2

Weeks on Canada's Top Ten Children's Book Bestseller List.

243

Youth Empowered through Therapeutic Photography Workshops.

1

National CBC Award-Winning Documentary: A New Lens on Life.

5

Features on Major National News Outlets.

Dre Erwin Photography - Therapeutic Photography and Youth Mental Health Advocacy in Saskatchewan

Art as a Lifeline. Discover the award-winning photography fueling a non-profit movement to heal, empower, and amplify youth voices across the North.

success

Money

friends

focus on what you want in life

Grit

therapeutic photography level up

happiness

AS FEATURED IN:

Saskatchewan College of Registered Nurse

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wikipedia link to the Pinehouse Photography Club

"Photography saved my life!"

-Pinehouse Photography Club Youth Members

Photography as a Lifeline

"As a Primary Care Nurse (RN-AAP) and Veteran, I have spent over two decades witnessing how trauma and isolation affect the nervous system. Therapeutic Photography is the evidence-based bridge I built to help individuals move from a state of survival into a state of mindful observation."

- Dre

The Proof is in the Protocol

My mission is grounded in the Pinehouse Protocol, a four-year longitudinal study (2016–2020) that reached 200-300 youth daily in Northern Saskatchewan. This work demonstrated a near-universal shift in emotional regulation and happiness.

Documented Impact: Youth happiness scores jumped from a baseline of 2.2 to 4.8 during outings.

Clinical Foundation: A nurse-led intervention utilized as a "diagnostic bridge" for mental health triage.

Visual Sovereignty: Empowering Indigenous youth to reclaim their narrative through the lens.

"I believe a camera can be a visual anchor in a world of static."

youth member showing a photo she took during a photo walk in Pinehouse.jpg

Infographic showing the immediate session impact of the Pinehouse Protocol. A bar chart demonstrates a same-day mood increase from a 2.8 pre-session baseline to a 4.6 post-session score using a 5-point Likert scale. Includes clinical process steps: Clinical Intake, Intervention, and Recovery. Led by Dre Erwin, RN-AAP.

Explore the Science & Resilience Summary

Read the Full Technical Paper (2016–2020)

Child with dog watching sunrise over frozen Pinehouse Lake as mother captures therapeutic

A New Lens on Life: The CBC Documentary

Discover the intersection of intention and creativity. "A New Lens on Life" explores how therapeutic photography empowers individuals to heal, rediscover joy, and overcome profound challenges.

Witness the transformative stories of youth breaking free from addiction to find solace and happiness through the lens. Join the journey and see how photography is changing lives—and how it can change yours.

Learn more about the youth, the club, and the documentary:

Learn More

Discover Healing Through the Lens

Latest News

As many of you know, my journey as a photographer has always been about more than just capturing the Northern Lights; it’s about the people and the spirit of the North. On June 8th, I will be returning to Sandy Bay, SK, to resume my role as a Primary Care Nurse.

While I am excited to get back to the clinic, I’ve recently learned about a heartbreaking reality facing the First Nations and Métis youth in the community.

The Reality on the Ground

Right now, the students in Sandy Bay are trying to stay active and learn sports like pickleball, but they are doing so with almost nothing. Because of a lack of equipment, they are currently practicing with balloons and old rackets.

Even more difficult to hear is that many of these kids do not own indoor gym shoes. They are sharing runners—literally waiting for a friend to finish their turn so they can borrow a pair of sneakers just to step onto the gym floor. As a nurse, I know how vital physical activity is for their mental and physical health, and it breaks my heart to see them sidelined by a lack of basic gear.

How You Can Help

Before I head north, I am on a mission to fill my truck with gear. I am looking for donations of:
Gently used indoor sneakers/runners (All youth and adult sizes).
Pickleball equipment (Paddles, balls, and portable nets).

This isn't just for the youth; it's also a way for us healthcare workers at the clinic to stay active and connect with the community we serve.

Get In Touch

If you have equipment or shoes sitting in your closet that you no longer use, please reach out to me directly:
Email me: dreerwinphoto@gmail.com

Message me on Facebook: Dre Erwin Photography
Contact Form: www.dreerwinphoto.com/contact

I am happy to coordinate pick-ups in the Regina area until the first week of June.

Thank you for helping me bring more than just a camera back to the North. Let’s get these kids on the court!

— Dre Erwin, RNAAP

P.S. I have also applied for a $10,000 suicide prevention grant to support these efforts. We are staying hopeful that we can bring even more resources to the community soon!

May 7, 2026 at 8:15:00 PM

From the Lens to the Court: Supporting Youth in Sandy Bay

As many of you know, my journey as a photographer has always been about more than just capturing the Northern Lights; it’s about the people and the spirit of the North. On June 8th, I will be returning to Sandy Bay, SK, to resume my role as a Primary Care Nurse.

While I am excited to get back to the clinic, I’ve recently learned about a heartbreaking reality facing the First Nations and Métis youth in the community.

The Reality on the Ground

Right now, the students in Sandy Bay are trying to stay active and learn sports like pickleball, but they are doing so with almost nothing. Because of a lack of equipment, they are currently practicing with balloons and old rackets.

Even more difficult to hear is that many of these kids do not own indoor gym shoes. They are sharing runners—literally waiting for a friend to finish their turn so they can borrow a pair of sneakers just to step onto the gym floor. As a nurse, I know how vital physical activity is for their mental and physical health, and it breaks my heart to see them sidelined by a lack of basic gear.

How You Can Help

Before I head north, I am on a mission to fill my truck with gear. I am looking for donations of:
Gently used indoor sneakers/runners (All youth and adult sizes).
Pickleball equipment (Paddles, balls, and portable nets).

This isn't just for the youth; it's also a way for us healthcare workers at the clinic to stay active and connect with the community we serve.

Get In Touch

If you have equipment or shoes sitting in your closet that you no longer use, please reach out to me directly:
Email me: dreerwinphoto@gmail.com

Message me on Facebook: Dre Erwin Photography
Contact Form: www.dreerwinphoto.com/contact

I am happy to coordinate pick-ups in the Regina area until the first week of June.

Thank you for helping me bring more than just a camera back to the North. Let’s get these kids on the court!

— Dre Erwin, RNAAP

P.S. I have also applied for a $10,000 suicide prevention grant to support these efforts. We are staying hopeful that we can bring even more resources to the community soon!

Latest Blog:

More...

Coming Soon

Returning to the North. Follow the journey as I head back to Sandy Bay on June 8 to launch the new season of the Therapeutic Photography.

Youth member of the Pinehouse Photography Club, wearing a PPC shirt and holding a camera, at the Pinehouse Elders Gathering

Through photography, young individuals gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage, traditions, and community, leading to improved self-awareness, self-esteem, and a strong sense of support from their peers and local networks.

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The Nurse, The Veteran, The Advocate.

More than a photographer. Dre Erwin is a practicing Primary Care Nurse in Northern Saskatchewan and a Canadian Armed Forces veteran. The founder of the renowned Pinehouse Photography Club, Dre uses the camera as a tool for resilience, youth mentorship, and preserving First Nations and Métis culture. His unique philosophy—using the Northern Lights to foster mental health healing—was the subject of the CBC award-winning documentary "A New Lens on Life."

About

Got Questions? View our Therapeutic Photography FAQ

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Bizmuth

ATR-BC Board Certified Art Therapist (13+ years experience in Inpatient Psych & Medical Hospitals)

You are doing amazing, much-needed work... doing exactly what an Art Therapist would do.

Beth Ladwig

The photography Dre Erwin has shared with us is beyond words in its beauty. The emotions he invokes are so deep and intense, especially since it uses only our sense of sight. I am always awed by his posts. He has been so generous with his skills and his time.

Louis Iron

Amazing northern lights and mentor! Helped a lot of youth learn to use a camera to help with their depression.

Marilyn Biletski

Spectacular photos that literally leave me with goosebumps or speechless. As a lover of nature, the perspectives and colors and subjects thrill me when they are posted. For anyone who is interested in photography showing the beauty of nature, you needn't go farther than Dre's page. Beauty, absolute beauty!

What People are Saying:

Therapeutic Photography Clubs Across Canada

To have your own club added to the map, please email us at @dreerwinphotography@gmail.com

Dre Erwin Photography™