I read this wonderful article about clients I worked with this fall – Hibco
You can read the story here. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/hibco-construction-edmonton-food-bank-donations-giving-back-1.5397949
They truly are a great group of guys!
I also did some work on a house they’d built out near Wabamum. It is gorgeous.
Doing business branding portraits for Edmonton business people and entreprenuers is one of my favourite things to photograph.
I met Orest Zwozdesky at a conference at least 5 years ago. He remembered my name and contacted me when he needed to update his photographs for his business. I was pleased I’d made that much of an impression and I was really happy with how these photos turned out.
I’ve started working with Virginia Potkins who runs Special Events by Gina Miller She also needed some updated headshots for her website. (She has lots of interesting things planned for the next while.) You can follow her on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Event/Special-Events-by-Gina-Miller-2084507124965396/
I also photograph for Business in Edmonton Magazine – which I really enjoy because I get to meet so many interesting business people. For this coming month’s issue, I got to photograph Mark Katzeff of Mark Katzeff Designs He’s an award winning jewelry designer and his work is spectacular. (I’m looking forward to having some pieces made).
There is a lot more that’s been happening in my fall, but that’s all I have time for for now!
Alberta Avenue is an amazing place. It’s been my home for the past 13 years and its amazing to watch it grow.
This year, Special Events by Gina Millerhosted the Alberta Avenue Business Awards Gala to honour the amazing businesses that help to build the Avenue into the special place that it is.
Bedouin Beats won several awards,
Including Business of the Year.
Otto (the amazing sausage and beer house) won Excellence in Business award.
There was entertainment
I was priviledged to be asked by Healing Hearts Edmonton to photograph International Overdose Awareness Day this year.
The crisis of dirty drugs is killing brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, daughters and sons. Every single one of the people at this event thought it could not happen to their family and they don’t want it to happen to yours.
The take away message was: tell your kids not to do drugs, over and over. Then then tell them if they do – this is how to do them safely, because the chances of them coming into contact with fentynal laced drugs is very, very high. (Don’t do drugs alone. If people in your circle use drugs, get a nanoxylone kit and learn to use it. Know the signs of overdose. There is a Good Samaritan law in Alberta – if someone you are with overdoses and you call 911, you will not be prosecuted, even if you have or are using drugs).
And politicians. Please look at what Portugal is doing and change how we do things here. Too many people are dying.
Documentary photography for businesses is one of my favourite things to do. While in New Mexico a few weeks ago, I photographed my sister who is a beekeeper.
She’s pretty cool.
I had the opportunity to photograph this beautifully restored Art Deco building on the corner of 97th Street and 111 Avenue. Originally the Blue Cross Animal Hospital, it was bought by a Anna Bubel and Marshall Hopkins and completely renovated.
The (very interesting) story of the building’s renovation can be found here: https://ratcreek.org/a-collective-effort-created-a-unique-building/
Hopkins runs his law office out of the main front building. There is a second suite on the first floor with 5 rooms, two common areas, a kitchen and bathroom and upstairs are 7 rooms, two common areas, a kitchen and a large patio. (room count approximate!)
If you’re interested in renting the space (which is very reasonably priced), give me a shout and I can connect you with the owners.
And if you do, the yellow office with the two sets of windows, the curved wall directly off the patio is mine.
The law office on the main floor.
This is exactly the tile pattern I used in my house.
The common area upstairs
I had to photograph the details (Isn’t the Alberta door cool?)
The upstairs kitchen
My room
The entrance/common room on the main floor
You can find out more about rental opportunities here: https://decolicious.ca/
This was another one of those great shoots. I had free reign to move through NAITs Productivity and Innovation Centre for Kerr Interior
Lying on my back in the middle of the floor. Rolling around on the ground. I love my job.
Kerr did the walls (curved walls are a lot harder than you think), and the baffling on the ceiling.
If you know of any construction businesses that would like to document the work they do, please pass my name onto them!
This was one of my favourite shoots ever.
Barrhead Museum has an old map they wanted photographed as they are restoring it. It is a bit of a hike from Edmonton to Barrhead, so I suggested that to make it worth their while, I could photograph some of the museum’s artifacts while I was there.
This was all entirely selfish. I am one of those geeky people who gets in trouble for touching things I am not supposed to. Occasionally I drool as I am staring intently at an object while I wonder who used it, and how many hands touched it before it wound up in front of me (just kidding about that part!) I love history and was thrilled to to this shoot.
This museum is worth the trip. While the building itself is small, the artifacts are meticulously displayed by theme. For example there is a “smoke shop” area; a war area, police artifacts and an amazing taxidermy display, amoung others.
A First Nations fishing basket, with quill work. Restoration work done.
Copper pan in the midst of being restored
Vegetable food grinder. (I’ve seen meat grinders but never for vegetables)
Xray machine
Violin (I believe from the 1700s)
Grain mill
Its fascinating to me that this is in a museum. It makes me feel old!
Telephone exchange
This display is amazing. I am no fan of big game hunting – my thoughts: “if you kill it, you eat it.” (something I have said to small boys throwing rocks at seagulls, on more than one occasion). But, this collection was donated to the museum, and its really impressive. I never thought I would get to photograph a zebra or a warthog, or a cheetah!
The museum is open May to September, but if you are up there outside of those months, they may open by appointment.
This was the most stellar fall I think I have ever seen in Edmonton.
I am generally not a fall scenery photographer type person, but this year the colours were spectacular.
I love that I found these maple leaves in rainbow colours!
We don’t often get a good display of reds in fall here in Edmonton (I know, because on the family photography side of my business, I need to keep track of what is turning and when) but this year, I think the long cool fall, rather than a freezing cold snap, let the trees change colour more slowly. These trees are stunning.
This summer was a bit of a whirlwind. I was being treated for breast cancer over the summer and was working full time as well. (By the way, I absolutely recommend you check into your disability insurance. I can hook you up with someone who is wonderful at this. I certainly wish I would have got on it sooner, because working while dealing with a health crisis is a bit tricky!)
That is why I have not been posting, but here are a few of my favourites.
Carolynne Melnyk is one of my favourite subjects. She is so joyful and enthusiastic. We headed out to the Devon Botanical Gardens on a smokey summer day and got these lovely shots. You can see more of what Carolynne does here: www.livinglifeinjoy.com
Karen Gregory is a psychologist who works mostly with children, and her dog Ben helps them out. Karen Gregory
This year in my community, we’ve had a wonderful addition – Norwood Dental
Dr. William Chin and his partner Amanda Neilsen have fully integrated themselves into the community, participating in everything from arts festivals to community leagues. I’ve worked with them over the summer to create a library of photos. They are incredibly welcoming and kind, and strive to make dental care a comfortable experience.
This is Amanda, and the team.
