We just had a couple of days of well received R&R and are getting back into the groove.
Coming up this week:
Have fun!
Outdoor Hockey Ottawa
Recently we were approached by business partners who wanted some portraits done to support their work. They wanted both traditional corporate headshots as well as some photos showing them discussing work while away from their office.
They were fun to work with and were pleased with the collection of work they will be using.
Photo Assignment spotlight ottawa
Photo Assignment Spotlight Ottawa
Photo Assignment Spotlight Ottawa
I just handed in an assignment for Westboro Academy in Ottawa. The school is in need of some promotional photography. Most of the existing photos on their site were donated by volunteers. They wanted better and up to date photos suitable to attract students!
I had worked, photographically, with the school’s Headmaster for years while she taught at a private school near Montebello, Quebec.
Westboro needed many photos, quickly and on budget. I proposed a plan of action and spent a day shooting to meet their goals. They loved the results. They will be rebuilding their web site in the months ahead.
Below is an excerpt – in the interests of privacy we are limited as to what can be posted!
Assignment Spotlight
Assignment Spotlight
A couple of years ago I was asked to provide a full page portrait for Ottawa Magazine of Gisele Mansfield, an Ottawa based woman who was part of the team of Kilimanjaro Grannies who were climbing Tanzania’s Mt Kilimanjaro in support of African Grandmothers.
It was an amazing adventure.
Ottawa Magazine photo assignment - Kilimanjaro Grannies
I often hear from people I photograph over the years and I recently heard the exciting news that the Kilimanjaro Grannies have produced a book to support African Grandmothers.
See Gisele’s note below.
Yay Grannies!!
“It’s been two years since our return from Africa and the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Since then we have been on another journey, putting to paper a collection of our favourite photos accompanied with innermost fears, joys and thoughts about the climb, our inspiration – the cause that we are working so hard for.
We are so excited that in less than a month our book will finally be available for your viewing pleasure. At only $24.95 it is the perfect gift to yourself, a family member or a friend.
Most of the funds raised from the sale of the book will be going to support the African Grandmothers through the Stephen Lewis Foundation. However, $2 of each book sale will go directly to the Snowy Owl AIDS Foundation of Ottawa to help them build Camp Wendake of Eastern Ontario.
We are also in need of your support to cover the publishing and marketing costs. We would welcome any pledges of financial support.
We hope that you will be able to join us at our official launch to pick up your signed copies. Please share this invitation with your friends… we would love to see a “standing room” only crowd.
Sincerely and with our heartfelt appreciation,
The Kilimanjaro Grannies
Gisèle, Liza, Barb, Janet, Tina and Trudy “
Often, when we get asked to do portraits they are done casually.
Instead of posing we walk.
We leave lights and reflectors in the office and use sun, shade and diffused light. I ask them to tell stories from their past. Eyes sparkle as memories unfold.
We wander. I capture.
It’s not the quickest way to a portrait but it’s fun and I draw smiles from their souls.
Some smiles:
Candid Portraits
Candid Portraits
Candid Portraits
Harry
Remember I mentioned the fun assignment we did last summer?
Below are a couple of the spreads from the Senate Annual Report, posted with permission. It’s always good to see a finished product and see our photo work in context.
Photo Assignment - Canadian Senate
Photo Assignment - Canadian Senate
Photo Assignment - Canadian Senate
This weekend was the Canadian Slalom Whitewater National Team Trials in downtown Ottawa. A fine event!
Some highlights:
James Cartwright, Olympian
Sarah Potvin, aspiring Oympian
David Ford, Olympian & Past World Champion
On Thursday I had an assignment to shoot the official opening of the Canadian National Team Whitewater Paddling Training Site – The Pumphouse – in downtown Ottawa.
L-R: spectator, Olympian James Cartwright, NCC Russell Mills, Councillor Diane Holmes, Olympian Sarah Boudens
In attendance were past Olympians:
Olympian James Cartwright
Also showing their support were politicians from different levels of government:
Ottawa MP Paul Dewar
National Team Trials are this weekend at the Pumphouse hosted by the Ottawa River Runners. See past Pumphouse photos.
It was a good media event!
Olympian David Ford with NCC Russell Mills (L) and Ontario Whitewater President Jim Tayler (R)
Jack and Kris had a beautiful wedding day last summer:
My task was to capture some intimate moments at their fun wedding in Chelsea Quebec, moments north of Ottawa. My style is to act as a fly on the wall to capture the quietly candid moments missed by many.
They were all smiles: “The great thing about an August wedding in Ottawa is the possibility of thunderstorms and sunshine in the same afternoon. We got both, along with wedding bells and a great party with friends and family.”
Years ago a bride admitted she chose us for their photography because my portfolio of wedding stories was the only one that “… almost made me cry!”
That’s what I shoot for when covering an intimate celebration!
I got an email last week from Scott, ProProgram student. He’s interested in many areas of photography including concert photography. Part of his homework is to investigate other photo businesses and photographer’s work to expand his photo horizons.
He sent me a link to an interview with Tony Mott, concert photographer, who has been following bands, as a working photographer, for 25 years.
Shooting live music at large venues is a job many people dream about. Of course it’s not all stars and glamour! We have covered many concerts for media and promotional uses with some pretty fun opportunities…
Ben Harper
A selection of our work:
And while it has been fun, there are stresses and pressures to shooting the events! Read Tony Mott’s interview for more insight!
Allison Kraus
Michael Franti
