PetaPixel Pictures has announced the upcoming release of "No Guarantees," a deeply personal documentary film featuring photographer and camera reviewer Chris Niccolls. The introspective film explores the interconnected themes of fly fishing, photography, and fatherhood, while examining how childhood experiences shape adult relationships and creative pursuits.
Shot in Alaska's Tongass National Forest, the documentary presents a different side of Niccolls, who is typically known for his outgoing personality in photography and camera review content. Through the lens of fly fishing and memories of his father, Niccolls reveals intimate details about his personal journey and the complex relationship that has influenced his approach to both art and parenting.
The film delves into Niccolls' earliest fishing memories, which took place on a train bridge in Ladner, British Columbia, with his father. "My earliest memories of fishing were with my father on a train bridge in Ladner BC," Niccolls recalls in the documentary. "My dad would sneak me out on this very dangerous wooden bridge and we would sit out on the end of the wood piling, the smell of old wood and tar all around and catch bullheads and chub with boraxed balls of salmon roe that we got at the gas station on the way there. They say early fishing memories are something you never forget and I remember everything so vividly."
However, the documentary reveals that despite these seemingly pleasant memories, Niccolls' relationship with his father was far from ideal. When asked about their relationship, Niccolls candidly admits, "No, not at all, he was an absolute piece of [redacted]." This honest revelation sets the stage for the film's exploration of how difficult parental relationships can impact future generations and influence one's own approach to fatherhood.
The documentary examines how becoming a father himself at age 25 triggered unexpected changes in Niccolls' interests and priorities. "I don't know why I started fishing," he explains. "When I had my oldest son Kai at 25, and I was a father for the first time, something in me compelled me to try something that I had never even given a second thought to as a young man. I have this brand new baby boy and I'm working my ass off harder than I ever have before and trying to make ends meet and at the same time I just needed to learn how to fish. The idea that I had these early memories with my own father wasn't lost on me."
Niccolls draws parallels between his journey into fishing and his path to photography, noting that both pursuits emerged unexpectedly during significant life transitions. "It was the same with photography too," he reflects. "I failed all my photo classes in university. Just didn't have a desire and then out of nowhere I bought a vintage film camera and taught myself." This revelation highlights how creative passions can emerge organically, often independent of formal education or early interest.
The film's title, "No Guarantees," reflects a central theme that connects fishing, photography, and parenting. Niccolls explains his philosophy: "What I love about fishing is that it's always so unknown. Even if I do everything perfectly it's not just up to me, it's up to the fish as well. It is about experiencing that unknown and being grateful for those experiences even when you don't catch anything. In fatherhood, photography, and fishing, there is one thing in common: there are no guarantees."
"No Guarantees" is scheduled for release in early 2026, promising viewers an intimate look at how personal history, creative expression, and family relationships intersect in unexpected ways. The documentary represents PetaPixel Pictures' commitment to exploring the deeper connections between photography and human experience, moving beyond technical discussions to examine the emotional and psychological aspects of visual storytelling.
