Learn to See Yourself with Compassion

June 29, 2012

Photo Session ~ Jillian

The incredible Jillian

Yesterday rocked as I got to photograph one of my favourite people to have in front of the camera, the wonderful Jillian.

If you’ve been following my photography for a while, she’ll be mighty familiar to you as we’ve done many shoots over the years. She’s a super talented aerialist (and also just got her Ph.D by the way) and she’s always eager to climb on whatever we could find for her to climb upon. Some of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken have been of her.

What made this shoot even more fabulous was that we came to do this shoot through a fundraiser. I was honoured to be able to donate a photo session to the fundraiser for the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre, a local organization that provides low barrier access to medical care for trans and gender diverse folks. Jillian was the highest bidder on my offering so we got to do another photo shoot while supporting an important organization in our community. What could be better!

Here’s a sneak peek of my shoot with the incredible Jillian.

June 25, 2012

Adventures

June 18, 2012

Sidewalk Wisdom

One of my favourite things about my neighbourhood (and there are so many things) is the sidewalk wisdom that I come across.

A few blocks away from my place there is a stretch of a few blocks where there are messages galore. That, plus the occasion chalk message make for pretty inspiring photo walks. I wonder who wrote all of them. Was it the same person or a bunch of them. Its kind of like a love bomb walking through these few blocks and I will confess I often take that route in my photowalk specifically to see them. Why not?

If you have any sidewalk messages you’ve come across, please don’t hesitate to share a link to your image! I’d love to see the wisdom you come across.

Also…there is always potential to grab a piece of chalk and write one ourselves, especially one we might need to hear!

June 16, 2012

Montage Magic

We’re just finishing up Week 2 (out of 3) of Montage and oh my…good things are happening. This course has me on my toes as it is the first class I’ve taught that is not photography based, but I’m so glad I went out of my comfort zone and offered it. I’m in awe of how many people are so eager to create videos, to explore it as a creative medium and especially in awe of the incredible work they are creating.

A few of the incredible participants have allowed me to share their videos! We’re not even done the class and they are ready to explore a second video (this can be a bit addictive, I should warn you). I’m also getting such kind feedback about the course.

One lovely participant, Janet said:

“I want to thank you for providing such a wonderful balance between the technical and the creative in making our videos. You truly understand both sides and have the ability to share that information in a way that is inspiring and reassuring. I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone creates in this class. Thanks for all the heart and soul that you put into your online classes– love ’em!!”

-Janet Boeke

I’ll never watch another video, movie, t.v. show, or home video in the same way after this class. One week of this class has opened my eyes in ways I couldn’t imagine. I’ve always affirmed that “I am not visual.” I am changing this affirmation to: “I see everything.” Between Rule Free Photography and this class, I can see myself turning into a Montage Maniac! Thank you Vivienne, for holding a safe, sweet, enthusiastic space to open my eyes.

-Wind Gypsy

There is another session of this class running this August. There is also an early bird deal for the class that ends tomorrow, so now is a fabulous time to dive in and join us!

And here are some of the participants incredible creations!

By Celina Wyss

By Colette Trad

By Lelainia Lloyd

June 13, 2012

A Sneak Peek of my Shoot with Kelly Rae Roberts

Another part of my trip was to meet up with the fabulous Kelly Rae Roberts. I’m working on something pretty fabulous for her website (more on that someday in the future) and as part of this creative goodness I also snapped some still photos.

We had such a blast being completely and totally goofy in public. So fun just being able to laugh and create at the same time!

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the goodness that occurred!