Viktoria with Moves and a Martini Glass

I've decided to let you all in on one of my personal projects.  I'm not really sure where the inspiration came from and I'm surprised this idea even popped into my head but it did:  "The Personality of the Little Black Dress."  It seems all the women I know have a little black dress.  Sometimes it's a fall back option when nothing else works, other times it's their go to number when the night is important.

My concept involves that favourite black dress, a martini glass (a martini is also always available if the setting is right), and a hobby/profession all rolled into one or a series of shots...  

I've worked on this concept on and off for four years but the others didn't seem to come together as I had hoped (that's the one thing with personal projects is too often they find a place on the back burner unless you make a concerted effort to stay true to the concept).  Today was the first time "The Personality of the Little Black Dress" came together as I envisioned it on that hazy Saturday afternoon in 2006.                                                                                

One of the first people I approached with the concept was Viktoria.  Viktoria is a phenomenal dancer and that skill has taken her around the world.  She certainly knows how to move to the music.  Almost three years ago we started scheming on how to bring it all together.  Europe, cruise ships, and last minute hiccups (mostly on my end) foiled our previous attempts but earlier today we finally managed to get together for a shoot.

We didn't stop there though and with her friend Sarah providing a myriad of one-liners we spent a couple of hours laughing and shooting away.

It's amazing how quickly people get to know one another and modesty goes out the window when the strobes are firing and the personalities match.  Before long, it was like hanging out with old friends.

With Viktoria's open mind we were able to try a few concepts with water that really turned out well too and meant that the floor got a bit of a cleaning too

Great fun today...Hope we find another time to work together...

A few more of Cindy and Jay

It seems everyone really enjoyed the first batch of photos, so I thought I would throw a few more up there for everyone to enjoy a bit more of their day.

Jay and Cindy

Yesterday I was in Niagara to capture a very special wedding. Cindy and Jay have been together for 16 years and just last year they got engaged. The two have long eschewed the big splash and the large gatherings. Their wedding was no different. They decided to jet off to Niagara. They had a second couple join them and act as a witness and asked if I'd make the trek from Waterloo to document their day. Aside from a co-worker of Cindy who had to prepare the bank draft for their ceremony, only those in Niagara knew the purpose of their journey. I've done more than a few weddings now and they all have their own charm, but this wedding was special. It was perfect, it suited their personalities and the smiles that adorned their faces from the moment I met them Saturday night until the final glass of Champaign Sunday was so charming.

This story has a personal connection. From here on I'm going to add a bit more detail and allow those who read to get to know me a little more through my posts...

I've known Cindy for more than 18 years. Her younger brother and I were the best of friends when they lived up the hill from my family in Rothesay, New Brunswick. A few years later, Jason started coming around. We were a lot younger but Jason and Cindy always treated us like we were essentially their age. As we all aged, geography separated us. One day in the fall of third year in a bar in St. Andrews, NB I ran into Mike, whose band was playing there (tiny little St. Andrews of all the places...). Mike and I got back in touch that year as best as email would allow. Two years later I left for Korea and began mass emailing everyone about the adventure. Mike forwarded the email on to Jason, who by now had become quite a web developer and he suggested I start blogging. before blogger and wordpress and the myriad of other free options, Jason created a lovely blog that allowed me keep an online journal of the adventure. Since then Jay and I have worked on a number of other web projects for my clients and share both of us share a passion for photography. 18 years later, the relationship is as strong as it ever has been and it was an honour to be part of their wedding.

The couple is now in Toronto for a few days and then off to the beautiful West Coast of Canada. I look forward to seeing them when I'm in Halifax next month.

Claire & The Swing

I have been shooting Claire since before she was born. Jessica wanted photos of her every three months. Down the road, I'm going to upload a little storyboard of those photos. For this post though, I thought I would feature Claire on the swings...she has always loved going back and forth on the swing and now she thinks she's a little adult and always wants to get on the big swing. Jess is precious with her, always allowing her to experience and satisfy the curious mind of an 18month old. It's lovely to watch the two of them and my job is to stand back and capture the memories...

J and Shai

I traveled to Milton on Sunday to shoot J and Shai. J is one of my closest friends, we work out together often and I do some graphic design for his new hair salon in Hamilton - Trade Secrets Hamilton PC. J's Girlfriend, Shai is 8 months pregnant and Sunday I did a shoot with them. Here are the photos...

Back To Venice...

Well folks, Venice is such a beautiful place, I thought I would take you back. Since, it seems that many of you enjoyed the painting-like photograph I put up earlier of the Scottish Highlands, I thought I would share this one with you...It's quickly becoming one of my favourite images...This was one of my final captures of our short two day trip...Shan and I will be back...

Photo a Day

I've decided to post a photo a day... I'm not entirely sure if it is a test of discipline or to add some regularity. I don't live a normal 9-5 life by any stretch of the imagination - Mondays, Thursdays, or Saturdays take on the same importance in my life. I am a PhD student in history and I also run my own Photography and Graphic Design company. In case that wasn't enough, I volunteer for a number of organizations, edit a local free magazine, and help in the management of an amazing independent musician (www.jarodparlee.com) among other more mundane activities. Ultimately I love making photographs and hopefully this will propel me to get out a little more and capture a little piece of wherever I am...



Cheers,