Baffin Lake
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A few weeks back I joined up with my good friend Brock and trekked out to Baffin Lake in Kananaskis. Brock was gathering pieces for a project with his on going series Shot at the Dark, a body of work recording amazing musical talents. I needed the day out of the city, to get whisked at by the wind and adventure down some rad paths.
Bring some shots of the woods into your life
Here
Also keep an eye out for the shoot from Brock
Here
Thank You
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It has been 2 weeks since I came to share the full video for the Family Comes First project.
In that time it has had over 1500 plays on Vimeo. I don’t even know 1/10th of that many people.
So the first thank you is too all who have taken the time to watch the video. Without your willingness to view the project it couldn’t be headed in the amazing direction that it is going.
Thank you to my great friend Brock. The man that I came to first to help with the project. Thank you for being so open to the story that I threw at you over those coffees. Thanks you for the hours logged behind the camera and in front of the screen editing such an amazing piece.
You can see more of Brock’s amazing work at
Shot At The Dark
Thank you to Lori Ray. The amazing social worker at the Tom Baker. Without your initial drive to push for projects on Unit 57, I could not have been able to start this project. Thank you for the continued help and support to not only me but all the patients that come through your amazing presence.
Thank you to the Moreno family. Thank you for opening a few hours of your day to spend with me. Your strength and love were amazing to be apart of. Thank you Aaron for opening up to me with your support. I will never forget to “Wake up with a smile and then goto bed with a smile.”
Thank you to my Mom for being willing to share the story of our life as opening as you did, especially with a camera in your face.
Thank you for the love and support from my other loved ones Delaney and Kendra. You two are awesome!
Thank you to everyone to who as come to contact me with amazing stories from their lives. Your willingness to be so open with your responses are very heart warming. In some cases I know how hard it must be to also contact me especially in some of the circumstances. Your honesty is truly brave.
Thank you to the following people and groups for getting behind the project and sharing the story in their way.
Irene Seto and the Calgary Is Awesome Team with this amazing write up – http://bit.ly/V2BVnE
Steve Berra and the crew at the Berrics for putting forth a new spin in the skateboarding – http://bit.ly/V2Cbml
Global Televsion Calgary – http://bit.ly/V2CFsT
Drew Anderson and FFWD Weekly team for the awesome right up – http://bit.ly/V2Df9Z
Everyone thank you.
My Why – Family Comes First
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Just under one year ago, I came to realize a way to turn light on the hardships of cancer. I set forth to start my Family Comes First project. So for the past few months I have laid low as I started this project with the support of some amazing people.
The video above is the result of working with an amazing friend Brock. Not only does it show the full scope of the project, but it has come to show why I am a photographer.
Thank you for watching. Please share with anyone that you think could benefit.
Thank You
Brock Mitchell
Lori Ray
Green Family
Aaron Moreno Sahagun and his family
David Brunning
Mom
Kendra
Michelle’s Birthday Photo’s
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For Michelle’s birthday back in August, Kendra arranged to do her makeup and style her clothing for a fun shoot around the apartment we were renting. After the process of dying, straightening, curling, applying and matching I was able to shoot a few different looks of Michelle to celebrate her birthday.
If you want to celebrate your birthday with a styled shoot, please contact me. I would be super excited to do this again!
The whole shoot is
Here
Time In Front of the Lens
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Back in August I surprised Kendra with a trip to Vancouver, images from that trek
Here
The images above are some of our favorites from what I took her across the country for. To spend some time with Kendra in front of the camera and in this case in front of many cameras. We were models for Day 1 of FIND. We had such a blast getting all these photo’s.
Thank you to all the photographers that created images for us!!
The shots above are from an awesome friend of mine, Jon Canlas. You can see his work
Here
Girl You a Model?
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Yep this day Kendra was a model. Me too actually. These are the shots the morning before modeling for FIND. The house we rented provided amazing light for this shoot before our big modeling debut.
Doubles
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With new cameras brings me new opportunities to create new portraits. Coming to learn more about one of my latest cameras led to testing out double exposures. Surprises like these are the result. I am more than floored with these new possibilities
Surprise! Vancouver
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In the middle of August my surprise plans for Kendra finally came. I had organized for Kendra and I to model for the Vancouver FIND workshop. We were going to be one of three couples to be photographed by all the attendees at the workshop. All this being a surprise to Kendra till the day before we were going to model. Ya it was pretty crazy to do to Kendra. The reason behind it though, is being together for 8 years and having only a handful of images together. So why not just have 14 awesome photographers to make up for that. That is exactly what happened, an amazing experience for us and a I reminder to me why I photograph.
Prints are
Here
Summer In Toronto
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For July and August we made the trek out to Toronto where we had a sub-let in the heart of the city. Those 2 months were spent catching up with amazing friends, eating a ton of awesome food and general exploring of the city. O ya and tons of delicious Americano’s, Toronto has amazing coffee shops!
You can view the full shoot
Here
Teaser – Up On The Roof
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These shots are a teaser into the shoot with Michelle. It was a blast celebrating her birthday this way. More to come from this awesome stylin girl.
Miss Muscles
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After a trip to PEI, Kendra arrived back at our apartment with the best tank top!
Summer Snacks
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With Summer comes the amazing food of local farmers. These are just some of the treats deliciously enjoyed over the past few summer months.
Summer in The City. Calgary
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When the sun comes out its time to cruise the city. These shots were taken during the first few months of Calgary’s summer, as I wandered in the wonderful warm temperatures
Sunday Supper
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Every week I set aside a day to head over to my mom’s and have dinner with her. This Sunday supper, Kendra came along as well. After probably pestering them for long enough before hand, I captured these shots. So much fun to be had at a dinner.
An Awesome Birthday for Lulu
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This amazingly fun birthday above was such treat for me as I was traveling through Utah. Lulu was the lucky birthday girl who is one of the amazing kids of Jon and Callie. They soaked in the crazy fun that is Chuck’e Cheese, as I spent the time playing catchup. I am so thankful to spend this time at this birthday. It was a great refresher to spend time with these awesome kids.
If you have a birthday planned for your little one, contact me to photograph the amazing day. I would be beyond stoked!!
Travels – Keep Portland Weird
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That might not make sense unless you have been to Portland. As it has that statement boldly written in giant yellow letters across a whole wall downtown. The weirdness has a charm though, as tons of things are local and handmade. I was lucky enough to trek through the city with my friend Jon Canlas. He’s the tough looking dude above, under the 7-Eleven sign. Even though he looks all rough and tough, he is the exact opposite. I am thankful to have had many awesome experiences with the man.
If you goto Portland and want some amazing food, check out Pok Pok the most amazing Thai food I have ever tried. O ya and if you find yourself by the Keep Portland Weird sign, you better try Voodoo Donuts, the bacon maple is unreal along with the grape!
You can grab some prints of this weird city
Here
An Escape Just Down The Block
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For awhile now anytime I feel agitated or stressed, I slip on a pair of shoes and trek out into the neighborhood. This trek led from my mom’s house to an escape just down the block. That escape was Fishcreek park, an always beautiful site especially as the sun creeps lower down the sky with its golden light. It is just easier to breath and relax when walking through beautiful nature.
My Sisters First Tattoo – A Tribute To Our Father
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My sister has been wanting a tattoo for awhile now. Which I fully support, as I have a few myself and would be stoked to see her get one. After a few ideas being thrown about for the last few months, one finally came to stick.
My sisters first tattoo is our Dad’s signature. His signature was always the same. From the first birthday card we were not even able to read to the final letters he wrote to us before his passing. It never changed.
So excited that my sister finally got her first tattoo. It was awesome to finally photograph her with it!
Dad’s
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The memories of Dad still linger. Objects of his past float through the house. Whether it is the small things hidden in drawers untouched. The one’s tucked under cases that bring other times back to life. They all jump into sight making me think. Making me remember. Hellish times that have come and gone. Reminders to keep photographing all around me. Photographs that can bring up better feelings down the line.
Walk To Inglewood
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Spent the afternoon trekking over to Inglewood all while enjoying the sun and company of Kendra. These images are the were a small portion of the adventure. Its amazing to discover random works of art. The one above is just off of 9th ave under the railway before you crossover to Inglewood.
Moving Out – Nothing Stays The Same.
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Nothing stays the same, everything changes.
With this change our apartment came and went.
The last few days were pretty hectic, so Kendra and I were going a little crazy.
Thankfully beautiful light gave me the chance to shoot for the last time in our space.
Next place place, everything changes.
My Time in Utah
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Back in June I trekked down to the Salt Lake City area of Utah. I have come to meet fellow photographers that call this place home and decided it was time to see the area for myself. I had the awesome opportunity to stay with my friend Joe who I had not seen since last year in Seattle with him being my tour guide of all areas south of SLC. This visit came to put many faces to the names I have come to know over the internet like Mister Joey Early shown above with his trusty Leica. It is so amazing to get to know individuals over the internet but nothing beats the human connection of real life.
If you wanna hang one of these on your wall, come get them Here
Beauty In Odd Places
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While wondering ally’s of Calgary I started to notice beautiful lines moving up into the sky. These shots were with my friend Brock as he filmed me for a personal video. It is something that I can’t wait to share, albeit how scary it is going to be.
Get prints of these for your walls Here
My Girl
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If you have met me, it wouldn’t have been long before you met my girlfriend Kendra. Incase you have not met me, here’s an early chance to meet her here. Instantly this image blew me away. I don’t really remember taking it, an amazing benefit of shooting film, beauties like these just appear! Being my girlfriend I think Kendra has finally become accustomed to the camera being turned on her. This was no different as had acquired a new camera. There was a bit of struggle to get this shot, its sometimes a hard sell to convince her for a portrait. So glad I persisted to get this. Its pretty to me on so many levels. Soon to be hanging printed on our walls.
A Day With the Dinos
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So they are not real dino’s. It’s still rad to visit the Calgary Zoo and see a place that we have not seen since childhood. Getting out with my loved one and adventuring the zoo was tons of fun. I should plan more adventures like this more often. Well an awesome puppy just came over for a visit, I am gonna finish and have a play around with him.
Happy Birthday Mom
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Awhile back my sister and I planned a surprise dinner for my mom for her birthday. We had dinner at the top of the Calgary tower. In our typical o so serious fashion the first 20 minutes upon getting seated we spent it joking around and wondering if we would be able to stomach our meals as we started to spin in the revolving restaurant. Thankfully my super queasy stomach settled before our food arrived. Yes I a have a super weak stomach.
I hope I inherited as many of moms, age but do it looking years younger than she actually is, genes as possible. As she looks amazing and is still having a blast hassling me and making me laugh.
Since I know she will see and read this post. I want to say again, I love you, your awesome, lets keep laughing together. I love you.
Architecture of Calgary
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You can order Prints Here
Mast Brothers Chocolate
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This awesome shop in Brooklyn produces some amazing chocolate, so many flavours packed in. If you have not heard about these guys get to know them Here.
Buy your prints
Here
Afternoon Nap
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Sometimes you just got to bask in the warm afternoon sun and grab a nap.
A Beautiful Brooklyn Apartment
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This beautiful Brooklyn apartment was the apartment of friends of friends. This was the most unreal place. It was exactly what I thought a Brooklyn apartment could be. Everything came across perfectly in place, with such amazing light.
Buy your prints
Here
Andrew “Daniel” Ching
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This is one of my closest friends Andrew. Crazy thing is he lives in Boston and this was the first time I had seen him in over a year. It goes to show when you have awesome friends, doesn’t matter how long you are apart, it just seems like you just left off. I get to see this rad dude real soon we he treks home, bringing along some good ole’ Americans to the Great White North.
New York, New York
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This was a trip that was planned by my Mom and who was awesome enough to treat Kendra and I to, along with my sister. It was amazing to get to experience New York again, especially with more of my loved ones.
Buy your prints Here
My Friend Brock
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Brock is one of my close friends. We have come to share a ton back and forth over the past few months.
His work is purely inspirational as he is 100% dedicated to the stories he showcases through his film work.
You can view his personal work Shot at The Dark which showcases amazing musical performances by Canadian singers and song writers.
He is also apart of the team down at Deluxe Design Group a Calgary based production boutique.
Under and Above Calgary
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You can order Prints Here
Details At Home
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You can order Prints Here
Some of my Friends
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Hawaii on a Holga
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Portra 800 Pushed +2
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This is might make really only make sense to you if your a photographer.
These two shots are on Portra 800 film having been pushed +2.
This is pretty unbelievable. It allows me to capture beautiful colour in dark situations, without having to worry if its too slow to hand hold.
If your a photographer that is planning to shoot film or already do, Richard Photo Lab in Los Angeles is the amazing lab that processed these for me. You need to work with them if you want beautiful constant results like this. Get to know them
Here
My Neighborhood, Lower Mount Royal
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You can order Prints Here
Shopping Carts
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You can order Prints Here
One Year Ago
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One year ago, I lost my father.
This is probably news to most in my life, as I barely shared it.
I hate to say it but it was for the best. 5 years of battling cancer had ravaged his body mind and spirit. While this happened I came to learn a lot about him and myself. There is not one day that goes by that I don’t think about him, sometimes imagining what we could be doing together.
Over this last year I have come to get to know tons of amazing people and have come to know that I want to help others around me. From this I have come up with a personal project to reach out to the Calgary community.
Full details can be found
Here
I know it’s a hard to talk about cancer as it took me this year to finally do it. However if you know someone in the Calgary community that would want to be apart of this project please pass along the link however you can.
Downtown Calgary
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You can order Prints Here
First Time With A Holga
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Looking Up and Down
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Teeth Cleaning
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The person I owe so much, my Mom. I love you.
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You can order Prints Here
Montreal
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Film Is Not Dead Seattle / Jonathan Canlas
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Everything is personal.
I chose to goto FIND on a bit of a whim and a 15 minute encounter with Jon a year prior. Jon’s work had power behind it and looks real good.
I don’t expect this to be the reason why you would go. I got what I needed from the workshop and I would think that the 12 others alongside me got what they needed aswell.
I learned and realized WHY I photograph.
It was from the honesty that Jon showed the reason why he photographs. I learned why he does the work that he does. This was exemplified through a unfortunate part of life that happens to us all, that happened to me months prior.
The loss of men that were our fathers.
It blows.
It hurts.
It maddens.
It’s something that that the both of us might deal with for our lives.
This re-affirmed the biggest yet shortest question.
If you can answer this question, I believe you can build the foundation to any photographic or personal goal in life.
The hours that I spent with Jon over three days and all the people around me in FIND, helped me answer why for myself.
Yes Jon showed it all and taught a damn lot. You will learn a ton about film and business.
Above all though you will see and get to know the best thing of life. Love. Love from the heart of a man, that is amazing and real enough to show you that love.
“I am going to shoot you in the face.” Jonathan Canlas
Galaxie Diner
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You can order Prints Here
Golden Light 2
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Bowling Night
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Brian
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Tons of laughs had with Brian.
This Cool Dude Is 2
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This cool dude turned just over one week ago. It is amazing to see him grow up from the tiny little baby that I got to meet less than 48hrs after his birth. Can’t wait to experience more fun times with him and his family.
