Invited to explore three projects by Projet Paysage, Montréal-based documentary photographer Drowster focuses on how people make themselves at home in these spaces and the details they discover along the way.

The shadow of ornamental grasses falls across a sunlit surface. A child dashes through sprays of water. In Drowster’s photographs, the landscape comes alive through the senses. The light invites us to linger; the scenes convey the pleasure of simply being there.

After documenting everyday life in more than 45 countries, the photographer turned his lens toward his native Québec. Deeply attached to Montréal, which he loves discovering by bike, he pays particular attention to the relationships between people and their surroundings.

We invited him to explore how we experience the spaces around us and make them our own in everyday life. At Rosemont Park, he discovers a peaceful retreat sheltered from the noise of traffic, despite its proximity to a major thoroughfare. He imagines sharing meals with friends at the tables near the play structures, while children enjoy the nearby playground.

The greenery made a strong impression on him during his visit to Espace citoyen des Confluents: ​“The transition between nature and the buildings is remarkably seamless.” At Collège Charles-Lemoyne’s Longueuil campus, he notices the variety of play opportunities available within a compact space.

Drowster’s sensitivity to the ways people inhabit and engage with their surroundings resonates with our own approach, shaped by our expertise in recreation and tourism. From the earliest design stages, we envision pathways that spark curiosity and encourage discovery. His photographs reveal how our interactions give meaning to the landscape.

Drowster, photographer

“Visually exploring how people connect with places is my way of contributing to our thinking about collective happiness.”