Under the influence of McNally with Jen Maslak

Jen is a very genuine, beautiful and fun person to work with. Not only is she a model, but also a mom and a floral designer [and yes she's talented!!]. I just met her that day, and worked with her for 2 hours, and already we talked like friends that had known each other for a long time. It made the shoot much more enjoyable. 

This shoot was inspired by Joe McNally, a truly gifted photographer, I'm one of his many admirers.  I bought the book 'Sketching Light by Joe McNally' almost a year ago. I flipped through it several times, and then put it on the shelf, feeling inspired. I created great work. So the other day as I was cleaning my room [thank god my mom doesn't have to see it] and rediscovered his book. I read it front to back. I again felt über inspired and asked on CFC if anyone could help me. Jen volunteered. 

I left my tripod at home [couldn't find the base plate] even though I knew we'd be shooting long exposure. So for some of these shots I had to trust my stability and IS lenses to keep the photos sharp when shooting at 1/15 second handheld, you try doing that! 

All these shots were taken at Big Hill Springs just 20 minutes north west of Calgary.  

My favourite camera accessory.

They are tough, inexpensive and they work! These flash triggers, the 'Yongnuo YN-622C E-TTL Flash Trigger' they have made my life of shooting photos much easier. Here are all the reasons you should buy them:

1. They have wireless ETTL, which is to say they automatically adjust their power to create a well lit image. That eliminates the need to go full manual and spend half the time spent shooting adjusting camera settings.

 2. They have a laser beam coming out the front. It shoots a target of red light to help the camera focus. And you know what. It works! When shooting fast paced events in the dark, be it music, dance, or any performance, it focuses within half a second. Prior to having these my camera simply didn't focus. 

3. They have high speed sync. Where previously with my cheap triggers I could go no higher than 1/250th of a second, which is unfortunate when shooting in sunlight and using off camera flash. I can now use flash all the way up to 1/8000 of a second. Put into use, I am able to keep my aperture set to a F 1.4 on my 50mm while adding a little artificial light. Win!

4. They work!! Not once have they malfunctioned, misfired or not worked and I've had them for nearly a year. 

5. A pocket wizard equivalent, with wireless ETTL, high speed sync and zone control costs over $200. EACH!! and these are $50 a piece. 

6. They are interchangeable. I can have the same trigger on my camera, or on a flash. They are all the same.

7. If I decide to shoot manual, I can adjust the brightness of the flash on my camera through the flash menu. I don't need to access the flash physically to change settings. So that allows me to place it in odd places and not have to touch it till I'm finished shooting. 

I have 4. I spent under $200 for all of them.  

You can buy a set of two for $85 on Amazon. 

Matt & Rossana Keay Wedding

I met Matt and Rossana for the first time in the Devonian Gardens a few months ago. I didn’t have a lot of experience shooting a wedding solo, as I was used to shooting them as a second shooter hutterite-style. Which is to say, we don't photograph any of the ceremony or reception, only group/family and photos with the couple. But they looked at my work and gave me a chance.

The day started in Hotel Arts, with steaming dresses, applying makeup, styling hair and for the men it started with a hot shave at London Barbers. I was grateful for the schedule sent by the wedding coordinator, Cheryl. A two page, minute-by-minute breakdown of the wedding. Which we surprisingly stuck to. It was vital in ensuring I captured the beautiful moments from both parties which were separated by a floor in the hotel.

After the ceremony, which was short and beautiful we all drove to Shaw Millenium [skate] Park in a limo. Matt is a skateboarder. We transformed the graffitied walls, the dirty concrete and skate bowls into our studio with some help from a powerful Alienbee Strobe.  It was at that time that I realized why I was so skinny. I run a lot when shooting.

After two hours of shooting, we drove back to the Hotel for the reception. A pink flamingo room greeted us, a theme set by the folks at Fusion Bollywood.

During the reception the Maid of honor, April, performed a stunning rap song about the couple. I was surprised by that one, and utterly loved it. And then there was the money dance. The guests pinned money onto the bride and groom and then danced with them to the music of the bride’s dad.

I felt ecstatic at the end of the day. I knew the photos were good. I have high expectations for myself, and that day passed every one. I want every wedding I shoot to be better than the last.

Thank you Florian Lim for your help on this fantastic, sunny day. And thanks to Rosanna and Matt’s friends and family for making it such a fun day.

Thank you Matt and Rossana for allowing me to be the witness on your wedding day. It was an honor.

Converse Shoes.. Yankees Hats.. and Skateboards

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Calgary Stampede

Stampede was a kick-ass this year for me. I was lucky enough to be one of the official @calgarystampede instagram photographers. That included enough tickets for me to go on every ride like 4 times, and get into most events for free.  

So I spent almost every day of stampede, at stampede. With friends and by myself. Wandering around, absorbing in the sights and emotions. And winning large teddy-bears at the shooting gallery where I shot stars out of a piece of paper. [I won that 4 times] They didn't let me do it any more.  

So here, is my colourful interpretation of what stampede feels like.