A Conversation

Overhead a conversation between a photographer and a writer a few years ago. The writer was commenting on the photographer's work. "I'm very impressed with your work", he said. "You're photos are powerful, vibrant and very artistic. You must have an expensive camera!". The photographer replied, "Well thank you. I'm very impressed with your writing too. You must have an expensive type-writer!".

Makes you stop and think for a moment doesn't it. The camera, like the type-writer, is simply a tool. It's the person using that tool that makes the difference. Photography isn't about the camera, the lenses, or any of the other gadgets you have in a bag. It's the vision, the understanding of the subject and how you use the tools at hand that create a good photograph.

Wedding Professionalism

I've been hearing a lot of disturbing comments lately about wedding photographers. Not necessarily from brides and grooms, but from other 'professionals', like videographers, florist and even clergy!

With the advent of digital photography, it seems that more and more people are getting into wedding photography. The quality of digital cameras and all the technology built into them make it very difficult to take a bad photograph. But photographing a wedding is much more than simply getting a correct exposure and making sure the subject is in focus. Part of it is interacting, cooperating, and working with not only the bride and groom and their family, but all the other vendors that are working to make the day a special one for their client - which happens to be your client as well.

Some of the terms I'm hearing are obnoxious, intruding, rude, hateful, self-centered and other words that I care not to repeat. I believe that most 'professional' photographers are not this way. But there's a new breed of photographer that seems to feel that as the 'artist' they should have total and free control over every situation. The shot is the most important thing - no matter how it affects others.

My philosophy is that if you can help each other, we all benefit, including the bride, groom and everyone attending the wedding. If you need a particular shot, duck under the video camera rather than walk through it. Be quiet when standing beside them so your noises aren't interfering with their recording. If the florist is late delivering the flowers, don't curse them and complain to the bride, come up with poses that don't require flowers and use valuable time for those. Once the flowers arrive, create those portraits - and the flowers are even fresher looking. If the officiant says no flash photos during the vows... don't run up the aisle to photograph them with flash - shoot without flash from the back of the church. There's no sense in ticking off the minister. The bride and groom may not be back to that church again - but you may be!

All I'm saying is that to be a professional wedding photographer, a true professional, you have to treat everyone professionally and with respect for the job they are doing. It does your business no good to interfere with the other vendors of this special day. Work with them to provide the best possible event for your mutual client. You'll gain their respect and maybe next time, they'll be willing to work with you.

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.