Moving forward, appreciating the past.

I find it amazing that six years of shooting weddings has flown past. Shooting my final wedding with Ikonica last month made me feel a bit melancholy; mostly because working with this terrific company made the task so much more enjoyable.

When my daughter was five months old, I remember being awake in the middle of the night thinking that I had to get back into shooting and weddings popped into my head. I sent out about 45 inquiries with resumes attached and got calls from a handful of studios. Luckily for me the timing was right and I joined the best team in town. I logged hundreds of hours behind the camera and my fear of shooting strangers disappeared.  I learned about being accountable to my clients, delivering the best images I could and trusting my instincts.

As I move forward building my commercial & editorial work I always keep two rules in mind:  Always be prepared and never miss the moment!

World Provider

In the late 90's I used to play in a band, which was definitely the best use of my energy and creativity at the time. We had a big apartment over Spadina in the market where we could make loud music at all times of day and night. Weekly we would play shows in stinky little dives and make many a new friend over melodic themes.
It was through this time, as I continually photographed my friends and our shows, that I started to collect my direction and believe that this photo thing was more then a pipe dream. This realization would eventually lead me to put down the microphone while keeping my camera permanently fixed to my hand.

When old friends from this time period come to town I like to photograph them. I shot this portrait of Malcolm Fraser last year, his handle is World Provider.

Faces passed on

I shot these portraits over the weekend for a large collage mural we are making at my house. It has led me to start contacting close friends to shoot a bit of a series - will keep you updated!

Sartoria gets Hot

At the end of August we took a small crew to the Toronto Island to shoot the latest Lookbook for Sartoria. The cashmere used to create their clothing is recycled from finds in thrift shops in the GTA.  

Summer nights

its hard to say goodbye to warm summer nights, as sweaters are pulled from closets and memories of camping trips with friends fade away from my mind.

Peaches

Peaches with her first NOW Magazine Cover, standing with Shary Boyle, 1999.   © Lisa Kannakko

Its been a long time since the days of crazy fun, running through the streets of Toronto to go shoot a Peaches show.

Very excited to see the TIFF premiere of Merrill Nisker's film "Peaches Does Herself", playing tonight at the Bloor Hot Doc's Cinema.   She has dedicated years of hard work towards creating her own path - from the small clubs of Toronto to the World's stage.

I'm expecting you will make us very proud Peach.

Name a risk

I have been seeking ways to continue growing creatively, and its funny how when you do this, things start to happen that would otherwise be overlooked.

So I took a trip to NYC to show my new portfolio book at Fotoworks. The review happened in a beautiful studio in Chelsea, where I met with 30 great minds over 3 days -- art buyers, photo editors and reps. It felt like a crash course in how to talk about my work and why I can't stop making it - and I really, REALLY liked it.

Highline Billboard by Maurizio Cattelan & Pierpaolo Ferrari 

One person asked me to answer this question:

Name one or two times when you took a risk – either professionally or personally and explain what was the risk; why was it risky for you; how did it turn out; and what did you learn from it?

Here is what I said straight off my head:

I have been taking risks all my life, without much thought or reserve, to make my everyday existence more genuine.

When I was 24, I sold my stuff to buy a roundtrip ticket to Egypt. I took my camera and 100 rolls of film, shaved off my long hair so that people wouldn’t want to mess with me or steal my gear. Basically I transformed into a street kid, between semesters at Ryerson University.

I met up with a friend and we traveled and I shot. We hitch-hiked through the desert, crossed many boarders, I wouldn’t let the armed soldiers put my film through the xray machines (stood up to the military dudes and said no way!) We hitch-hiked through the desert, slept on the side of the road at night, slept on rooftops, on boat decks, in bug infested hotels and hostels. My favorite day was when we swam with a wild dolphin under a full moon eclipse. We walked the streets of Cairo, jumped the fence at the pyramid (did you know theres a golf course for the wealthy right beside it). I love love water - we swam in the Red Sea every day for 6 weeks - just diving down to the bottom and floating up in the clear salty waters.

We hitch-hiked through the West Bank without problems, soaked in the Dead Sea with the salt burning our sores. On our last day I crashed a motorcycle in Greece, breaking my arm without knowing it, and drinking homemade opium tea to get over the pain. I came home with amazing images. Got a cast on my arm. No one stole my camera. It was a good 4 months.

Instagram ing

I do it often. Infact I do it daily. It is my sketchbook of visual ideas. Of the moments I discover rather then plan.

Parkdale Portraits | CONTACT 2012

I have been working away in my little printing factory here making prints for this show. It came upon me quickly, so there was a bit of rushing about and a small sense of panic.. but tonight it hangs on the walls.  Tomarrow (today actually) there will be laughter and beer, as we stare at the walls and think about the people we pass on the streets.

It is, after all, May in Toronto - and CONTACT is here.

Los Angeles in the Spring!

This month I was in Los Angeles for a couple days visiting family and was able to fit in a couple of assignments for  Worn Fashion Journal, including a visit to Myrtle, a shop owned by Whitney Bickers.

I fell in love with the city and look forward to shooting there again.  To learn more about Whitney's shop read here.

Lorne Bridgman for HMAb Fundraiser

I had the opportunity to talk with Lorne Bridgman, (who donated work to the HMAb Fundraiser) in late December about his work.  Read the full article on Heather Morton's Blog.
We are happy to announce that the fundraiser is officially sold out! there will be limited tickets at the door. arrive at 7pm to ensure entrance.

Chris Buck for HMaB Fundraiser

I may have coerced Chris Buck into posing for me when he was in town last month. While his back was against the wall I asked about his current projects - turns out he just published a book called Presence: The Invisible Portrait which began as a self directed series photographing celebrities he would ask to hide within the picture frame.  He assured me "they are there" as he showed me the signed witness statement.   Read the full interview on Heather Morton's blog  

One of my favorite images is of Russell Brand - which turned out to be on the cover:

Russell Brand by Chris Buck

Chris Buck is donating this image to the upcoming Fundraiser that we are organizing for Heather Morton on February 5th at the Gladstone Hotel.   

Hope you can make it out -- it's going to be a fun night!

Billy Bob Thornton by Chris Buck

HMAb: The Fundraiser

As you may or may not know, I have been working on a fundraiser for Heather Morton, who has been diagnosed with Fibromatosis, an non-malignant sarcoma which requires two years of chemotherapy.

When Heather told me this news my heart just dropped. Life can always throw you a curve ball, but it all seemed too close to home.  Being a parent has definitely changed the way I see the future and I wanted to help her, in what ever way I could.

After speaking with my good friend Kristin Sjaarda, we decided to start figuring out a way to help.  We have compiled an amazing team of people to help us make this happen.  Kristin has been the driving force behind finding sponsors, such as Pikto, Westside Studio, Agency Access, and Vistek.

Jamie Rosenthal, with his technical brilliance, has taken over updating Heather's blog with portraits and information about the photographers who have donated their work to the silent print auction.

Most notably the work of 44 photographers have donated their work to the Silent Print Auction!!

Naomi Harris, Daniel Ehrenworth and Brett Gundlock will be speaking about their latest projects on the night.

Katina Constantinou of Sugar Design, has designed all the graphic elements of the event, including the logo, poster, flyer, buttons, bid sheets, plus more.

Katarina Marinic has beautifully prepared all 44 images that Pikto will be printing.

(40) of the images will be printed at 16x20 inches.  (4) will be 24x30 inches.

Alice Dixon, the Exhibition Coordinator at Gallery 44, has agreed to help hang / arrange the silent auction. 

Other silent auction items include Portfolio Reviews with Westside Studio and at Contact Photo Festival.  Consulting services from Selina Maitreya and Suzanne Sease.   And Surprises..

We are so grateful for the generosity of everyone involved. It is going to be a fantastic night!  Here's how the night will unfold:

   

7pm - Silent Auction Opens

8pm to 9pm  -  Artists Talks

10pm - Silent Auction ENDS 

It's less then two weeks away!   Tickets are selling fast.    Avoid the line-ups - purchase online

Fresh off the presses!

Just published a small book of photos that I have taken over the past year at our little spot, the Belljar Cafe.  All images were shot with my iphone, published through Blurb as a hardcover 6x6 book.   View it online here:  http://www.blurb.com/books/2854289

Portraits for Heather Morton Fundraiser

I am shooting portraits of Photographers that I LOVE to raise awareness about the upcoming fundraiser  we are organizing for Heather Morton.  She is a friend who has recently started 2 years of Chemo to fight an aggressive non-malignant tumour.

Originally we wanted to cheer her up with a little party at my cafe, the Belljar,  but it's too small to hold 300 people, so its happening at the Gladstone Hotel on February 5th, 2012.   

The best part is that the community has pulled together - there will be a silent auction of photographs from 40 local and international photographers.  Plus artist talks, and of course a great party.

My first portrait victim is the incredible Chris Buck, my friend and mentor.  we met on the roof of a building at Spadina & Adelaide and I was all ready to go!

I also had an opportunity to talk with Grant Harder, Mark Zibert.. as well as photograph/interview  Clay Stang and Lorne Bridgman.  Keep an eye open on HMAb Blog in early January for those posts.  

To learn more about all the photographers that are contributing work to the fundraiser check out Heather's Blog.

Ron Nurwisah reviews Workwear

A few months ago I took Ron Nurwisah to the Port Lands to shoot his portrait for his review of the book Workwear: Work Fashion Seduction.   Somehow it felt right to tie him up.

Jamaica portrait

In June I was sent to Jamaica to shoot an assignment.  Once the job was completed I wanted to shoot more portraits so I kept my assistant with me for an extra day, hired a local guide and after a few unsuccessful attempt in the closest town, asked him to drive us to people he knew would agree to have their portraits taken in exchange for the promise of a print (rather than money).  We drive up into the mountains on winding roads through jungle til we came to his home town.  I shot portraits of his friends and family, this is one of my favorites.

John Lennon Glasses

Reference image alongside the final shot

John Lennon's critique on the world around him was reflected in his music, writings, drawings, films and in interviews.  Its a lucky we can reflect upon his contributions for all time.

Attempting to capture some of John's wit, this was shot for Worn Fashion Journal.  

One of my favorite songs by John Lennon is Working Class Hero. 

Water balloon explosion

The fun things that can happen when pin meets water balloon - test for possible upcoming shoot.

Jamaica, country side portraits

Just returned from shooting an assignment in Jamaica. Travelled the countryside with new friends to find portraits and piece of mind. Feels good to be shooting personal work.

A special thanks to my assistant Thomas for being super sonic.