It's NOT the Camera

I am always admiring images, paintings and graphic work which got me thinking about how they may have been created.
Our first thought is the creator must have this really expensive camera when it comes to a photograph? In some situations a good camera may be necessary but in the end it comes down to the person behind it and not the gear.

You may be thinking where is he going with this, well it has been a while since I gave myself an assignment. It was time to challenge myself but not with my digital SLR's, keep it simple. I always have my smart phone with me which has a built in camera and you can not get any simpler than that. It turned out to be a great way to sharpen my visual senses and have some fun. Sandy and I love to go for walks near our home no matter the weather or time of day. Most are from our walks, with a few from road trips. 
Here are a few that I have taken one step further and converted to HDR images, let me know what you think.

Dyke in Richmond

Ship yards in Steveston

Fish dock Steveston

Campbell River

Boardwalk Steveston

Boardwalk Steveston

Gary Point Richmond

Granville Island Vancouver

Granville Island Vancouver

On a ferry to Vancouver Island

I am still changing myself how about you? Hidden talents and great images are your rewards.

2010 Wrap Up

This has been one year to remember with hosting the Winter Olympics in our backyard and making new friends from all over the world.
I had a first look and created images of a device that will reduce harmful emissions from diesel cars. We had a couple moments that stood out and pushed our creative skills. We were told a story by parents with a young son that would ask why he was not in the family portrait with his brothers and sisters. When I delivered the wall print his comment was "now I am in the picture". We sometimes forget just how important a family portrait can be in preserving a moment in time to look back on and smile.

We also had a couple tell us that they had never had a professional portrait created and were nervous about being in front of a camera. I told them that it was perfectly normal to feel that way and not only would we create a beautiful image of them, we would also have some fun doing it. They now have a wonderful canvas wall print and a special image of them with Harry in front that they used on the front of their Christmas cards. I just love this image of the three of them.

A few weeks back I had some fun with the music directer at our church who needed a press image announcing a special Christmas Eve service.  He was going to take us back to the Middle Ages. I brought my full studio light gear, set everything up in a way that I thought would create a certain mood of light for the choir.  Then it hit me.  Keep it simple with only a couple of light sources for a moody low light as it would have been back then. Well I guess it worked because they made the front page of our local paper.  Simple  can be better.

It has been a good year for Sandy and I and for that we would like to thank all our clients old and new.

Merry Christmas to you all and the Best of New Years.

Goodbye Summer

Wow what a great summer and the weather was good to.
The buzz word was Family this summer. Families with pre school children to collage bound young adults and of course the Grand Parents. We all have our own family picks but that person behind the camera is excluded from the family memories portrait.
Hey when you have a pro behind the camera no one gets left out and your picks are a tad better? Good? No they are Amazing.

Enviromental Assignments

Every business has jumped on to the environmental GO GREEN bandwagon these days and naturally they require images to showcase the direction being taken. I have received commissions for a number of Green assignments over the past few months covering composting, diesel emissions and city works yards going green. How great is it that I get to see these initiatives local companies are implementing to create a better world for us to enjoy for years to come. When it comes to going green it can be as simple as printing on both sides of a piece of paper, using rebuilt ink cartridges or walking to the corner store and leave the car in the garage. I have thoroughly enjoyed all my green assignments and hope you can see it in the images I have created.

The Best Time To Be A Photographer

This is my 21st year as a professional photographer and yes it does get better with age. You build this wealth of knowledge which helps you with every assignment, and you hear your clients confidence in your skills reflected in their comments about the finished product you delivered to them.
A happy client has a two fold effect, yes you are bound to receive repeat business but in some rare situation's you are also able share you client with a fellow photographer in another city and province, now how cool is that. Last year I was the recipient of such a referral from a photographer in Quebec, so this year I was able to pay it forward to a fellow photographer in Calgary Alberta.

We have a great college here in Vancouver which prepares the next group of professionals for the photographic industry. One of my major clients contracted me to help with the development of a unique live location portrait session to be held in the middle of the Olympics. One of the requirements was to have a retouch-er on location for the full 7 day shoot. I thought what a great opportunity for a student specializing in retouching not only as a practicum but to also help pay down that student loan. We are still talking about the great job she did and if any of you photographers that may read this need a great retouch-er give me a call and I will forward her contact information to you.

Well that is it for now as I am preparing for another 2 day live location portrait shoot near the Shopper Drug Store in Oakridge Center Vancouver BC.

HDL Christmas Party

Wow it is now 2010 and great things are on the horizon. The last event we covered in 2009 was a blast thanks to Kelly and Paul from HDL Construction. Here are some of the highlights for your viewing pleasure.

My Last E Session of the Year

I was so honored when my nephew and his fiancee ask us to capture their wedding in 2010.
So we had to do an E Session and here it is.