Category Archives for Calgary Alberta

Calgary Stampede, July 5, – 14, 2013

Calgary Stampede, Midway Rides

Calgary Stampede, Midway Rides 

For many in Calgary it might be a little early to start planning their Stampede activities, but for the many volunteers the work on this year’s stampede started last September. The schedule of events that will take place down at the grounds is jam-packed with activities. The midway will be filled with rides, this is one of my favourite places to visit.

This year the parade will be exiting, Astronaut Chis Hadfield will be Parade Marshall, and parade morning is always exciting. about 350,000 people line the parade route, and the parade is two hours long, one of my favourite days of the year!   So with all this thought about Stampede I am exploring some of the old images taken in previous years and planning my visit to the stampede this year!

 

 

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Calgary 6 st. lrt station: Explore Calgary

Explore Calgary.
Walking downtown in the morning it is easy to hurry by the quiet beauty as we go about our business, but is was hard to miss the bright colourful LRT station on 6 St. SW. With the sun shining through the glass above it was wonderful.
I love the way the city planners, the architects and artists collaborate to bring beauty to our lives.

Via Flickr:
walking downtown, in the early morning, it is easy to hurry by the quiet beauty as we go about our business, but It was hard to miss the bright colourful station. With the sun shining through the glass above it was wonderful. I love the way the city planners, the architects and artists collaborate to bring beauty to our lives.

one year ago today

calgary peace bridge_IMG_2647

Calgary Peace Bridge, a study in symmetry 

one year ago today I eas talking about my visit to the, then, newly opened Calgary Peace Bridge! This weekend looks like it is going to be another great weekend to wander the pathways of Calgary, maybe we will see you out there.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Chilean Flamingo at the Calgary Zoo; Explore Calgary

Chilean Flamingo at the Calgary Zoo

Chilean Flamingo at the Calgary Zoo 

More photos at the Calgary Zoo, dare I say, the weather was so nice, people flocked to see the flamingo’s in the beautiful sunlight. It was a great day.

The year-long pass is probably the best deal for families, especially those with young children.  It allows multiple visits, and you don’t have to worry about seeing everything in one day, the kids getting tired and cranky from all the walking and over stimulation.  I did notice that most of the animals have their feeding and demonstration at 2 pm.  Multiple visits and you have the opportunity to see each one on a different day.

There are plenty of indoor enclosures for days when the weather was not as good, lots of outdoor spaces for picnics and relaxing, and a wonderful playground for kids.  The weather forecast for Calgary is for more great weather this coming weekend, my recommendation is pack a picnic and head to the zoo.

 

 

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Having a look-see at the Calgary Zoo; Explore Calgary Project

Elephant's Eye

Elephant’s Eye 

Bill and I have been talking about visiting the zoo for a very long time, it seems to get pushed down the list of things to do!  On Saturday that all changed! We put our busy schedules aside, to “just do it”  and  we went for a walk around the zoo.  We had a look-see!  We were not the only ones. It was the first nice day, almost spring like here in Calgary and lots of families were out for the day.  I don’t think it matters how many people are there, it never seems crowded and there is so much to see.

The elephants are always one of my favorites, not always great for pictures.  The enclosure is rather unattractive, but I am sure suitable for the elephants. This wrinkly old guy strolled up to the fence and I was able to get some close up pictures, he stood for a few minutes, almost like he was posing, then wandered off to bother the ladies!

I do feel that my explore Calgary series has suffered a little from the busy schedule, and horrible weather! I am hoping that I can motivate myself to get out of the studio a little bit more now that the day are a little longer and a little nicer!

 

Richard Dansesreau, LAD’S Auto; Calgary Business Portraits

Richard Dansereau, Ladd's Auto, Calgary Business Portaits

  Richard Dansereau, Lad’s Auto, Calgary Business portraits

One of the great things about being a member of the BNI Rocky Mountain Thunder is the 7 am meetings, okay, that isn’t the best part!  The best part of being a member is the people I have met. One of those great people is Richard Dansesreau, of Lad’s Auto, who is currently the President of our chapter.  Dedicated to building the chapter with people who believe in the giver’s gain philosophy he is works hard to keep the meetings organized and on track; starting on time, finishing on time, and getting all the business done.

I have had my vehicle to Lad’s Auto, and I was impressed with the service. The service techs at the front desk are friendly, helpful and answered all my questions, the shop was so clean you could eat off the floor.  They are licensed and authorized to perform regular scheduled maintenance on all new vehicles, and will identify all warranty work that need to be done.

It was great getting the opportunity to have Richard in the Studio, it gave us a chance to chat, and I learned that Richard is married, has two kids, coaches hockey, and sits on the advisory board at SAIT for the automotive program.  He is one busy man!

Trust Richard with your automobile, call me if you need business Portraits!

Don Ross and Brooke Miller @ the Lantern Folk Club

Brooke Miller and Don Ross

Brooke Miller and Don Ross

Don Ross

Don Ross

Brooke Miller

Brooke Miller

Don Ross and Brooke Miller

Don Ross and Brooke Miller 

Don Ross and Brooke Miller performed at two events in Calgary this last weekend.  the first, Friday night, was a house concert, in a friend’s home. Dean gathered a small group of friends for this wonderful evening. During the first part of the evening the sun was streaming in the window, putting the faces of the two performers in the shadows, then during the 2nd half of the show, we had two living room lights to light the room.  Needless to say both lighting situations had their challenges for photography, and the reason for black and white images.

Don Ross and Brooke Miller are touring together,  and saturday they performed at the new Lantern Folk Club, in the Lantern Community Church a beautiful old brick church that was made for music.  Stay tuned, I will let you know when the Lantern is holding their next concert.  Images from Saturday’s performance in the beautiful old church are posted on my photoshelter site, and at this time they are unedited.

Peter Huszar; Calgary Business Portraits

Peter Huszar, Creations By Casablanca

  Peter Huszar, Creations By Casablanca

Peter Huszar, owner and operator of Creations by Casablanca, loves working with his clients to decorate their home .

I  had quite the chat with Peter when he visited my home.  We are in the process of getting new windows, and some of the curtains and drapes need updating.  We had a pretty good idea of what we wanted, Peter was able to show us several options and I am looking forward to new blinds!

 

Jonathan Dicey Lakeview Insurance Brokers; Calgary Business Portrait

Jonathan Dicey, Lakeview Insurance Brokers, Calgary Business Portraits

Jonathan Dicey, Lakeview Insurance Brokers, Calgary Business Portraits

I met Jonathan Dicey through the BNI Rocky Mountain Thunder, he is the secretary-treasurer for the group. As part of the executive he provides a great example of the “givers gain” philosophy, and leadership to the members.

Jonathan and I had a great visit while he was in the studio getting his business portraits done.  His father John Dicey founded Lakeview Insurance Brokers in 1981 and Johnathan joined the business in 1988. Family owned and operated  Lakeview Insurance has a A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They are a member of the Independent Insurance Brokers Association, the staff is dedicated to, in Jonathan’s words, helping their clients understand their insurance needs, and getting them the best coverage available.

I know how hard Jonathan works for the members of  BNI Rocky Mountain Thunder group, so I am sure that he and the staff at Lakeview Insurance will work just as hard for their clients. Jonathan’s Gallery of Images.

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Richard Pouliln, Home Renovator; Calgary Business Portraits

Richard Pouliln - Home Renovator

Richard Poulin - Home Renovator

Richard Poulin, is a Home Renovator who has been running his own business for almost 20 years. I met Richard through the BNI Rocky Mountain Thunder meetings.  He like a lot of people who have been running their own business for a number of years, has always relied on  referrals for his business. Letting his work and his clients speak for him. In today’s market referrals are much more important.  BNI Rocky Mountain Thunder is becoming an important part of that referral business

Today’s market is changing, as consumers do a lot of research on the internet searching for the businesses and services we need. While we are doing that we check what other consumers are saying about the business. As a business owner, we are told that we need to have a web presence. Like any first meeting we have about 10 seconds for people to have a look and decide if they want to do business with us, your business portrait, and your business web pages must communicate effectively. Mr. Poulin is working on his web presence and wanted a portrait for his business cards and website.

Business Portraits are not and should not be all standard, they should be personal. Yes, there are corporate headshots that  the company’s want for their employees that are all the same and fit the template designed by the web designer.  And of course there is Linkin and Facebook, they have standard sizes for your portfolio shots. It is because of this that you need to find a way for your portrait to connect with people.

Richard tells me his is a simple man, married to the same lovely woman for 33 years.  He is the proud father of 4, and a grandfather to  3 kids.

Richard has been in construction all of his life, he told me is biggest sense of accomplishment on the job site coms when the customer is thrilled with the completed project.  From kitchens to bathrooms to basement developments his goal is to complete project one time and on budget, giving his clients room that they love to walk into. Helping to make a house a home!