Wait… YouTube is more than a place for screaming 20-somethings to make millions playing video games and doing silly challenges?

Apparently, just as the internet in general was intended, YouTube is also a place to learn.

If it’s photography, videography and world travel that are the skills you’re hoping to hone, Canada provides four of the leaders in this area. In fact, there are many more from the Great White North but these four are the ones that have had the most influence on me.

Each has their own style. Each will show you things about the craft that you never thought possible. They’re listed here in no particular order. Be sure to check out their channels – you’re guaranteed to find something that will appeal to you.

Brendan Van Son

Wow! A photography show on Roku. Remember Roku? I think it still exists but we haven’t used it in years. This is where I discovered Brendan Van Son. His mix of travel, travel photography, landscape photography and, well, just plain photography has taught and entertained me for a number of years now.

Originally from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Van Son is now a resident of Lagos, Portugal after a nomadic life spanning the better part of a decade. Brendan is proof that you can thrive as a globetrotting photographer. Although, with COVID-19 restrictions, his lifestyle is a lot more grounded for the time being.

You don’t need to a reason to be a photographer, because that reason can, and will, change every single day.

Brendan van Son

Van Son’s tutorials, mixed in throughout his current channel and his previous channel (It’s My Life 365), are detailed and easy to follow. This is a definite master of filters. If filters are your thing and you want to learn more, this is your guy.

Brendan is also very open about the business of travel photography. He was giving quarterly updates (have we seen one in a while?) that explain in pretty deep detail where his income comes from and what expenses are involved in this lifestyle. Along with that come some pretty good travel hacks in order to reduce those expenses.

Check out Brendan: Brendan van Son

Mike Corey

Everything about Mike Corey is a walk on the wild side. Not so heavy on the how to’s of photography, this is a guy who will inspire you to go Fearless and Far (the name of his channel). If you will, he is the travel version of Timothy Ferriss – willing to be the crash test dummy, trying new places and experiences to see if they’re survivable for the rest of us.

From Fredericton, New Brunswick, Corey is a down-to-earth, relatable adventurer that will help you confront your fears and discover all this crazy planet has to offer.

Travel will make you realize what’s important in your life. It will crack you open.

Mike Corey (interview on David’s Been Here)

I can’t remember quite how I came across Corey on YouTube but I believe it was when he and a few others joined up with the aforementioned Brendan Van Son in Mexico.

This guy will take you off the beaten path and into many gray area locales that are off limits to most (abandoned places). If he’s in a mainstream location, like his recent trip through Germany, you can bet he will show you something you’ve never seen before.

Check out Mike: Fearless and Far

Greg Snell

The most underrated of the four but perhaps the most talented. From Toronto, Greg Snell makes much of his living as a videographer but can certainly shoot a good photo, as well. Greg takes on a low-key, business like approach to his videos. Make no mistake, you will learn something from this guy every time he publishes on YouTube.

Let’s Go!

Greg Snell (YouTube Video Intro)

He has more recently done video work for the two guys above (most recently on some pretty cool videos from Germany for Fearless and Far). Snell also did much of the video work for the ‘F4 Road Trip’ which featured photographers Thomas Heaton, Nick Page, Gavin Hardcastle and Adam Gibbs – all photographers you should also be following on YouTube.

Check Out Greg: Greg Snell

Peter McKinnon

This guy really doesn’t need any introduction. Peter McKinnon is one of the hottest YouTubers, outside the screaming idiot / gamer crowd. I believe he’s from Toronto but now makes his home base in Newmarket, Ontario, just a stone’s throw from me. My favourite restaurant, Made In Mexico, is just across from his old studio.

Travel is not so much the emphasis for Pete as with the other three guys. His forte is work in the studio and cinematic video production. A man who made a living as a magician, takes those skills to the camera and certainly works his magic on film. His technical knowledge and his eagerness to learn new things is what makes his videos always so appealing.

Check out Pete: Peter McKinnon