Alsie Gray.

Alsie is celebrating her 70th birthday next month, and when I say celebrating, I mean CELEBRATING. She’s throwing a party for 150 guests. She’s lined up a band, caterer, the works. And lucky me, she commissioned me to photograph her as part of the celebration. And I’m invited to the party!

I first met Alsie last year while photographing her daughter’s wedding dress fitting. Thalia and Trevor’s wedding was a lovely affair held at Toronto’s Old Mill Inn and Spa.

Alsie started joking with me almost the moment we met. She reminds me of Dora De Pedry Hunt, whom I met at her 90th birthday party. I was producing a television documentary about Dora’s life story, and when I first introduced myself to her I said I was looking forward to telling her story. She replied: “That’s great because I don’t even know my story, so I’m looking forward to it!”.

Alsie and I had a lot of fun during her photo session. She is such a pleasure to photograph. We chatted while we hung out. I would give her direction when needed, though she didn’t really need much (had you done this before, Alsie?). I enjoyed photographing her, not just because she’s a lovely person, but because I know it was special to her. The portraits I created will be at the party for everyone to see and will be passed on to future generations. Thalia was with us, too, quietly observing from a distance, though I did capture a few frames of them together (oh, I’m so sneaky!).

What a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

If Alsie has provided you with the password to her private Gallery Collection on the Dean Oros Photography website, click here to view the rest of the photographs.

You may also want to read:

1. Hanging Out with Thalia and Trevor A great lifestyle engagement shoot with Thalia and Trevor yesterday....
2. Converting Digital Colour Images to Black and White There’s a wonderful intimacy that comes with black and white...

“Colour captures the story in an image; black and white captures its soul.”  I’m not sure who wrote this quote originally (maybe Ansel Adams?). To me, it is eloquent and accurate.

Because the majority of my work is used for multiple purposes, I shoot everything in colour. I then interpret the image and convert it with a black and white treatment in post production. Converting a digital color photo into black and white goes beyond simply desaturating the colours. A colour image can be made to mimic any of a wide range of looks created by using color filters in black and white film photography.

A lot of my photojournalism work, whether its weddings or family lifestyle shoots, can be interpreted in different ways. For this reason, I do all the post production work on my images myself. As the photographer it’s a complete circle for me as opposed to having another digital artist interpret the image. Conversion which does not take into account an image’s color and subject of interest can dilute the artistic message, and may create an image which appears washed out or lacks tonal range.

A week ago I photographed Diane, her son Zack, and their bloodhound / mastiff mix dog, Trigger. I took them to High Park on a Saturday morning. Diane really wanted something that captured the personality and dynamic of her family. I spoke with her in advance about what was important to her, and also gave her my advice as a photographer. When Saturday morning rolled around, we were ready to go.

After hanging out for a bit, I casually started shooting to get them comfortable with my big camera covering my face while I was speaking with them. I used a combination of available light and flash. I ended up with a large selection of images. I’m looking forward to creating some big, custom prints and gallery wraps of the images.

I’ve presented a couple of images here, both in their colour and b/w versions for you to view. What do you think of them?

Until next time, be well.

You may also want to read:

1. The Beauty of Images and Words on Paper Paper! Beautiful, sustainable, inspirational, protective, tactile. These are words that...
2. Why I’m a Photographer A relative of mine had, until recently, not really understood...
3. How Do I Choose a Photographer? This article is focused on wedding photography, but it applies...
4. Photography That Tells Your Story I was in a breakfast meeting the other day when...
5. Who is Alsie Gray? And why did I enjoy photographing her? Alsie Gray. It’s a name that just sounds good, doesn’t...

A professional portrait tells your prospective client you care about your image. It also indirectly states that you'll take care of your client as well.

If you’ve been considering having your headshot or portrait done, or updating the one you now have, this article will be of interest to you.

Recently I’ve been asked to create headshots and portraits for various types of companies. Franchisees, law firms, big insurance co’s, creative outfits, actors, authors, public speakers and more. Depending on the requirements of the company, the headshot can be a standard-type image using a seamless backdrop, or perhaps there’s opportunity for an environmental portrait (where we see the individual in their working environment), or something more creative. Either way, my job is to help YOU – my client, look fantastic in your marketing materials in such a way that garners respect in your particular profession, makes you look approachable and competent.

Different looks can be created of a person for their portrait.

In my opinion, aside from creating a great image of you by making the process enjoyable, giving direction, post image enhancement, and making it look easy, it also includes providing useful information such as how to prepare yourself, warbdrobe tips, hair styling, makeup and more.

The pin stripe, power suit Executive Portrait.

I speak with my clients in detail about what is required for their image, and often will speak with their marketing firm etc., so I know exactly what I need to deliver. Often, the people I’m creating portraits of aren’t well-versed in photography lingo: such things as colour management, files types, deliverables, etc. And why should they be? It’s my job to deliver what you and your company needs.

An environmental portrait uses the person's working environment, as in this portrait of a residential interior decorator.

It’s amazing how often I hear back from clients who tell me they’ve been receiving compliments on their new headshot / portrait, whereas before no one said anything about their previous headshot. People generally won’t tell you how terrible your headshot looks, but they just might comment if they think it looks great. Or at the least, they’ll think to themselves what a professional-looking headshot you have. In the end, it’s often the unspoken things that we need to know so we can better present ourselves to the business world. A great headshot or portrait tells the business world you care enough about your professional image to have hired a professional to create it. Without so much as saying so, it also implies that you’ll take professional care of your clients, too.

Business portraits can be creative and completely suitable for your business.

If it’s time for your portrait or headshot, I’d be happy to take the time to speak with you, and learn what is important to you and your company. My direct telephone number is 416.628.4312.

You may also want to read:

1. Serious Business! Thank you to Daniel, René and Chris for a fun...
2. Is it time for your Portrait? I enjoy creating portraits of people, whether it’s a family...
3. Photography That Tells Your Story I was in a breakfast meeting the other day when...
4. Weddings: How guests and their cameras can affect the commissioned photographer Who do you know that doesn’t own some type of...
5. I have many to thank. During a couple of photography consultations this past week, I...