Guilbault receives Master of Photographic Arts

We are very pleased to announce that at the Professional Photographers of Canada convention on April 14, 2008, Mike Guilbault, MPA, APPO, received one of the highest awards within the Professional Photographers of Canada in the form of the Master of Photographic Arts.
Mike was presented the award at the Annual Awards Banquet by PPOC President, Walter E. Janzen, MPA, SPA, F.Ph., in London, Ontario. (photo by Helen Traczynski)

The Master of Photographic Arts (MPA) award is a follow-up to the Craftsman of Photographic Arts (CPA) which Mike earned in 2003. The award is presented to photographers within the association (PPOC) that have achieved a high level of skill demonstrated through images accepted into the National Print Salon of PPOC, held annually in conjunction with the convention. In addition, recipients must have provided service to the association or its provincial member associations, and by promoting professional photography within the community.

In recent years, Mike's work has received recognition through acceptance into the Annual Print Salon, receiving several Awards of Merit and Excellence, and the prestigious honour of acceptance into the Permanent Loan Collection of the Professional Photographers of Canada.

A Worthy Quote

Found this quote by Henri Cartier-Bresson.  Kind of summarizes some of my feelings for photography:

"For me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. In order to “give a meaning” to the world, one has to feel involved in what one frames through the viewfinder. This attitude requires concentration, discipline of mind, sensitivity, and a sense of geometry. It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression.
To take a photograph is to hold one’s breath when all faculties converge in a face of fleeing reality. It is at that moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.
To take a photograph means to recognize – simultaneously and within a fraction of a second– both the fact itself and the rigorous organisation of visually perceived forms that give it meaning.
It is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson, 1908-2004.

Photographed this tree with it's fallen limb on the way to work last week.  A bit of fog, overcast and light snowfall made for an interesting image.

Merry Christmas!

I'd like to take this moment to thank all my clients and friends for their support and business over the last year. Our studio has undergone some strategic changes and we've upgraded equipment and software to stay on top of the industry and provide the best possible product we can.

For 2008 we will be introducing some new and exciting products to our line including Limited Edition ArtBooks for family portraiture (we already produce these for weddings - and they're awesome!) and Engagement Portraits. Our B&W studio portraits are always popular and sessions have been steadily increasing over the last 6 months and are expected to be an even bigger hit in 2008. We're still offering our specials on "Three Generations" portraits and our very popular pet portrait project.

And in 2008 we'll be expanding and adding many new Photography Workshops to the schedule, including an Introduction to Wedding Photography, scheduled for March 1st. For more information about our workshops and seminars, please visit the website at: PhotographyWorkshops.ca

Again, thank you all. It's been a true pleasure meeting you, photographing you and becoming friends. I look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

Best wishes for the holidays and a bright, prosperous 2008!

Nominated for 2007 Bell Canada Business Award

I am very pleased to announce that I have been nominated for the 2007 Bell Canada Business Award in the Service Business Excellence category by the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce.

In 2003 the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Barrie initiated a business awards program to recognize the contribution of local businesses to the continued growth and success of our community. Bell Canada, acknowledging the importance of such a program to Barrie's business community, signed on as the main sponsor immediately. Over the succeeding years, the Bell Canada Business Awards Gala has grown significantly in size and reputation throughout Barrie. With the enthusiastic support of the community, this annual event has become Barrie's premier business networking event. The 2007 event is planned for Thursday November 8th, 2007 in the Georgian College Gymnasium; it’s the 5th year of the awards and will be a very exciting event.

Wish me luck!!

Workshop Announcements have moved

I've moved the workshop announcements to a blog of their own to keep them all together. You can view them at http://mgphotographyworkshops.blogspot.com/, or, as always, directly on the PhotographyWorkshops.ca website.

Portraits in the Park 2007

We've posted the summer and fall dates of our popular "Portraits in the Park" sessions. Each year we select specific dates and photograph family portraits at the park, typically Sunnidale Park in Barrie. Sunnidale has the best and most varied locations for a variety of family portraits, from landscaped lawn and flower beds, to rustic, woodland settings. No matter the time of day, or weather conditions, we're sure we can create a beautiful family portrait for you in Sunnidale.

Check our website for dates and pricing.

October 13, 2007 - Fall Colour Photography Workshop

October 13th is the date of our most popular photography workshop - The Fall Colour Workshop. Of course it's hard to predict where the fall colour will be on this date, but at this time of year, inspiration flows like no other time of the year. If the colour is in the trees - that's what we shoot. If it's on the ground, we'll be there too. This workshop will focus (pun intended) on composition using colour and creating a 'custom' negative or digital file, in camera, under whatever conditions prevail that day... and we go rain or shine.

For more details and information about our other workshops, visit our Workshop site.

Looking for Dogs!

I'm on a Quest! I want to photograph as many different breeds of dogs as I can. I've got Jack Russells covered (I have three) and Chocolate Labs. But I want them all. SO... if you have a breed I haven't photographed before, the photography session is FREE! Sorry, cross breeds are not accepted - I'd go broke! Contact me to set up your appointment.

My First Moose!

I've been to Algonquin Park many times but have never seen a moose in the wild, not even in a zoo for that matter. Last weekend I was driving through the park and within a short period of time I saw four! I found two (together) on my own, about 50' off the side of the road, and later on two more, that had other viewers already stopped. The two were a male & female, I assume 'couple' and the others were probably yearlings.



This photo is of the last one I saw. Managed to get quite a few shots, but this one of him trekking through the bog is my favourite.

Mike