Interacting with wildlife has always been a huge part of my life, as my home has a large backyard that welcomes various animals with distinct personalities. For Perception, I wanted to explore the relationship between these animals and the backyard where they have found temporary homes, and how it has developed over the years. Most of these images were taken within a couple of feet of the subjects, which shows their comfort in this environment. Through Perception, you can see how I perceive the world and what stands out. But the view of the animals cannot be expressed. We cannot properly communicate. As animals see colours differently than we do, through colour grading, I try to put myself into their perspectives, attempting to see our world through their eyes. Everyone’s perception of the world is different, and trying to understand others outside of ourselves strengthens our bonds with the world around us.

Based in Barrie and Toronto, Kyleigh Crooks is a passionate photographer and writer constantly looking for ways to improve her craft. Currently enrolled in Toronto Metropolitan University’s (formerly known as Ryerson University) Photography Media Arts program, she specializes in nature photography, with a keen interest in architecture and portraiture. Driven by curiosity, Kyleigh loves hiking and exploring, looking to capture beautiful moments that one could easily miss.