I began planning this colorful self-portrait project during our very first COVID lockdown in the spring of 2020. When things opened back up faster than expected, this project went on the back burner and I spent the next year spotting random colored objects in my house and creating a mental checklist.
The next spring I had ample time with all of the pandemic restrictions. I spent almost the entirety of May collecting items of every color, digging through and rearranging dance costumes, and scouring the internet for makeup ideas to imitate.
I wanted a Vanity Fair, classic fashion inspired look to contradict how silly the photos were, so I set up a simple gray backdrop in my living room and lit the photos with a single light with very large diffuser. All of the photos are true self-portraits, using the Camera Connect app from Canon on my phone and hiding the phone either under myself or the draped fabrics, with the exception of orange. (Though I did get one Annyong shot on my own before enlisting Cam’s help for that!)
Each setup was an eclectic mix of everyday household objects, newer items that hold lots of emotional value to me (a TON are dance related), and vintage objects (mostly toys) I have held onto. In exploring how to best let go of these childhood possessions, I wanted to find a way to honor them before I say goodbye. Photos have been one great way of doing that. (These toys are a fraction of what I still have!)
After I completed each photo (and variations), I spent a bit of time documenting my makeup with close up portraits. This quickly turned into a mini project of its own! It was a fun challenge to bring that same energy into a much smaller area.
I had such a great time teasing these out on social media one by one and seeing everyone’s reactions. Here is the full set!
Ralphie & Lady’s human mom Taelynn booked her girls a cat photo session. Taelynn cited “cats being adorable” as their special occasion for the photos, and I couldn’t agree more! Both kitties are 10 years old but still extremely playful, especially once catnip gets brought out. You need to work with cats in ways where they are always comfortable, so there was a lot of chasing as we bounced from one piece of their favourite furniture to another.
We mostly focused on the cats, but Taelynn was on hand to jump in for a few photos and offer assistance wildly waving toys around (her hand made it into a lot of hilarious action shots). I had so much fun playing with the kitties!
Ashley and Stefan took a detour while on their way to visit family and made a special stop for Crowsnest winter engagement photos. We lucked out with a fresh snowfall just in time because even the Crowsnest Pass was looking a little brown and dry for this time of year!
The couple were involved with another wedding I’ve photographed, so it was so much fun to get to focus on them this time! They have such great energy and are so cute and snugly together.
We started with the Miner’s Path for a forest look then headed into the wind to get a mountain view. (At this point Stefan pondered why he let his hair grow long, ha ha.)
One of the biggest projects I worked on last year was with Lethbridge Family Services for their 2020-2021 Annual Report. The report is presented each year in a magazine style with local stories to illustrate their past year. Over several photoshoots, I got to work with many of their staff members and clients (and even got to snuggle a baby Corgi). Their designer let us know what she needed for layouts, and we got to turn each idea into a reality! LFS does great work in the community and it was awesome to see that reflected in the people we photographed.
After a one year hiatus due to COVID, Ammena Dance Company was back with their 2022 showing of An Explosion of World Dance and Music. Everyone was so excited to be on stage again, especially after months of attending classes not being certain if it would actually happen or not. Finishing the show was a huge emotional victory!
Cam once again did our photos and between his dance photography, Lise-Anne’s creative choreography, and Rob’s gorgeous lighting at the Yates Memorial Centre, the energy of each piece really comes through.
p.s. Like last time I’m in here a bunch of times! Can you spot me?
Here are the amazing recipients of this year’s Women of Distinction Awards from YWCA Lethbridge & District! This was a very special year for me to get to photograph as I am friends with two of these women, Cam had an amazing experience working with one of the others, and we are all so interconnected through our community ties. There was only one degree or less of separation between any two people in the room! These women are all so deserving of the award for making Lethbridge a better place.
After cocktail hour and mingling at the Sandman Signature Hotel, all of the women were introduced by the people who nominated them and received their award before giving speeches.
