Here we are, roughly 10% through 2023 already. I thought now would be a good time to update this space and look back at the first few weeks of the year.

The first couple weeks of January were pretty miserable due to consecutive rainy days and overall dreary weather. I had little motivation to get out and photograph, but plenty of energy to work on getting myself organized and work on whatever I could from the comfort of home.

Work in Progress

One project I started was a kickstarter campaign for my forthcoming photo book, Duration. After going through the process of making my first photo book last year, I decided to try something new and make my book by hand. As of writing this post, I have created the book layout and have begun to acquire the materials needed to start bookbinding. The project has surpassed its funding goal of $500 thanks to the support of family, friends, and strangers from around the world. I plan to create some behind the scenes updates when I start the printing and assembly process of the books, so keep an eye out for that! If you’d like to support the project, you still have until February 28th, 2023 to make a pledge.

Portraits

If you’re willing to brave the cold of Canadian winter, you can still plan an outdoor portrait session. After hermitting through a couple weeks of rain and fog, I did just that.

Brie | 01.18.23

The first one took place on a relatively mild day, where frigid, snowy weather was replaced with mud and a completely cloudy sky. For winter photography, the conditions were quite favourable. There was just enough sunlight to work with in the middle of the day and the overcast sky softened the light, virtually eliminating harsh shadows and allowing colours to appear richer. Brie was great to work and chat with as we wandered a local park to find places to shoot.

Marina | 01.28.23

Another portrait session was a collaborative effort between myself and fellow photographer, Marina Black. The two of us decided to trade services and take each other’s photos to use on our websites and social media. The meetup has made me excited to collaborate with more creative folks this year, something I feel has been lacking due to COVID restrictions of the last few years.

The sun was somewhat harsh as it poked through scattered cloud cover. Luckily I had a neutral density filter with me to help control the highlights, which would have otherwise been blown out thanks to the reflective nature of a fresh blanket of snow.

Although outdoor winter portrait sessions can involve bitter cold and difficult lighting, images can end up with a wonderful moody quality.

If you are interested in booking a session with me I’d encourage you to check out my contact page.

Something New

In an attempt to push myself creatively, I decided to start a YouTube channel to discuss my photography. Getting in front of the lens was certainly out of my comfort zone, but I strongly believe that doing things that make you uncomfortable is crucial to personal growth.

This first video is a reflection on my year in 2022. Check it out and let me know what you think!

That’s All For Now

Those are my major updates for the first bit of the year! Doing this recap may become routine for me, to serve as a reminder about how much I’ve gotten up to. Sometimes I get so caught up in figuring out my next project that I forget to celebrate steps and stages of the journey. If any of this resonates with you feel free to leave a comment about it, or just share your thoughts on my work!

While I haven’t been consistent with blogging, please take a look at my previous posts for more reflections and thoughts on photography.