This is a fun little shoot I have to share with you today. This shoot is based on a scene in the movie Paranoid Park. I never know what to expect from a Gus Van Sant movie, and this one really held my attention. I saw the movie on a Tuesday. The next day I get a call from a woman who wants to work with me. I told her that I was thinking about trying to bring the scene I saw in the movie into a photo, and she was totally onboard. So that Friday I found myself in bathroom with her in my shower. This looks like an easy shoot, but keep in mind that her eyes are open while under the running water. She did an excellent job helping me achieve my goal. Once we go what we wanted we just goofed around and went on to get some more great shots.
You can view the entire set HERE.

Do a search in Google for “photographer” under the Images section and you can be sure to find 100000s of pictures of photographers with the camera up in front of there face taking a picture of you shot.
So when it came time for me to enter this portrait institution I found myself bored and unimpressed. How could I challenge myself?
It wasn’t until LexXxy and I were planning our next photo shoot that I came up with the idea of her wearing a shirt with a print of me on the shirt.
Faster than you can say click I had the shirt made, on her, and up on all my portfolios! (No it’s not for sale! heh) My addition to the classic photographer self portrait.
Full picture can be viewed here.

Nothing is ever forgotten, ignored, or taken for granted when I shoot. You see what I see. Good or bad. Each picture holds at least one feature that’s stood out to me enough to bring the picture into my creative machine.Every shoot, every series has a piece of puzzle that revels to me one more characteristic of my complex interaction reality.
This shoot is another fine addition to my never ending testament of my love and passion. For photography, style, and amazing women.
Full set of pictures can be viewed HERE.

Normally I would talk on and on, giving each picture a story of such detail. But for this series, I wanted to bring out my personal side. So I bring to you my mystery. My love of mystery. Never will I talk about what these are pictures of. I will say this. These pictures are indeed photos. Except for the framing set up, no modifications where used in creating these effects. These are all in camera.

The city by night, the city by day. Forcing focus, forcing contrast. Bring out the basic shapes and colors of what we see everyday. Sometimes the light hits the lens just right and there’s no point in even trying to focus.

All photos can be viewed here.

Prints are also available here.

During the Summer of 2006 I did a test shoot with Rozalind MacPhail. Most photographers nowadays use the term “test” shoot as another way of saying, “shooting for free”. It used to be called T.F.P., (Time For Print). I on the other hand use the term in it’s full meaning. I literally don’t know if I’m going to get along with the person who I’m working with. Now most people can be shot well, given a good make-up job, a nice hair do, some nice cloths, great location, and some killer lighting. I look more for the connection between me and my model. Even using the term model is a stretch for me. The people I work with are my inspiration. I would even go so far as to say my reason for doing photography in the first place.
I had known of Rozalind, and her music for years, and have always wanted to shoot with her, but never got around to it. Then one day I find out she’s leaving Ottawa!!! So I jump on the chance to work with her. I had to know if we had that vibe. To me, the results of this shoot, are extraordinary. I’m just in love with her style, her look, her grace. Sadly, most don’t share my view of these shots. But in the end, it’s about how satisfied I am with the work I do.
Rozalind and I did end up doing another shoot a year later when she was passing through Ottawa, but you’ll have to wait for those.
Take the time to listen to some of her music on her MySpace page HERE, and then check out the full set of photographs HERE.