Jef Harris

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.

Back in the Summer of 2007 I did some work for a company called “Bolandi Classics“. Over two days, (one day was a night), together with model Samy Osman, (of Angies Models), we got some really amazing shots. Bolandi has now released there Spring 2008 Campaign complete with some of my unique work.
Working with the guys over at Bolandi was a great experience and really brought out the part of me that like to work clean and to the point. As I often work from the hip, with little prep. Yet even though we organized every button, every thread, we were still able to capture the life, the style of the suits. Testament to the great communication the crew had. What I love most about working with people here in Ottawa is the drive and determination to make a difference designers and models have. Of course not all have these qualities, but I always seem to end up working with people who I develop long term working relationships with. You can be sure to see more work from me and Bolandi, as well as from Samy. So here is the shameless plug. When in Ottawa, and your heading out to a major event and are in need of that luxurious style, head over to Bolandi, and tell them Jef sent you! Oh, and if you need a young hard-body male model who killer Calvin Klein looks will win you award, well, then Samy is your man!

The Fearless shoot was my first real chance to really plan a shoot that was (and is) unique to my creative bond between me with Alexandra Rodionova.
My personal goal was to compare fashion of today with fashion and photography of around the time I was born, (1967).
I used two full issues of Andy Warhol’s original Interview Magazine for the background. It was a tough choice cutting up those magazines. These are really rare and really expensive. If I wasn’t going to put everything I had into this it just wouldn’t be worth doing.
This was one of those shoots were everything came together. The hair, (Mark), the makeup, (Caroline), the outfit, the background, the lighting, everything.

Model: Alexandra Rodionova
http://www.alexandrarodionova.net

This set of pictures is the first in a two part series shot back in January of 2007 with Lindsay Ferguson. Lindsay and I had been trying to find a break in our schedules for what seemed like years. So we finally just said “let’s spend the day together out in the country!”. What we didn’t plan for was the amazingly warm weather. So we wondered around the beautiful town of Wakefield Quebec for the afternoon shooting all over the place. In front of the lake, around the Mill, etc. So many amazing locations. We cut it short to head back to a house she was babysitting to relax and eat. Nothing makes food taste better than working in the country! We had a spontaneous idea to do a Lindsay Unplugged video. So Lindsay grabs her guitar, I grab my video camera, and we shoot this video here.
Then we head into the bathroom to take some shoots of Lindsay that people weren’t expecting. In the bath! Is she nude? I’ll never tell! heh.
So head on over HERE to check out the full set of part one pictures.
And on a side note, seeing pictures of the gorgeous Lindsay is one thing, but you just have to hear her incredible voice and music to really appreciate the wonder of Lindsay. She’s just released her first full length Album, so you can either go to her web site and check out some tracks, or go to the iTunes Store for previews.
And of course it’s available on iTunes HERE.

Lindsay Ferguson
http://www.lindsayferguson.com