My name is Owen Mertens, and I'm a commercial photographer and videographer based in Hamilton, ON. I'm a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography. My journey as a creative professional truly began at Nelson High School, where my interest in photography became a passion through opportunities in the classroom like photography, yearbook and comm tech. Beyond the classroom is where I felt the most support from all the Nelson staff, photographing different sports teams, events, and even being supported to create unique posters that are on the walls to this day. The environment taught me essential life skills: showing up consistently, respecting commitments, and always striving to push beyond my comfort zone. The teachers and community at Nelson encouraged and supported me in ways that deeply shaped who I am today. I'm incredibly grateful for the foundation Nelson provided, and I wouldn’t have pursued my passion professionally if it wasn’t for Nelson.