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13 PORCHTRAITS: IMAGES FROM ISOLATION 17
L IAM MACKENZIE BEAUTIFUL, MESSY, WILD, AND DYNAMIC By Ali Penko
22 L YLE XOX: ABOUT FACE By Paul Gessell
26 Q&A: XVXY PHOTO By Rita Godlevskis 30 YUCHO CHOW CHINATOWN THROUGH A WIDE LENS By Catherine Clement 39 FRESH FACES: THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN PORTRAITURE 49 READERS GALLERY Submissions by our readers
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PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS OF THE SELF AND OTHERS ARE PERPETUALLY INTERESTING,
“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” — Edward Steichen
but now, more than ever, faces unguarded by masks may be a particularly welcome sight. Images of full faces and the stories from intimate portrait sessions have always been a staple of photographic storytelling. Given the year we’ve had, we may now be cherishing these images and experiences with a deeper intensity. Whilst the COVID global pandemic paused most things, the creative community found ways to work around boundaries. Photographers across Canada continued shooting, either in the form of selfportraiture, such as the beautiful, messy, wild, and dynamic images of Liam Mackenzie, or from a distance as the #PORCHtraits trend took off, documenting people and families isolating at home. In this issue, we are thrilled to share stories of resilience, connection, and community from diverse photographers who dive face-first into portraiture. Our “Fresh Faces” feature shares work by recent photo school students from
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across the country. They are the “ones to watch” going forward. Looking into our past, we’re excited to have discovered the story of Yucho Chow, the man behind countless family photos between 1906 and 1949. Now, a very special project spearheaded by Catherine Clement is helping to fill in gaps in Canadian history. Somewhat unbelievably, our next issue will be our sixtieth printed edition! Yes, it’s been over 20 years since photoED was founded. Our next edition will take a fresh look at black and white photography. If you’ve got a project that takes black and white image-making to a new level, drop us a line! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and sign up for our e-newsletter to keep up!
Your Editor, Rita Godlevskis rita@photoed.ca
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FALL 2020 ISSUE #59 ISSN 1708-282X
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Rita Godlevskis /rita@photoed.ca
Ruth Alves Catherine Clement Paul Gessell Ali Penko ART DIRECTOR
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Our recommendations for more portrait project inspiration PORTRAITS: CANADIAN WOMEN IN FOCUS
#BREATHEBEAUTY PEOPLE REACT TO BEING CALLED BEAUTIFUL
by Barbara Woodley Prices vary - new and used copies can be found In the spring of 1989, Barbara Woodley began documenting some of Canada’s most inspirational women. She travelled across Canada several times over three years to meet some of the most remarkable women of this country, women who have achieved success in a wide range of endeavours — from sports to politics, from business to the arts, from law to humanitarian works. This book features 66 stunning portraits, including the notorious “bare shoulders” image of Kim Campbell.
FREE on YouTube SHEA was a student at the Chicago High School for the Arts in 2015. Her YouTube channel now boasts 98K+ subscribers. We thought her Integrated Arts class project video, turned social experiment, was worth mentioning, and worth five minutes of your time. bit.ly/2x3Vz1N
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RANDOM IS MY FAVOURITE COLOUR FREE on CBC Gem Random Is My Favourite Colour is a feature film showcasing the internationally renowned artist Lyle XOX. Growing up as Lyle Reimer in a small prairie town in Saskatchewan, his work now spans the globe. Lyle XOX is now at the forefront of a new medium that fuses recycled objects with high-end art, to worldwide acclaim. gem.cbc.ca
UNDERSTANDING PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY HOW TO SHOOT GREAT PICTURES OF PEOPLE by Bryan Peterson $17 digital + $36 print Bryan Peterson explains how to use lighting, setting, and exposure to reveal the wonder and joy of everyday moments. This updated edition includes new sections on capturing the perfect selfie, how to photograph in foreign territory while being sensitive to cultures and customs, how to master portraiture on an iPhone, and the role of Photoshop in portraiture. chapters.indigo.ca
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Let’s put things into perspective During uncertain times, there’s nothing like photography to focus your attention and keep you grounded. Whether you shoot for a living or do it as a sideline, your ability to cut through the clutter and see things as they are truly sets you apart. In your quest for perfection, you know where to turn when you need some direction or just want a new piece of gear to help you up your game. This year, we’ve all been challenged in ways we never expected and, as always, Vistek has been there to help you realize your creative vision. Ready for a new camera or lens? We carry the latest models from all your favourite brands. Looking for studio equipment or peripherals like a
state-of-the-art printer? We’ve got a selection you won’t find anywhere else. Considering giving videography a try? Vistek not only stocks the best gear available, we also have knowledgeable staff who are just as passionate about this and eager to help you make the right choice. Something else to consider: Vistek Rentals – the perfect solution to meeting your short-term goals and an opportunity to spend time with coveted equipment without committing to purchasing it upfront. We’ve covered all the angles, so that you can, too.
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SOCIALLY DISTANT
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Across Canada and around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped us all in our tracks. Photographers who thrive when working with people were faced with an unprecedented situation.
C
reating documents of family life and using photography to foster connections and community is not an unusual part of the job. Social distancing and home isolation became a barrier, but working within confines often breeds the highest levels of creativity. In the season of quarantine, lockdowns, and “Stay Home, Be Safe,” photographers persevered to find a solution. In spring 2020, a trend emerged. #Porchtraits (porch portraits), #DoorTraits, and #WindowPortraits became a way for photographers to maintain social distance and document families during this extraordinary time in history. Understandably, the photo trend faced contention from some health officials and professional organizations; but, ultimately, and quite clearly, the photographers and participants have created documents of our time, intending to unify and uplift. We asked three photographers from across Canada about their experiences.
N8 IMAGES Victoria, BC
Nathan Smith is a self-taught portrait photographer. Growing up in Jamaica, he enjoyed a tropical life: weekends at the beach in his childhood, dirt-biking in the hills as a teen, and crewing on a sailboat as a young adult, learning life lessons from the captain and working as part of a crew. Shortly after moving to Canada in 2014, he picked up a camera for the first time and discovered a deep love for photography. One project
Nathan is especially passionate about sharing is his ongoing series Profiling Black Excellence, where he documents the stories behind instances of racism or racial profiling faced by people of colour in Victoria and Vancouver. What made you decide to start this project?
I always strive to use my photography to empower my subjects and benefit community. When lockdowns began, I was worried that I didn’t have anything to offer my community.
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When I saw a CBC article about photographers Pat Kane and Alistair Maitland doing door and window portraits in their communities in Yellowknife and Whitehorse, I thought that it was such a great idea. I was inspired to do this in my own neighbourhood. What has been the most challenging part of portraiture from a distance?
The most challenging part of taking these portraits, in all honesty, has been not being able to hug my friends or the people whom I’ve met who have become new friends. I’m a person who loves physical contact and I love hugging my friends. What has been the best reaction from a socially distant portrait session?
The best reaction I’ve had to a portrait session was from a woman named Laura. She asked me take a photo of her, her mother, and her daughter on her daughter’s birthday. She told me that she’s usually the one who takes the photos for birthdays, so she was thrilled to have photos of the three of them together. She said that looking at those photos brought tears to her and her mother’s eyes.
n8images.ca IG: @n8images
DHANI OKS Toronto, ON
Dhani Oks is a commercial photographer, mu lt i media producer and community programmer. He has worked with Vice Media, Canon, Arc’teryx, Virgin, lululemon, Roots, ScotiaBank, and many more. What made you decide to start this project?
I had already been walking around my neighbourhood with my camera for a number of months thinking about a community-based project. When COVID hit, I felt it was even more important to do something with an emphasis on helping people in need. I think it’s important to document this time and thought my neighbours might like to do so too. I printed up some flyers and delivered them to mailboxes on my street. What has been the most challenging part of portraiture from a distance?
I had expected more community interest in this
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JULIE VINCENT Calgary, AB
Julie Vincent is an award-winning commercial and documentary photographer. Her day-to-day work is focused on real estate and architectural photography. Documentary and street photography projects are her creative focus. Featured work includes a collaborative six-year street photography project, Tripping the Streets Fantastic, with her colleague Chris Tait. Her 2019 series, INDIAN. RELAY., with Jason Lawrence, documents an Indigenous extreme sport. Her upcoming project, SCAR, will survey the stories behind people’s physical scars. What made you decide to start this project?
I heard about this idea through the news. Yellowknife photographer Pat Kane had been making portraits from the street of his friends who were isolating. A photographer in Calgary had started doing this and had become overwhelmed with requests, so suggested others jump on board. I initially didn’t understand the importance of this work, but it became clear the families I was making these photos for want to make memories of these uncharted, unique times. These images document people during a significant world event and will be important in family archives when the situation is a memory. What has been the most challenging part of portraiture from a distance?
project at first, and that didn’t happen. I think people were a little skittish about interacting. Slowly, emails and text requests trickled in. I think sometimes it takes a bit of work to get people to open up. Soon, I had people from all over the city asking me to come and photograph them. What has been the best reaction from a socially distant portrait session?
Doing them justice. Fifty years from now, these will be images people describe as “Remember when…?” or “I was a little kid when that happened.” These images are no less significant than images made of people living through other significant world events. What has been the best reaction from a socially distant portrait session?
“Dhani, Thank you so much for our portrait. I have happily donated $50 to the Feed It Forward Meal Plans for Families. - Jenny.”
Two stand out for me: one was a note of thanks, as the #Porchtraits were their first visual documents as a newly blended family; the other was thanks from a couple who were set to be married and whose wedding has been postponed. Every story I hear is significant in terms of how people are coping, what joys and discoveries they’ve had whilst being at home, and the extent to which people find humour and peace in such unpredictable times.
dhanioks.com IG: @dhanioks
julievincentphotography.com IG: @julievincentphotography
I’ve had so many texts and messages from people who are now donating to Feed It Forward, a non-profit organization in my neighbourhood. Through this project, more families are getting healthy meals in this very critical time. Here’s my favourite email from a couple that lives on my street:
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“Animated,” from the Familiar Faces series, 2019.
: M A E LI KENZI C A M
BEAUTIFUL, MESSY, WILD, AND DYNAMIC BY ALI PENKO
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L
iam Mackenzie is an electric and passionate portrait photographer based in Edmonton who uses colour, movement, and fashion to explore themes of identity, gender, and sexuality. “It starts with an intense spark of inspiration,” he says when describing his creative process. He credits the small but energized local LGBTQ+ community as a huge influence for his creativity, describing the scene as “beautiful, messy, wild, and dynamic.” A graduate of Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (NAIT) Photographic Technology Program in 2017, Liam began taking photographs in high school. “Being a child of the Internet,” he says, “I found things that I liked and joined that community. For me, it was queer art, fashion, and photography. I knew I wanted to do something in those realms but didn’t have much experience with creating clothes and sucked at painting and drawing, so photography became my focus by the process of elimination.” Liam’s clients have included the Sports Network, Alberta Treasury Branches, Avenue Magazine Edmonton, and the Edmonton Men’s Health Collective. 18 photo ED
LEFT: Tender Queers for Rainbow Alliance for Youth of Edmonton, 2019.
RIGHT: Untitled, from the Familiar Faces series, 2019.
Regarding how he connects with his portrait subjects, Liam says, “I try to match their energies and never force them to be something they’re not.” Liam is committed to capturing his subjects as authentically as possible. He says, “There’s a drive, a desire in me to portray my subject to the best of my ability.” Also, Liam is upfront about a disability he has that affects his speech. He says, “I think addressing my disability allows people to relax and see me as a person as well as the photographer.” When asked about how people react to his photography, Liam says, “They are always surprised when I show my work. I think the people that I show my work to haven’t been exposed to queer narratives or that they just didn’t think I was good at photography but are surprised that I am. Always a fun reaction to observe.” Liam’s work has also garnered him a number of awards as an emerging artist of note, including the 2019 Edmonton InFocus Photo exhibition, NAIT Award of Photographic Excellence, and the Magenta Flash Forward Award for his series Familiar Faces. This ongoing self-portraiture project tackles themes of
“ THERE’S A DRIVE, A DESIRE IN ME TO PORTRAY MY SUBJECT TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.”
“Platforms” from the Familiar Faces series, 2019.
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identity, exploring both his sexuality and abilities. He says, “The announcement of the Magenta Flash Forward winners came at a time when I was seriously doubting my work. In such a vulnerable state, it gave me the motivation to keep creating and validated my style and work.” “Familiar Faces revives and expresses personal qualities I numbed and hid for a significant portion of my life. Growing up as a queer, disabled child, I created a bad habit of repressing myself out of fear. I would keep my disabled jaw silent to avoid people asking me, ‘Why do you talk like that?’ The repression was so strong I didn’t recognize who I was. It has taken years to repair the disconnection. This work allows me to explore and reconcile these qualities with myself, and bring them out of the dark.” Inspiration for Liam’s work comes from many different places. He says, “Photography is a limitless and fast-paced art form, and I feed off that notion. You could go from photographing a person for a corporate business, to documenting a drag queen. The possibilities are endless and it’s intoxicating. I want to encourage 20 photo ED
people to explore the idea that photography is limitless and wonderfully chaotic.” Liam speaks of his inspiration as an “intense spark” and says, “I shoot and edit the images as soon as possible to keep the spark alive. I try to write stuff down for future reference, but it rarely re-sparks the idea with the same intensity.” He goes on to explain a theory he has adopted: “A friend showed me a TedTalk called “Your Elusive Creative Genius” by Elizabeth Gilbert that explains that sparks of inspiration are from Ancient Greek spirits, and if you don’t create their ideas, they give them to someone else. I like this idea and the shift of accountability from artist to something mystic because it’s exhausting to be constantly thinking of ideas.” Liam’s aspirations for the future include creating a photobook or exhibition for his self-portrait work, shooting more commissioned editorial and fashion work, and, he adds, “learning some French so I can have an argument in French AND win.” Follow Liam on IG: @liammackenziephoto
“ THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS AND IT’S INTOXICATING. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO EXPLORE THE IDEA THAT PHOTOGRAPHY IS LIMITLESS AND WONDERFULLY CHAOTIC.”
TOP ROW FROM LEFT: “Privy,” from the Familiar Faces series, 2019. “Tender Queers” for Rainbow Alliance for Youth of Edmonton, 2019. “Vulnerability,” from the Familiar Faces series, 2018. Nimo Omar, 2019. RIGHT: “Disabled,” from the Familiar Faces series, 2018.
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“Sorry About Your Face,” from the Legacy series, 2017. 21 x 16 inch edition available; two artist proofs. © LYLE XOX
ABOUT FACE Lyle XOX takes self-portraiture to a new level BY PAUL GESSELL
“ Pet Therapy” from the Head of Design series, 2020. Three sizes available; two artist proofs. © LYLE XOX
IN THE WORLD OF FINE ART AND HIGH FASHION, HE’S KNOWN AS LYLE XOX. The XOX is a stand-in for the word “love.” But to the farmers of Wymark, a hamlet near Swift Current in southwest Saskatchewan, he is Lyle Reimer.
“I always felt like an alien,” the Vancouver-based Lyle says of his prairie childhood. His schoolmates played hockey. Young Lyle rode around town on
a unicycle. Even before primary school, he was designing costumes. He was into crafts and liked using recycled materials. He was ridiculed and misunderstood. Lyle XOX and Lyle Reimer will become one later this year at the Art Gallery of Swift Current with the exhibition Head of Design, a collection of photographs of otherworldly creations in which Lyle’s shoulders serve as the plinth for a face and head layered with makeup, wigs, and a bizarre assortment of recycled bric-a-brac. The results are fantasy characters usually found only in fairy tales, science fiction, or childhood dreams. Pleasant dreams, not nightmares, because these androgynous “living sculptures” are never scary. Rather, they are surprisingly approachable, with a sly sense of humour and loads of irony. Lyle says he initially thought of refusing the invitation from the Swift Current gallery. He eventually decided to go home again and accepted the invitation. “I thought this is a time to reclaim a part of myself,” Lyle said in a recent interview. “I see it as a big moment and I’m excited about it.” Lyle will not just be arriving as a boy from Wymark. He will be riding a wave of fabulousness as the creator of the book Lyle XOX: Head of Design; an Instagram sensation; the subject of a CBC Gem documentary called Random Is My Favourite Colour, and a darling of Vogue magazine. (He has been named one of the Vogue World 100 for pushing the boundaries of art, beauty, and style.) Kim Houghtaling, director of the Swift Current gallery, understands Lyle’s emotions: “I feel Lyle wants to show his work here because of his experiences with disconnection from his communities here, and maybe a need to express himself loud and clear in a place where he, his self, was kept quiet as a child.”
“ Pet Therapy” Popular 90s socialite, Eunice Bliney-Higgins diverted her attention from the front rows at Fashion Week to a career
specializing in exotic pet therapy. Serving only an A-list clientele, Eunice now dealt with a myriad of animal ailments: ridding a highly anxious pygmy
goat of agoraphobia and getting herself splashed across page six for helping a family of depressed meerkats eating their feelings.
People may think they have Lyle all figured out. Surely, he is a wild clubbing partier. Actually, he is more of a stay-at-home guy whose idea of a fun night is to invite friends over for dinner. His thrills come from finding beauty in the ordinary household objects most of us overlook. And no, Lyle’s creations are not all manifestations of himself. Lyle says he simply wants to create objects of beauty and wonder. Think of an actor who can convincingly play roles totally different from his own personality. photo ED 23
“It’s not like these characters are inside of my head and they’re trying to come out,” he says. He does not plan things out in advance. Instead, he sets out various objects that could potentially be employed — such things as turkey bones, plastic utensils, coat hangers, cereal boxes, and fabric swatches. Think of Brian Jungen’s repurposed running shoes or lawn chairs. Each object alone is unimpressive. Rearranged and combined in unique ways, they become art. For Lyle, the makeup comes first, or sometimes a wig or other headpiece. Then he spontaneously applies recycled objects to his face and head. He says he’s not even aware what his hands are doing and likens the process to an out-of-body experience. Lyle began experimenting with “living sculptures” in 2013, after more than a decade in the fashion and cosmetics industry, by bringing together all his interests: art, makeup, recycling, and fashion. Kim Houghtaling views Lyle’s creations through the lens of art history, starting with the portrait bust, “a clean, close-up look at a person’s face, their identifying features down to their upper shoulders. Lyle XOX is using the portrait bust tradition, the model portrait bust and the self-portrait selfie, as known modes of expression of identity or symbolic identity — the expression of the self, the ideal self, or iconic identity. He then combines this with meaningful or symbolic constructed elements into a highly expressive force.” To best appreciate Lyle’s work, read the backstories accompanying each image in his coffee-table book Lyle XOX: Head of Design, which includes 62 large colour plates of his creations. Each is twinned with a short written fantasy. Lyle XOX creates magical works of artful mischief. He leaves us smiling and full of wonder for the small-town alien who turned recycling into big-city glam. FOLLOW LYLE ON IG: @LYLEXOX
“ If Sconces Could Talk” from the Head of Design series, 2020. Three sizes available; two artist proofs. © LYLE XOX
GET THE BOOK Lyle XOX Head of Design By Lyle Reimer Foreword by Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren Available from penguinrandomhouse.ca
This article first appeared in Galleries West, an award-winning digital magazine at www.gallerieswest.ca that has covered the visual arts in Western Canada since 2002. Lyle XOX is represented by Jennifer Kostuik Gallery in Vancouver. His first solo exhibition, Head of Design has been scheduled for September 2020. www.kostuikgallery.com
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“ LifeStyles of the Rich and Fragrant” from the Head of Design series, 2020. Three sizes available; two artist proofs. © LYLE XOX
“ Lifestyles of the Rich and Fragrant” Thora Belch, host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Fragrant, slumped onto a mound of handwoven tapestries following an extensive shopping spree for exotic aromas and other bottled bohemia.
Belch’s latest olfactory gem dazzled the nasal cavity with burley tobacco, turmeric and essence of lake trout.
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Model: Anaegr Stylist: Khadijah Palmer Makeup artist: Chantel Taki Glow artist: Zyrelle Endozo
XVXY PHOTO ANTHONY GEBREHIWOT
uses photography as a tool that connects people, creates magic, and steers social change. BY RITA GODLEVSKIS
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W
e asked this self-taught, Torontobased photographer about what motivates him and what it takes to work as a pro. What does “XVXY” mean?
When I started my business I was thinking about how I could stand out and how I could do things that separated me from the pack of other photographers in the city. I wanted a name that was more visual than lingual. “XVXY” is a play on chromosomes. It represents the unique genetic imprint that I put into each of my photos. It has the male essence (XY), female essence (XX), and my life path number (V) to make XVXY. What is it about portraiture that you love?
I love portraiture because I see it as an opportunity to connect with people and to capture the essence of an individual at a particular point in time. I see it as an opportunity to create magic. What do you want your images to say?
It’s less about what I want my photographs to say and more about what I want people to feel. I want you to see an individual that I photograph and, regardless of what they look like, I want you to feel their spirit. I aim to create something that hasn’t been done before. I feel like that’s really the biggest challenge in photography. What do you think are the basic traits one needs to go pro?
You have really got to love photography and constantly push yourself to produce fresh, creative work. In order to work as a professional photographer, you need to go above and beyond for the clients and creative team you work with. You have to be willing to invest in your craft — constantly learning new techniques and skill sets. I’ve always made an effort to learn and spend time researching from online sources such as YouTube Tutorials to see how other people have been evolving the craft. I also like to skim through social media to find new techniques and ideas that resonate with me. Whose work has influenced yours?
Currently, my biggest influence is Adrian McDonald (@lexonart). His photographs are beautifully cinematic and convey 28 photo ED
powerful stories. I strive to create images that offer a similar feeling. I’m also a big fan of Àsìkò, Joshua Kissi, Ib Kamara, and Micaiah Carter. In general, what I take from them are their unique approaches to framing narratives. For example, Joshua Kissi did an editorial on the historical significance of high school marching bands in the US. It’s something that I wasn’t aware of, with deep cultural roots in American history. On a very personal note, about four years into my photography journey, when my mother saw that I was taking it seriously, she revealed to me for the first time that she went to college for photography and had considered pursuing it as a career. She then gifted me her 1966 Minolta SRT 101. Her vote of confidence has meant a lot to me. How has working in photography influenced you personally?
It’s helped me develop as a human being and an entrepreneur. Almost everyday, I’m placed in a situation that makes me uncomfortable or anxious. Somehow, someway, I have to persevere. As a result, I evolve and feel more prepared for whatever the next challenge ahead could be. What is the most challenging part about what you do? What is the most rewarding?
Most of the time I juggle a lot and work by myself. I’m an artist, commercial photographer, educator, mentor, and community builder. Project managing on my own is probably the most challenging part. The most rewarding parts are the moments when I can directly impact another human being by sharing what I’ve learned, through my images, workshops, or mentorship. Any life lessons you can share?
Early on in my career I was invited to take photos at a launch event for a highend tech company through a friend. I didn’t anticipate how low light the space would be but I did come with a flash. Unfortunately for me, it was the first time
that I was using a flash outside of my own space where I could control the light. It was a disaster. The client wasn’t happy with any of the photos (not even one). I say this all to say, I now show up to work as prepared as possible for any outcome. Pack extra batteries, bring that extra lens, and know how to use it all to the best of your ability before you take on opportunities that you’re not ready for. Saying yes to anything you’re not ready for can get you into some deep water. What is the soundtrack at your studio?
Music is a huge part of my life and I’ll never do a shoot without music in the background. I like to keep up with whatever is new in hip hop and neo soul genres. Some of my favourite artists include Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Kid Cudi, Jay Electronica, Anderson Paak, Solange Knowles, and Saba. www.xvxyphoto.com IG: @tonyxtones
“ I WANT YOU TO SEE AN INDIVIDUAL THAT I PHOTOGRAPH AND, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE, I WANT YOU TO FEEL THEIR SPIRIT.”
TOP LEFT: Model: Asia Stylist & Makeup: Asia Clarke TOP RIGHT: Models: Anaegr and Trevy Stylist: Khadijah Palmer Makeup artist: Chantel Taki Glow artist: Zyrelle Endozo BOTTOM LEFT: Model: Blackwood Stylist: Aziza Brown RIGHT: Model: Esie Stylists: Esie Mensah and Anthony Gebrehiwot
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CHINATOWN THROUGH A
WIDE LENS Sometimes a photo can change the course of your life. This story of family photo albums launched me into an eight-year journey to uncover the story of one man. In searching for the story of one, I found the story of many. BY CATHERINE CLEMENT
RIGHT: WWII portraits helped propel the search for the lost photographs of Yucho Chow. Canadian-born Chinese men and women, like the Ko Bong siblings from Victoria shown here with their father, volunteered to fight for Canada despite having no rights to citizenship. They hoped to win citizenship and the vote by demonstrating their loyalty to Canada. (1946)
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LEFT: Yucho Chow, enjoying his customary cigar, in front of his most recognized art deco backdrop. The photographer immigrated to Canada in 1902 and opened his first commercial studio in 1907. He died suddenly in late 1949, around the time that small, inexpensive consumer cameras became popular. (c. 1945)
I FIRST SET EYES
on a Yucho Chow Studio portrait in 2011 while interviewing aging Chinese-Canadian World War II veterans. As we flipped through their old photo albums and talked about their memories, my eyes were drawn to remarkable studio portraits appearing in various family collections, covering several decades and often bearing a beautiful silver seal with the name “Yucho Chow.” An online search yielded little information on the photographer. There were only a smattering of his works identified in public archives. There were certainly no images of him to be found. I discovered that Yucho Chow was Vancouver’s first and most prolific Chinese photographer. He operated a studio in the heart of Chinatown from 1907 to 1949 and chronicled life during a tumultuous and transformative period in the city’s, and country’s, history. His studio survived World War I, the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, and World War II. His business flourished despite attitudes and legislation that targeted and discriminated against Chinese residents. When Yucho died in late 1949, his two sons took over the business until they retired in 1986. As they closed the studio doors for the last time, neither imagined there was any interest in the thousands of negatives that filled their shelves. Five truckloads of history were carted off to the dump. It dawned on me that the photos that still existed, were squirrelled away in hundreds of dusty boxes and aging family albums. Yucho’s work was everywhere, yet nowhere. I felt sad knowing that this man recorded so many people and so much history, and yet his own story was fading and largely forgotten. I wanted to find Yucho’s “hidden” photos and piece together his story. I had no idea how big and remarkable his story would be. Initially, I believed Yucho photographed only Chinese people. But over the years of locating his images — one photo at a time, one family at a time — I discovered that Yucho Chow Studio was the place where many 32 photo ED
ABOVE: Ishar Singh Gill, a Sikh, was known by several names, but in government documents, he was simply referred to as Hindo #10. He ran a wood delivery
business and was accompanied everywhere by his beloved dog King. Ever since then, every dog owned by the Gill family has been named King. (c. 1918)
Janki Shori was one of a small number of South Asian (Hindu) women living in Vancouver. Although she endured a tumultuous marriage to a nightclub owner with a gambling problem, her spirits were never broken. Later in life, she helped introduce North American audiences to Bollywood films. She paid extra to have this photo hand painted. (c. 1934)
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early, marginalized communities in Vancouver went for their photos. It was the one studio that opened its doors to everyone, regardless of their skin colour, religion, language, or income. For many immigrant communities living in Vancouver in the first half of the 1900s, it was a struggle to find businesses willing to serve them. Early Sikh immigrants, for example, could not find a white tailor to make them a suit, nor a white barber to cut their hair. And no white photographer was willing to take their photos. They became regular customers of Yucho Chow Studio, whose slogan was “Rain or Shine. Anything. Anywhere. Anytime.” The relationship grew and Yucho became the chief visual chronicler of the early Sikh community. He was even invited into their temples to photograph. The Black community in Vancouver, comprised mainly of African-Americans who had immigrated to Canada, also found a welcoming place in Yucho’s studio. As did Indigenous residents, mixed-race families, and Eastern European immigrants. Sadly, photos from these first immigrant communities are still rare in public archives: their histories hidden away and mostly forgotten. Consequently, each photo I found was something to celebrate, as these images started to fill in gaps in the public record. The photographs offered more than simply a visual record of the past. What brought each image to life, what made it intriguing, was the story connected to it. When families showed me a photo, frequently they would recall some memorable detail about someone in the image. Each photo became a conduit for the story of a life. It took me over eight years to identify 200 of Yucho’s photos. I began to recognize the distinctive painted canvas backdrops he used during different periods, as well as the various chairs, rugs, and props that came and went over the years. In May 2019, I curated the first solo retrospective exhibition of Yucho’s work. The publicity from the show generated more photos and stories, and today the collection stands at almost 500 images. A selection of these photos was published in a book, and all the scanned images are being catalogued to become part of a comprehensive, publicly available Yucho Chow Digital Community Archive. 34 photo ED
ABOVE: Even during the Great Depression, when money was scarce, photographs were important. Sometimes, as with this photo of Tommy Ming Lum, they were used to show relatives back home that all was well in the new country. In reality, it was common for the sitter to borrow a suit from a friend and accessories, such as a pocket watch or fountain pen from Yucho Chow, to help to create the perception of success. (c. 1930)
RIGHT: The McFadden family derived their surname from their former American slave owner. Their son Charles (right), recalled he always felt welcome in Vancouver’s Chinatown, but struggled in other parts of the city to rent an apartment due to his skin colour. (c. 1937)
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LEFT: Canada’s 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act essentially blocked all immigration from China for almost 25 years. Consequently, Chinese families were separated and turned to photographs to bridge the physical distance between themselves and their loved ones. In this photo, Yucho Chow deployed pre-Photoshop techniques to combine into one image the father and son (photographed in Vancouver) with a picture of mother and child, shot in China. At last, this family was reunited … if only in a photograph. (c. 1925)
Searching for Yucho’s hidden photos was like pulling on a single thread attached to a beautiful and complex tapestry of images of diverse communities. His images have unlocked stories of hundreds of people who struggled and made Canada their home. The photos are witnesses to a larger story of acceptance, openness, and mutual support among those who were once treated as second-class citizens. What becomes most evident when seeing these images together is that no matter what part of the world someone came from, what language they spoke, what religion they practiced, how much money they earned, or the colour of their skin, all shared, essentially, the same aspirations, needs, and fears … and the desire to record their lives for posterity in a photograph. Catherine Clement is a community history curator and designer based in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
A limited-edition, coffee table book features 344-pages of long-hidden photographs by Yucho Chow Studio. These private images showcase the people Yucho Chow chronicled in his lifetime, and the remarkable stories that accompany these photographs. (Available in English and Chinese.)
www.yuchochow.ca 36 photo ED
We’ve seen the light. The Photographic Historical Society of Canada has gone paperless! Our members are not only receiving our quarterly journal by email, they’re getting loads of nifty historical supplements along with other societies’ newsletters from across North America. For just a measly $35 CDN, it’s one deal you won’t want to turn your back on. Check the PHSC website for details.
www.phsc.ca
Focus on your future. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY DIPLOMA Prepare for your career as a professional photographer with a diploma at Langara. Apply now for fall 2021. langara.ca/photo langaraphoto
“SOFIA” BY AUTUMN PHAM LANGARA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY DIPLOMA GRADUATE, 2020
FRESH FACES
THESE EMERGING TALENTS MAY BE GREEN, BUT THEY ARE DEFINITELY ONES TO WATCH. We asked five recent photo school students from across Canada for their reflections on becoming the next generation of Canadian portrait photographers. photo ED 39
STEWART MACLEAN Holland College Charlottetown, PEI Grad 2020 Why do you love portrait work?
Editing and crafting an image around a face is one of my favourite parts of photography. I think of portraits as incredible canvases for artistic experimentation through lighting, colour, and digital manipulation. For me, portraits are the ultimate way of conveying emotion. I spend hours on each image, sorting RAW files and meticulously working to create something I feel really proud of. What have you learned about yourself by photographing other people?
I have learned to get out of my comfort zone more often and not be scared of trying new things or things that I’m convinced I’m not good enough to do yet. The pressure you put on yourself to make sure you fulfill clients’ needs can be daunting. Will they be satisfied with what I have to offer and with the vision I have? Does it usually work out? Yes. This is what I am now focused on. I am more capable than I think. I still mess things up sometimes, and still get stressed out before a shoot, but it gets easier every time. I like to think that I become a better photographer and also a better version of myself every time I photograph someone new. What has been the hardest thing about starting out? What has been the most rewarding?
The hardest part has been getting my name out and gaining clients. It can be a slow process but, seeing my own evolution, I think I can say now that if you put enough effort into making connections and putting out good work, it will happen. One of the most rewarding things has been growing from a newbie 40 photo ED
STEWART MACLEAN
who would do shoots for free to gain experience, to a professional from whom people seek quality. Early stages can be tough on morale. As you don’t always feel validated by other professionals, it is easy to doubt yourself. Once you understand that what you have to offer is just as legitimate as anyone else’s ideas or creations, you start cultivating what makes your work unique and how it somehow reflects a bit of who you are. It is not always easy, but I often force myself to have confidence and be proud of what I create. What are you most looking forward to
as your career grows?
I left Charlottetown soon after high school on a six-year adventure: travelling, volunteering, and working around the world. Coming home, I realized that there was so much to explore and so many interesting people to meet right here. As I grow my career, I am definitely looking forward to building more connections and collaborating with the talented artists and professionals here in PEI. IG: @wanderingstew
I’VE LEARNED COMMUNICATION IS JUST AS, IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN, YOUR TECHNICAL SKILLS WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE.
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LIAM ENDRESEN
LIAM ENDRESEN New Brunswick College of Craft and Design Fredericton, NB Grad 2021 Why do you love portrait work?
For me, portraiture can be so many different things. I love using photography to express an emotion without the use of words. I draw a lot of inspiration from cinema and enjoy the ties between photography stills and motion. What have you learned about yourself by photographing other people?
I’ve learned communication is just as, if not more important than, your technical skills when photographing people. Trying to illustrate your ideas with another person can be difficult, but being able to articulate your vision with others is extremely valuable. What has been the hardest thing about starting out? What has been the most rewarding?
When I started in photography, my focus was landscapes, rather than people. It was challenging at first working with others;
it adds a level of complexity. But, pushing myself out of my comfort zone and sharing the results has been very rewarding. What are you most looking forward to as your career grows?
I’m looking forward to working with more people on bigger productions. I think collaboration is so important, and working with people talented in different genres is really exciting for me. liamendresen.com IG: @liamfromnb
BUILDING A CONNECTION WITH THE PERSON I’M PHOTOGRAPHING IS BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING PART OF THE PROCESS FOR ME.
JOEL YAGI Algonquin College Ottawa, ON Grad 2021 Why do you love portrait work?
The perfect portrait in my opinion is one that shows the true essence of the person you are photographing. Building a connection with the person I’m photographing is by far the most important and interesting part of the process for me. When someone trusts you and drops their guard, the best images get made. What have you learned about yourself by photographing other people?
The biggest thing that I have learned about myself in this journey is a willingness to learn mixed with humility… and a smile will take you far in life. We are all the same no matter how different our life experiences may be. At the end of the day, we’re all human. I have met some of the most amazing people through photography and I have learned so much from them.
JOEL YAGI
What has been the hardest thing about starting out? What has been the most rewarding?
The hardest thing for me when starting was imposter syndrome. The feeling of not being good enough. Instead of celebrating my victories, I would focus on others’ accomplishments. It is so scary putting everything you have into a project and putting it out for the world to judge. The most rewarding thing so far has been the confidence that I have built, as well as the relationships I now have with many incredible people.
What are you most looking forward to as your career grows?
The biggest thing I am looking forward to in my career is shooting for international big brands and realizing my goal to shoot a Vogue magazine cover. The most important things for me are never losing my joy in learning or my willingness to learn. yagijoel.wixsite.com/photography IG: @joelyagi
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT TAKING MY SUBJECT’S PORTRAIT BUT MAKING AN IMAGE THAT ENCAPSULATES WHO THE PERSON IS.
JOSLYN PANASIUK
JOSLYN PANASIUK Sheridan College Oakville, ON 2020 Grad Why do you love portrait work?
Portrait work allows me to meet different people and connect with them in a unique way. It’s not just about taking my subject’s portrait but making an image that encapsulates who the person is. What have you learned about yourself by photographing other people?
I have used photography to explore different parts of who I am. In my most
recent work, category:HUMAN, I explore trans-masculinity. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community has been a big part of my life, to some degree because of my own struggles with and questions about gender. My project was as much about me as it was my subjects: a collaboration that celebrates humanness. What has been the hardest thing about starting out? What has been the most rewarding?
The COVID-19 outbreak halted many aspects of my graduation and gallery showcase. Getting started is proving
much more difficult than I expected. School doesn’t teach you what to do when a pandemic strikes. Undoubtedly, perseverance and my “can-do” attitude will help to push me forward. What are you most looking forward to as you grow your career?
I am looking forward to more learning: not just about how to establish a successful career or about how to take better photographs, but about who I am along the way. joslynpanasiuk.com IG: @joslynpanasiuk
TRY IT ALL. DO IT ALL.
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THE
GALLERY SUBMISSIONS BY OUR READERS
ALEXANDRE MAVRELLIS OKTAN Toronto, ON FRACTAL PORTRAITS “ I wanted to create portraits that go beyond traditional portraiture. I have created images to be viewed up close, and from a distance, creating different viewing experiences. Each image is composed of one person in various positions or with their facial features.” @alexandre_mavrellis_oktan
JAZMINA ALZAIAT Toronto, ON
TIME STANDS STILL “ The perception of time is the theme of this collection. The image, ‘She Bears Fruit’ focusses on a woman’s ability to reproduce and thus is a depiction of a woman owning her reproductive rights. With the many issues women still face today surrounding their reproductive rights, I believe it is important for artists and photographers to create works of art that start conversations about a more equal and just world.” jazminaphoto.com IG: @jazminaphoto
Model: @estyr_143 (Esther) Agency: @elmerolsenmodels MUA: @linasmakeupandhair (Lina Waled) Hair: @ebarrhair & @carolynself.hair (Emily Barr & Carolyn Self) Stylist: @meggwin (Megan Hamilton) Jewelry: @jewelust (Amanda Henderson) Set design/prop stylist: @jesberg (Jessica O’Reilly)
SUSAN COLLACOTT “ This is a portrait of Lila Lewis Irving, one of Canada’s finest abstract expressionist painters who has been teaching painting for most of her career in Ontario. Her elaborate painting style is inspired by classical music, as it is her passion.”
JESSANN REECE Etobicoke, ON
“ My subjects are Jamaican high scho girls from my father’s Alma Mater.” jessann-reece.format.com @jessannreece
ool ”
JASON CIPPARRONE Toronto, ON
“ A question came to my mind one day: ‘Am I and my counterparts causing harm to the youth of this world by promoting a very narrow view of beauty, style, and lifestyle?’ I decided I was no longer going to use photo manipulation to enhance photographs, and I shifted my workflow back to a darkroom style approach. YOUNG AND TALENTED is a series of portraits of musicians, painters, photographers, and more, photographed as they truly look; nothing more, nothing less.” @_jasonsc
ATIA POKORNY Toronto, ON
“ Making self-portraits is like digging deep inside and asking, who am I?, how do I see myself?, and how I am seen by others? I often reflect on the issue of the social invisibility of older women. But what if invisibility was a source of power? In most fairy tales and in children’s imaginations becoming invisible is quite desirable. Could a parallel be drawn? Can there be an advantage in not being seen? For me, yes. The lack of exposure may mean an escape to safety of not being judged or scrutinized, of being
free to play and create. Yet, there is always a need to be heard. I have to speak louder, but I am learning to do so. The COVID-19 pandemic has echoed some of the same questions of social visibility for many different people. A new, fragmented reality may urge us all to draw out a new identities, if less visible, still vocal.” IG: @pokornyatia
TYLER TALBOT Toronto, ON
“I wanted to convey how nature can be a true therapy to those (like me) that suffer from anxiety and depression, even in a big city like Toronto. Although it is busy and modernized, Toronto still has nature areas that provide a sense of relief and relaxation.” @prince.of.nature
KARENE-ISABELLE JEAN-BAPTISTE Montreal, QC
“ Being stuck in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic has forced me to turn the lens of my camera inwards. Meaning, towards my family.” @ kareneisabelle
TAYLOR RITCHIE Vancouver, BC
“ In this image, I was aiming to capture a Roger Deakins, Blade Runner theme. This was an unexpected capture I have come to love.” @kidthunder
TAVISH GUNASENA Toronto, ON
Studio portraits of Hannah and Harry. IG:@tavishgunasena
EMILY COOPER Vancouver, BC
“ This image illustrates Cleopatra for a production of Antony and Cleopatra, with a gender-bending twist.” IG: @coopersnaps
EMMA MCINTYRE Toronto, ON
Zoey Deutch photographed for Getty Images at BAFTA event. IG: @emmaeliza
LISA MURZIN Toronto, ON
“ By intentionally distorting perspective, creating a trick of the eye, I guide the viewer to question what they see. In truth, each of us creates impressions and judgements gathered from our own story when we look at a portrait. Only those being photographed know the truth and the photographer only senses it.” IG: @ lisa murzin_photographer
CHRISTINA OYAWALE Toronto, ON
“ My work focuses on racial identity, and the significance of skin and melanin of the Black body.” IG: @visualsbytina
JASON NIELSEN Vancouver, BC RESPIRE “ My photographs obscure, distort and erase everyday objects and individuals, rendering what is present, absent. My images are a lament for what is lost and a celebration of all that is impermanent. ‘Respire’ incorporates analogue effects and rephotographed portraits to reflect on our collective anxieties surrounding
COVID19. These effects distort the image to suggest inhalation and breathing, a topic of deep concern to many during a respiratory disease outbreak. This image is also a nod to the increased occurrences of vivid dreams and nightmares that have been reported throughout the pandemic.” IG: @jnielstagram
CHENG YI LEE Vancouver, BC
AIRSAVER Am I trying to protect myself or tend to alienate myself? Safe distance Safe distance from human Safe distance from the opposite sex. @chengyi_stone
SONIA BLAYDE Toronto, ON
AFROCENTRIC POP MUA -Roxanne DeNobrega IG: @soniablaydeproductions
ABDUL MALIK Edmonton, AB
PEOPLE I’VE MET “ PEOPLE I’VE MET is a series created by meeting strangers in public, having a meaningful conversation with them, and then asking them to come to my studio and go through an interview. With each stranger I talk to, I try to convince them to bridge the gap between who they want to be and who they think they are. At the moment I feel they have reached that realization, I capture them in a photograph.” IG: @abdulymalik
CHRISTINA LESLIE
Pickering, ON
“I wanted to approach this series throwing out all the rules that had been ingrained in me previously in photography. I played with the crop function, focused intently on my subject’s face, and made them high contrast and dramatic in black and white. I didn’t want to get caught up in anything too conceptually driven; I just wanted to fall back in love with portraiture photography.” IG: @clphoto83
IAN ROSS PETTIGREW Hamilton, ON IG: @ ianpett
VALERIE NOFTLE Ottawa, ON
“ My path as a visual artist began back in 1993 when I photographed Leonard Cohen in concert in London, Ontario. Fastforwarding almost three decades later, I am working out of my studio and “letting the light in.” Not only is Cohen an inspiration for me as an artist, but I can think of no better “unique portraiture” than a portrait of Cohen himself.” www.enrichedbreadartists.com/members/ Noftle.htm
GUN ROZE Toronto, ON
“ My aim is to capture my subject’s full presence with a degree of intensity that reveals something deeper within their being. I love when I have captured a combination of their honesty and mystery. It’s up to the viewer to ponder what is being projected.” IG: @gunroze FB: @GunRozeImages gunroze.tumblr.com
ROBERT MACNEIL Toronto, ON
“ My love of photography has increased 10-fold since I found fashion photography. For this photograph, my model and team wanted to create something bold to compensate for the loss of normal outdoor settings. What we ended up shooting pleased us all as we felt that the viewer is no longer focussed on the whole image, but solely the beauty of the model.” @robmacneilphoto
MELISSA RICHARD Fort McMurray, AB
“I use portraiture in visual storytelling to express an emotion, situation, or a story that the viewer can relate to almost immediately.” @melissarichard4
AVA MARGUERITTE Ottawa, ON
IMAGES FROM THE SERIES: THE ERSTWHILE DAISY
“Putting words into feelings has never been easy for me. People use idioms to explain emotions; “a torpedo of emotions”, “the pit in my stomach”, “head over heels”, while these are great substitutes there are still some feelings that are indescribable. It is exhausting trying to describe what I experience. The camera enables me to document private moments using self-portraiture, this practice has become habitual. Creating a permanent visual diary allows me to exist in the unknown and to validate that my feelings are real. These images are created when I am my authentic self and ego is gone. This is when I see myself most clearly, the only time I don’t feel pulled in different directions. These photographs represent my true self through the looking glass.” IG: @ avamargueritte
MARIANNE LAROCHELLE Montreal, QC
MYSTICAL MOTHERS “ MYSTICAL MOTHERS represents the lost stories and myths of women as well as the archetypes and themes that inhabit the female psyche. Femininity has been confused and muddled by the modern era, and every woman must be given a platform or space to express herself in whatever form that suits her. This series is inspired by the myths, fairy tales, and lore surrounding the depths of the female existence.” mariannelarochelle.com
KATYA ILINA Toronto, ON
“ These portraits were taken last summer with my friend, amazing RnB/Soul singer-songwriter Kyla Millette. She is based in Toronto and grew up in Trinidad and Tobago. I love her music and felt inspired to recreate the dreamy mood of her songs through photography.” Find Kyla’s music and more photos of her on Spotify, Soundcloud and Apple Music here: https://linktr.ee/kylamillette
IG: @ katya__ilina
ALBERT HOANG Toronto, ON
HARD FEELINGS “ This collection explores shapes and angles of the body and the environment. We used the Toronto Winter Stations at Woodbine Beach as backdrops.” Model: Kate Paik Assistant: Jasmine Wong Denike
@callmealbs
DAVID VAN POPPEL Toronto, ON
“ I was tasked to take portraits of amateur racers at a rural raceway in Southern Ontario. Interacting with them as they prepared their cars before a big race was a fantastic opportunity for some very unique portraits.” @vanpopda
SEEMA PANDEY Vancouver, B.C.
“ The beauty of Fall is the inspiration for this photograph. I wanted to portray this season with a subject that appreciates it to show how special and unique it is, while also accentuating the beauty of the natural environment.” @ seemapanda99
LISA METZ Fredericton, NB
ROSÉ “ A self-portrait that represents my dreamy reality and the way I like to see things and truly outlines the qualities that form my identity and inspirations.” @lisametzphoto
ASHL
“I have always l things differentl new ideas in my
LEY HIRD Ottawa, ON
loved looking at ly and exploring y photography.” @stillsnthrills
EBONY DAVIS Edmonton, AB
“This series contains three unconventional portraits pushing the boundaries of masculinity, femininity, and androgyny. Androgyny is defined as, “the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics into an ambiguous form.” But societal rules around gender are a construct. As a society, we are conditioned to follow “traditional” forms of gender identity. Clearly, not everyone follows that.” IG: @ebony__davis
CATHERINE ALVARENGA Edmonton, AB
Summer vacation 2019 in El Salvador, El Lago de Coatepeque. IG: @ciaoxstudiosx
ANGELA ZHENG Hamilton, ON
“ I took this picture in Washington Square, New York City. I love the movement of the people and how it captures the vibrancy of the city.” angelazh25.wixsite.com
SHELAGH HOWARD Toronto, ON
“For the past 9 years, my personal work has focused on long and multiple exposures, exploring the layers of memory and experience we carry within us. Pushing against the notion that what can be captured in a split second could revel more than just that - a tiny fraction of the ‘self,’ and pushing the photographic medium beyond what is usually asked of it. What has emerged is a glimpse into what the human eye cannot see unaided, without the use of a camera. The way the sitter moves, from the intensity and scope of their movements to their speed, can be felt creating a ‘portrait’ of their experience. We can see their physicality, but also, I believe, more of their soul. These images were created in camera, in a single frame, not in Photoshop. Even being there at the time, I am often amazed by what the camera captured that I couldn’t see. That is the magic of this process, and what keeps me coming back to it.” IG: @shelaghhowardart
PEGGY TAYLOR-REID Caledon, ON (re)pair “ This is a series of self-portraits. Each photograph looks at a journey taken through either a traumatic head or neck injury. This collection comments on the transitory nature of our state of being, the passage of time, and the beauty of impermanence. With these themes in mind, I try and create a visual that communicates internal sensations.” IG: @peggytreid
MARIAM MAGSI Toronto, ON
“ This series featuring Adé Brown OSullivan, examines themes related to mental health, race, identity and migration.” IG: @mariam_magsi
WESLEY MAKOWSKI Oakville, ON
“ Studio portrait of an ex-girlfriend. The image was blown up and printed on 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper, then wheat pasted on a graffiti wall. A week later, strangers made their own impressions on the image.” IG: @wesmakowski.archive
TARA HAKIM Toronto, ON
“ I n Arabic, the gorgeo Bougainvillea is know which translates to th In an attempt to recla ‘crazy’ and practice s a bout of depression, Bougainvillea for gui portraits illustrate my practicing self-care a IG: @tarahakimm
NAHANNI A MCKAY Banff, AB
LANDSCAPES ARE BORING “ I went into the backcountry of Banff to Skoki Lodge to take my photographs. When I presented this work to my peers they called it ‘boring’. The truth is that landscapes are, in fact, boring. There is nothing but trees, wind, rivers, mountains, and air. But this image and the rest of this sersies won the Koh-Verchere Graduation Award for Athletic and Creative Excellence.” IG: @nahanster
ous, wild wn as Majnoona he word, ‘crazy.’ aim the word self-care amid , I turned to the idance. My selfy journey into and self-love.”
MORGAN MOSS Halifax, NS
“ While attending NSCAD, I started doing double exposures as a project for a class and have been continuing them ever since. I love combining multiple images that result in a different outcome every time.” IG: @morganmossphotos
IAN HUMBER Fredericton, NB JULES ON FILM “ This is an image of my girlfriend in the spill of the window light captured on Portra160 Film.” IG: @ianmackenziehumber
CAROLINA DE LA CAJIGA Vancouver, BC
“I’m working on a series about seclusion. COVID19 led me imagine people bound by a cage.”
GUSTAVO JABBAZ Toronto, ON
“This image is from a school project in which we were asked to step out our comfort zone. My first try at studio and portrait photography. I kept my style of using multiple photographs in one image, which gives me satisfaction when people pay attention to the discovery of the small details.” IG: @vacaseca
SIMON PELLA Toronto, ON
“ “Space Cowboy” was created as a selfreflection, documenting my reaction to the heartbreak I felt during quarantine. The title is also a play on words where I am telling my crush that he can have the space he needs and live the nomadic lifestyle he wants - “you can have your space, cowboy.” @simonxpella www.simonpella.com
LINDA BRISKIN Toronto, ON
Portrait of the Photographer This hexaptych is a six-part study of the Photographer. The series is in the tradition of environmental portraiture which uses surroundings to illuminate the character of the human subject. The photographs highlight the shifting relationship of the Photographer to a field of daffodils. This tableau offers an additional layer of nuance as the Photographer photographs herself in the act of taking photographs. Linda Briskin lives in Toronto and has been exhibiting photographs for years. www.lindabriskinphotography.com
PIERRE OLIVIER HEBERT Québec, QC
BEFORE LEAVING A MARK “This photo was taken before the making of a scrarification (cicatrisation). It is an uncommon pratice in which one’s skin is cut, etched, burned or branded into a design. This is the design stage where Justin Sprott, from Pain & Pleasure Tattoos in Saint John, N.B is seen tracing out a design.” IG: @poh_et
PADDINGTON SCOTT Toronto, ON
“ I’ve spent years taking photos of things in the moment. As time slowed down during quarantine, moments began to fade - or blend together, day-by-day. I decided to construct a portrait (a rarity for my work) and form it around two ideas: the honesty of how I’m feeling in isolation, and the lavish life I’m longing for. I surrounded myself with beautiful objects, all while in that moment, I couldn’t escape honest feelings of exhaustion and loneliness.” IG: @01.ps
ELIF BARUT Toronto, ON
“ My photography has always been intertwined with self-healing. It is what I aim to emphasize in every photograph that I create.” IG: @elif__barut
ROBERT HAYNES Fredericton, NB
“ This photo happened on a whim while working on a different idea. I saw the light coming through the trees and just decided to go with it. It ended up being one of the shoots i’m most proud of.” IG: @RobertHaynesPhotography roberthaynesphotography.com
JULES KEENAN Fredericton, NB
“This image is from a photo shoot I did to accompany a story about the drag scene in Fredericton for the student publication, The Brunswickan at the University of New Brunswick. Drag Kings are wildly under-represented in the global Drag scene. This was an incredibly fun and educational shoot.” IG: @juleskeenanphotography
DAVID FULDE
Toronto, ON
“Lately I’ve been exploring my roots of self portraiture through the art of drag, putting on a new face and exploring this charachter of Tulita Coke. I began my portraiture journey four years ago with self portraits and it’s kind of coming full circle now.” IG: @TulitaCoke
TANYA MURCHIE Calgary, AB
“ I live part-time in Central Mexico. My style would probably be considered urban street portraiture. I love capturing personalities, and connecting with new people.” IG: @fuji_girl
JAIMIE ARNOLD New Brunswick
“I found a beautiful old dress unexpectedly, so I decided to create a classic, whimsical portrait of a young girl.” @regnanese13
“This photograph is of my h
BRIAN LAVERY Port Alberni, BC Road trip.
JOSEPH BOLTRUKIEWICZ Port Coquitlam, BC
JUDY H MCPHEE Salt Spring Island, BC
husband. I gave it a different look with a black and white filter.” thegroupofsix.ca
TERRI HUXLEY Delia, AB
“ My work usually promotes women in agriculture as a form of empowerment and sisterhood and a reimagining the modern day farmer or rancher. With this shoot I wanted to get creative with my model, Naomi Akkermans, Miss Ponoka Stampede Queen 2019. Rowley is a town located roughly 30km north of the town of Drumheller. Sam’s Saloon is the local watering hole. Every inch of the walls is covered with something that people have left over the years, keeping the authenticity of the west alive and never letting any visitors get bored of the decor. This building was originally a store in the 1920’s established by Shorty Leung and Hawkeye. Later it was owned and operated by son, Sam Leung. Sam lived in the back of the store in a small two bedroom place with a kitchen. Sam passed away in 1972, leaving the building to a local farmer who donated it to the community. The community turned the building into a bar named in his honour. Sam’s Saloon is a staple in Starland County, a place locals like myself have grown up going to for years. It’s truly a remarkable place and I hope anyone who has the chance to visit does. It’s 100% worth it!” IG: @westofthefourthphoto
SOKA LAZARA Mississauga, ON
“ G rowing up with my grandparents they could never tell a short story about any members of my family. ‘Mother’s Side’ is a self-portrait series of fictional re-enactments of stories inspired by the female ancestors from my mother’s lineage. When looking through the vernacular photographs I found in scrapbooks I found references for poses. Photo albums edit how families depict themselves. By listening to family stories, I can create images that weren’t photographed moments. This enables me to interpret my ancestor myself instead of mimicking an image. These stories inspired a new personal statement as my own contribution to my family narrative.” IG: @sokalazara
MARTHA LOPEZ Toronto, ON
“With this portrait, I wanted to convey, how as we age, we find ourselves coming back to find the vulnerable and innocent part of us that existed when we were kids. A little thing like bubbles can allow us to become kids again.” @mlopez_shots
SJ KIM
Toronto, ON
“I wanted to illustrate my crazy and fun mood through this self-portrait. I am a fun-loving and eclectic person and I love expressing that through my photography.” @sj_k1m_xy
JIM HALL Guelph, ON
“We were at a Thanksgiv Stratford, Ontario. I hap my camera at the table a this was the perfect mot daughter portrait.”
jims photo_rama@flickr
ving luncheon in ppened to have and decided ther and
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TARA NEWHOOK St. John’s, NL
“ This photograph was taken of a family friend before the COVID-19 pandemic when social distancing wasn’t a priority and the world wasn’t changing. I just wanted to practice some photography, but I ended up enjoying the outcome.” @taranewhookphotography
AMY J SALTER Kelowna, BC
“ This portrait is from a series focused on wastefulness within fast fashion. I worked with a vintage-enthusiast to recreate a portrait from the Edwardian era of 1910. ”
APRIL WINTER Mayne Island, BC
A utopian stereotype of the colour yellow. IG: @aprilbluewinter
MAÍRA RIBEIRO Toronto, ON
“This image is about missing the city, its life, colours and energy during quarantine.” IG: @mairaribeirophotography
J. ASHLEY NIXON Calgary, AB
ALL DRESSED UP “My portraits of cosplayers explore the character within characters; stories from people performing their own versions of other people they have a passion for.” IG: @ JAshleyNixon w w w.jashleynixon.com
CY BYRNE
Corner Brook, NL MIDNIGHT CIRCUS “ I n the production of this photograph, I aimed to make it look as if it was 3D and the final result came out looking just that.”
JAMES TWOROW Calgary, AB
“ For over 12 years, I have been photographing people around the time of Remembrance Day with their poppies. I have created hundreds of portraits to celebrate the importance of commemorating Remembrance Day.” @thereal_sherlock77
BRIAN DOUGLAS Kitchener, ON 5 A.M.
“ Every day 5 a.m. passes me by. While I am asleep countless others are getting themselves ready to start their day. From bakers and farmers, to gas station attendants and factory line workers, we live in a world that never truly sleeps. Productivity and services continue while many of us are dreaming. When I wake up in the morning I can, without a second thought, enjoy freshly made bread, fresh produce picked hours earlier, or even a newly paved road.
The 5 a.m. project developed from an interest in stepping outside of my 9-to-5 world; to document places, people and livelihoods at — or as close as possible to — 5 a.m. The world may look very different when not congested with people and cars but that does not mean we are all still asleep at 5 a.m.” IG: @briandouglas @5amwaterloo