ASSINIBOIA — Hali Booth, owner and operator of the long-time business Expressions Photography, has retired as of January this year. An earlier story in the Assiniboia Times outlined the nearly two-decade history of the business.
That story noted Booth was born and raised in Assiniboia and is an Assiniboia Composite High School graduate of 1983, who did not initially set out to become a photographer. She first worked as a hairdresser but found the long hours on her feet were not conducive to the long term.
Always considered an artsy individual, Booth received mentoring from Orville Ottenbreit. As a result, Expressions Photography was born in 2010. She was once located in the former Ottenbreit Studio and later transitioned to a former downtown business location.
During her career, Booth continued to study photography courses and techniques, explored equipment options, and sought out camera-related information wherever and whenever she could.
Portraits were taken both on location and inside her studio. Sports teams and schools benefitted from her work. Booth also offered passport photos and excelled in aerial farm photography. In an earlier story on SaskToday, Booth acknowledged that photo ID work was a big part of her business.
The photographer offered multiple additional services, including custom framing and matting, canvas stretching, laminating, plaque mounting, custom card printing and photo retouching.
Booth was lauded for her adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating unique photo solutions for graduates. She developed innovative approaches that included yard signs featuring grad photos and displaying images of 2020 graduates in local business windows.
Work was not the only area Booth dedicated her time to. She volunteered with the Assiniboia Civic Improvement Association, creating ads for the digital board at the end of Centre Street. She also opened her home as a billet mom for the local junior hockey team.
Booth also had a photo exhibit set up at Assiniboia’s Shurniak Gallery in 2025.
Mayor Sharon Schaunenberg said of the long-time business owner, “Congratulations to long-time Assiniboia resident, Hali Booth, on her well-earned retirement. Through Expressions Photography, Hali captured countless memories for families, businesses and community events over the years.”
The mayor added, “Her creativity, professionalism and warm presence will be truly missed, and we thank her for the lasting mark she has left on our community.”
The Richardson Pioneer Southern Rebels Junior Hockey Club acknowledged Booth in a social media post, stating, “We wish Hali Booth all the best in her retirement. Your dedication, creativity and passion will be missed within the community. We would like to thank Hali for the amazing support with the town and outstanding photography, as well as being one of our best billet moms. You will be able to catch Hali around the Southland Co-op Centre assisting with the Southern Rebels.”
Multiple congratulatory messages followed Booth’s retirement announcement posted Jan. 7.
Booth thanked the community for its continued support, noting she will be around the office in January for pickup of forgotten photos or for those needing passport or photo ID services. She said she will be selling props, backdrops, photography equipment, custom framing tools and supplies once everything is sorted.
“My big beautiful building will be for sale after that,” Booth stated in the same social media post.
