Encana building photo

While I was dropping off something at a friends place, noticed all the lights in the Encana building being built in downtown Calgary.

Teresa - business portrait

I got a call recently to photograph mortgage agent Teresa at her home. We did a series of shots - but we both really liked this informal looking photo taken in her dining room - looking into the kitchen. Turns out she was also a Calgary Flames fan. Had a great time doing photos of her and her sweet little dog.

Posing for the "photogencially challenged"

Just did a video and article on Posing for the Photogenically Challenged for my Portrait dedicated site - the premise is that when people were young, they didn't really care about the camera and were naturally photogenic. As they get older, some people become shy and awkward as they become overly self aware in front of the camera. This is a learned habit, and if it can be learned, it can be unlearned. This isn't a definitive guide to posing, but just some first steps to learn to relax and be natural in front of the camera, plus a couple of ways to just look better. You can read the full article at: www.albertaportrait.com/articles.php

Posing

This is a pretty funny video of Kelly Ripa "posing" for photos, and yet there is some truth to what she says here. I'm not really a fan of her's, just came across this one as I'm just about finished a video and article on "posing for the photogencially challenged."

Ashley in a box

I was fortunate to work the other day with model Ashley on a short video production and photoshoot (more on that in an upcoming post.) Playing around the warehouse we found this cabinet that I thought would be a fun place to put her for a shot.

We did this strobist style using a 580ex II (hotshoe style flash triggered remotely) on her, and another one pointed towards to the roof to pull some detail.

Christmas Day - pictures of ice and water

Christmas day 2009 - decided I needed to go for a walk and see what pictures were waiting for me. I live in Calgary near the Bow River and that's where I headed figuring the ice on the water always makes for something interesting to look at. While I was wondering around beside the river, one of the many people out walking their dogs through the area stopped and asked "What are you seeing?" Interesting question - not "what are you shooting."

I replied that I was seeing "shapes and forms, shadows and textures, stillness and movement - I like the contrast of the still ice and the motion of the water."

A few executive portraits

Had the pleasure last week of photographing RBC Investment Adviser Warren Armstrong and his assistant at the their downtown Calgary offices.

Cantaloupe shot

A piece of cantaloupe, a martini glass, a hammered aluminum bowl - grab the camera and see what comes out. Nice photographic diversion in the afternoon.

Family shots

A couple of shots from a recent family session I did in their home. They loved the shot of their son hamming it up. Very fun working with each of them - which I knew even before taking out the camera.

Kiva.org

I just did my first loan through Kiva.org to help a woman in Cambodia to buy seeds in order to become self sufficient. You too can help entrepreneurs in developing countries to move forward through these micro-loans.