Photo: Mike Biden

Images from Mike Biden's "Okanagan Strong" book.

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Prolific Okanagan photographer Mike Biden has published a book of photos showcasing the strength of locals living through floods, fires and a global pandemic. 

Okanagan Strong was published in June, featuring a high-quality anthology of Biden's work. 

"Somebody emailed me and said 'You should do a book on COVID,' because I'd done six other books," Biden said. 

"My wife said 'If you do the whole book on COVID it's rather boring, but if you mix the floods and the fires of the Okanagan in you can write it as a positive, not negative, about how people adapt to all our crises.'"

Biden has been a photographer for 45 years, and is well known to Castanet readers for his incredible photos of everything from search and rescue incidents and Penticton Fire Department calls, to stunning shots of community events and local natural phenomena, to name just a few. 

Okanagan Strong is his homage to the community he loves photographing, during a uniquely stressful time.

"People adapt to all this stuff. We get threatened by property damage by floods, wildfires, businesses and homes being gobbled up by fires, just how people adapt to this and how they are strong in the Okanagan," Biden explained.

"And now this pandemic has changed the world, how people think ... so we tried to make the book show how people have brought out something positive." 

Biden's coffee-table-style book of photos can be purchased for $20 at Skaha Pharmacy, Warren B&B, Penticton Lock and Key and Prestige Tailoring, or by calling Biden directly at 250-486-2112. 

The main message: The Okanagan will overcome any struggles thrown its way. 

"People are adapting to whatever has to be done to get through all this."