I DID IT!!! I AM an ACCREDITATED PHOTOGRAPHER with the PPOC!!

Posted on January 28, 2019April 11, 2019 by cecile

I DID IT!!!!

I am now an accredited photographer with the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) in the Canine/Dog Portrait category!!!!!

I’ve been working hard for this over the past few months and am beyond STOKED!!! The criteria – 10 images of 10 different dogs in 10 different situations. Four of the images must have been made indoors, 4 others outdoors and the last 2 were of my choice. I was judged for creativity, composition, lighting, technique, subject matter, presentation, story telling, centre of interest, style and colour balance. That’s a lot but when you’re representing the PPOC and want to be a top notch photographer this is what is expected.

I know I’m all giddy but this is a HUGE deal to me. This is THE highest standard in professional imaging. I now get to proudly display PPOC on my website and represent them. I take this seriously and aim to produce strong, technically correct and emotional photos that have impact and meaning.

As many of you know a few years ago I used to race downhill mountain bikes. While I rode at breakneck speeds I had no issues doing this in front of everybody. The final time on the scoreboard was absolute. I knew where I stood. Photography, however, has taken me outside my comfort zone. I put my heart into my photos and hope that people like them and not laugh at my work or ideas. Unlike racing, exhibiting my photos is really nerve racking. In essence, I’m putting my inner me out there for all to see. Submitting for accreditation in front of Canada’s best photographers was hard for me.

I cannot thank my husband David and my children enough. They put up with me going out at all hours and working long nights and often days making sure each photo was worthy of being submitted. David – thank you for putting up with me during this time. I also could not have done this without all the special furry friends (and their non-furry owners). Thank you Paul Johnson Desiree Ellis Lalena Desautels Robin Banks Chetti Pece Amy Siddaway and the others who are not on the net.

Here are the photos that were accepted.

WOOF!!

I Shot a Roadie

Posted on February 14, 2014 by cecile

Meet Zayne Heyes. He’s just turned nineteen and his future is bright with cycling. Formerly a XC ski racer, Zayne turned his attention to cycling only a few months ago in October 2013. Pumped with passion and his dislike for waxing skis Zayne has found that both track and road cycling fuel his competitive spirit and need to excel.

Quickly working his way up the ranks at the Burnaby Velodrome Zayne spends time riding both his road and track bikes to push him ahead of his competitors. He is coached and races for TaG – former cycling Olympians Leslie Tomlinson and Gina Grain.

I was stoked to set up the studio for Zane because I had never shot a roadie before! Hahaha…spoken like a true mountain biker and a downhiller at that! Jokes aside though it was a treat to photograph Zayne – his enthusiasm and ability to listen to directions made my job easy. Plus, he’s got a wicked carbon fiber bike and matching weave on his TaG jersey. At first I had thought about doing some black & white work but after seeing the bike and jersey combo I knew instantly the look I was after. My goal for the photoshoot was to give Zayne ample photos to use for potential sponsors.

I am really happy with how the photo shoot turned out. Next up are a few action shots of Zayne in the velodrome. I will be honest though…being in a velodrome scares me because I know I will want to try riding a track bike and I know I will want to pursue it. Which scares me because then I will have to buy a bike and some how I know my husband will give me an evil look. But my answer to that is ‘what’s another bike in the mix…you can never have too many!’

Ride on!!!

Congratulations Shelagh D. Grant – 2011 Lionel Gelber Winner!!!

Posted on March 1, 2011March 1, 2011 by cecile

Congratulations to my mother-in-law, Shelagh Grant, for winning the 2011 Lionel Gelber Award for her book on the Arctic!!! Not only is she the first Canadian women to receive the prize, she is also Canada’s leading authority on Arctic history www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2011/01/c6890.html.

Her publisher writes ‘Polar Imperative is a thought-provoking challenge to all readers to consider what is needed to adapt existing sovereign rights to current realities while protecting the fragile Arctic environment from irreparable damage’. Her book ‘Polar Imperative: A History of Arctic Sovereignty in North America is an overview of the attempts by many countries to claim sovereign rights over the polar regions of North America. Which leads us to ask the question…Does Canada Own It’s Arctic???

I can’t tell you how proud David (her son) and I are of her. Shelagh…you put in some serious hours, travelled far and researched extensively… and it was worth it! If you wish to understand the past and the future of our Arctic I urge you to read her book Polar Imperative: A History of Arctic Sovereignty in North America published by Douglas & McIntyre.

Please visit www.shelaghgrant.com for more information on Polar Imperative and her other published books and articles!!

Congratulations again!!! We are sooooo proud of you!!