Lisa Foad

Lisa Foad was featured reader at The Naughty Thoughts Book Club in Ottawa with local guests Ben Ladouceur and Megan Butcher.
From her online bio:

"Lisa Foad’s debut story collection, The Night Is A Mouth (Exile Editions, 2009), has been praised by The Globe and Mail as “a brand-new thing” – says The Globe, Foad writes “with courage and surprising panache.” And EYE Weekly, in its five-star review, declares, “her DeLillo-sized sentences create a linguistic tension that could cause the pages to flip autonomously.” Her creative work has appeared in Matrix, Exile: The Literary Quarterly, and Red Light: Superheroes, Sluts and Saints, and she contributes cultural commentary to a variety of publications, including The Globe And Mail, NOW Magazine and Xtra. Lisa Foad lives in Toronto and is at work on her first novel."

Lisa Foad

Lisa Foad was featured reader at The Naughty Thoughts Book Club in Ottawa with local guests Ben Ladouceur and Megan Butcher.
From her online bio:

"Lisa Foad’s debut story collection, The Night Is A Mouth (Exile Editions, 2009), has been praised by The Globe and Mail as “a brand-new thing” – says The Globe, Foad writes “with courage and surprising panache.” And EYE Weekly, in its five-star review, declares, “her DeLillo-sized sentences create a linguistic tension that could cause the pages to flip autonomously.” Her creative work has appeared in Matrix, Exile: The Literary Quarterly, and Red Light: Superheroes, Sluts and Saints, and she contributes cultural commentary to a variety of publications, including The Globe And Mail, NOW Magazine and Xtra. Lisa Foad lives in Toronto and is at work on her first novel."

Call Me Katie

Call Me Katie is the name of the musical trio that is Monty Reid, Sarah Hill, & Mike Rivoche.

Unfortunately, at the moment, they do not have a CD of their music. I will have to hear them live on stage to hear the angelic voice of Sarah for now.

Elizabeth Bachinsky

Rooftops are cool. So is Elizabeth Bachinsky. I am happy that she is my facebook friend and that she allowed me to photograph her on the roof of the Carleton Tavern in Ottawa.

Goings On

I hardly ever write any more text in blog entries anymore. I assume no one seems to mind as I don't get questioned about it, so I will keep it short and to the point. Just thought I would update you all with some recent photo-related goings on.

My photo of Katherine Barber finally sold. It took awhile. The photo of "Canada's Word Lady" which was originally taken waaay back in the spring of 2006 was used on the tickets and associated marketing collateral and paper publication for a reading she gave at The Anglican Diocese of Ontario Annual Bishop's Dinner at the beginning of May. It's one of my personal favourite event photos which finally received some recognition.

Chenelière Éducation is publishing a book of contemporary history and will be using my photo of Chantal Hébert. It's great to make this sale since the photograph was captured in a come-by-chance meeting of her in front of the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa. The book will have a circulation of 40,000 in Québec schools.

Since the late Arthur Erickson, the famed (Canadian) architect, passed away I made a quick photo sale to Award magazine - The Magazine of Sustainable Architecture, Construction & Interior Design. It's based out of British Columbia and one of my 2007 photos will be used in an editorial in the magazine noting his passing.

During the Ottawa International Writers Festival I made a few print sales to individuals. This is always a nice bonus, though a tough slog. Going through my flickr.com photo stats I am wondering why photo views of Ursula K. Leguin are so low. I thought it would be quite the opposite. Oh well.

I have had some people ask me recently about pricing photos. Though I am far from an expert in this regard I have some experience pricing my work. I have a standard approach and it seems to work. My current prices are listed in my FAQ found on the main page and on the link at the top of this blog page. I get calls every now and then from individuals and they are happy to see that this information is readily available.

There are a couple of interesting uses of my photos recently that have been exiting for me. I will update you once I have more info. One is a greeting card, and the other involves FOX News...

I got on the Twitter bandwagon recently. I *really* don't get the whole twitter thing entirely but people seem to want to follow me on it. Updates are rare, however.

My SEO seems to be working out, too. People who do a google.com search for 'Ottawa photographer headshots' will find my site as one of the top destinations. As a result this week I completed a head shot gig for an Executive Director of an Ottawa-based organization. The first usage of the photo will be for Ottawa Life Magazine's Top 10 Influential People in the Nation's Capital, if all goes well. More on this photo in the near future.

And today I just made a media-related transaction with the Erin Advocate, a community-based newspaper in Erin, Ontario. They will use my photo of the publishing team of Elke & Tim Inkster of whom both jointly received the Order of Canada last week. That's about it for now. Hope all is well with each of you!

Sara Lov - A Thousand Bees

Sara Lov - A Thousand Bees

Rooftop Smoking

Here's my candid photo of Rachel from last evening.

There's rooftop smoking, then there's rooftop smoking Bonaduce-style. Take, for example, the nonchalantly done extreme photoshoot of Danny Bonaduce video:


See the resulting photo here: http://www.wonderfulmachine.com/images/danny_bonaduce_shea_roggio.html

I don't know who's cooler now, Bonaduce or Roggio.
...And no, I don't endorse smoking nor hanging from rooftops while smoking.

Kitty McKay Lewis - Door Prize

Kitty awards a door prize to Carmel at a reading in the Carelton Tavern in Ottawa. The event featured several of Ottawa poets (Nadine McInnis, Monty Reid, & David O’Meara) who have had books published by Brick Books.

bill bissett - text bites

Normally you would not be able to easily read the text on the paper since it would appear backwards to the viewer. However, I flopped the pic so you can read bill's poem, 'text bites'. And even though the poem on the paper is forwards now, you still may wonder how to read it...

As part of the AB Reading Series, bill bissett read a selection of his work from over the years and some new stuff, too. There was a tribute to bill at the Mercury Lounge last evening with some of Ottawa's local poets reading from his poems featuring Amanda Earl, Sandra Ridley, Max Middle, and jwcurry.

Arthur Erickson - Dead at 84

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Erickson
larger size of contact sheet here: farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3552422958_3bc20fccca_o.jpg

Chris Stanhope

Chris poses for a photo prior to the evening's film fest at the Rainbow Bistro in Ottawa. The film festival organizer, Shawn Lukitsch, is inside setting up the DVDs prepping for the event. Chris is from Asheville, North Carolina working with the film festival, now in its third year, which is on a North American tour of Hobo-related short films. I have to thank jwcurry for alerting me to the one-night only Ottawa event. The ubiquitous traveller Mitch St. Pierre even showed up with his own 2006 short film 'Await the Freight' in tow for a last-minute entry.
More info on the Hobo Film Festival here:
www.myspace.com/hobofilmfest
http://www.mainstreetmuseum.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Hobo_Film_Festival

Chris Stanhope of The Hobo Film Festival

Chris Stanhope of The Hobo Film Festival stands outside the Rainbow Bistro in Ottawa's Byward Market prior to the evening's film event.

Christian Bök

Christian Bök in Ottawa at the AB Reading Series sponsored by the Tulip Festival, May 2009.

Elke Inkster, C.M. & Tim Inkster, C.M.

Elke Inkster, C.M. and Tim Inkster, C.M.
Erin, Ontario
Members of the Order of Canada

Elke and Tim Inkster have made an important and enduring contribution to Canadian literature. They founded and continue to run The Porcupine’s Quill (PQL). This publishing house is known for its excellence in design and production, and for taking risks with new and unpublished writers. Many of Canada's internationally renowned authors got their start with PQL and credit the Inksters with being integral to their development. Recognized for attention to detail and uncompromising quality in literary and other works, their small press has won numerous awards and has served as an example of publishing excellence at home and abroad.

more info here:
www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5730

Audrey Thomas, O.C.

Audrey Thomas, O.C.
Galiano Island, British Columbia
Officer of the Order of Canada

Audrey Thomas is one of our nation’s most accomplished fiction writers. Particularly renowned for her short stories, she has also written novels and radio dramas in a career that has spanned four decades. Her prose has been described as “evocative”, “unpretentious” and “flawless”. Equally known for her generosity of spirit, she has supported and mentored countless other writers, and was revered by students at the numerous universities where she taught or served as writer-in-residence. In addition, she has been active in founding and running professional associations, notably the Writers’ Union of Canada.

more info here: www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5730

Sister Christine Leyser, C.M.

I love going to Rideau Hall for the Order of Canada investiture ceremonies. Aside from the sheer inspiration of hearing fascinating stories of individuals and being a witness as they are recognized for their personal impact on a national scale, you never know how people will react in this highly prestigious ceremony.

And as a photographer you are a witness to many, many wonderful moments along with the more formal moments. Take Sister Christine for example. While others are solemnly escorted to the front of the great room and bow to the Governor General, she did away with this protocol, as the recipients are instructed to do, and just rushed up to Madame Jean and gave her a big hug and kiss. It was a sweet, honest display of emotion. A wonderful moment I believe.

Sister Christine Leyser, C.M.
Guelph, Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada

For more than 25 years, Christine Leyser has served as a pillar of her community and a beacon of hope for those marginalized in our society. She founded a network of facilities that provides social services, accommodation and a sense of community to those in need. Beginning with the Drop-In community centre, she expanded the organization to include the Dwelling Place, a long-term, shared support housing centre, and the Stepping Stone and Elizabeth Place, emergency shelters for men and women respectively. With seemingly boundless energy, she remains the inspiration and drive behind all of these projects.

Randolph C. (Randy) Bachman, O.C., O.M.

Randolph C. (Randy) Bachman, O.C., O.M.
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Officer of the Order of Canada

An icon of Canadian rock music, Randy Bachman has written, performed and produced hit records and singles for more than four decades. As a founding member of two of Canada’s most acclaimed rock groups, The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, he was one of the first Canadian artists to break into foreign consumer markets and bring international attention to our music industry. He continues to support and promote Canadian musicians as the host of a popular national radio show and as a producer of emerging artists.

more info here: www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5730

have you hugged someone today?

Self-Portrait with Twins

Ha Jin

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha_Jin

An evening of international literature featuring Kamila Shamsie, the Karachi-born author of Burnt Shadows, Zoë Heller, author of Notes on a Scandal and The Believers, and Ha Jin, winner of the National Book Award, the PEN/Hemingway Award, two PEN/Faulkner Awards and three Pushcart Prizes.

Global Encounters

Ha Jin, Kamila Shamsie and Zoe Heller along with host Neil Wilson.
The literary event was presented in partnership with Toronto's Globe and Mail Open House Festival.

"An evening of international literature featuring Kamila Shamsie, the Karachi-born author of Burnt Shadows, Zoë Heller, author of Notes on a Scandal and The Believers, and Ha Jin, winner of the National Book Award, the PEN/Hemingway Award, two PEN/Faulkner Awards and three Pushcart Prizes."

Pity only about 30 people showed up for this heavy hitter author panel. There were some great interaction between the panelists which is refreshing. Glad I went.

Zoë Heller

Zoë Heller in Ottawa at a reading hosted by the Ottawa International Writers Festival.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zo%C3%AB_Heller

Photo Link Heaven

http://www.invesp.com/blog-rank/Photography

The Sound of Music

trailer

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer smiling for the fans.


Actor, Christopher Plummer signing copies of his book in a Chapters bookstore downtown Ottawa on Mother's Day.


Tracy, a happy fan, gave Plummer a kiss and asked to have her photo taken with the author.

Kim Minkus

B.C. poet

bubbles

Matthew turns three this summer. He enjoys his steak medium rare, casual Fridays, the musical stylings of Tom Jones, and playing outside with or without bubbles. He's easy that way.

rain

Tamil protesters in rain garb waiting on the bus.

Ursula K. Le Guin

A portrait of the author on stage. I'm very pleased with this photo of Ursula K. Le Guin.

Ursula K. Le Guin in Ottawa

Le Guin in a playful moment on stage at the Ottawa International Writers Festival. I was going to crop this shot a little tighter but I like the perspective from the balcony of St. Brigid's showing the big picture. The photo does hold up cropped, however. It's pretty damn sharp despite being a few hundred feet away, upstairs.

Charred Cedar

Burnt Wood

Evelyn Lau

Canadian poet and novelist, Lau has led an interesting life thus far according to wiki info... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Lau I think she'll always be famous for her 1989 novel, Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid.

She was a featured reader at the Ottawa International Writers Festival - Spring Edition 2009.

Extraordinary Canadians Biographers

More info on the book series, edited by John Ralston Saul: www.johnralstonsaul.com/extraordinary.html
LtoR: M.G. Vassanji, Nino Ricci, Adrienne Clarkson, John Ralston Saul, Andew Cohen, Margaret MacMillan.

Michael Ignatieff, Mason

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Leader of the Official Opposition, Michael Ignatieff appeared at the Ottawa International Writers Festival to launch his book True Patriot Love to a sold out audience, 24 April 2009. Ignatieffe got a lesson in masonry from Francis Healy, the mason who is currently repairing the stone walls of the building, Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts and Humanities. Supervising the outfitted Ignatieff is architect Barry Padolsky on the left.

St. Brigid's

St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts & Humanities - Ottawa, Ontario.

Beverley Johnston

Percussionist Beverley Johnston does a cute little musical spoken-word performance number on some plates, a flower vase, and a wine glass and bottle, hitting them all with ordinary cutlery. It's called "All Too Consuming" written by Diana McIntosh. She really hammed it up nicely. Luckily I was there to capture some of the 'hammier' moments. Ha! This shot in particular resonated with me.
This photo would look nice double truck in a magazine.
. . .

Mike Carey

Though I am not a die hard fan of comics and related material, Carey (a Liverpudlian) was an event highlight in terms of his brilliant reading. Quite entertaining and has an engaging style akin to the Scotsman, Ian Rankin's Ottawa reading from a few years ago. I'd recommend seeing him read in your area should he be in your town. You won't be disappointed.

Brief bio from Carey's website: mikecarey.net

"Ongoing writer for Marvel and DC comics (and other comics publishers) as well as a novelist (the Felix Castor series) and screenwriter (Frost Flowers)"

James Harkin

From Harkin's website http://www.jamesharkin.co.uk/, "James Harkin is a writer and social forecaster. He is Irish, was born in Belfast, and is now a regular writer for The Financial Times and The Guardian as well as Director of Talks at the ICA in London."

Ursula K. Le Guin & Sean Wilson

www.ursulakleguin.com/

via wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_K._Le_Guin

"Ursula Kroeber Le Guin is an American author. She has written novels, poetry, children's books, essays, and short stories, most notably in the fantasy and science fiction genres. First published in the 1960s, her works explore Taoist, anarchist, ethnographic, feminist, psychological and sociological themes.

Jo Walton

from wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Walton

Jo Walton is a Welsh fantasy and science fiction writer and poet. She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 2002 and the World Fantasy award for her novel Tooth and Claw in 2004. Her novel Ha'penny was a co-winner of the 2008 Prometheus Award.

She blogs online here at Papersky http://papersky.livejournal.com

Ursula K. Le Guin

www.ursulakleguin.com/

via wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_K._Le_Guin

"Ursula Kroeber Le Guin born October 21, 1929) is an American author. She has written novels, poetry, children's books, essays, and short stories, most notably in the fantasy and science fiction genres. First published in the 1960s, her works explore Taoist, anarchist, ethnographic, feminist, psychological and sociological themes.

Gracious

I had to laugh during the Q&A post reading. Le Guin has the most polite (rehearsed?) way of telling a fan to read her FAQ on her website. Like any popular author/celebrity, she must get the same questions asked at reading events all the time especially over a long lifetime of reading events. She was very gracious though and did answer all the fan's questions in this pretty damn near sold out audience.

The whole day on Saturday was very much a writers fest highlight for me as the sci fi writers were some of the most engaging guests I've seen all week.

Andrew Mah

www.andrewmah.com

Robert Cram

www.music.uottawa.ca/faculty/cram.html

Udok Asem Ets

University of Ottawa Music Students Devon Hansen, Geneviève Colletta, and Noémi Parenteau-Comfort perform Elma Miller's spoken-word piece, Udok Asem Ets, at St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts & Humanities in a co-production of the Ottawa International Writers Festival and The Ottawa Chamber Music Society, "New Music in New Places" musical series.

www.hwcn.org/~aa210/Profile.html
www.chamberfest.com/english/index.html
www.writersfestival.org/

Musical Plates

Percussionist Beverley Johnston does a cute little musical spoken-word performance number on some plates, a flower vase, and a wine glass and bottle, hitting them all with ordinary cutlery. It's called "All Too Consuming" written by Diana McIntosh. She really hammed it up nicely. Luckily I was there to capture some of the 'hammier' moments. Ha! (Don't hate me Beverley!)

Flower Pots and Chopsticks

Beverley Johnston performs a composition for percussion entitled, To the Earth (Fred Rzewski), playing four clay flower pots of varying pitch - with modified chopsticks. A very subtle piece as you can imagine in a huge building as St. Brigid's.

Beverley Johnston

http://www.beverleyjohnston.com/

Robert Bringhurst

from Wiki:
"Robert Bringhurst is a Canadian poet, typographer and author. He is the author of The Elements of Typographic Style – a reference book of typefaces, glyphs and the visual and geometric arrangement of type. He has also translated works of epic poetry from Haida mythology into English."

Neil Bissoondath

Neil Bissoondath at the Ottawwa International Writers Festival.

W.H. New

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._H._New
Pinch hitting for an ill Patrick Lane, W.H. New is a legend in Canadian literature in his own right as a critic, poet, children's author and anthologist. He was a welcome addition to the Ottawa International Writers Festival.

Phil, Martha & Stuart

Phil Jenkins, Martha Baillie. Martha comments on some of the 'odd' incidents that occur in libraries. These authors all took part in the Ottawa International Writers Festival - spring edition, 30 April 2009.