Mitch Popilchak

I am a dad, and a photographer.

I was 16 years old when I first picked up a Pentax ME Super camera. At the time, I had no idea that this simple hobby would become my lifeline—a creative medium that would not only help me find myself but also connect Canadians to the heart of their country through the power of storytelling.

Like many storytellers, my journey began with being lost.

In the summer of 2016, my world shifted. My mother’s health took a steep decline, and we soon learned she was battling Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a cruel illness that mimics Parkinson’s disease—a diagnosis I, too, had been warned could be in my future. Watching her fade felt like peering into a mirror of what might lie ahead for me. The weight of caregiving and the relentless anxiety about my own health left me drained, uncertain, and yearning for clarity.

Overwhelmed and seeking a new path, I made a bold choice. I sold my condo, bought a truck, and set off into the unknown, hoping to find myself somewhere along the way. Out of that moment of surrender and discovery, North 51 Degrees was born.

On May 1, 2017, I began an 80,000-kilometer journey across Canada with nothing but my camera and an open heart. From the rugged coastlines of Tofino, B.C., to the historic harbors of Halifax, N.S., and every unpaved road and hidden gem in between, I followed my instincts, capturing the breathtaking simplicity and intricate beauty of this vast land.

But this journey wasn’t just about landscapes—it was about people, connection, and self-discovery. Every photo became a chapter of a larger story: the friendships I formed, the communities I encountered, and the renewed sense of purpose I found in the most unexpected places. These moments became the foundation of the images you see here, each one holding a piece of Canada’s soul—and my own.

Today, those stories live on through this collection of photographic art prints and gratitude cards. My hope is that they inspire you to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with yourself, with others, and with the world around you. Life is filled with stories waiting to be uncovered, and these images are my invitation for you to explore them.

And if you ever spot my truck outside a coffee shop in your town, come say hello. Let’s share a coffee—and your story, too. After all, every connection has the power to shape the next adventure.

Light and Love,

Mitch

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You can follow North 51 Degrees and Mitch via his three IG feeds.
North 51 Degrees / Mitch Popilchak / Distracted Surf Co

If you see a photo on any of my IG accounts that you would like a print of, and it's not in my store, please message me and I will be happy to print any of my images for you.

You can also find me in Flickr