Giving Back...with time, photos, and smiles

Last Friday, I had the absolute honour of working with the Self Help Alliance as part of Help Portraits annual campaign.  With three volunteers, Ian Spence, Stephanie Truong and Erin Schut from the Laurier Newspaper, The Cord (see their take on the story here), Nick Lachance and I arranged to set up shop at their Kitchener location.

The Self Help Alliance runs peer-support groups for individuals experiencing a mental health and/or addiction issue and runs one of the most innovative suicide intervention programs in the country.  Society’s perception of Mental health is one of the last remaining bastions of secrecy.  Studies suggest 1 in 5 Canadians will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives. I have more than one friend who has experienced mental health issues to varying degrees. Maintaining the code of silence only further alienates those who identify.  The end result of ignoring the issue is simply not acceptable in a society that has come to terms with sex, drugs, drinking, cancer, etc… The data speaks for itself, in Canada, 12 individuals die by suicide every day.  In the Waterloo region, one of the most prosperous areas in the country, there were 52 reported suicides last year.

Given the unique and pro-active nature of the Self-HelpAlliance, they were the perfect group for what Help Portrait offers.  Help Portrait “is a global movement of photographers using their time, their gear and expertise to give back to those in need.”  Over the 6 hours we set the studio up, we had 15 different participants.  I am only showing a few who are willing to share their story.  From graduate students to comedians and Trekkies to families the day was filled with smiles.

Early next week I will deliver the CDs and the printed portraits and I’m excited.  In an age where most of our photos end up on computer hard drives, there is something so special about a printed photograph. The existence of Help Portrait provided that little nudge we all sometimes need to take a step back, appreciate how lucky we are, and evaluate how we can give back.

As a student at Laurier, I think I can speak for all the volunteers when I say, I don’t have the means to make significant financial contributions to the charities or NGOs I support but my time and skillset is certainly something I can offer. In a world that all too often inundates us with reasons to frown, the excitement that day generated and the earnest appreciation that came through on the faces of both the volunteers from The Cord and those in front of the lens reaffirmed my faith in Humanity. 

Back....with McKelvie

After a long delay, I really wasn't sure how to start this blog again.  For a time almost 100 people a day were coming to visit...Though the travelling, the photography, the design work, and the pursuit of a PhD hasn't stopped, the blog disappeared.  Being busy isn't an excuse but better later than never.  The best way I think, is to work backwards...

AND that begins with the amazing wedding of John and Tracey McKelvie...

I met John 3 years ago when he donned the zebra stripes and joined our Men's league hockey referee association. We got along right off the hop never taking the insults hurled our way too seriously and always laughing in the locker room rather than fishing for the comfort of missed emails and text messages.  With Johnny there is always time for a beer after the game.

We did the family shoot first and as you can see from the shoot this family has come together wonderfully.  It was here that I first met Tracey and, though John would probably cringe at me publicly announcing this, it's clear by his smile he couldN'T be happier.  Tracey and I often joked about how good it was her to take on another child in John but all kidding aside it's also obvious he also knows just the right buttons to push to make her smile.

here is the Engagement, turned family, shoot video:

The Wedding was done right - The kids played a central role acting as bridesmaid's and groomsmen; the speeches short but meaningful; the food was simple but delicious; the dancing was genuine; and the love between John and Tracey clear...  With Carla Jean Stokes and Nick Lachance, I think we were really able to capture their special day!

Thanks for letting me share your day...

Terzo in the house....

A few days ago I had the pleasure of working with Stefanie Terzo

Very few models I've worked with have the facial control and a love of playing for the camera like Stefanie.

The young Toronto model asked if I would take some head shots for her and then continue work on a few other themes - I didn't hesitate.  She has an incredible sense of style.

Always edgy and always powerful, the wardrobe is a perfect compliment to her confidence.

As always it's a pleasure to work with Stefanie and I look forward to the next time we find time to get you in front of the camera.

The Faces of California

In September I had the incredible opportunity to travel across the entire state of California.  While words don't normally fail me, I do not have the vocabulary to do justice to the beauty of the state.  It struck me that it in many ways the state reminded me of the beauty of Canada - with a more bearable climate, a desert, and a little more glitz.

I am going to post a few of these magical moments over the next little while. but if anything reminded me of home it was the people.  It struck me the moment I stepped on Venice Beach the first day.  Not long after, I decided to do my own mini project along the way.  Below are the Faces of California.

At the skate park on Venice Beach there were at least 60 guys and girls ranging in ages from 4 to over 50 who were motoring around.  This young man on rollerblades, saw the big camera and came skating over and said "Hey, Grab a pic of me doing a 360."  And off he went.  He nailed the jump, I caught the shot, he came to look at, smiled wide in approval and with that the Faces of California was born.

This one is kind of a bit of a cheat.  He was actually the bartender in a little shady joint just inside the Nevada Border across from a Casino on the state line.  It was late and everything in the desert shuts down at dark except 8 miles down the road across the border.  It took a little convincing to get me inside but as I sat at the bar and listened to this man's story from a travelling musician to bartender in a whole in the wall joint, t ended up being a great night!

At the end of the trip through Yosemite National Park I stopped to catch the view looking back one last time.  It was a popular spot and I wasn't seeing anything that everyone and their dog wasn't snapping away until I saw this man.  The big camera again focused the attention on what I was doing and after a few minutes of chatting I asked this fellow photographer if he would pose for a moment.  He was hesitant but soon warmed up to the idea and it is one of my favourites from the series.

All Along the route to Wine country, I saw these stalls.  So in the middle of nowheresville California the navigator came to a full halt.  This man, from Laos, owns his hut and is carving out his version of the American dream.  He had me in fits of hysteria as his broken English point to various pieces of fruit and how they made for great TV food.  A memorable random stop that simply makes me smile every time I see this photo. 

Though it was far from my favourite wine, there was such an endearing quality to this elderly gentleman as he methodically (a nice mature way of saying slowly) poured out the samples for each glass of wine.  

Finally, the coastal road had resulted in many run-ins with surfers along the way but for some reason it wasn't until the last day that I thought to add one to my collection.  Because I wanted him to represent all of the surfers I had seen along the way, I chose to silhouette him against the fading California sun.

It was an unbelievable trip and I look back with fond memories often.  The sights were incredible but it was the people who really bring back most of the smiles.

I've been away from blogging for almost a month and even still I've had a number of people still checking in so to you I say sorry.  I'm in the middle of preparing for the comprehensive oral exams for my PhD and that with the business as well as the influx of marking has not left me with much time.  That, however, is an excuse and I prefer not to make those.  So I'll be better... Until the next time...

Sylwia in the studio

Last week Sylwia and I got together for another shoot.  She had a few casual and high fashion ideas and I had a few projects I wanted to complete.

I have to say, we shared a lot of laughs that day and it's always good to test out a bit of the new lighting techniques on someone as personable and comfortable as Sylwia.

Sylwia is a science major and a first generation Canadian.  Her parents came here from Poland.  Though she is short, she has tremendous control of her facial expressions and makes for a lovely print model.

I'm looking forward to the next time I need a motivated subject...I know how to call on.

Thanks for the great afternoon.

Symplicity.ca is live...

Your Story To Tell...

For almost 6 months anyone who visited symplicity.ca was redirected here.  Today I am proud to say that www.symplicity.ca is up and running.  I wanted a unique site, a place where I could be proud of the design and the presentation of the portfolio.  Though the design section is still a work in progress, the photography section is exactly what I was looking for.  (for those with slower computers the Galleries may take a few seconds to load but in this case it was my decision to choose quality of the image over load speed).

I could not have done any of this without the exceptional hard work of Jason Freake, who despite following his numerous music and photographic interests, found time to work with me and my vision.  The final product speaks to the talent, commitment, and patience of that man.

I'm often asked when and why I started taking photos...what follows is my story.

A little over 6 years ago I first picked up a Digital SLR.  I was teaching English in Ulsan, South Korea and I was visiting a number of these incredible places.  I always picked up the postcards where I was but rarely did they capture what I saw.  Don't get wrong.  They were great photos but we've all seen them.  Out of season, or from a different vantage point, or Sunny when you were there on an overcast day.  They just didn't represent my story.  The small Kodak 3.1mp camera that had served me so well in Rome the year before just didn't seem to give me enough control.

A good friend in Korea, Gareth, was already snapping with a Digital SLR and after a few short times handling his camera, I decided to take the plunge into the world of prosumer photography.  I started capturing the beautiful places I was seeing and a funny thing happened - People started asking for prints.  I certainly can't dance, sing, play an instrument or draw much better than a four year old but photography gave me that artistic outlet I had longed for and I'm happy I get to share it with you.

Anyone close to me will tell you I dive into the deep end of my new passions and trust that enthusiasm, research, and hard work will keep me afloat.  In this case I devoured the topics of an online form - www.photography-on-the.net.  Perhaps stereotypically I tossed aside the manual for a more hands on/question and answer approach.  Understanding the gear allowed me to capture what I was seeing through the lens.  While bringing home personal memories remains an integral part of my own photography, capturing people, families, events, and the moments that mean so much to others soon became my focus.

We all remember the school photos where we had one chance to smile and maybe a second on retake day.  But that didn't capture us as individuals, as families, as communities.  I started taking photos of families, models and events soon after I touched down in Canada.  At Laurier, I worked one year for The Cord to test myself in a myriad of situations.  I bought strobes and worked with models to help both of our books but mostly so I could learn my lights - I'm still learning.  I did one wedding in 2006 and a number of family portraits.  The next year I started working with a Taekwondo Club and local softball club.  The following year I worked with a few musicians which really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and use my vision to help portray their art in images.  Slowly growing the company has allowed me the right balance of work, challenge, and education.

Along the way I developed my own philosophy on photography:  It's Your Story to Tell.  Your family is unique, your activities are your own, your events display your personality.  It is my job to capture those moments, not fabricate them in my own vision.  In this way I can honestly say, I'm proud of what I put in front of my clients and I've been humbled by those who return time after time to ask me to capture their wedding, their family, their event, and ultimately their story.

Thanks...

Working with Emily

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of working with the talented Emily.  In her freshman year she played for Basketball for Mount A before chasing her primary passion - Music.  She has decided this year to build her modelling portfolio and happened to be passing by my neck of the woods.

Emily is 5ft11 on paper but I think she's taller.  The step ladder came in handy to keep up with some of the poses.

She was seeking experience in front of the lens and this was another shoot for me work with my lighting and add to the 3 current art projects I have on the go.  Every photographer has their personal projects.  Mine are coming along but as always I'm rather shy about sharing them until they are completely finished.

Ironically, Emily is from Nova Scotia and currently finishing her final year at Mount A.  She was in Ontario visiting and we were able to meet up for a couple of hours.  I look forward to working with her again...

At one point, Kick Start my heart by Motley Crew came on my ipod and both Nick and I looked in shock as she knew the words.  The quick witted 21-year old, recognizing the look on on our faces, shot back with "I have a dad."  Well played Emily...