A CFL Star, an AI Photo Booth, and a Cause That Matters: Inside the BC Lions x World Vision 6K Walk for Water Trading Card Experience

When community, creativity, and purpose intersect, the result is an event that people talk about long after the day is over. That’s exactly what happened at the BC Lions x World Vision 6K Walk for Water, where families, volunteers, athletes, and supporters gathered to raise awareness about the global water crisis. And in the middle of all the energy and celebration stood a unique addition to the event: an AI-powered trading card photo booth experience that transformed everyday participants into professional football stars.

Among the many people who stopped by, one guest added an unforgettable spark: Jevon Cottoy, wide receiver for the BC Lions and one of the CFL’s most recognizable players. His presence not only elevated the moment but showcased just how much joy something as simple as a playful AI experience can bring to people of all ages.

This is the story of a simple idea: What if people could see themselves as professional football players? became a highlight of a meaningful community event.

Celebrating a Cause Through Creativity

The 6K Walk for Water is much more than a charity event. It symbolizes the journey that millions of children around the world must take every single day to access clean drinking water. Six kilometers is the global average distance children walk, often carrying heavy containers home to their families.

World Vision Canada, an organization dedicated to child well-being and community development, partners with the BC Lions each year to draw attention to this crisis. Athletes join the cause, families come to participate, and supporters walk to show solidarity. At its core, the event is about hope, compassion, and collective action.

So when planning a photo activation for this year’s event, the goal was simple:

Create something that was not just fun, but meaningful something that brought people together and celebrated the theme of teamwork.

That’s where the idea for an AI trading card photo booth was born.

The Idea: “What Would You Look Like as a Pro Football Player?”

On the day of the event, the activation area filled quickly. The AI-powered experience was designed to instantly transform participants into professional football players complete with uniforms, action poses, and stylized graphics inspired by real trading cards.

The concept was playful, but intentional. Everyone, from kids to parents to staff members, could step into a version of themselves they had never seen before. The question I jokingly asked participants became the unofficial tagline of the activation:

“Have you ever wondered what you’d look like as a professional football player?”

When I asked this to Jevon Cottoy with a smile I knew how ironic the question was. As a standout wide receiver with the BC Lions, he lives and breathes the role in real life. We both laughed as he stepped into the experience, proving that even professional athletes love seeing themselves reimagined in a fresh, creative way.

What surprised me most was not just how excited the guests were but how much the players themselves enjoyed the AI interpretations. Even though they put on pads and uniforms every game day, seeing themselves transformed through AI brought out genuine reactions of amusement and curiosity.

How the AI Photo Booth Worked

The activation used a streamlined, highly visual AI engine to transform participant photos into dynamic football-themed images. Here’s how the flow worked:

1. Guests stepped up and took a quick portrait.
   No uniform or props required, just a natural photo taken in seconds.
2. The AI processed the image.
   Within moments, it generated a stylized version of the participant as a BC Lions athlete, complete with textures, shadows, backgrounds, and action-inspired design elements.
3. Each participant received a digital version of their “trading card.”
   Some even shared them instantly on social media, tagging the BC Lions and World Vision Canada.

The experience was quick, intuitive, and created an immediate sense of delight. But what made it powerful was the way strangers, volunteers, athletes, and families gathered around to watch the transformations happen. Every new image brought laughter, reactions, and compliments an unexpected moment of connection amid a busy event.

A CFL Player Joins the Fun

When Jevon Cottoy approached the booth, the excitement was obvious. Kids nearby recognized him instantly, and even the volunteers were thrilled to see a star player participating in the activation.

“Let’s see how AI thinks I look on the field,” he joked before stepping in.

When his transformed trading card appeared, everyone around the booth reacted with huge smiles. Even Jevon couldn’t help but laugh at how the AI emphasized his athletic features, built up his gear, and placed him in a bold, action-packed pose.

It was a reminder that no matter how familiar someone is with their profession, in this case, elite-level football there’s still joy in seeing yourself in a new and imaginative way. Jevon spent a few minutes watching others try the booth, encouraging kids and interacting with families. His presence helped turn the activation into not just a tech demo, but a shared community moment.

Why This Activation Mattered

While the AI transformations were fun and entertaining, the deeper purpose behind the event was never forgotten. The photos became a symbolic way of celebrating:

• Teamwork
• Support for clean water initiatives
• The strength of community action
• The partnership between World Vision & the BC Lions
  

For many participants, the trading card experience became a memorable keepsake representing both the event and the cause. Something simple, an AI-generated photo became a reminder of why they walked those six kilometers and the lives impacted by their contribution.

In today’s world, technology often gets criticized for disconnecting people. But this activation showed the opposite: that when used intentionally and creatively, technology can bring people closer, spark genuine emotion, and enhance real human connection.

A Heartfelt Thank You

I’m incredibly grateful to both World Vision Canada and the BC Lions teams. They embraced the creativity of the activation, supported the implementation, and brought an infectious energy to the experience. Their willingness to try something new made the project a success.

From the volunteers who cheered on participants, to the families who stepped into their “pro athlete” moment, to Jevon Cottoy who shared a laugh with us it was a day filled with joy and purpose.

This activation wasn’t just about generating photos.
It was about celebrating community, showcasing the power of teamwork, and supporting a mission far bigger than ourselves.

And if the smiles, reactions, and memories are any indication, I’d say it scored a touchdown.