A short while ago I had the utmost pleasure of photo documenting the fun and fabulous tiny houses made by Alysha Farling! She uses discarded objects and garbage to artfully build these tiny treasures that are based on her childhood memories. I hope you enjoy this selection of my favourites. Visit Alysha's tumblr page here: http://alyshafarlingart.tumblr.com/
Pistachio House
Pussy Willow House
Pear Apple Packaging House
Ginny Chimney House
Super Creepy House
The Emerald Pool, Sequins on C-Print, 2016
The Walbran Valley, known locally as Kax:iks is a magical place located deep within the temperate rainforests of Southern Vancouver Island. Within live old growth Red Cedar Trees, Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir, Hemlock and Spruce Trees, some are upwards of 2000 years old. Upwards of 40 new species have been discovered in these forests in the last 3 years and the diversity of fungal life is unmatched anywhere on the planet. Wild Salmon swim through the Kax:iks river, while bears and cougars live in their natural habitat. The forest is host to numerous endangered species including the Marbelled Murrelet- a small bird that lives in the old growth canopy and cannot fly unless it launches itself from a tree. If it finds itself somehow on the ground, it will die.
This special and relatively small area of the planet was partially protected in 1993 after intense protesting from locals and many many arrests due to blocking of logging roads. The heart of the Kax:iks- where the water flows and the gigantic trees live, is still unprotected and is in immediate danger of being logged. This logging has been approved by the Provincial Government of British Columbia.
The Tolkien Giant, Kax:iks, July 2016
In order to raise awareness of the plight of Kax:iks and to bring knowledge to the importance of protecting this healing place, The Friends of the Carmanah Walbran organized an art show called "Into the Magic" at Metchosin Community House with all proceeds of sales going to the ongoing work of saving Kax:iks. I am much obliged to be included in this show with my piece depicting the pure cleansing waters of the Emerald Pool, at direct threat of being polluted and possibly destroyed from logging.
I invite everyone to make it out to Metchosin before October 23 to see the beautiful array of pieces available and learn more about the extreme environmental threats Southern Vancouver Island faces. Without our forests we have nothing.
The Emerald Pool in the heart of Kax:iks, July 2016
Me and a Big Old Tree, July 2016
Ancient Tree, Kax:iks, July 2016
I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph some medium format photos for Tenth and Proper Boutique in Vancouver, BC recently. The owner, Marion, wanted some visuals she could use on her website that captured the nuances of the shop. I decided to use an outdoor film for the indoor shooting and the results provide a vintage look. Here are some of my favourites.
Welcome to my new Mailing List! I realize people are sick of receiving a bunch of spammy emails. Which is why I endeavour to sparsely send you only thoroughly enjoyable, highly crafted emails you will benefit from. I only make discounts available to my email clients! So... on top of getting neat-o presents from time to time you will also get an amazing deals on photo shoots! Give it a go, why not.
I am very honoured to be featured in Sonofagun Magazine for February 10, 2016. It was a really fun experience working with this publication. I hope you enjoy reading my interview!
This week I headed down to Clover Point in beautiful Victoria, BC with Teana David of Six Petals Retreats. Our focus was on capturing exciting images featuring the Magic Circle that could be used with text overlay. As always I am blessed to work with such a professional and I am pleased with the level of creativity we were able to achieve in freezing conditions and a small window of available winter light. Enjoy!
The ubiquitous New York City Subway. Grand and gritty and essential for life in New York. I could literally spend weeks exploring the subway system and the stations. I posted a video here of a "secret" subway station called "City Hall". The bartender at the Waldorf=Astoria told me about this station while I was hanging out at the bar drinking ($25.00!!!) gin and tonics by myself. He told me to get on the Number 6 line headed for Manhattan Bridge. When the train operator announces that the train has reached the end of the line, do not get off. The train will loop around and start heading north again. While the train loops around you will travel through a secret subway station. After telling me this he made me a fancy hot toddy on the house. What a great time I had in New York. Blessed are the New Yorker Urban Explorers.
Grand Central Station, New York, New York 2012 C-Print
Chambers Street Subway Station, New York, New York 2012 B&W Print
Grand Central Station Pedestrian Thoroughfare New York, New York 2012 C-Print
Subway Car New York, New York 2011 B&W Print
What a blast I had doing this music video for Hush Pup out of Toronto, Ontario. I can definitely say these folks are a class act and I consider myself blessed to call Ida and Steve friends. Hope you enjoy!
Three weeks ago, my second favourite human created place in North America was CLEANED. A group of professional cleaners were employed by the City of Seattle to remove the gum from Gum Alley, located behind Pike Place Market. Legend has it that the Gum Alley began to grow from a single piece of carelessly placed gum somewhere around 1992 while the Grunge Era was in full effect. Needless to say cleaning the gum wall spelled sure death of possibly the biggest collaborative public art piece in the world. One can only imagine how many people have contributed their DNA to this amazing place. The good news is that after it's decimation, the gum wall is starting to build again! I cannot wait to head down to Seattle for another photography adventure in Gum Alley.
Gum Alley, Seattle 2012 120mm Colour Photograph
Gum Alley, Seattle, 2012 35mm Colour Photograph
Gum Alley, Seattle, 2012 120mm Colour Photograph
Gum Alley, Seattle, 2012 120mm Colour Photograph
My favourite human created place in North America is Coney Island. It is first on my list whenever I am in New York City. It holds a certain eccentic mystique and I feel like I have stepped back in time when I visit. I can feel the ghosts of Coney Island's heyday embedded in the boardwalk and gaudy flashing lights. If you want to listen to a great song about Coney Island check out this . It captures a sadness that the place holds and memories of happier times that are gone. Whenever I am there I think of the man in the song and imagine I have stepped back in time to a more innocent era. I try to feel what sleeping on the beach would have been like. There is a proper Vaudeville style sideshow complete with real life "freaks" on Coney Island. The Zoltar that was featured in the movie "Big" is at Coney Island and it still works, you can get your fortune from it! The rides are classic and so are the Carnies and nothing beats a giant lobster sandwich while gazing out to the open Atlantic ocean from the big sandy beach. I recommend the 45 minute commute on the F train, it's a great escape.
Lifeguard Seat 2012 B&W 120 film Rolleicord
Wonder Wheel 2011, Colour 120mm film Holga camera
Parachute Jump Coney Island, 2012 B&W 120 Film Rolleicord
Roller Coaster 2011 ,Colour 120 film Holga camera
I always have a blast working with Teana David of Six Petals Pilates and Plants based in NYC. This August we did a location shoot on Cortes Island, BC, a fun project in a beautiful paradise! Losho offers portfolio packages for Yoga and Pilates instructors starting at $179 for 10 beautiful portfolio pictures.
On April 26, 2015 My friend Aylla and I undertook an extensive day long photo expedition around the city of Las Vegas and the Valley of Fire. We were given a tourist map from the Car Rental Attendant who said he was born in Vegas. He traced some routes on the map that he thought we would like and left us with "Be careful and don't hang around too much off the strip". That was sage advice because we had QUITE the adventure that day. All images were photographed on Kodak Ektar 100 ISO 120mm film on my 1962 Rolleicord camera.
Sunset Manor, Las Vegas, Nevada April 26, 2015
Alley off North Main, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 26, 2015
Valley of Fire, Nevada, April 26, 2015
Downtown Las Vegas, April 26, 2015
Sunset Manor, Las Vegas, April 26, 2015