Maternity 2 Newborn
Kids and Family
Celebrations
Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Weddings
Portraits
Kim
Sarah
Ilana & Lorraine
Risa
YLCC Camp
Nitza
Posted on January 25, 2012
As always, I’m too involved in the juggling act that is photography and my life to blog and write about it so this a bit late. This wedding was is Orillia on what should have been the perfect October fall day but turned out to have hurricane like weather. It was a challenge but Alexis MacDonald, my friend and second shooter, was remarkably strong holding up an oversized umbrella for me to shoot outdoors in such gusty winds, even Dorothy would have been proud!!
I just love the intimacy of a small wedding. By the time the engagement session is complete and the wedding into full swing we are so familiar with family and friends that we able to capture some of the greatest moments ever.
Posted on June 22, 2011
Why am I posting this almost 2 years after Irene’s party?? For one thing, I’m on a birthday party blog blitz this week. I just finished production on a 45th Birthday Celebration, and finally got the time to post “J’s” 1st Birthday party from May. I also did not have a platform to share my work back then , but mostly, truly, I love …love …love this slide show!!! The kids were so involved with the art work, held at Klim Art School in Thornhill, that I had total freedom to roam around and capture the true nature of what they were expressing through art, without them feeling or acting self conscious. Kilm reminds me of the art classes and camp I went to at the YMCA at Baview & Sheppard in the 70’s when the building was a old weathered farm house that was totally engulfed in paint, clay, paper mache and candle making wax. Thanks for making such a great and memorable party Dee, it was a good year and a good age. Enjoy!
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Posted on May 9, 2011
Meet Joey. Although he and his family are very old friends and we had just done a pizza night the year before, I was not prepared. Joey changes at lightning speeds. Joey walks softly and carries a big stick. Watch out James Cameron, mover over George Lucas. Joey is here. Seriously.
Posted on January 15, 2011
In early December 2010 I had the pleasure of photographing this very charming young mans Bar Mitzvah. Congratulations Benji for doing such a great job!! The deep joy and pride of your family was brimming over as they watched your every move and held a sparkle in their eyes that said I’ve known you as a wonderful child who grew to be a wonderful boy and you will become a man we will continue to be proud of. The service was in the chapel of the Beth Tikvah synagogue on a Sunday morning and I had the opportunity to take photos during the service which usually doesn’t happen if it were in the main hall. We lost more than half of the scheduled portrait session because the security guard didn’t show up before the service but I think we got wonderful family pictures because of this good natured and easygoing family. I have say that I was really impressed with the photographic opportunities of the chapel. The room was small and intimate, the stained glass windows colorful but not overly busy and the room was infused with beautiful natural light bringing the woodwork to life.
Here are some images from Benji’s day.
Posted on November 27, 2010
Last Sunday I had an absolute treat & thrill photographing and hanging with the families at the Starlight Children’s Foundation Holiday Party. I have never seen so many children excited and entertained on this level. I overheard a boy telling the woman who was spray painting his arm that he looked forward to this day all year and its the best day of his life!!! The spread of joy was double as the parents watched their families laughing, screaming and literally jumping with joy during the various shows dances and activities happening throughout the day.
Once again a HUGE thanks to Kristina Laukkanen of Sugartree Photography for including me and the talented Jennifer Fudge of Fotojennics to photograph these wonderful children and families during this soul satisfying afternoon !!
Posted on November 1, 2010
Its always a pleasure to photograph a family’s celebrations and milestones, especially when so many friends and family have come out to enjoy and cheer on this very busy family. The twins one year Birthday Celebration was in August but its taken a while to catch up on sharing after a very busy season, so forgive me as I take the next few months to catch up on the summer and fall events and sessions. Many thanks for Sugartree Photography for bringing me in to photograph this wonderful family and the beautiful boys!!
Posted on June 26, 2010
On Thursday May 27th, I had the privillage of photographing the 16th annual Mike Glazer Golf Classic. Thanks to all the contributors at ORT Toronto for creating such a wonderful event on such a beautiful day for such a worthy cause. I appreciate you me letting me be a part of your tournament. You were all so wonderful to photograph and work with.
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Posted on May 20, 2010
I was one of many who returned last Wednesday from Jo’burg and Swaziland from the Grandmothers Gathering which was sponsored by the Stephen Lewis Foundation. It was truly incredible to witness 500 African Grandmothers and 42 Canadian grandmothers gather in solidarity for the purpose of support, learning and sharing in their relentless mission to, as the 2010 Manzini Statement reflects, Turn The Tides of Aids in Africa.
I’ve been asked by many friends and family to see the pictures I took in Africa and inquire about the gallery I’ll eventually post for everyone. On a practical note let me say that I have booked off the next 4 days to get my images edited and hand them off to The Stephen Lewis Foundation. From that point, because there are privacy issues concerning public figures and sensitive issues that we need to respect on behalf of the grannies, only after the foundation gives me the go-ahead will I post the images that are mutually agreed upon. As soon as the gallery is up I will notify you all and be happy to answer any questions regarding my experience or refer you to the support work of the The Stephen Lewis Foundation and the African Grandmothers are doing as caregivers, activists and experts dealing with issues such as gender based violence, pensions and security from their governments, education, health care, financial management, and housing to name just a FEW!!!
From an emotional perspective, its important for me to be honest with you and confess that as a mother I was particularly hit hard upon my return to Canada being swept back into kids schedule with school drop off, making lunches, bath time and dance class etc. I came to the full realization with a huge dose of sadness, exhaustion and a bit of defeat that in order for me to “work” and take the pictures I had unconsciously detached myself from some of the emotionally harder truths to face. Such as meeting wonderfully happy and very much loved orphaned/HIV positive children living at an amazing community run agency Cotlands . One dynamic and playful 3 year old boy laughed joyously and giggled relentlessly when I showed him a picture of himself in the back of my camera and then looked at me inquisitively, as in a fact finding mission to validate his own experience in life, asked boldly and cheekily “Where is your Mama?”. It was a question and a statement and the same time and I was left without words. Another experience that has left me profoundly changed as a person and mother was the meeting of two children between the ages of 4-12 that had been molested and were now HIV positive and living with their granny who housed 8 family members in her two room “house”. Yet while I was there, yes there was sadness in telling of the very deep, personal and painful stories the grannies were so strong and brave to share with us, but mostly I witnessed the resilience and unwavering love the African grannies have for their grandchildren and their determination to protect and nurture their families. The totality of the burden that has been placed on them hit me hard as I looked around in my community and thought, hell, we as Canadians could NEVER EVER survive in the way the Africans have. The Africans group together in song and dance in celebration, in sorrow, in mourning and in ACTION !!! We simply have human rights and privileges that protect us from that kind of grief and hardship. What I’m left with is the absolute understanding, for all of us in 1st world countries, our duty and social responsibility to support children and families all over the world who need support to feed, educate, medicate and advocate!!!
My thanks and appreciation to all of the awe inspiring team members of The Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Canadian Granny’s for their unwavering devotion to Turn the Tides of AIDS in Africa and allowing me this life changing experience. I also want to mention the contribution and commitment Aeroplan, (see Areoplan in Africa by Christa Poole via Strategyonline.ca), and its members made by donating more than seven million miles to the Stephen Lewis Foundation to fly 42 Canadian grandmothers to the African Grandmothers Gathering in Manzini, Swaziland. (Aeroplan’s Beyond Miles program invites members to join Aeroplan in supporting eight Canadian charitable organizations through the donation of Aeroplan Miles including The Stephen Lewis Foundation). I mention it because you can continue to contribute on an on going basis to Aeroplan’s Beyond Miles Program to support the incredibly meaningful work being done by the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Stay tuned as I post more pictures and information surrounding the incredible Canadian Grannies and the work they do!! Cheers to you all!!
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Posted on March 9, 2010
Hi All,
Before you all head out for March break to spend quality time with your nearest and dearest, I wanted to get you the latest and greatest. In seven weeks I’m heading out to Africa with The Stephen Lewis Foundation . Check out the information and promotion I’m launching today. Keep in mind portrait photos make great Mothers Day and Father’s Day gifts!!! What I really encourage you to do is make this a family affair. Include grandparents in your family portrait. Create a legacy !!!!
The Story Of Hope and AIDS in Africa
Photo Project for The Stephen Lewis Foundation
This May I will be volunteering at The Swaziland Grandmothers Gathering which will, for the first time, bring together hundreds of African Grandmothers and 40 Canadian Grandmothers in solidarity. As well, I am participating in an on-going, creative, meaningful documentation project that will bring artistry, social justice work, and the courageous work of human survival in the face of the pandemic, together with the dignity, integrity and beauty that is at the heart of the grassroots work being done around the AIDS pandemic in Africa.
Since the launch of The Grandmother To Grandmother Campaign, more than 220 groups of Canadian grandmothers have taken up the call to action and the campaign has raised over $7 million. SLF directs these funds to community-level organizations in 15 sub-Saharan African countries that provide grandmothers with much needed support, such as food, housing grants, school fees for their grandchildren and grief counseling.
I feel hugely grateful for this opportunity and it gives me great purpose and meaning to be documenting this historic event as well as working long term with the SLF to give families healing, hope and validation through photographic documentation and visual connection for the generations still standing in the face of this pandemic.
We Have Two Great Ways To Contribute To The Photo Project Launching This May At The Swazi Grandmother Gathering
ONE
Portrait Party Photo Fundraising Event
Occurring on specific dates from March 1, 2010 – June 30, 2010
We suggest a minimum donation to the Stephen Lewis Foundation of $65
At our event you are welcome to come for a tour of my new studio space, have a chat, some refreshments and enjoy a
1/2 Photo Session with up to 5 people.
Within two weeks I will send you an on line gallery of our time together.
At the studio event I’m offering two incredible deals to help fund my travel expenses to Africa. Prints and products purchased after the event are offered at %15 off
PACKAGE A
(1) DVD Video Montage of your sesssion
(1) 11×14 print
(1) 8×10 Print
That’s $250 of product for just $199 which will go towards my travel expenses to Africa
PACKAGE B
(1) DVD Video Montage of your sesssion
(1) 8×10
That’s $130 of product for just $30 which will go towards my travel expenses to Africa
TWO
Help Us Raise Funds For This Exciting And Wonderfully Meaningful Project While Getting Something You Need!!
Durable, Waterproof, Weatherproof, Scuff Resistant, Dishwasher and Microwave Safe Labels For:
CAMP
SCHOOL
DAYCARE
THE GYM
WORK
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Posted on January 20, 2010
As I slowly ease back into motherhood, work and school after the holidays, I realize I need to make some changes in the up coming year. It will serve me well to reflect on what is working well, what I didn’t do well and decide the new plan. As a parent, photographer and student I crammed so much into last year that by mid December I was just exhausted!! Don’t get me wrong, I accomplished so many great things and more!! I’m grateful that I did because truly I believe this year will be even better because of the foundation that was laid, but I’m still trying to figure out the workflow of how to make my family and photography a priority and still fit in things like workouts, date night, reading books for fun and diner with our friends!!
More on that later but for now I’ll share with you the way 2009 ended for me. I was driving down to Florida with my taller half and the kids when I found out that the much anticipated Toronto Life Wedding Guide 2010 was on the stands. Ricki Horowitz Photography & Kristina of Sugartree Photography, if you recall, teamed up for the wedding of Ilana Landsberg-Lewis & Lorraine Sagato of Parachute Club in September ‘09 and that wedding is now featured in the The Toronto Life Wedding Guide on page 68. It was a great way to end a photographic year that was full of excitement, hard work and great new friends!!!
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