Made in BC Dance

My favorite event (so far) involved me crawling on the floor with my camera whilst wearing a sparkly jewel encrusted Princess tiara.
Last month I photographed workshops for Made in BC Dance's 'Breaking New Ground' conference. The 'Breaking New Ground' event is held in Vancouver each fall to connect presenters, dance outreach workers and dance artists. The conference featured workshops, discussions, performances and a whole lot of fun.
I photographed two workshops. The adult 'Community Dance Blitz' at the Roundhouse and the children's, 'Dancing the Parenting' workshop at the Dance Centre. I enjoyed the joyful playfulness of both workshops, but I had such a blast at the wonderful children's workshop.
Here are a few of my favorite images from the children's and parents dance workshop.

Made in BC Dance

Pride in Arts Queer Arts Festival

This year I immersed myself in art and community as the principle photographer for the Queer Arts Festival here in Vancouver, BC.

I met some incredibly talented individuals; I experienced poignant performances; I challenged myself photographically and I felt a deep sense of community and pride.

The Queer Arts Festival chose 'Random Acts of Queerness' as its theme for 2012 to honour the centenary of experimental queer artist John Cage.

Soprano Teiya Kashahara performing in the Queer Arts Festival's Workshop of the Opera 'When the Sun Comes Out'. Canada's first lesbian Opera, commissioned by the Queer Arts Festival, from Composer Leslie Uyeda and Poet Rachel Rose.

Pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaaasa and Soprano Teiya Kashahara performing in the Queer Arts Festival's Workshop of the Opera 'When the Sun Comes Out'.

Boulez contra Cage. Adapted by David Bloom from the correspondence between friends, John Cage and Pierre Boulez, two of the most influential composers of the 20th Century.

Flute/Piano duo Tiresias (Mark McGregor and Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa) performing a premiere piece by Simon Martin, commissioned for this performance.

Pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa performing a solo in 'Boulez contra Cage'.

My favorite performer during the festival. Kate Bornstein, Author, Playwright, Performance Artist, Gender Outlaw, Advocate and radical role model for queer youth.

Kate sharing the symbolism of the Ankh tattoo from her memoirs entitled, "A Queer and Pleasant DANGER".

"Do whatever you need or want to do in order to make life worth living. Love who and how you want to love. Just don't be mean. Should you get sent to Hell for doing something that isn't mean to someone, I'll do your time in Hell for you."

~ Kate Bornstein

It's ALL about the FUN

I strive to create an intimate connection and an atmosphere of fun with my clients. RE/MAX Real Estate Agent Connie Buna made my job so easy.
Wouldn't you want this person to help you sell or find your new forever home?
Connect with Connie here

Sometimes you just have to stop during a business head-shot session and take advantage of a fabulous photo opp.

And sometimes you have to end it with some drama and impact.

Thanks to Marlis Funk of Imaging by Marlis for assisting and her fabulous posing abilities.

Love at first sight

Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? I did when I met Lee. The minute I saw his sweet little face I wanted to photograph him. Thankfully, his parents wanted me to as well.

Dayton, he's got the moves like Jagger

Dayton plays the guitar, the drums and a mean Glockenspiel.

He knows the lyrics to every Jann Arden song and does her proud.

He's got the moves like Jagger.

Dayton is 8 years old and he's got it going on.

lovely linnea

Perhaps the funnest part of my boudoir session with Linnea was the moment we both decided that the bed HAD to go!!
Thank you Linnea for a playful afternoon creating beautiful images of all the lovely angles of your personality.

My summer with Marlis

I haven't had a new job in about 9 years and this spring I started TWO!!

Marlis Funk is a local wedding photographer who graciously hired this fresh out of school, late bloomer photographer as her assistant. I had such a blast this summer working with Marlis. I was what is known in the industry as a V.A.L. (a voice activated light stand). I also carried gear, occasionally took a photograph and most importantly, made sure Marlis did not fall off one of the high vantage points she likes to climb to get that perfect shot.

One of my favorite weddings this summer was Katherine & Benoit's beautiful wedding at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Their sweet 15 month old daughter Marlo was part of the ceremony and she added a playful element to the day.

Below are a few of my favorite images I took from Katherine & Benoit's wedding day. 

Thank you to Marlis Funk of 'imaging by marlis' for a wonderful summer as her assistant.

Just another day at the office....

If I knew last Tuesday morning when I woke up that I was going to be plunked into the middle of a massive convention of geeks, I would have worn my pocket protector.

Last week I was enlisted for a few hours to work the VanARTS booth at the SIGGRAPH Convention held at Canada Place. 15,000+ artists, gaming experts and developers, flim makers, students and academics from all over the world were milling about and we had such a blast creating some cool images for the visitors to our photo booth.

Occasionally there was a lull and we had a little fun of our own. Did I mention I love my job?

BEFORE - photo in front of a green screen with the deadly VanARTS FemBots Avery and Theo

AFTER - background photo artwork added by Mohit Mitra, VanARTS Game Art & Design