Late last year I had the pleasure of photographing a past portrait client again. This time we arranged the portrait at Ottawa Studio Works, our photography studio on Preston St.

She serves on two Boards and needed fresh photos for the causes.

It’s always fun working with J.

Next week we start our annual portrait workshop – Natural Light Portraits. The fun continues…

Ottawa Executive Portrait

In September I photographed Vivian Bright, principal of Alta Vista Public School, for a Danish magazine.

I met with writer Dorthe Lundh to discuss the portrait – for the magazine skolelederne. It was nice to see the artwork produced primarily in Denmark – quite a different look. I needed to create some work that matched the style – including a light-hearted sense of fun not usually associated with school principals.

Ottawa editorial portrait

I shot two short sessions:

• the first was in the principals office to show the more academic side

Ottawa editorial portrait

• I chose the playground to show an alternate view.

Ottawa editorial portrait

Fun shoot.

Fun people.

Just plain fun.

We recently photographed a perfect summer wedding – blue skies, warm weather for K&K. Their wedding was a casual affair in the Gatineau Hills near Wakefield, just north of Ottawa.

My wedding photography is a candid, photojournalistic style capturing the fun of the day.

And fun it was… The service was short, the celebration lasted well into the evening. This is how the day went:

K was escorted ‘down the aisle’ by her father…

K+K Wedding photography

The Bride and Groom quickly made it official at a simple ceremony

K+K Wedding Photo

Smiles and a short walk to family photos…

K+K Wedding photography

The getaway vehicle…

K+K Wedding Photo

Family photos (but I use SLR cameras… not ‘point and shoots’!)…

K+K Wedding photography

Much celebrating…

K+K Wedding Photography

And more celebrating…

K+K Wedding Photo

I stole the happy couple away for a few wedding photos before delicious festivities under the big tent…

K+K Wedding photography

I caught a few more unplanned portraits…

K+K Wedding Photography

And, yes, more celebrating…

K+K wedding photography

The couple had a wonderful day:

“The photos look great! We are very happy with them. We also had a blast, and we were happy you were there.”

Harry says “Thanks for the fun…”

My favourite style of portrait session is a casual portrait of people in their environment being themselves, allowing their own personality to unfold.

In August I provided portraits to C&J. I have worked for them before. It’s nice to have them back on the blog!

Two years ago when we did our first portrait session she told me it was their first ‘proper’ portrait since they were marriedsome years ago.

He often plays the part of a grumpy man but his smiling side shines if you know how to coax it. They’re wonderful people!:

Candid Portraits

About a month ago we spent an afternoon with campers and counsellors at Westboro Academy’s Summer Camp. Some of our previous work for them has appeared on our photo blog before.

Stock photo assignment - Ottawa

A couple of year’s ago Ottawa’s Westboro Academy recognized the need for better visuals on their website – we were asked to start producing a library of stock photos to replace their older imagery – some older photos still appear on the site – we’re working on replacing them as time progresses!

Stock photography assignment - Ottawa

We had good weather and accommodating campers to provide the fun for our latest crop of work.

Stock photo assignment - Ottawa

A stock assignment is an affordable way for our clients to get personalized imagery for promotion – ie with their people and locations featured.

In July we did a three generation portrait of women at Ottawa Studio Works. We also included a portrait of the full family. We started with some traditional portraits:

Ottawa Family Portrait

And then we added some fun:

Ottawa fun family portraits

The session went well. There were initially some reserved smiles but the family opened up as we got underway. I like making the sessions full of fun for all!

We’re on a few days of R&R as we gear up for August work including a fun editorial assignment, photojournalism presentation at the studio with Blair Gable and our Natural Light Portraits Workshop in August.

We recently did some work for an Ottawa lawyer looking for some portraits a little different from a traditional executive portrait.

Ottawa executive portrait

John is writing a book and teaching the art of interviewing. The portraits are effectively to support this project – effectively some directed stock photography with a specific purpose.

Ottawa stock photography - executive portraits

We do a fair bit of this kind of stock work directed to a certain end usage – past clients have included private schools, lawyers, camps, government and business.

Goals are discussed and scenarios are created to provide the desired final product.

I handed the work in recently – John was very pleased.

Ottawa executive portrait - stock photography

Consider our Natural Light Portrait photo course coming up later this month

Recently, we shot some portraits for an Ottawa area writer – Ann – who wanted a portrait for press releases, author info and marketing purposes. She asked for a simple natural author portrait. For her that meant a sincere look without big smiles.

We met at our photo studio Ottawa Studio Works – which was perfect for her as she works in central Ottawa.

She enjoyed the session and I had to work to make her stop smiling so much – see  the portraits, below. Drawing the desired personality – that’s the fun for me. The technical camera work is only the beginning.

Monday we’re back in the studio run a Custom Photo Class for two people looking for an introduction to studio skills.

Ottawa Portrait - with smiles

Ottawa Portrait - more authorly!

Lately we’ve been all about photo workshops, courses and classes.

So today we’d like to show some fun from a family portrait package we shot recently.

We spent a little time candidly following the family’s daily fun. This involved piano, lively group portraits, funny faces and Lego. Remember Lego?!!

Funny Faces - Family Portraits

Thanks for the fun!

A couple of weeks ago we photographed some executive portraits for an organization based in Ottawa.

It involved group and individual portraits at their location. Photos went well with many smiling faces!

Executive Portraits - Ottawa

Executive Portraits - Ottawa