 and is completely self-taught.
Meredith previously worked in real estate but said helping introduce strangers to the area had given her a photographer’s perspective long before she picked up a camera.
“I could see it through their eyes. I can’t say I could ever take the scenery here for granted,” she said.
Amongst her favourite scenes is the Three Churches.
“I try not to take a photo of the churches every day but its just such a hard scene to pass up,” said Meredith.
When asked if she was proud to share her province to a wider audience, Meredith noted that she regularly shares her morning photos with people through social media.
Aside from her native Mahone Bay, Meredith also likes to walk Lunenburg, Blue Rocks and Indian point.
And through photography, she has a better appreciation of her home.
“I look at things differently. I’m always looking for a photo op,” she said. “I’m just so lucky to live here.”
The From Far and Wide Series also included photos of Tombstone Territorial Park, Castle Butte, Smoke Lake and more.