“ 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.

Meet Scott Mackinnon….and choose to either live vicariously through him, or follow his lead.  Heck, maybe even somewhere in the middle. 

Scotty Mack is a friend of mine from high school….way back when.  Although we have not seen each other in over 8 years, we have kept in touch from time to time via facebook, email, etc.  Scott has lived in Hawaii for the last 5+ years - and has recently taken on a project called “Myxtraordinary - 1 Year, 1 Life, 1 List”.

You gotta know a bit about Scott first.  You know those people that say extravagant things, have extravagant plans - but never actually does it?  Scott is not that guy.  For some strange reason, if Scott told me he was going to the moon, I’d believe it.  Many times I think that we discount those people that tend to brag about their dreams and goals - rather than do them…..but the difference is that Scott doesn’t brag about it, he does it.  And he wants to include people too, which instead of wanting to turn our backs and say “yeah, okay” - we want to watch, believe it - and sometimes even wish we were there!

I have not gotten to know Scott very much since our fork in the road.  My life went to babies, marriage, and busy cities……his to surfing, hiking and meeting people in paradise.  (Not saying either is bad - have you seen how cute my kids are?).  When I think of Scott, part of me thinks of the movie Cocktail….but with more adventure, and less mack-daddying.

Anyway - Scott has saved money, to experience one year in a way that no one ever has.  He has a list of accomplishments and goals, covering each week of the next year….ALL OVER THE PLANET!  A different place each week.  That includes boar hunting, signing on open mic nights, shark diving, paragliding, and climbing.  (Seriously check out his list - as it is impressive!).  Check out his thoughts, and his list here.

It is inspiring to see someone representing what we all struggle with.  We have to choose to create our life into something that we are proud of, full of no regrets, and full of excitement.  It has definitely got me thinking.

Anyway - Scott was on his way up to Toronto for the first leg of his plan, so I begged him to take 20 minutes or so for a photo op.  I just wanted to get a good portrait, and to grab the “superhero-ness” out of him…..but instead I connected with a good friend.   I cannot wait to catch up with him after his 50+ weeks of adventure!

 (Photographers Note:  this was my first attempt at using a full CTO gel on a 580EX II bare.  The first shot - the flash was not used)

I was so excited to cap off a very busy week with a beautiful little wedding at Toronto’s Old Mill.

I met Diana and Glenn as a referral from another great photographer, Jeremy Sale.  When a referral comes from another photographer, it is extra special.  I love the camaraderie and network that is shared among photographers.  Thanks Jeremy!  (Check out Jeremy’s blog here, when you have a chance - Jeremy = awesome work!)

Glenn and Diana have a great story.  Simply, they have been married for 15 years to each other and decided to get re-married to each other.  For a second wedding, they pulled out all the stops -  It was gorgeous!  What a great looking couple as well.  I was very impressed with the whole evening - and the atmosphere of being completely surrounded with your closest loved ones. 

Diana had a special request for the day, which was so thoughtful, that I couldn’t say no.  Diana had asked me to print portraits for her guests, and have them back to her before the evening was over.  That way, she could include these individual portraits (of her guests) inside a custom portfolio, along with a poem, to give to each one of her guests.  It was so great to see everyones’ reaction when the prints arrived! 

Here is a few shots from the evening.  Thank you so much Diana and Glenn for including me in your day.

Last week, I had the pleasure of shooting with Melissa…….

I am not going to bore you with my typing (because if you peeked at the images below - you are not listening to me anyway).  Melissa is definitely one of those GORGEOUS models that makes a photographer look good.   As I joked with her, “I am just pressing a button.”  Check out the shots of Melissa below, isn’t she beautiful?

And no - you cannot have her number.

P.S.  Melissa is a vetran cheerleader for the Toronto Argonauts.  If you would like an autographed Argo Cheerleader calendar from Melissa - they are $10.  Let me know, and I will figure out a way to get it to you.

Krista and I had an awesome time during Natalie and Andrew’s maternity shoot.  It is always great to meet new people, and in this case we left meeting some really GREAT people.  Have you ever met someone, and after you leave - you just sit back and think “Wow, they are just good people.”  That is how it was for Krista and I. 

…add to that fact - that Natalie ROCKED IT!  Look at these pictures…she is stunning! 

P.S.  I think “Adam” is a great name - FYI.