Megan Dawn knows that good photography is about more than just getting the perfect shot. Her mission is to preserve moments that others might miss. What began as a high school hobby evolved into a full-time career in wedding and lifestyle photography. Then in 2024, while attending the Alberta Snowmobile Show, she saw how her storytelling style could fit into the fast-paced, often-overlooked world of powersports. Inspired by the human side of the sport, Megan pivoted her lens toward snowmobilers, snowbikers, and the communities that power the backcountry.
Through her editorial approach, Megan captures more than machines in motion. She documents true vulnerability, and the passion that drives people to pursue their wildest goals. Her “Take Off the Helmet” series gives a voice and face to athletes, advocates, and weekend warriors alike, exploring not just how they ride, but why. Whether she’s on a sled, quad, or behind the camera, Megan is carving out a new visual language for the powersports world.
How did you first get into photography, and what drew you to the powersports scene in particular?
For as long as I can remember I’ve been intrigued with preserving moments in ways I felt others weren’t seeing. Moments as they unfolded. I took photography as an option in high school and always kept it as a hobby. I became that one friend who was sure to always have her camera in hand to capture the moment. When I graduated, photography never felt like it was an option to pursue as a career, it wasn’t until 2012 when I got upgraded from a basic Canon point-and-shoot to my first DSLR that I was hooked. What I thought would continue as a hobby photographing personal milestones, flowers, and landscapes, quickly turned into lifestyle sessions—and within the first 6 months, began my wedding photography career.
From 2012 to 2022 I had turned my passion into a career as a full-time wedding and lifestyle photographer. A place in the powersports industry felt so wildly out of reach. How could my core passions combine into one path?
I attended the Alberta Snowmobile Show in Fall of 2024. It was there I discovered names like Aaron Leyland, Abby Cooper, Chad Chomlak and realized that my editorial style of documenting moments could probably translate very well within the industry, focusing in on the human element within powersports. Highlighting inspiring stories and passions that exist, which seem unmatched by any other sport.
What role has riding (or the riding community) played in your journey of self-expression?
From riding sleds and quads my entire life, to immersing myself within the community in this way, this has been a remarkable blessing. A perspective I never had access to, now had completely changed my world. Opening up doors within my first backcountry season as a storyteller led to conversations mountain-top that likely wouldn’t have happened prior. Diving deep into athletes’ journeys, where their passion stems from, the sacrifices they make to pursue their dreams, and the people supporting them along the way. You begin to realize that the powersports industry, winter and summer, is all woven together like a spider web. A collective of people all driven with similar passions reaching for more in this lifetime.
How would you describe your photography style, especially when it comes to capturing the powersports world?
I am an editorial powersports photographer, specializing in storytelling. My goal with any project is to be able to capture the athlete, event, riding day, or even product in a way that collects the human element to the project. To be able to lay out a story of how an event unfolded that even if your passion doesn’t lie within the powersports industry, you can relate. I think that’s why the human element captivates me so much. The why behind someone’s drive to chase dreams that seem delusional to some, but feel like life milestones for others. I find tremendous value in showcasing the humans behind the local snowmobile clubs, as well as small events. It reminds our industry that it’s so much more than riding up the mountain for an epic day—but that keeping our riding zones open takes so much more than just collecting trail fees.
How do you balance grit and beauty in your work, especially in a sport that’s so intense and physical?
My intentions are always to photograph the day/event as it unfolds. Small adjustments of prep throughout the day, yes, but my work is very in-the-moment, as-is, no fluff, nothing staged. Real humans chasing real dreams. Growing up riding snowmobiles, dirt bikes, quads helps to smooth out those gritty edges of the industry. If I’m here to document life as it exists, I feel pretty lucky to preserve moments in this way, exactly as they unfold.
What gear do you shoot with, and do you have a favourite lens or set up for on-the-move moments?
I shoot with a Canon R5 Mk II, 28-105 F2.8, 70-200 F4, 35 F1.8. My favourite lens hands down is my Sigma 35mm, with the 28-105 being a close second with the zoom element. But my Sigma is unmatched for that editorial style of work.
Can you tell us about the Take Off The Helmet series? What inspired it and what are you hoping to show through it?
In December of 2024, I attended Nadine Overwater’s Annual Charity Ride. At the dinner after a day of riding, I met a young athlete named Jacob Hiemstra. He was talking to a friend across the table about how he did a backflip on his snowmobile. It intrigued me so much to ask him, HOW? How do you mentally go from hitting big jumps to deciding that you’re going to backflip your snowmobile in the backcountry? Diving deeper into the ‘why’ behind what drives athletes to continue to push their comfort levels, how the ‘why’ that keeps local clubs running, or how much intention goes into keeping our favorite riding zones open.
That deeper level of understanding has always intrigued me.
After my conversation with Jacob, I began to notice on social media that most athletes' feeds look the same. Image clips of first person perspective Go-Pro clips. No photographs of themselves. No way to distinguish the difference between one athlete's page and the next.
My intentions with my Take Off The Helmet series is to highlight athletes with inspiring stories. The ones that chase big dreams even when they find roadblocks along the way. Or like my series with snowbiker, Cassandra Prochera. A new mom to the sweetest twin girls, making the intentional time to fill her cup in such a new season of life and going out to ride for the day. Something most moms struggle with in the beginning, taking that time for themselves to nourish their soul.
I have a rooted desire to collide the passion for the sport with the person underneath the helmet and highlight that. The ‘why’ story.
What has been the most powerful story or portrait you’ve captured throughout that series?
To date, my most cherished story highlight would have to be of Avalanche Advocate, Taylor Gidney. I photographed her annual ‘Mama Gids Birthday Bash’ which is a BC-approved and VARDA-sponsored event that is aimed towards avalanche education in the backcountry. A day spent up in the mountain with problem-solving games, impactful conversations and a focus on including everyone. Taylor’s event is family focused, which includes games for the kids to practice searching, probing and digging up transceivers to win prizes. It’s all meant to be a fun, family day but with the focus of bringing light to the value of being well educated before playing in the backcountry. Taylor’s passion to use her voice on her platforms to speak life into this key part of pushing big terrain is really inspiring.
How do you approach building trust with riders so they open up beyond the helmet and machine?
I’m a fairly open person and I think that creates a clear level of comfortability right off the bat. I maybe don’t put as much thought into this as I should but I don’t find much trouble in asking those big questions or diving a little deeper. If they're not willing to share, that's okay but I have nothing to lose by asking.
Do you ride yourself? If so, what machines do you ride, and what is your favourite type of terrain?
I do! I’ve been riding my entire life. It was something we did as a family and my Father always encouraged me when it came to making memories together. I have been riding the prairies since I was four, and started riding in the mountains when I was 12. I took seven years off from backcountry riding when I had kids. I’m not sure why, but a part of me thought that chapter of my life had closed until the 24/25 season when I went all-in.
I currently still ride my 2009 Ski-Doo Summit XP 800 146’. Old iron, solid gold, haha. I also got into snowbiking this past season and rode a 2023 Gasgas Factory Edition 450 with a 2024 Timbersled Aro 129. For summer I ride a 2009 Can-am Renegade 800.
My favourite terrain to ride is in the trees, in Revelstoke, B.C.
Are there any specific upcoming projects, events or plans that you’re excited about?
I’m actually planning to make the big move this year to Revelstoke which will give me the opportunity to open more time for projects that are filled with human perspective. The Revelstoke Snowmobile Club hosts events like the annual Vintage ride or Family Day festivities that are the perfect environment for highlighting those that are passionate about the industry and connecting over the same mindsets on making memories and creating a legacy worth leaving.
To see what Megan's been up to lately, be sure to check her out on Instagram!
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