Photographing the Garneau Theatre

The Garneau Theatre has quietly become one of my favourite places to photograph in Edmonton. It’s one of those locations that feels unchanged by time — the vibrant neon sign, the yellowed marquee glowing warm against the cool evening sky, people drifting past. Every time I walk past it, it feels cinematic without trying to be.

What draws me to the Garneau isn’t just the building itself, but the way it transforms in evening light. Blue hour brings indigos and blues, while the marquee casts a soft yellow haze that wraps around anyone standing nearby. Even on quiet nights, there’s a sense of movement and rhythm — passing headlights, conversations at the door, silhouettes drifting through that warm glow.

I usually shoot it handheld and fairly wide open, leaning into that softer, dreamlike look as people move through the scene. Sometimes I’ll frame a subject against the marquee to capture their silhouette. Other times, I’ll let the sign dominate the frame and keep everything else in the shadows. Both approaches work together to tell a compelling visual story.

Edmonton has plenty of buildings, but very few that carry this kind of rich personality. The Garneau Theatre is an exception — a little slice of the city that feels quietly iconic. And every time I stop by with a camera, I can’t help but feel inspired to shoot.