Lethbridge Weddings & Portrait Photography by Tanya Plonka

I know I already said it last year, but it is so great to be able to dance for an audience again! Ammena Dance Company’s show An Explosion of World Dance & Music is continuing to grow back to its old size and we had so many amazing pieces again this year. Lise-Anne was a big fan of spotlights for this particular show, which gave some great highlight moments in the dances where it was used. Cam did a fantastic job as always over both nights. All photos here were taken by him.

I signed up for way too many dances this year so naturally I’m in a bunch of these photos. Sometimes I’m obvious, sometimes I’m mysterious, and sometimes it’s only my leg ;)

As many of you know, my photography story started with live concert photos. These days when I see a band I tend to just be in the moment and don’t bring my camera, but once in a while I get brought in to do it officially and it’s still SO MUCH FUN. In this case a bunch of mostly-local musicians put on an Iron Maiden tribute show at the Slice (hilariously called “664 The Neighbour of the Beast”). They went all out, including smoke machines, lasers, and special costumed guests as Eddie. It was so much fun and they did an incredible job both with the music and the spectacle of the show.

“Hand in hand, with fairy grace,
Will we sing, and bless this place.”
-A Midsummer Night’s Dream

If you saw Shakespeare in the Park’s summer performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Lethbridge last year, you’ll definitely remember Titania, played by the talented Megan! Between the incredible presence she had as the character and how dreamy her whole look came together, I had to get her to step into the role one more time for a creative photoshoot.

I waited until the wall of leaves turned its vibrant red colour in the fall, knowing it would be a perfect match for Megan’s hair. And it was even more close than I expected!

The most important part of my vision was a light painting portrait once it was dark enough out. Megan and our helper Leslie were amazing and committed – it started snowing on us as soon as we arrived at the final location and I needed Megan to hold still! None of us could feel our hands by the end but it was worth it :)

Gown by Amanda Epp
Makeup by Leslie Van Zwol

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?

Drag! Puppets! Christmas Spirits! I had the pleasure of photographing one of the two performances of A Very Didi Christmas Carol. This staged reading was put on by Theatre Outré and was a hilarious parody of the famous Christmas story. With catchy original songs by Jay Whitehead and Kathy Zaborsky, lots of dirty jokes, and puppetry, the fact I had to fight back crying near the end came a little unexpected!

This was definitely the most animated staged reading I have ever watched. We have such talented people here in Lethbridge theatre!

Last fall, Jamani Duo began working on the creatives for their new album. They loaded up their van with the instruments that were used on the tracks and we adventured throughout the city with all their instruments in tow. Normally when I do Lethbridge promotional band photos there may be a guitar involved, not a whole set up that takes 20 minutes to put together, so this was a ton of fun!

When they listed off the numerous instruments they had recorded with, the top down photo with their instruments surrounding them was the first image that came to my mind, and I was so excited to see it was the photo that made the album cover!