I have the privilege of being a part of the program, photographing this evening and again as they wrap things up by riding their new bikes at Joyride 150 on the closing evening of the program

The human story as told through photography, has the power to engage stakeholders, affect policy makers, and transform the internal attitudes and values of a community.

In her paper she flattered me beyond belief by talking about my initiative of Shutters for Change alongside Jeremy Cowart’s Help Portrait and Photovoice

Joanna had a number of youth and leaders of the Spring Garden youth Group participate by first sharing their thoughts on community and then by sharing their thoughts on how they view themselves.  The questionnaire was filled out at an event where I did a portrait with each of them.  They have been given copies of their portraits and a collage has been put together for them in the Youth lounge where they meet weekly.  One of the most telling questions in the questionnaire was one that asked the youth about a hardship that they have had to overcome.  Surprising, was the fact that one youth said that he had never stopped to think about these things.

I was honoured to be a part of giving them a voice and to have been thought of and talked about in the same breath as some truly revolutionary photographers.

Here are some of the images:

What Trevor didn’t tell me was that he called on one of his connections and had it snow the one and only time this year just for our little impromptu photo session.  (He’s kinda tight with the big guy)

Here they are, homemade maternity wrap and all!

Sherien is a repeat client that you may recognize from the film Colour Me.  Some exciting news about the film, the Bell TIFF Lighbox has picked it up and will promote it as a part of Black History Month!

Sheldon and Sherien were really fun to hang out with and shoot for the afternoon, here is a series from our time together.

All of that aside, last Tuesday night I was asked to photograph an event hosted by Amir of Integrated Appliances and KWA Appliances that was attended and addressed by Chef Michael Smith.  Chef Michael Smith spent time talking to a group of kitchen designers about designing kitchens for real life, while a chef prepared selections from his “Best Of Chef At Home” cookbook.

Chef Michael Smith is truly an incredible person!  What’s incredible about him is that he’s normal, and he cares about the things that we are supposed to care about!  it was those cares that came accross from this evening and it was those cares that he spoke to a group of kitchen designers about.  I left the evening inspired and with a handful of great images!

And a signed copy of the cookbook!

And every beautiful baby girl needs a proud bigger brother to help look after her.

As well as planned and agreed upon street shooting, I am also quite interested in the candid guerrilla style of street photography.  I have been reading and following a few incredibly talented street photographers as of late.  Thomas Leuthard and Erik Kim in particular have an inspiring approach to street photography.  If you get a chance to read their blogs, do yourself a favour and watch some of their videos on shooting strangers in the street.  I got out at lunchtime today and shot as though I was one of them, although they may say that I didn’t get close enough into people’s faces.

Baby steps.

Apparently this guy just couldn’t get enough of the camera.  He may have been my favourite too!