A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a small company from my old stopping grounds.  TAS Communications in Belleville contacted me to help them take a creative portrait for a newspaper ad to showcase the nationally recognized accomplishments of their team.

Any excuse I have to put in some face time with the parents, smell the aroma of the Bay of Quinte, and take pictures - I am there.

As many commercial jobs go - there is always tight deadlines, so I immediately started working on sample composites to show them my early vision.  On one of my trips that way, I did a drive by - and took a picture of their building through the window of my car to use for the mock ups.  Thankfully, they liked the direction - and we were off to the races!

We met for about a half day - a very cold day - and tried a few poses and arrangements.  A big “shout out” to Amy, who helped me as a light stand and as a creative director for them.  When I get HUGE - she is my first call to recruit as a CD!

After the shoot, we made selections and retouches in a matter of a day……then we worked on the design of the half page ad - and in less than a week, Voila! 

It was such a pleasure working with a client like TAS.  Check out the copy - and the actual paper below!

Now first - I hesitated on writing a blog post such as this, for fear of assuming a title of having a “man crush” on Mr. Chase Jarvis.  (The title was just a hook to get you reading - Although, I think someone at my table admitted to a man crush on him - right Luca?).  I want to make it PERFECTLY clear that I did not wait in the back ally by his tour bus, or sneak under any of room service’s trolley carts to his room…..but I am a fan.

A few weeks ago, I jokingly called out to Chase via Facebook/Twitter after someone was requesting an appearance in their city by saying “Since peeps are making requests, how about Toronto?”.  Surprisingly, he re-tweeted my comment mentioning that he was going to be in Toronto in November.

Long story short long, Chase was here thanks to CAPIC doing a talk about social media.  I followed up with Chase via email, and he sent me the details on where to be, etc.  I snatched up a ticket and headed downtown to check him out at the Gladstone hotel.  The talk was incredible, filled with relevant information and stunning imagery.  Chase’s usual goof and wit made it seem like the room of 150 people was like 10 people.  He danced to his rendition of a Madonna song - and always had a beer close by to keep things light.  I much prefer speakers that have beers in their hands, than laser pointers.  I guess that is why I sucked at college.

Flatteringly, (is that a freakin word?) Chase even used me as an example - which scared me a little.  In the middle of his talk he stopped and called out “Where is Adam…..Where is Adam Belnap…….?”

*Gulp*  I raised my hand.  Chase then came down off stage, shook my hand and in front of everyone and said “Nice to finally meet you”. 

So that is really the point of this blog post.  I have finally made it because I have had the blessing hands of Chase Jarvis touch my forehead, and therefore I am officially a better photographer than all of you.  Yeah - right.  That’s not it at all.  (And just to eliminate the creep factor - he didn’t touch my forehead at all….we just traded swine flu through a hand shake.)

Chase was using me as an example for his lesson, to show that through social media it has connected Chase and I, regardless of any status.  That social media puts you out there, affordably, and officially so that you can be recognized and acknowledged.  Chase has looked at my work, simply because of social media.  Chase even joked about watching my son take his first steps on skates by way of Facebook.  So yeah - maybe I was an example for Chase’s lesson because I am using social media to connect with people…or maybe the guy just thinks I am a stalker, and wants to be nice to me out of fear.

At the end of the night, Chase signed my book “To Adam, so great to finally meet you in person.  You inspire me, Chase.”  We got a picture, chatted for a second and then…….whoa, whoa….yeah you read that right.  Chase said I inspire him…..are you calling horse jizzunk on that as well?  Yes, maybe he was referring to my use of social media, however it is nothing to be inspired on compared to what he does and how many followers he has.  Or maybe he was talking about my photography……..LOL….Okay, I am laughing at that too.  Okay CJ…if you are out there, are you full of poo?  I appreciate that it makes me a big wheel….but really, you are full of poo.

Oh crap - I sound like a needy 13 year old girl at a New Kids concert. 

I saw Chase’s sidekick Scott taping the talk, so hopefully they come out with a video on it - because it is really a must watch.  Besides, how else am I going to proove that we are best friends? 

In short - there are a couple things that I realized about Chase after that talk:

1. He is taller than I pictured.
2. He is nicer than I anticipated.
3. His realness makes him smart and cool.
4. His book is kick ass. 

You gotta check out his book.  It is a collection of…are you ready…of iphone pictures!  There is a tonne of pictures, high quality images taken with a low quality camera.  He preaches that the best camera is the one that is with you, and that stunning images are everywhere.  This book prooves….it.

Find more about the book here- and buy it, and the app, and a t-shirt…and buy his other book, and send him a tweet, or a facebook, or a blog post, or an email.  Tell him Adam sent you. 

A couple pictures from the night:

I have been back and forth on some funky packaging ideas for sometime now - and have used a variety of options for the presentation of disks and prints.  I purchased a bunch of these little CD folders a while back - and really, really like them.  They are often my go to option for my CDs that are included with our portrait packages. 

I love that these are recycled, and the colour matches our logo!  We added a little ribbon - and voila!

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of hanging out with Simon and Cheryl.  We are shooting their wedding next year, and met on Sunday to shoot their engagement pictures. 

They live north of the city slightly - and I am about 45 minutes east of Toronto as well, so I was so happy when they agreed to come to my new studio to shoot.  I didn’t just take the studio for the space - but also all the funky things to shoot around it as well.  There is lots of little spots to shoot, with a nice mix of industry and nature to use.  We spent about 2.5 hours together - and over 300 pictures!  The best part is that we didn’t have to walk more than 50 meters from the building.

It was a little bit if a drive for them, but I think they were happy to see all of the places to shoot in.  One of our favorite shots - is when a train came shooting by.  We used it to our advantage I think….as well as all the natural light.

So - get to the pictures right?  Well, here are a few quick selections (click on the picture for the full version)…..comments welcomed and encouraged!

“ Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.” – Imogen Cunningham

If the wedding is as stunning as the invitation from Tammy and Zac - we are in for something special. 

I was so excited to see this invitation in our mailbox for their big day.  I am not sure if it is customary for the photographer to receive an actual invitation - but I was very honoured to receive one!  It is so special to be thought of in this way - that I had to blog about it (and to show off these awesome invites!)

Check these out!  Aren’t they beautiful?  I love the print and the font, the classic colours - and the layout.  If you could feel these, the paper is incredible - and these puppies have some weight to them!  (Be sure to click on the images to make them “big”.

Tammy and Zac live in Las Vegas, and are getting married in Lake Tahoe in December.  Tammy and I connected via my Twitter and facebook, and thankfully she likes my images!  They are flying us out to shoot their wedding in Tahoe in a few weeks - and we cannot be more delighted and honoured to be a part of their special day.

Way to go guys!

That’s it.  That’s me.  I am a Photographer.  I capitalize it, because it’s a title.  And I say it because I believe it. 

I am reading a blog post, by way of the exceptional Zack Arias on FB, by Cheryl Jacobs.  Okay, well - I have not finished reading it yet, but that is because I got stopped in my tracks.  I got stopped at the part where she wrote:

“Learn to say “I’m a photographer” out loud with a straight face. If you can’t say it and believe it, you can’t expect anyone else to, either.”

I’m a photographer.  Many of you know me as such, and not by my day job.  I have all the “stuff” that is a photographer.  I have studio lights, flashes, big and small.  I have stands and booms, and softboxes and dishes.  I have cameras as well - two of them to be exact.  I have all the gear - and even the “duct tape” that the professionals use (Called gaffers tape).  I am legit……ummm…right?

A few months ago, my family and I were having a mini vacation in the Collingwood area of Ontario.  While the kids slept in the hotel room bed, I started this exact same blog post.  However, I never finished it.  I guess deep down - I was not convinced.  I knew I wanted to be a photographer, but I was not ready to call myself one…regardless of how many “paid” gigs I was getting.  I guess I thought I was faking the funk. 

So then today - I read this blog post here.  There is tonnes of advice in this article, that could almost make me cry.  It is hitting home.  I am done worrying about finding a style, or about what gear I DON’T have (Except for this).  I am only going to worry about taking my pictures, and hopefully people love them.  What does that mean?  For me - personal projects.  Lots of shooting.  New ideas.  Investments into new concepts.  Meeting people.  Finding people.  Shooting people.  I am not a guy with a camera.  I am a photographer.  Anyone want their picture taken? 

 However, the biggest thing of this entry is simple.  Be what you want to be.  Convince yourself of that, and make it happen. 

Maybe I always was…..but today, I am a photographer. 

Yet again, I am so far behind in blogging.  September really rocked me, as we literally had multiple shoots every week.  Then you add back to school, and all the studio stuff - it has been crazy!

I owe a post though - and what better way, than showing a couple of my quick shoots that I had last week to break in the studio. 

Today’s post is of Aleks.  Aleks and I have been communicating for a while now - always trying to set up a time to finally shoot.  The funny thing is, (and I just found it out during our shoot) is that she literally lives only a few blocks away from me!

Aleks has only been modelling for a short period of time, but in that time - she has certainly made it!  It drove me CRAZY to see her images from other photographers that I follow and love, as it made me want to shoot with her even more.  Aleks has most recently been selected to be in the 2010 Toronto Sun Sunshine Girl calendar.  She just doesn’t take a bad picture.

Anyway - here is some quick edits to some of the shots from the quick shoot we had.  I am looking forward to shooting with her again, as my studio is always open for for her.

(Click on each thumbnail to see it BIG - I’d love to hear your comments!)

A few weeks ago, while trolling facebook….I saw a callout for something I had always wanted to do. 

Months ago, I had met Leanna Gosse at a workshop that we attended together in Toronto.  I remember sitting at the workshop eating my lunch, and this girl was wandering around - just taking funky detail shots.  She was looking at every corner, every wall, every ledge - looking for optimum spots to shoot with.  I was instantly impressed with her passion to get every last awesome shot.

So her status on facebook one day was that she was looking for a second shooter for an upcoming wedding.  September was going to be a busy month for me - but I had to act fast, and see if she would let me second shoot for her.  I had never second shot before, so I was a bit nervous - and totally would’ve understood if she had wanted someone with more experience in that respect.  But she said yes!

For those of you that don’t know - a “Second Shooter” is simply another photographer that helps the primary shooter for event coverage.  This usually includes splitting up some of the required pictures, taking shots of the details of the day, or candid moments that the primary photographer might not be able to grab because of his/her other duties.  Further, it is important for the second shooter to make the day easier for the main photographer.  Carry bags, get things that are needed, make arrangements behind the scenes, or hold lights and set up gear. 

It sounds like a bad job, eh?  All the grunt work?  NO WAY!  I had a blast with Leanna.  She lined up amazing pictures, had everything organized and easy to use - and was so great to see her work.  I think we collaborated well, and covered the day very well.  We shot alot - I think we went through almost 45 gigs of pictures!   I was so lucky to be able to work with her - I learned a lot, and loved seeing another photographer at work.  The one thing that I learned the most was to get more comfortable shoes!  (JK)

Also - we included a photobooth, which was a blast….and is defnitely something that I am going to try to incorporate more of.

So check out Leanna’s stuff - she is amazing!  I am currently trying to wrangle her up to do some shots for us…so get in line!

Holy Moley!  I am so sorry for the delay in putting up a recent post…..but I have some exciting news!

We have a studio!  Yes, we have been busy the last couple of weeks (but mainly this last week) with the details of what will be our new space.  A couple evenings, and all this weekend we have been painting, moving, and re-doing what will be our new studio space.  Check out this panoramic shot of the studio, and read on:

Okay, Okay….with this shot, it doesn’t look like much to some of you (and thankfully to others you can see the potential that this place has).  Here is a breakdown of where we are at, and some of the changes you will see from this picture into the finished product.

• All of the pink, purple, or any other funky colour has been changed to white.  In this picture, there is a dark purple wall behind me that has changed to white as well as the yellow/pink/purple wall on the right is now white. 
• The double doors that go into the small room at the right hand side, is actually an old elevator shaft that has been converted into another room.  We are going to be making this a change room - but also used for make-up, hair, and wardrobe. 
• The rainbow that has been painted onthe edge of teh floor will be gone - some how, some way. 
• Underneath the second window bank, is going to be our sitting area - leather couch, chairs, pillows, etc. 
• The brick wall at the end of the studio will be a small gallery, and occasional seating as well.
• To the right, in front of the change room will be a table and chairs, for client meetings, proofing, and the occasional desk. 
• Where I am standing to take this shot is the (ironically) the shooting area.  It is approximately 30′x 15′, with obviously a lot of room to move around the entire studio to shoot.

Anyway - just wanted to let you know what I have been up to.  Fitting this in after work, and on the weekends has been exhausting - but I will try to update this as we go along. 

On a side note:  Krista and I shot the most amazing wedding last weekend for Dorothy and Mike, and will blog about it soon.  There is just too many pictures that we love!  Stay tuned.