The impact of seeing children my age running naked in terror from bombs in Vietnam touched my young soul. My social conscience and concern for the natural world and humanity grew from those images. A photo truly is worth 1000 words!

When I was 16-years-old I began working part-time for the Times-Colonist daily newspaper – a natural fit considering my early love of photojournalism. By age 19, I was working in the editorial department as a junior reporter, rewrite person and became the Special Sections Editor in my late 20’s.

By working a night shift in the editorial department, I was able to put myself through university, complete formal education and training in photography, and take on freelance photography assignments for numerous clients and publications.

What started off simply as a desire to learn enough about photography to go into an interview with a camera, turned into a full-time career. I’ve been self-employed as a multi-media professional for almost three decades and wake up every day with an attitude of gratitude and a lust for life.

2012 – 2017
Co-ordinate and manage Creatively United for the Planet annual community Earth Week Festival. Responsible for website, newsletter, communication, assembling volunteer team, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, artists, musicians and overall design, look and execution of event and related marketing.

2010 – 2012
Developed vision and mandate for Creatively United for the Planet, organized and launched first free community Earth Week Festival. Register as a not-for-profit society in 2012.

1978 – 1994
Times-Colonist Daily Newspaper
1978/1979 part-time clerk; 1980-1989 editorial office assistant, junior reporter, editor; 1990-1994 Special Sections Coordinator, plus section writer, editor and photographer; 2012-2014 Freelance Photographer/House Beautiful.

Career & Community Highlights

2023 – 2024

• Completed a 45-episode free online webinar series in partnership with CreativelyUnited.org and ClimateandtheArts.org which continues to air on Shaw cable community television and can be found on Creatively United’s YouTube channel.
• Narrated and co-produced a 60-minute documentary on the Columbia River called Changing Course: A River’s Journey of Reconnection, now available on YouTube
• Conceived, produced and contributed stories, quotes and images to the deluxe coffee table art book Metamorphosis: A Healing Journey, which also was staged as a live 80-minute theatrical production during Earth Week April 2024 at the Dave Dunnet Theatre in Victoria, BC, and featured a cast and choir of more than 30 people.
• Continue to work as a professional photographer, educator and consultant, plus volunteer as the coordinator of CreativelyUnited.org’s free community sharing hub

2019 – 2022

• Guest lecturer, exhibitor and artist at a number of conferences and events, including the Good Food Summit, Climate Action Teach-Ins and rallies.
• Collaborated with City of Victoria Climate Champions program and assist the Esquimalt Climate Organizers team.
• Exhibited at the Horticulture of the Pacific Earth Day event and coordinated an Earth Day program focused on green buildings and neighbourhoods with a variety of guest speakers (2019).
• Co-founded the Community Trees Matter Network to educate, inform and advocate for the protection and preservation of urban trees. Was successful in lobbying the City of Victoria to bring forth an urban forest master plan and resources to fund it.
• Created free online event, information, directory and resource guide known as the Creatively United Community Solutions Hub.
• Produced and directed The Harmless Home about the first eco-home of its kind in the world.
• Created 58 Solutions for Lighter and Healthier Living, a print publication and free downloadable PDF.
• Hosted 2019 photo tour to Italy for Niche Travel and published a book.
• Collaborated to create a new Climate and the Arts partnership in 2020 to bring climate solutions to the forefront creatively by working collaboratively with art organizations of all descriptions.  Assisted in the creation of the ClimateandtheArts.org website as part of the partnership and coordinated a festival in honour of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day which had to be cancelled due to Covid, but instead became a week-long free on-line event, featuring First Nations elders, climate experts, authors, artists and presenters and continued as a regular weekly webinar series until the end of 2020 and is now bi-monthly on CreativelyUnited.org.
• Co-created and produced Countdown, a TED-x video in partnership with BC Drawdown, an educational outreach program based on Paul Hawken’s book Drawdown. 
• Conceived, co-produced and collaborated with Ballet Victoria and multi-award winning Canadian recording artists, Ann Mortifee and Ed Henderson,  Awaken – A Forest Ballet, to gain attention for preserving the 49-acre private forest where it was filmed and have it designated as a park. I also created an arts-based fundraiser for the Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT). 
• Successfully organized and taught a two-session on-line Unleash Your Creativity event for Soldier On Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group. 
• Supported the inaugural planning team for a new BC-wide, multi-organizational climate action voice to grow collaborative and creative partnerships across the province.
• Created poetry, stories, scripts, videos and artwork from recycled and upcycled materials in tandem with the extensive image collection that I have amassed to draw attention to the importance of protecting and restoring biodiversity for maintaining harmonious climate relations and social justice.
• Conceived, scripted and directed Trees Matter, an artful collaboration with Ballet Victoria, members of the Victoria Symphony, the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, and the Emily Carr String Quartet.
• One of 12 finalists chosen by TEDxSurrey to be a speaker. Watch here: How to Heal the Future, Not Steal the Future.
• Co-created a Regeneration and Degeneration graphic that is being widely circulated.

2017 – 2018

• Coordinated Vancouver Island’s largest electric vehicle show at the Royal BC Museum, plus musicians, group art show, filmmakers, storytellers and international speakers for April 22+23, 2017 Creatively United Earth Day Festival.
• Coordinated and collaboratively curated an Earth Day themed art exhibit at the Robert Bateman Centre (April/May 2016).
• Created, produced and directed Solutions, a three-part sustainability series for Shaw TV.
• Received 2017 Victoria Leadership Award.
• Represent Canada as a Finalist for World Photographic Cup in 2017.
• Hosted Iceland (2017) and Africa (2018) tours for Niche Women’s Tours.
• Voluntarily assisted the Sooke, BC community to organize their own Earth Day event and exhibited on behalf of Creatively United for the Planet (2018).
• Artist-in-residence (January to April 2018) at Reynolds High School and collaborated with Braefoot Elementary School to create an Earth Day art exhibition.
• Collaboratively conceived and coordinated inaugural Mothers for Mother Earth (Mother’s Day, May 2018) event at the Horticultural Center of the Pacific.
• Organized and coordinated a standing room only live and livestream event featuring 22 speakers in 100 minutes on the theme: Creating a One Planet Community (2018).
• Received Honourary Citizen Award from the City of Victoria for Creatively United for the Planet (2018).

2016

• Coordinated and managed Creatively United’s Annual Earth Day Festival which included a local organic Farm-to-Table dinner for 150 guests, an art show, plus a live musical concert and art show featuring eight artists for an opening night celebration. Coordinated 120 exhibitors, 20 musicians, an electric bike and electric vehicle showcase, plus 22 presentations and workshops at the newly opened geothermal heated Royal Bay Secondary School (April 15+16, 2016).  
• Coordinated 18 musicians, group art show, filmmakers, storytellers and international speakers for April 22+23 Creatively United Earth Day Festival at the Royal BC Museum
• Artist/exhibitor at the prestigious Sooke Fine Arts Show.
• Led a creativity workshop and exhibited at the Robert Bateman Gallery. 
• Artist/exhibitor at the Esquimalt Township Community Arts Council Show.
• Hosted Santa Fe Art Tour for Niche Women’s Tours.

2014 – 2015

• Coordinated Creatively United for the Planet Festival both at St. Ann’s Academy in 2014 and at the English Inn (another 5-acre property) in 2015 with farm-to-table local dinners for 80 people, art shows, music, presentations and displays. Celebrated internationally-acclaimed artists Robert Bateman, Nick Bantock and David Goatley were among the featured speakers/guests in 2014.  
• Conceived and led a school project that captures the spirit of community collaboration, volunteerism and documents how the students grew to understand the importance of environmental stewardship and waste-reduction/recycling through a comprehensive and creative learning program that included regular field trips to a nearby Garry Oak ecosystem and concluded with their involvement as participants in the Creatively United 2014 Earth Day Festival, and in a hardcover book that documents the journey.
• Judge for Professional Photographers of Canada print competition.
• Finalist for Victoria Leadership Award.
• Artist/exhibitor at the Sidney Fine Art Show (2014) and the Township Community Arts Council Shows (2014/2015).
• Conceived and collaborated with an artist to produce an educational cartoon colouring book on the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle with emphasis on nature being the best “high” of all.  
• Hosted photo tour to India for Niche Women’s Tours (2014).
• Received Torch-Bearer Award from Sri Chinmoy Institute for Creatively United (2014).
• Received Maharishi Award for the Environment from Maharishi International University (MIU) in Fairfield, Iowa (2015).
• 2015 Federal election candidate (Green Party). Received 20% of the popular vote despite being a first time candidate

2013

• Coordinated Creatively United for the Planet Festival indoors and out at St. Ann’s Academy 5-acre downtown Victoria site, including live concerts, music, speakers, exhibitors and an eco-fashion show featuring local designers and up-cycled fashions, a Bring Your Own Teacup fair trade tea party, showcased more than 100 local musicians, introduced audiences to Living the New Economy and Idea Jam and held an outdoor all-candidates debate as part of this community event.
• Finalist for Victoria Leadership Award.
• Collaborated with artists to create a variety of educational postcards on a) the benefits of trees; b) why idling is bad for our health and how it contributes to air pollution; c) why wildlife needs our support and the benefits of conservation; d) how to appreciate biodiversity in the heart of the city.
• Hosted photo tour to Croatia for Departure’s Travel.

2012

• Received Capital Regional District EcoStar Community Leadership Award for Creatively United for the Planet Society first community Earth Week celebration. This three day event featured collaborative group concerts, the Getting Higher Choir, internationally acclaimed recording artists Ann Mortifee and Paul Horn, exhibits, a film festival, a youth art show and auction, a talk by acclaimed Canadian wildlife artist Robert Bateman, local food and an outdoor DJ dance party. 

2010 – 2011

• Photo/Multi Media Art Instructor at the prestigious Metchosin Summer School of the Arts (MISSA) at Pearson College of the Pacific.
• Nominated for Photographer of the Year by the Professional Photographers Association of BC.
• Judge international photography competition and Master class lecturer at SWPP @ the Societies in London, England.
• Awarded SWPP 2010 Press & News Photographer of the Year, UK.
• Judged at (WPPI) international photography convention at the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas.
• Hosted photo tour to Italy for Blaney’s Travel. 

1990 – 2010

• First accredited female Canadian photo adjudicators to be chosen and repeatedly invited to attend, adjudicate, lecture and provide Master classes at North America’s largest annual international photography convention in Las Vegas for almost a decade with more than 10,000 delegates in attendance. 
• Accredited photo adjudicator, print show jury chairperson and speaker for Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) and Professional Photographers Association of British Columbia (PPABC), travelling from coast to coast. 
• Received Order of Fellowship, the highest designation possible from the Professional Photographers Association of Canada (PPOC) (2008).
• Images chosen for cross country exhibition and PPOC National Loan Collection.
• Nominated three times for Photographer of the Year by the Professional Photographers Association of BC and the Professional Photographers Association of Canada. 
• Received three prestigious Kodak Gallery Awards, FujiFilm, plus two FujiFilm Merit Awards (1999+2000). I was the first female Canadian photographer to have won these FujiFilm awards.
• Received more than 25 top awards in professional competitions both in Canada and internationally: (PPABC, WPPI & PPOC) (1990-1997).
• Published in Professional Imagemaker Magazine (Europe) June/July and October/November 2010 editions.
• Published in The Societies Collection (UK) 2010 hardcover book of award-winning imagery, plus numerous books, including The Best of Children’s Photography and The Best of Wedding Photography (Amherst Press/USA).
• Received International Photographic Award of Excellence, Las Vegas (2009).
• Received Accolade of Photographic Mastery, Las Vegas (WPPI/1997).
• Received Accolade of Outstanding Photographic Achievement, Las Vegas, (WPPI/1999).
• Received Master of Photographic Art (MPA) from the Professional Photographers Association of Canada (PPOC) in 2001.
• Finalist for YMCA/YWCA Women of Distinction Award.
• Graduated with Best Portfolio from the Western Academy of Photography (1990).

1994 – 1978

I enjoyed a long history with the Times-Colonist Daily Newspaper, starting when I was 16 years-old and worked my way into the editorial department before I was twenty as a junior reporter/rewrite person/editorial assistant and was the Special Sections Editor by the time I left in 1994 to pursue my own freelance writing and photography business.

As the Special Sections Editor I was responsible for coordinating, interviewing, writing all the editorial content, including headlines and cut lines in each special section, including photography, and laying out the section.

I was also the Managing Editor of Where Magazine Publishing for a short time.

Education

1979
Graduated from Reynolds Secondary School.

1982 – 1988
Completed two years university transfer credits, plus first year of Camosun College’s Applied Communications Program, and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Camosun College in 1988 while working a night shift at the Times-Colonist.

1989 – 1990
Graduated with Best Student Portfolio from the Western Academy of Photography

1990 – Present
Attended more than 100 art, photography and community-making workshops and conferences.

I’m honoured to have been interviewed by Bonney King
and featured on Warrior Girl Productions.

Today we raise our fists high and put our hands together in celebration our Feature Girl Warrior, award winning accredited Master photographer, Frances Litman, a passionate crusader for the environment, an international speaker, community connector, and founder and managing director of the Creatively United for the Planet Society. 

Frances also teaches photography, leads international photo tours with travel agencies; and her work is regularly accepted into adjudicated art shows. She was the Special Sections Editor at the Times-Colonist where she had a 15-year career, mostly in the newsroom, resigning as the Special Sections Editor in 1994 to pursue her growing photography business full-time. In her 24-year professional photography career, Frances has seen the world through both wide angle and telephoto lenses and everything in between, resulting in her awakening to the big picture need for environmental protection through community connection.

What makes you a Girl Warrior?

I came into this world as an orphan and spent most of my youth in foster care with inadequate financial and emotional support, however, I didn’t let my circumstances define me. My determination and an attitude of gratitude have helped me in everything I do.

I worked for the Times-Colonist at night, completed a post-secondary education by day, and built a thriving writing, photography and marketing business on the side. I was the Special Sections Editor when I left the Times-Colonist 16 years later and was replaced by a department of three people.

For two decades, I was one of Vancouver Island’s most awarded photographers and bought my first house at age 30. I’ve travelled the world as a photographer, photo educator and contest adjudicator, travel host and have overcome major obstacles that have never stopped me from pursuing my passions.

You founded Creatively United for the Planet in 2010. What inspired you to start this non-profit collective and why? 

I have captured the world through many different lenses, from a close up/macro perspective to telephoto and every focal length in between. Having done this for so many years I really began to piece together an appreciation for the bigger picture.

As an artist, I’m a lover of beauty. Although I tend to photograph people, the natural world is where I find boundless beauty. When I became aware of how little of our environment is protected and how social justice issues are often directly related to land/water and resource issues, I became seriously concerned.

My own backyard taught me to appreciate the variety of species that exist in one tree alone and having seen city after city, I really came to realize how special our natural environment is and how we need to care for it and not take it for granted.

I could see that those organizations doing the hero work in saving our trees, water, salmon, lifestyle and democracy needed more support so I decided to create one of the first Earth Day/Week long arts and cultural celebrations to bring attention to these groups and issues that face us all but few people seemed to be aware of.

Share some of the society’s accomplishments and highlights since 2010.

More than 10,000 people have attended Creatively United for the Planet events since 2012. In 2012, I was awarded a CRD EcoStar Community Leadership Award, was a finalist twice for a Leadership Victoria Community Leadership Award (2013, 2015) and won it this year on behalf of Creatively United.

I led projects that also resulted in Creatively United publishing two books in the past three years – one that documents a project we created with Rockheights Middle School called Stepping Into Nature (available in the public library), and the other is an educational cartoon colour book called Higher Ground that creatively explores the importance of happy and healthy lifestyles in harmony with nature.

I also set up a collaborative partnership with the Robert Bateman Centre on two projects, an educational map showcasing Nature In the Heart of the City and the other an exhibition of artwork using discarded beach plastics and various castoffs that helped launch a young Saltspring Island artist.

This year, my vision for a free online community portal that celebrates and showcases Vancouver Island grassroots leadership, resources and community events was launched. Thisisleadership.org is a hub of community goodness to keep conversations going and growing that start at our many festivals and allows them to continue year-round. 

Was running as a Federal Candidate for the Green Party of Canada in 2015 the natural/logical next step for you?

I never had any aspirations to be a politician. However, I was asked to run by several people who I admire and respect greatly for their integrity and vision who knew I was passionate to see environmental and social justice issues be brought to the forefront and saw this as a way to catalyze those conversations and give people something to vote for.

After reading the Green Party platform, I was honoured to be asked to be a candidate. It was a contested candidacy, which meant I had to win the support of the party and its members first. It was nerve wracking from the moment I said yes. I had to learn a lot of information exceptionally quickly and deal with new situations every day.

What did you learn from that experience?

This was “warrior training” at its best. It was my version of climbing Mount Everest.

The 2015 federal election was the longest in Canadian history and I gave it my all every day, seven days a week for nine solid months. It was truly grueling, yet exhilarating.

It taught me how much I was capable of doing as I had to overcome new fears every day.

I was completely out of my comfort zone. I was comfortable being behind the camera not in front of it. My private life was no longer private and my well-established career was put on hold. It was a big gamble. I had to learn how the political system worked, plus digest 176-pages of Green Party policy immediately and be prepared to talk about it on a moment’s notice. It certainly gave me an appreciation for how much more knowledgeable and involved we need to be to ensure we don’t loose everything to apathy and how much work Elizabeth May does for Canada and our community.

What has been the biggest challenge running your photography business?

Initially it was managing the success I created. I was working seven days a week constantly for more than 15 years and loving every minute of it but not taking enough time off to enjoy other things. Since the advent of digital photography, it’s been extremely challenging to have people value professional photography like they used to when it was a learned craft that blended art and science. Fortunately, those 15 years of working seven days a week paid off as I don’t have to work as hard now and can invest my free time into pursuing my other interests and passions.

What obstacles have you overcome and walls have you broken down?

I’ve learned to let go of perfection, say no to things I don’t really want to do and surrender to the moment more. I’m much happier as a result. I also used to feel really lonely because of my lack of family but have come to realize the world is my family and my destiny is completely my own. I have a really rich, delicious and much more expansive life now.

How do you keep your creative juices flowing?

Easy, they are always flowing. Controlling my creative urges is the hardest as I always have new ideas and things I want to try. I’m never bored! Two of the best things I now do for myself is to spend more time in nature and meditate.

In May you hosted the Niche Women’s Tour in Iceland. What was that like?

Amazing, I love working with Cathy Scott and Colleen Johnson at Departures Travel/Niche. They know how to package amazing trips for women who want to just show up, see and do fabulous things and let someone else take care of the details.

Iceland is one of the most naturally beautiful countries I’ve ever seen and experienced. It’s a photographer’s dream.

Over the years, you’ve taken some risks and courageously put yourself out there. Looking back on the journey, what would you tell your younger Girl Warrior? 

Don’t waste time on worrying. Put your energy where your passion is and trust it will all work out. And… ask for help if you need it.

What would you say to the next generation of Girl Warriors looking for inspiration?

You can do anything you set your mind to, it may take lots of work but stay true to what you want and you will achieve it. Don’t let negative people or self-talk get in your way. Remain true to yourself, don’t do things to try and please everyone else. If something isn’t working, move on. You are beautiful just as you are. Be aware of all the ways we are conditioned to operate from a place of not being good enough, to be fearful, etc. It’s not necessary to be like everyone else or follow trends. Set them instead. And last but not least, be grateful for everything, including the hard lessons, as everything is a learning experience.

Who is/are your Girl Warrior hero(s)?

Girls and women who stand up for social justice, equality, human and environmental rights and lead by example. There are so many, but one of them is Marlene Lewis, who I do writing, marketing and media work for to help raise awareness of her passion to end dyslexia so that people can live to their highest potential. Marlene is truly remarkable as she could retire, but instead she is donating her time and energy to share new information about brain science and methods to end dyslexia, as well as she is a volunteer facilitator with Landmark Education and helps people transform their lives, plus she recently became a co-owner in a 69-acre farm where she has planted hundreds of trees to help offset global warming.

What’s next?

I’m working on creating a series of interviews in partnership with Shaw TV on local grassroots leaders in our community – mostly the unsung heroes who are doing incredible things not many people know about, but should. As well, I’m creating an arts-based educational program for middle to high school students and launching a series of fun play shops for adults to bring out their creative genie.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I hope to be delivering inspiring and information talks and fun workshops and sharing the millions of images in my collection in impactful ways.

What message would you put on a t-shirt?

If It’s Going to Be, It’s Up to Me