Happy New Year… a little late

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Photography by Michele

I must admit it’s been a brutal winter here in Winnipeg. I’m not much of a winter person and it takes me a lot to get motivated to go outside when the temps it -45+.   December was the coldest winter in 80 years!  The other night was -51 and it warmed up yesterday but not enuf to head outside.  As I listen to the radio this am, all winnipeg school buses have been shut down. The schools are open though.   If you’re looking for a tow, it’s about 24 hours from CAA.

My first portrait session of the year has been cancelled, as my studio is just frigid in these temps.  We can wait for a warmer day…

I saw this frost on inside of my door handle….doesn’t encourage me to go outside.

 

frostondoor

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The shot that got away….

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Photography by Michele

It’s  7:00 am and I’m sipping coffee going through my emails,  as I sit in my office and look out the window  I see the full moon and some soft clouds going across it.  Really quite breath taking.  I was reading a email from Mike Grandmaison and admiring his beautiful winter card.  Mike is a awesome landscape photographer and I have purchased a few of this books.  check out some of his work .     I really should do a image for  my Christmas Card instead of waiting until the last minute and purchasing them.   Have you noticed most of the cards this year have glitter on them?     It looks like fairies have taken over my office! LOL

Anyway….   I  was kind of inspired to take out the camera and capture the moon.   Albeit from the inside.  Just as I pulled out my camera with the zoom lens and held it up for my shot the clouds rolled in and most of the moon was gone and it looked more like a UFO! LOL _MG_7243  geeze.   Everyone has a shot that got away!

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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._MG_7191 _MG_7101 _MG_7030We 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!

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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.

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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.

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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 !

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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!

1988 selfiesYou’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….

self portrait 1988If 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!

retouched

11-20-2013, Selfie

11-20-2013, Selfie

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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

do these really look authentic? LOL

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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…. Enitan & Akintola

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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 Grizzy Bear

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

Mr. Andrew Swan and family 003 copye

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

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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

Brown and Rutherford est 1872

Congratulations!!

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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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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