Lost at Sea

A few months ago I posted this photo:



to my Facebook, and when amazingly talented Stef Toews asked me if I'd like to shoot something like it I jumped on the chance. We did a series as her entry to the Contessas contest(A Canadian hair competition), with a nautical/overgrown theme throughout. This was shot in the oldest brick building in Vancouver's Gastown, which is apparently haunted. I was hoping to see some ghosts in the photos but they were either camera shy, or not interested in digital formats. These were all lit with a small square soft box.

Crystal

Yesterday I was walking home from picking up some retro inspired swimsuits, and it was such a beautiful day out and I decided I wanted to shoot. I sent Shawnna a text message asking if she'd be in, and she replied that she was with a model we knew from Vancouver. A phone call to her agency later and we were good to go! Dat from Dat Salon had messaged me wanting to shoot too, so we got together and started our shoot. Sometimes the last minute things are the best.

Crystal with Next Models
Make Up: Shawnna Downing
Hair: Dat Salon

I flew back to Vancouver yesterday for my workshop, and it's kind of nice to be back for a few days. The sunset flying into Vancouver was stunning, so I couldn't resist taking a few photos of it. Vancouver really is so beautiful, I tend to forget. This post is cloud overload, I'm aware but it was hard to help myself. Every time I get in an airplane I'm taken over by my childhood desire of being able to walk around in the sky. That, and it has the tendency to remind me of mashed potatoes.

Magpie Darling

This was the last shoot I did in Vancouver, just over a month ago! Working with amazingly talented Nicolette Lang-Andersen as styling, Aaron Wozlowski doing make up, Kara Gilbertson in charge of hair and modelled by Jules Aspinall. Our inspiration was flapper/20's style(I adore this era), but with a slightly modern twist. When I was trying to find a model for this shoot no one seemed to be available, so by chance browsing through Model Mayhem I came across Jules and decided to give her a shot, and I'm glad I did. This was one of her first shoots, and I think she was a perfect fit.This was shot later in the afternoon/evening with natural/existing light, and towards the end I was slightly worried as to whether there was enough light. However, I'm kind of pleased with the slightly grainy moody feel to the photos that the night and higher ISO gave, so things worked out. This is also the first magazine cover one of my photos has ever been on!

Adrien

I seem to shoot at Carnivals and Fairs quite frequently, but there's just something magical about the combination of rides, fried food and bright lights. I had never shot at one at night though, and after shooting Adrien for Noir Masae's lookbook we decided we needed to shoot again. I had been meaning to go to the CNE, so things just fell into place. Fried butter is something I don't think I need to ever try though. Wardrobe was provided by amazing Anastasiya Kayevda, and make up was done by Shawnna Downing. and despite the hoards of people I think we came up with something lovely.

I was asked to shoot a lookbook for up and coming line Noir Masae, we ended up in Yorkville, got ready to shoot, and then it started to rain. We ended up finding this little undercover area with a giant silver pillar, and it seemed like a good spot to shoot. The silver background gave it a really clean sort of futuristic look that I liked. These are the more 'creative' photos from it, they remind me of superheroes. Adrien with Peggi Lepage/Velocci brought this shoot to life, here are the photos!





Adrien was wearing an amazing hat, so we had to do a couple shots with that as well.

Marta

For this shoot my idea was to do something a little gothic, lots of sheer black clothes mixed with leather, and shot somewhere foresty. Finding 'forest-y' locations in Toronto wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, this is the dog park across the street from my apartment. Climbing in trees to shoot makes for beautiful bokeh, I'd do it again any day. It was a blustery day, and this was right after a down-pour and a thunderstorm. However, I think the cloudy skies made for great light and gave a softness to the shoot that wouldn't have been there had it been sunny. Some girls seem to have this magical quality that makes you never want to stop shooting, Marta is one of these girls.

Marta with Peggi Lepage/Spot 6
Make Up: Shawnna Downing

Tia

My friend Tia recently signed with Ford and moved to Toronto as well, so we decided to shoot. On the drive in from the airport I spotted this beautiful building that looked like someone had stole it from Rome and planted it beside a beach, and I finally got to shoot at it. The perfect late afternoon sun made the shoot magical.







Tia with Ford Models
Make Up: Shawnna Downing
Styling/Photo: Kim Akrigg

Test with Jillian

Jillian with Peggi Lepage
Make Up: Shawnna Downing
Styling/Photo: Kim Akrigg

Someone mentioned Sugar Beach to me when I first got to Toronto, and described it as 'white sand and pink umbrellas', and as soon as I heard that I knew I needed to shoot there. It's a short walk from my place, so early yesterday morning Shawnna and I walked over to shoot with Jillian. It was beautiful and empty, and the sun was just coming up. The slight breeze made it perfect, and the little bit of sun was perfect as it ended up raining later in the day. I was told that Toronto is ugly, but whoever was telling me was misinformed because I keep finding the most beautiful places here.

Mouna

Test shoot with beautiful Mouna with Peggi Lepage. Make up by Shawnna Downing. The windows on my apartment are the dreamiest thing going on in my life right now.