Life at SDMM: A Conversation with Reality Capture Tech Waylen Leenhouts
For anyone curious about where a career in surveying and reality capture can take you, the best stories come from the people doing the work. At SDMM, we’re proud of the team we’re building – a mix of experienced professionals and early-career technologists who are finding their place in a fast-changing field.
One of those voices is Waylen Leenhouts, a Reality Capture Technologist whose path into scanning started with a passion for technology (and a lot of gaming). Here’s his story.
Tell us a bit about where you grew up.
I grew up in Kingsport, in the Annapolis Valley. Most people only know it once I explain that it’s just outside Canning – below the Lookoff. It’s a small place, but it’s where I spent most of my childhood before moving to Halifax.
What led you to study Architectural Engineering Technology at NSCC?
I knew I wanted something technical. I liked computers, but I also wanted something connected to construction and the real world. Architectural engineering technology felt like the right balance – drafting, a bit of engineering, and learning how buildings come together.
How did you first get exposed to point clouds and scanning?
My first job out of school involved drafting from point clouds. At the time, I didn’t even know this field existed. But once I opened my first point cloud, it clicked – it felt like navigating a 3D game environment. I grew up gaming, so moving through a point cloud felt immediately familiar. You’re exploring a digital world, just one based on real places.
That was when I realized this was the kind of work I wanted to stay in.
Before joining SDMM, where were you working?
My previous job introduced me to drafting from point clouds, but when COVID hit, the workload dropped off and the team downsized. I knew I wanted to stay in scanning and reality capture, and SDMM was one of the only places in the region doing this work at a high level. Joining the team felt like the right next step.
What was your first impression of SDMM?
I actually met Chris briefly when he gave a presentation at NSCC. When I interviewed with him later, I remembered that. He was really friendly, and SDMM felt like the right place – especially on the scanning side. Everyone here is easy to get along with.
What were your first few months at SDMM like?
My first few months were a combination of support and tackling real work right away. SDMM had several projects on the go, so I had to learn quickly and contribute early. It was challenging, but it accelerated my understanding of the tools and workflows.
Whenever I hit a wall, I’d go to Chris. He always helped me get unstuck. Having someone senior to lean on made a big difference.
You’ve used the phrase “grey-collar” to describe your work. What do you mean by that?
It’s half office, half field – and that’s exactly what I like about it. I don’t want to be stuck at a desk all week, but I also don’t want to be outside 100% of the time. Scanning is the perfect mix. Every project is different, so the work never feels repetitive.
You travel quite a bit for scanning work. How do you find life on the road?
At first, it was an adjustment – especially being younger and liking a consistent schedule. But now I enjoy it. You get to see places you’d never normally visit, and it breaks up the routine.
Travel can be tiring when flights get delayed or the weather kicks in, but overall, it’s been really good.
This fall you travelled with Chris to LGS University in Tucson. What was that like?
It was great. Very focused, very technical. You’re surrounded by people from all over North America who are deep into scanning. A lot of the learning was exactly what I needed.
But the highlight was actually something unexpected. I mentioned to Chris that I’d never been to an NBA game. He told me to look up if the Phoenix Suns were playing – and they were. We rented a car, drove two hours, and I got to see my first NBA game. It was a bucket-list moment.
How has your confidence grown since you first started scanning?
A lot. When you’re younger, showing up on job sites can be intimidating. You’re dealing with strong personalities and people who’ve been in the industry forever. Now, after years of scanning, I feel confident walking into any site and explaining exactly what we’re delivering.
How would you describe your work to someone considering this field?
I usually say: “It’s as-built and existing-conditions work using 3D scanning.” It’s technical, visual, hands-on, and you get to explore real-world spaces. If you like tech but don’t want a pure office job, this is a great field.
What excites you most about your future at SDMM?
The growth. There’s a lot of room to keep learning and take on more responsibility. Reality capture is only becoming more important – drones, scanning, digital twins – and I want to be part of that evolution.
