My First Blog

It has been five wonderful years since I left the world of education, and decided to make a living with my dream job.

I started at Fanshawe in September of 2009, We had large class sizes, lots to learn and amazing teachers to help us on our journey. Over the next two years, I found out what subject matter I was drawn to, and the techniques I shied away from. My peers and fellow photographers quickly became friends. We did all our assignments together, we wandered campus in between classes, and shared fun times and great memories. With this support group that Fanshawe helped to create, I really found my voice. To this day if I need a second opinion, or want to show off my favourite picture to an impartial judge, I know I will always have a photographer or two in my corner.

With diploma in hand, I was ready to make my way. I started building my portfolio with any and every subject matter that caught my eye. This included all of my friends and family or anyone I knew who was willing to stand in front of my camera. My first year out of school I learned a lot about myself, and what I think makes a great photo. That usually included cracking jokes, making funny faces, or making a fool out of myself to get reactions. I still look back on those first couple photo-shoots and it brings a smile to my face.

These photos became the building blocks on which I built my entire photography business. My style hasn't changed much in the days since my graduation, and I can still always find a willing candidate to be silly and to make funny faces at me in hopes of catching the ever elusive perfect shot.

Taking photo-journalistic candids is still my favourite way to show any persons best side. I love getting to know people as I photograph them, seeing the things that make them laugh, finding out their passions and making sure that same spark shows in every photo.

Thank you to those who have helped me along the way, Sarah for this wonderful photo of me, and for teaching me so much over the last four years, to all my friends who have let me take what feels like a million photos of you, and to my family for putting up with me while I learned how to use my equipment, especially the year I purchased my first off-camera flash, I don't think any of us could really see that year.

I hope that you will continue on this journey with me as I grow as a photographer in Oakville to Niagara and surrounding areas. Over the next little while I will be posting my favourite photos from years past as well as my new clients as they come.

- Kelly