KYLE'S TUNES
December 10, 2019: PERSONAL
I type his name into Facebook and he no longer appears at the top. There are several other unfamiliar Kyles that are ahead of him and it's the first thing that hits me when I visit his memorial page. It's been 2 years today since one of my most cherished friends passed suddenly in his home far away from me. I am aptly aware that when a person passes they become perfect in our memories and our re-telling of our relationships with them. In Kyle and my case there is no embellishment needed. It was an unflawed friendship that defined a time in our lives and it will forever be just that.
2023
May 9, 2019: PERSONAL
Recently I came across on old journal of mine that I had started in January of 2002. I had just left my life in Toronto to move to South Korea on a 6 month teaching contract. In the end I would not return to that life or Canada for nearly 4 years after having discovered that there was a big beautiful world out there and many different kinds of ways to experience life on a day to day level. That adventure, that journey both outwards and inwards would change my outlook forever and when I landed back in Toronto late summer of 2005 it was a whole new world. A whole new me.
HAVASUPAI
May 30, 2018: TRAVEL/ADVENTURE
The moon had lit almost all of our last 8 miles through the narrow canyon and now we faced the switchbacks. We stopped part way up to catch our breath and in the deafening silence we felt the magic in this moment of the vastness in front of us. Not wanting to forget this I stood up and took my shirt off Matt’s eyes widened and he laughed “your turn” I said. The cool breeze blowing up from the valley dried the sweat from our skin and made goosebumps form over our sunburns. With outstretched arms I turned my face to the moon and breathed it all in.
TARAPY
March 30, 2018: PERSONAL/DOGS
My girl Tara will tell you that if you're having troubles, worries or stress- "put your boots on and take your dogs for a walk". If I'm being honest that quote would be peppered with "F" shots - but I'll let you fill them in! She's right though ~ sometimes it really is as simple as nature and dogs (even if you live in the deep freeze that is Calgary in Spring) its beautiful, meaningful therapy...Tarapy.
OUR COTTAGE- THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH
June 30, 2017: PERSONAL
These aren't fancy photos, some of them are from Mum's photo albums, some from a go-pro with a smudge on the screen, some from my phone but that doesn't matter here. Not today. In honour of Canada150 I have a story to tell. It's about the best place on earth. Our family cottage on the shore of the Northumberland Strait in Nova Scotia. Brule. My grandparents (long live The Colonel and The Swan) built it in the 1940s and my goodness if those walls could talk.
WHEELIES CAFE: CELEBRATING 3 YEARS
May 28, 2017: LIFESTYLE
Fine vintage custom motorcycles, great food, cold beer and live music. Wheelies Motorcycle Cafe and Workshop claims this on their website and they absolutely stayed true to their mission this weekend. Friday night they hosted Chris Andres and Joe Turner who played the Nebraska album in it's entirety. Saturday night was Metal Night in the parking lot with a Phillips Brewery Tap Takeover. On Sunday Wheelies celebrated their 3rd birthday with a swap meet, bike show and bbq. The street was closed to traffic, their parking lot was jam packed and the sun was scorching.
HOW TO FIND WORKAROUNDS IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT
May 27, 2017: WEDDING/EDUCATION
I have to say that the day went a little differently than that- and admittedly - in the heat of the moment during the exchanging of rings, vows and first kiss ~ it took everything in me not to yell out mid-ceremony (let's be honest I'd probably have politely tapped the officiant and asked quietly). In retrospect as nearly a year has passed I look back and realize that it was a really good learning moment for me. Invaluable. How did I really deal with it and what have I learned?
MAX + SOPHIE
February 26, 2017: LIFESTYLE/DOGS
This is a story about community. A tale of loss, of friendship and the dogs that brought them together.
Meet Max a 7 year old American Cocker Spaniel, who was rescued by The Findlays and Sophie a 10 year old Maltese-Bichon who is his very best friend.
Meet Max a 7 year old American Cocker Spaniel, who was rescued by The Findlays and Sophie a 10 year old Maltese-Bichon who is his very best friend.
HAMISH
February 14, 2017: LIFESTYLE/DOGS
It was a different dog Jenny and Scott had gone to visit the day of the Meet and Greet. Still recovering from the loss of their Daschund, Tony, they were only just starting to consider adding a third to their family again. It was Penny from the Victoria Humane Society who suggested a rescue she had from Alert Bay and described the abuse the little Plott Hound had endured at such a young fragile age. This newly engaged couple knew they had more than enough love to give and after a few weeks Hamish came home.
she's not fat she's just a little husky
June 2012: PERSONAL/DOGS
I started a new job about 8 months ago and it didn’t take long to realize that I was in good company- a vast majority of my colleague’s are major dog lovers which is definitely one of my favourite things about working there. As you might expect it takes time to get to know people in any new situation- but at a job where you’re the new kid on the block with people who have known one another for years….suffice to say I kept quiet for a few months and just observed waiting for my opportunities to find common threads and interests to link me to my new friends.
LITTLE HENRI IN THE BIG CITY
PERSONAL/DOGS
I recently returned home to Toronto for a quick visit with my girl Robin who has just upgraded her life in all the best ways. She is now the proud owner of a beautiful condo with a fantastic view AND she is a brand new mom to Henri James. He is a handsome 12 week old Border Collie with, what I’m absolutely convinced of- is, the very old soul of a well trained dog from a past life. You should be so lucky with your new pup…this one sits on command, comes when called and waits for the go-ahead before diving into his food dish.
2 BEST friends and a high school graduation
June 8, 2016: LIFESTYLE
Hailee and Giuliana are not just besties they are also cousins. I had the pleasure of photographing these girls 3 years ago for Hailee's birthday so when I was asked to capture the closing of this chapter in their lives I was honoured. I caught up with these two beauties and their sister Moms in Victoria's China Town. It was a sunny hot day and I didn't want the girls melting too soon so we started in the shade of Dragon Alley.
Wisdom in Dog Years-5 Things I've Learned About Photography
FEBRUARY 18 2016: PERSONAL/DOGS/EDUCATION
Satchi is our Hungarian Vizsla and today is her 5th birthday. She is, as I write this, somewhere on the Baja Peninsula in the back of a big black truck with her brother Ziggy heading home to me. My cinnamon girl has been frolicking on the beaches of Mexico for nearly a month now and I haven't seen her in 2 weeks! In her absence I can't spoil her with snuggles and treats so I will honour her here and celebrate her life with you instead.
FEAR IS A DARK ROOM WHERE NEGATIVES DEVELOP
February 17, 2016: PERSONAL
It's Christmas morning, I'm 5 years old and I'm being blinded by a spot light. My eyes are watering and I'm trying not to blink so as not to disappoint my father by ruining his photograph. We're standing next to mother, my sister and I, waiting for him to finish fussing with the tripod and the light- waiting for him to finish fiddling with the settings or the timer and I fidget with the dress I am in. It's Mums camera a Yashica Lynx 5000E that she had bought for herself in her younger days of travel. Frustrated, or perhaps sensing ours, she gets up from her chair and goes to help him - calculating our distance from the camera and setting the lens.
"Can i push the button?" I ask.
"No" one of them sighs.
And that is how it all began. The pint size rebel in me who didn't like that word - my fate was determined there and then. I would push that button, I would take a photograph.
"Can i push the button?" I ask.
"No" one of them sighs.
And that is how it all began. The pint size rebel in me who didn't like that word - my fate was determined there and then. I would push that button, I would take a photograph.
