The images created during a four-day shoot in southern Alberta, including the Cochrane area, are in the limelight in the Rogelli Sportswear's fall/winter catalog that was released worldwide last week.

The 108-page catalog is a high-quality product in itself and will give many people around the globe their first glimpse of the diverse beauty of this region. The majority of the company's 800-plus stores are located in Europe.

Robert Martens, the Canadian distributor for Rogelli has resided in Cochrane since late 2003. He says this is the first time the company has completed a shoot outside of Europe for their catalog. They publish two annually to promote their spring/summer and fall/winter lines.

"I think they wanted to go outside of their comfort zone," says Martens. "Typically they go to Greece or Italy or France. With me living here, they knew the scenery was something unique and they wanted to capture it and do something different."

Rogelli shootThe shoot was completed by acclaimed Dutch cycling and sports photographer Wouter Roosenboom. (Cochrane Now file photo)

It was Martens first involvement in a shoot for the company. He says it took months of preparation but was well worthwhile.

"Typically, we were gone by 6:30-7 a.m. and came home at around 10. They were long days but it was fun. It was a good learning experience."

For the shoots, they typically carried 50-plus outfits. Images from Drumheller, Calgary, the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park and the mountain parkway are all included in the catalog. Many others will be used on their website and social media platforms.

Both the Town of Cochrane and the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park are acknowledged in the catalog and their websites are listed. Cochrane Tourism was also involved.

Six models of all ages and genders were used for the shoots, all of whom are part of the cycling community. Three of them were from the Cochrane-based 4iiii Innovations, for whom the company has recently completed a custom outfit. Martens, who is highly active in the cycling community, also appears in one of the images shot downtown Calgary with two fellow cyclists. 

Right now, Rogelli is completing their spring/summer catalog shoot in Tuscany, Italy. Martens says they may return here to do a shoot for a future spring/summer catalog.

It was acclaimed Dutch cycling and sports photographer Wouter Roosenboom who was behind the lens for Rogelli in March.

Product development manager Michael Wagtmans was also here making his first visit to Canada. He's part of the third generation of a family that continues to expand a company founded in 1975 by Rini Wagtmans, an internationally acclaimed Dutch road cyclist.

The company initially focused on cycling and ice skating wear. Their lines have expanded to include clothing and accessories for running, triathlon, training and team wear. They are carefully growing their presence in North America.

"We have been very well established for 40 years in Europe. Here, not yet. But as soon you have a large client or a couple of clubs it grows organically."