Kristal Burgess Photography

As I close out my time with the 55+ BC Games, I cannot fully express how thankful I am for the team I was able to work alongside!

Our small group of 17 volunteers was a collective of enthusiastic amateurs, seasoned pros, and even some armed with just an iPad and a goal to capture the magic!

Together, we contributed approximately 536 hours, captured more than 30000 frames, and delivered over 8000 moments of joy, laughter and celebration!

Thank you to all of those who stepped up to help out!

Barry Cotter, Brittany Meise, Fern Fennell, Ivan Verdurmen, Kari Wilkinson, Trent Black, Wes Wilson, Cindy Ursulak, Richard Kyllo, David Wood, Jaime Hotte, Phil Cates, Carly Stephens, Sara Wood, Susan Stilling, Ronan Redel, and Aleksandr Aliabev.

Leaky eyes.
Sore cheeks.
Tired feet.
Happy heart.

It has been another bucket filling week!

If you haven’t been a spectator for the Salmon Arm 55+ BC Games, it’s not too late! No matter what sport you love, or where you call home, there are participants here for you to cheer on!

Don’t forget to stop by Downtown Salmon Arm to take in all the activities as well.

It was a packed house for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks vs. Vernon Vipers last night. Having to play on Hucul Pond may not have been the norm, but the fans, volunteers and Rogers Rink staff made it work!

Vipers 3 - Silverbacks 0

Facebook official ;)

Excited to be adding the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to my roster. 💜

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are thrilled to introduce Kristal Burgess as the team’s new official photographer!

Kristal is a Salmon Arm native with a deep passion for sports action, Burgess brings a unique storytelling approach to her photography and we are very excited to have her join the team!

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks came out swinging to start the exhibition season! It was a spicy game versus the Trail Smoke Eaters with everyone looking to leave a mark.

‘Backs. Are. Back.

New season. New talent. Same legacy.

Getting dialed in for a new season…
A few moments from the Silverbacks Pro Am game. Exhibition games start this weekend!

Sliding into the new season like...
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks hosted the best season kickoff at the Salmon Arm Waterslides with some of their dedicated season ticket holders and corporate sponsors. Fun was had by all!

Back to school for these fish loving boys. Grade 5 and grade 3. ❤️

Feels good to be back in the rink with Hat Trick Hockey!

These kids are having fun and learning so much. If you are looking for an option, be sure to check them out. Jaime, Lori and Aaron do a fantastic job with these players. All the kids are loving camp!

Lots of friendly faces at the Salmon Arm Fair and Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association parade this morning!

The internet says it’s world photography day, and who am I to disagree?

I’m ever thankful for the moments I get to capture, for the stories I get to tell, and for the clients who’ve become friends along the way.

Looking forward to the future and doing more of what I love, every day!

Thanks fans! You make it all worthwhile. ❤️❤️

Summer literally started with a bang! With only a couple of weeks left, what are you doing to make the best of it before it’s gone? What was your favourite memory so far?

The .0 was one of my highlights! Great times, great people, and so much fun!

The remarkable story of Gabe continued this past weekend, marking a year incredible strength, persistence and love from his family, friends, and baseball community.

I posted about his story last year: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/pDMatAAXojYWQtHi/?

When I heard he was selected to throw the opening pitch at the Provincial Championships hosted is his hometown, I could feel the tears starting to well.

Just over a year before, the tears came from fear rather than joy. While crossing the street in a marked crosswalk Gabe was hit by a car and the initial prognosis wasn’t good. When anyone in the baseball community is hurting, the entire baseball family feels it, and the news of Gabe’s accident was felt far and wide. But this year, he was not just at Provincials but participating. Back behind the plate where he belongs, “Kibby” earned the first MVP of the tournament and the respect of everyone on the field.

It’s never lost on me the importance of this work - capturing memories that remind us of the highs and lows of this ride we call life.

#32

Vernon Baseball Association

My final baseball assignment of the year was the 15UA BC Minor Baseball Association Provincials hosted by Vernon Baseball Association.

These players, and these families, have long been favourites of mine. Both on and off the field, they are what youth sports is all about. Hard work, determination, sportsmanship AND fun. They do it all with big smiles and even bigger hearts.

Of course these events don’t happen with the volunteers, parents, and community support. Thanks Vernon for stepping up when it matter! Imagine Pools & Waterscapes LTD, V***n Oilfield Services, Summit Storage, and McDonald, Vernon Home Building Centre - Thank you!!

Below are a few of my favourites, but the whole gallery can be seen / purchased from here: https://kristalburgessphotography.pixieset.com/15ua2024provincialchampionships/

Just a couple of minutes into the event, I was stung by a wasp on my trigger finger. By the end of the evening my hand was nearly doubled in size and I wasn’t able to use my finger at all. The Vernon moms were the best (aren’t baseball moms always the most well prepared?!) and had me filled with water and Benadryl and I constant supply of ice. They made a challenging and painful evening managable.



15 u A Baseball BC Provincials 2024

A very unexpected day off means sunrise fishing.

The best moments are made on the ball field ❤️

15 u A Baseball BC Provincials 2024
Vernon Baseball Association

A few highlights from the opening ceremonies and skills competition at the 15UA Provincials hosted by Vernon Baseball Association

BC Minor Baseball Association
15 u A Baseball BC Provincials 2024

The 15UA provincials are starting tomorrow and I cannot wait to capture the action!

Vernon Baseball Association
Salmon Arm Minor Baseball - SAMBA

Beating the summer heat at the Silverbacks ProAm. There were lots of special guests in the house - and look at those head coaches!

Good luck and safe travels to everyone headed to a Provincial Championship this weekend!

Soak it all in! These are the moment and friendships you will remember for life. ❤️

Best days with the best people.

The best of days… 🎣

Making time for fishing with my favourite people.

#

Core memory unlocked.
May or may not result in trauma.

It’s almost that time! Baseball provincials are right around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited!

Facts:

1) I’m either hot at the ball field or cold at the rink.
2) I wouldn’t want to change a thing.

A little throwback to a 15U game between Enderby & Vernon with a few of my favourite players to watch!



Enderby Minor Baseball Association

Sunday funday with the Jr A Athletics!

Good luck to the Salmon Arm Minor Baseball - SAMBA 13U AAA Hornets this weekend as they battle it out at Valley of Champions!

Highlights from the nail biter against the Kamloops Riverdogs last weekend.

Congratulations to all of the 2024 graduates! I’m so fortunate to document the sports lives of so many youth. I’m so proud of you all!