Jillian; Calgary Portrait Photography

Jillian

Jillian 

Yesterday the sun was shining, it looks like the nice weather has finally come to Calgary, and I hope it lasts through the summer!  The hard part is spending time in the basement studio, processing images, and getting my work done when I really want to be outside.

Working with Jillian does make it easier to be in the basement, she is beautiful and therefore her images are also beautiful!

Today is going to be another wonderful day, but I am determined to get her photo package done, so today is a promise of things to come.

 

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.

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!

 

 

Camino to Santiago de Compostela, a journey not just a destination

Rock Bridge, Galicia Spain

Rock Bridge, Galicia Spain

“Focus on the journey not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it”        Greg Anderson

One of the things we found while walking the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, is the same thing we have found and experienced in many other areas of our life. People are goal oriented and want to reach the next destination. On the walk people were getting up well before dawn and walking in the dark, little headlights on their forehead, trying to find the next arrow or marker.  This is fine if you have spent some time the day before surveying the route out-of-town. But why walk in the dark.  Yes it is a quiet time of the day, and you can be out-of-town before the traffic gets bad, but in the small town on the country road that we were walking traffic was never a problem.

I do understand that the summer heat of Spain can make walking in mid afternoon difficult, so that might be a consideration during the summer months for some people. But walking in the dark means that you really can’t see and enjoy the town, or the countryside, the signs, the shrines or farms that you are walking by.

It isn’t reaching our goal or destination that shapes our journey, it is each mile or milestone along the way that shapes our soul.  It it the sights, sounds, people and experiences we have along the way that is what we, what I wanted to remember.  I would say to anyone planning this journey to take your time, enjoy the sights, the sounds, get to know the people along the way, live each moment of the journey.

Sago Service; a family business, Calgary Alberta

Sago Services, A family business

Sago Services, A family business

It was so much fun working with Maria of Sago Services, she wanted new business portraits for the family business.  We gathered her husband and son and worked together to get some great images. Just look at those great smiles!

Sago Services is a full service moving company, but not just an everyday average moving company. Their team of people will come in pack up your house, clean, move everything to your new home and then unpack, and they will take the stuff (junk) away for you while they are at it.  Any or all of the chores as you desire, imagine moving being this easy.  I don’t know about you, but I hate moving, sorting through all the stuff, cleaning getting the old house ready for the new people and then opening the door on the new empty house and have to find a place for all those boxes and furniture.  Maria and Sago Services want to take care of all that for you.

Maria is another of the wonderful people I have met through the BNI Rocky Mountain Thunder Chapter meetings. We meet at the Blackfoot Inn every Thursday at 7 am and it always brightens my day to see her smiling face.  If you are interested in joining us for breakfast, connect with me through email.

For more  Calgary Business Portraits

Moji Adjele, Executive Director at BNI Alberta South: Calgary Business Portraits

Moji Ajele Executive Director, BNI

Moji Ajele Executive Director, BNI

I met Moji Ajele at one early morning BNI Rocky Mountain Thunder chapter meeting.  I was relatively new to the group and we were having a visitor meeting.  Moji, as the Executive Director of Alberta South was there to tell the visitors a little about BNI (Business Network International) and to invite them to join our networking group.

I have mentioned BNI a couple of time over the last few weeks, so I should tell you a little about the organization. BNI is the world’s largest referral organization, helping businesses to grow their business.  I have been a member of the Rocky Mountain Thunder Chapter since January of 2013 it is a positive supportive group of professionals, they have helped me to grow my business and provided great business advised and information. They are inspirational and have helped me to take my photography from a passion to a business.

Moji is passionate about growing BNI in Southern Alberta, and helping member businesses to be successful. We spent about an hour together while doing her business portraits, it was a wonderful hour that slipped by so easily. She is full of energy, excited about her role, laughs easily and has the most amazing smile. See more images from Moji’s portrait session.

Dancing to Basque Music in Pamplona Spain

Dancing in Pamplona to Basque Music

Dancing in Pamplona to Basque Music 

While walking the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, Spain we spent a couple of days in Pamplona, visiting the Cathedral and historical attractions. While out walking we walked through the Plaza de Castillo we heard the music, noticed the Basque Musicians.  There were dancers in the square, but it was the little one that captured my attention.  He seemed to have all the moves, but then the little ones always seem to know how to capture the attention and the hearts of those around them….