Meet Olivia Stoughtenger - Young TI Photographer

[Editor's Note: Over the years, we have met many of our annual Thousand Islands Life Photo Contest winners. Their photographs capture our River memories – and this year, we met a new photographer when she won an Honourable Mention. The photo of the iconic St. Lawrence Skiff certainly was a winner – but then we discovered that the photographer is special indeed. She is twelve-years old, and already is able to capture amazing memories.

I sent a number of questions to Olivia Stoughtenger, to answer for this profile and she not only completed her assignment in record time, but I am sure you will agree with me that this is one special young lady!]

Meet Olivia Stoughtenger

I want to start by telling you a little bit about my family and our connection to the River. My great-grandparents, Mrs. Beatrice and Mr. William (Bill) Schermerhorn, owned Schermerhorn’s Marina in Upper Chippewa Bay, NY. My great-grandma was one of the founding members of Save the River, alongside Abbie Hoffman (who was known on the River as Barry Freed). They worked hard to stop ships from navigating the River in the winter. I think this was really important because my Dad said there was an oil spill and if it happened during the winter, it would be impossible to clean up.

My great-grandfather used to build little flat bottom punts and would navigate to Kingston and learn where all of the shoals were. I think that was probably a lot of fun to do. Later, both my great grandparents ran a marina at Schermerhorn’s Landing and were active members in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Then my grandparents, Dale and Susan Stoughtenger, took over the marina. My grandpa was one of the first people in the Thousand Islands to build St. Lawrence skiffs. My dad said they were originals, not copies too. He made them using molds from original cedar skiffs built up in Canada. Grandpa worked all winter long to make these fiberglass boats with beautiful wood designs. They were super sturdy, and they didn’t leak like the old wood ones.

My mom and dad met in Cambridge and later moved to Kuwait, where my dad pursued a career in Architecture. That’s where I was born, but we always go back to the River every summer. I love driving my boat and going out with my dad in one of my grandpa’s skiffs. It’s the one he built for my great-grandma. That’s the skiff that I took a photo of that got the honorable mention in the TI Life contest.

It was such a beautiful day, and I knew I had to keep that in a memory, so I took a picture when the sun was setting behind me. Most of my photos are like that—I just see something beautiful, grab my phone, and take a picture. When I can’t use my phone, I use my Sony Cyber-shot camera instead.

I first got into photography when I got my first phone because I could take pictures of everything and keep the memories. I didn’t have any training or anyone helping me take my photos. I just snapped pictures of what I liked and what I wanted to keep as memories. So I have lots of photos of all different things. Usually my pictures are from when I am with my family or friends because they are the ones I want to remember.

I often like to look back at the photos I have taken. I don’t remember my first picture because I have so many. My favorite ones are of the River or my dog, Taj. I’d probably say my favorite photo so far is the one of the skiff in the boathouse. One time I was taking a picture of a freighter on the River, and when I turned around, I saw my dad was taking a picture of me. I thought it was funny because it was like a photo in a photo. And then both my dad and I jumped because the freighter honked at us.

I also play the piano—I've been playing since I was four. I’m the co-captain of my school’s swim team. My family likes to tell me that I have the River in my blood because I love anything that has to do with water. I also love water skiing and snow skiing. You can see the Swiss Alps in one of my favorite snow skiing pictures above.

Sometimes I am surprised by how nicely my photos come out because, I think it might be silly, but it actually isn't.

By Olivia Stoughtenger

Olivia Stoughtenger lives in Kuwait during the school year but visits the Thousand Islands every summer with her family. She is 12-years-old and in year 8 at The English School. As she explains in her profile, she loves music and plays the piano, is co-captain of the school's swim team, and loves skiing both on water and snow!

Olivia's Photo Album

"The photos of a frog, a duck and a swan, all neat shots, I’m not sure which one is more pretty, probably the duck as she stretches out her leg."

Additional 2024 TI Life Photo Submissions

Comments submitted after publication:

"Olivia - I love your skiff photo. And that is a compelling angle on the Swiss Alps!" Larry Asam

"I really enjoyed reading Olivia's piece and seeing her wonderful photos! More, please!" Erin Greene