Testimonials

Your talk [about Kilimanjaro & Tanzania] was just amazing !! and your photos were gorgeous ! Thank you so much for doing the presentation!

Heather D., SPARK Photo Festival Team

Lola Reid Allin’s presentation [about women in aviation and other non-traditional occupations] impacted me in a way that made me want to go for things I feel passionate about. She explained how she really wanted to be a pilot when she was a young woman but not many women became or were able to become pilots as it was considered a man’s job. She explained that just because it was hard, she still worked for it because she wanted it, and she wasn’t going to let the stereotypes and stigma behind women in the workplace stop her from achieving her goal and dream. That really stuck with me because I know I’ve given up on things in the past that I was really passionate about just because I was scared of what people would say or how people would view me, but seeing the way she decided to just go for it, made me want to start doing that. 

Careers Class Student, North Hastings High School, Bancroft

I loved looking at your journal [inclusions as you climbed Kilimanjaro] — a great way to personalize and to show the progress of the trip.

Linda C., Photographer

"In one of our first presentations, we had author, pilot, and photographer, Lola Reid Allin. She has many different passions and through her life followed all of them. I think her job history is inspiring through how much of the world she has seen. She also pushed gender roles in becoming a pilot when it was a mainly male dominated career. Lola expressed the importance of role models when thinking of a future career. I think that Lola's presentation was impactful because even though I am not interested in any of her careers it reminded me that you do not have to stick to one path."                     

Grade 10 Student, Careers Class, North Hastings Secondary School, Ontario 2023

Your Morocco presentation was really wonderful. A good balance of history/personal anecdotes/photography.

Mike Gaudaur

Lola's ambition is something I envy, her ability to be a pilot, scuba diver, photographer, teacher, and adventurer, is exactly the kind of life I aspire to have. It's important that she's spreading the information that you don't have to do one thing for the rest of your life.

Grade 10 Careers Class, North Hastings Secondary School, Bancroft, Canada 2023

I've always wanted to be a scuba dive instructor and I'm currently in the process of getting my personal aircraft license — she influenced me to strive to acquire both of these. I also consider myself an adventurer and she gave me many places to travel that I wouldn't have considered before.

Grade 10 Careers Class, Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board, Ontario, Canada 2023

Just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your series [Women in Aviation] in Skies [Magazine] this week — really great work.

Elan Head, publisher

[Our Careers Class] had a lot of great guest speakers come in and talk to us about their careers. One guest speaker that stood out to me was Lola Reid Allin who had been a pilot in a time when men dominated the field. She showed that women should never give up no matter the challenge.

Careers Class Student, North Hastings High School, Bancroft 2022

Thank you for sharing your talents and unique views of the world in your photography. You capture so much more than a moment in time. You capture emotion and a glimpse into another world.

K. Blake, veterinarian

Lola, you are such an incredible talent and inspiration!! Awesome article, congratulations!

S. Rollins, social services

[Lola's} art is the sort of communication that could take volumes of the written word to convey...and even then, not nearly so well. I hope that one day Ic an get to know you personally. Well done!

R. Buchner, photographer

[She's] a Mayanist scholar who specializes in the research and study of the Mesoamerican pre-Columbian civilization—you might easily get away with calling her Quinte's very own Indiana Jones.

J.K. Matthie, photojournalist

I loved it, it was like we were there with you.

Tony Vani

Thank you for an informative presentation. I felt like I was taking the journey with you and came to be more familiar with this part of Canada. You have my continuing and undying admiration as a presenter, trekker, and adventurer. Thanks again!

Elan Head, publisher

Just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your series [Women in Aviation] in Skies [Magazine] this week — really great work.

Elan Head, publisher

We enjoyed your presentation. You shared a wealth of knowledge and experience. I have heard Steve telling others of your presentation.

Cathy Vanner, photographer

What a great crowd you had on Thursday (for your Baffin Island lecture) and thanks for the interesting presentation. We enjoyed it very much. You have such a wonderful spirit of adventure!

Mike Kirby, educator

The showcase Thursday (about your trek across Baffin Island) was so great! I loved hearing of your adventures and what a wonderful presenter you are.

Rebecca House, writer

Thanks for presenting! It was great to hear about the trek and your pictures were amazing. I've never had a trip with that number of river and creek crossings.

Len Kennedy

Very interesting presentation. Great information. Beautiful photos!

Sarah Kirby, photographer

On the way home last night we both agreed that we liked the way you introduced the area & some of the prep to get ready. It really added to the presentation. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

J. Paton

I was so glad I came to your presentation. It was very interesting and the photos are stunning. I don’t know if I could do that. You sure made it sound appealing.

Tracy Bray

Thank you! It was a great presentation! You're remarkable! Love living thru you!

Coreen Reynolds

Your lecture was fabulous—informative, great eye-candy sprinkled with humour. My husband and thoroughly enjoyed it.

J. Stellings

It was fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing your adventure.

J. Bell

What a great presentation last evening! I really enjoyed it, and learned so much. it's wonderful that you were able to do that trip with your family. Your photographs are beautiful, and hearing the story behind them adds another dimension.

B. Coldham

Enjoyed last night, you are so thorough in describing the trip with excellent details.

W. Bickle, photographer

Loved your Baffin Island presentation the other night too! Thanks for the excellent experience.

C. Belanger

The everyday world becomes extraordinary through your lens.

N. Zandbergen

Thank you so much for the very informative presentation last week about your travels in Baffin Island. Your pictures are beautiful. The 360 panorama was a very helpful way to show us what it was like to be standing there! We also enjoyed the presentation you did last year – thank you for the Armchair Traveller series! [And] your prints on metal certainly do look very nice!

B & C McCallum