Alpine Animal Hospital

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Photography by Michele

Every year I’m asked by a friend to help photograph Santa with pets at the Alpine Animal Hospital, and every year I say no. I’m allergic to dogs and cats and chicken feathers! This year I couldn’t say no to my friend as he is going through some personal issues and really needed me. Not just to help, but to take over! So I headed to the pharmacy and loaded up on allergy pills to make it through the day. Much to my surprize the day was fun, and I was reminded how much people love their pets and will do anything for them. This is the first time I’ve ever photographed pets with Santa and I think I did ok. I wanted to share some of my favourites. We just had the usual dogs and cats, no one brought in their pet chicken! LOL

Thanks to the Alpine Animal Hospital for hosting this event, everyone that come out had a few nice images to choose from, and I really enjoyed it. I might even help out next year!

Posted in Event, Pets, Santa Photos Winnipeg | Tagged Alpine Animal Hospital, event photography, on location, Pet Photography | Leave a comment

Russian Translator in Winnipeg.

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Photography by Michele

Based in her hometown of Winnipeg, Canada, Sarah McDowell provides premium Russian to English translations and expert English editorial services to clients all over the world. After graduating from the University of Manitoba with an Advanced Degree in Economics and Russian, she went on to pursue several years of intensive high-level studies in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Her time spent in Russia allowed her to not only acquire in-depth knowledge of the Russian language, but also to become an expert in Russian history, culture, and contemporary Russian society.

Drawing on her unique abilities as a Russian and English language expert, she creates meticulous texts which are true reflections of the Russian source text and have the same level of natural expression and style as if they were originally written in English. Setting a new quality standard for Russian to English translation, Sarah’s objective is to improve cross-cultural understanding and facilitate clear communications between native speakers of Russian and their English-speaking counterparts by offering impeccable translations to companies, organizations, and individuals.

Sarah is open to collaboration with new clients and is always excited to hear about new projects. She can be contacted via her website

I’d like to wish Sarah all the best with her future endeavours !

Posted in Business, Head Shots, Photos, Pictures, Professional, Publicity | Tagged business portrait, Russian Translator Winnipeg, studio portraits winnipeg, Winnipeg photographer, winnipeg portrait photographer | 1 Comment

Selfies – 25 years ago!

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Photography by Michele

The word Selfie was named Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year!

Selfie’s are nothing new, Artist have been painting themselves for centuries. If they wanted to paint they used themselves as models. I remember the Red River College Photography Course we were asked to do a self portrait. Everyone hated this assignment, but it was the first time I ever tried to take a photo of myself. It was 1988 and I had a hasselblad which is a 120 mm format film camera. The hasselblad in my opinion was “the best” film camera money could buy. It came with prestige and it separated the professional photographer from those amateurs using 35mm cameras.

I remember having a long cable release as the camera didn’t have a self timer, which would have been easier. Well…. my arm wasn’t long enough as it distorted my whole face! So I thought, I can only show a part of my face if I want to look good. It was a time where you had to “think” about what you photographed. Every click cost you about $1.00 then there was the time for processing and printing. Hopefully you didn’t screw up along the way. As you can see from my contacts my exposures were not that consistent!

Here are the contacts of my attempt at a self portrait…..hilarious!

You’re probably wondering which one I choose to print and hand in, well here it is and I received a A+! I still have the print and mat, the final size of this is 15×15. I still prefer the square format….

If I was a student today this image would be retouched, to remove all those dark shadows under my eyes. Here is my version retouched and a selfie today non retouched!

11-20-2013, Selfie

Posted in general comments Winnipeg photographer, Head Shots, Portraits | Tagged photography, Red River College Photography Course, Selfies, Winnipeg photographer, Winnipeg Photographer Selfies, winnipeg portrait photographer | Leave a comment

Scammers Everywhere!

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Photography by Michele

I received an email from someone overseas who was getting married in Winnipeg next March. I thought it was strange as who get’s married in Winnipeg in March? But anyways… we figured out out their requirements and set a 600 deposit to confirm the date. Apparently their employer { the military } was going to send a cheque. I thought this was a bit off right from this point… Really? The military is going to send a cheque for your wedding photography?!

Eventually I received a email from the person claiming there was some kind of mix up and they sent me 3200. instead of the 600. Then they informed me to wire the balance back to them in England…. LOL Sure, no problem!!! (I’m being completely sarcastic here) They really must think we are completely stupid! As it turned out they sent me 3000. not 3200. so they couldn’t even get their story straight about the amount! oh and I’m in Canada, so why are you sending me US funds? LOL

I went down to my credit union and they agreed, they were fraud! A good one at that. Besides, who sends travellers cheques and doesn’t sign/date them? I’m sure the Military wouldn’t oversee this small fact. I actually phoned the police and they requested I file a report in person. I went down to the public safety building where I waited 45 minutes. I had all the evidence, even the scammers name in England where they wanted the money wired. I was going to do my part in capturing some criminals. I was feeling like a real Nancy Drew…… WELL Apparently the police can’t do anything about it unless I actually lost money. So I receive bad advice and I lost time which is money! So I thought I’d write about it and waste more time!!! LOL Who knows perhaps someone that reads this won’t waste their time… not sure what I’ll do with my 3000 of funny money, any suggestions?

do these really look authentic? LOL

Posted in Business, general comments, Lifestyle, Marketing, Police reports, Professional | Tagged buyer beware, Scammers in England, Thomas Cook, Wedding Deposit, Winnipeg Wedding Photographer gets scammed | 2 Comments

Sibling Portraits,no matter how old you are!

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Photography by Michele

Parents love to have photographs of their children no matter how old they are. This cute brother and sister live in England, yet their Father is in Nigeria. Enitan came to visit her little brother Akintola in Winnipeg as he is studying at the U of M. Enitan thought it would be a great opportunity to have a professional portrait of them for their father. I was so sorry to hear they recently lost their mother.

It’s great to see adult siblings get along and actually want a photograph together. I hope the wall portrait that is on it’s way to England, then Nigeria brings a smile to their father’s face….

Posted in Event | 1 Comment

Portraits in Chief Grizzly Bear Park

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Photography by Michele

Every year I photograph Mr. Andrew Swan and his family. Mr. Swan is the MLS for Minto in Winnipeg, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. It’s been great to watch his girls grow over the years, and I often see him at different functions I photograph. Every year we choose a different location, but stay in his riding. This year the photo was in Chief Grizzly Bear Park. I had no idea of such a park, as I drive on Sherbrook street many

Chief Grizzly Bear

times! Winnipeg names everything after someone famous, but I’ve never heard of this particular Chief… His name mean’s “bear’s oil” and he was a chief negotiator for the 1831 and 1832.

Here is more information on the park, and a few photos I took… http://winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr_2013/nr_20130730.stm#1

The family photo will appear on the 2014 calendar for the public.

Posted in Family, government, Lifestyle | Tagged Andrew Swan, business portrait, Calendar Portraits, family portraits, Grizzly Bear Park, group photos, MLA Minto, on location, photography, Winnipeg Family Portraits, Winnipeg photographer, winnipeg portrait photographer | Leave a comment

Small Business Week!

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Photography by Michele

I photographed the opening of small business week today. It was hosted at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain. There is nothing like rubbing elbows with 200 business owners for lunch. I definitely should have brought more business cards with me! Nice to see some familiar faces from the women business owners of Manitoba. I love it when people say, ” hey Michele take our photo”!

I had a interesting conversation with Dan Debreuil the guest speaker with http://www.salesexpert.ca Talk about a meeting that changes your whole attitude towards being an entrepreneur! After I was finished shooting, I decided to stay and listen to Dan give his presentation. I’m so glad I did, I was truly inspired by his words on sales.

After the speeches there was an Century Business award given to a Brown + Rutherford. The company was est in 1872. I’ve always been terrible with math, but by my calculations that’s 141 years! Definitely a good read! http://brownandrutherford.com/

Brown and Rutherford est 1872

Congratulations!!

Posted in Business, government, Professional, Publicity, Women Business Owners of Manitoba | Tagged 100 years in business, Brown and Rutherford, Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain, Dan Debreuil, event photographer Winnipeg, event photography, Manitoba government photographer, on location, photography, Provincial Government, Sales Expert, small business week Winnipeg, Women Business Owners of Manitoba | Leave a comment

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Photography by Michele

Back in 2001 I purchased a home and was dating an American. He wanted to decorate the front door area. So we drove to a garden market and purchase corn, pumpkins and gourds. I thought he was crazy! American’s have a way of being a little over the top for holidays. I must admit I really loved what we created. I still decorate the front entrance way. The house has changed over the years but giving thanks this time of year hasn’t changed.

I’m truly thankful for all the great people that have come in and out of my life, for they have shaped me into who I am. They say people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. I wish you and your family, and the friends who treat you like family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Posted in Event, food photography, general comments Winnipeg photographer, Lifestyle, Photos, Pictures | Tagged architecture, photography, pumpkins, Real estate photography winnipeg, Thanksgiving, winnipeg real estate | 2 Comments

ICE ICE BABY

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Photography by Michele

I recently photographed one of the best babies EVER! Why was this baby different? She was only a few day’s old. I took so many awesome photos of her, in the end I wanted to steal her! LOL I wanted to share one of my favourite photos with you. I had a anniversary party at the studio, and borrowed a ice bucket/stand from a friend. It was still at the studio the next day. I thought …… hey why not?

ICE ICE BABY

Posted in Child, Children, First Born, Kids, Newborn, Pictures, Portraits | Tagged child portraits, Newborn Photography Winnipeg, outworks gallery winnipeg, photography, studio portraits winnipeg, Winnipeg photographer, winnipeg portrait photographer | Leave a comment

Raising money for Breast Cancer at Quarry Oaks!

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Photography by Michele

11 years ago I purchased a home from Michael Leclerc. Michael has kept in touch and every year I receive emails for my birthday, christmas and his fund raiser golf tournament. I’ve never really been interested in golf until I took up the sport this year.

This is Michael’s 20th year raising money, and I was happy to take part for the first time. The tournament was held at the beautiful Quarry Oaks just east of Winnipeg. The weather and the company were excellent! Breast Cancer sent out two volunteers to help out and I was pleased to spend the day with Mary ann and Gisele. They brought pink ribbons and everyone was pleased to pin one on.

My contribution was to take team photos at the putting green, but I wanted to contribute a little more. Each team had a chance to win a family portrait session and a 8×10 block mounted print. There were 17 teams in total, and a couple players on the same team tied, so I ended up giving out 19 portrait sessions!

The buffet dinner at Quarry Oaks was excellent and most people went home with a prize including me. I won a Jets golfing umbrella! I could have used this umbrella on the links a few weeks ago as I didn’t have one in my golf bag.

Michael awarded Breast Cancer with a cheque for 1700. Way to go Michael, keep up the great work!