Tyma and Dizzy- Barber Mills

When Tyma and Dizzy first got in contact with me for a photoshoot with a "Crossroads" feeling to it. I was kind of stumped. I didn't really know of too many actual crossroads that would have given is the feeling these two artists were trying to convey. I, being a big fan of urban exploration and urban decay, thought of Barber mills, in Georgetown.

To me, this place seemed to be where one would have to decide to remain and keep on hustling, or abandon your foundations in an attempt to strike out on your own somewhere else and start anew.

This broken down paper mill gave me that feeling. After climbing through a hole in the barbed wiire fence, we were inside a gold mine of photo ops. What ensued would turn out to be some of the best on location creaive portraits I've worked on in a while.

At one point we heard a crazy Ruckus and a bunch of guys with Airsoft Pellet guns came barreling around the coruner, guns ablaze. We worked them into the shoot of course! Gotta seize the moment. They were all "Gung-ho" (no pun intended) to be part of the action.

They were very easy to shoot, and were open to any and all ideas. They were also great at being told when a look wasn't working for them. Their open attitude towards my direction and trust in my creative process was greatly appreciated and I look forward to one day working with them again in the near future.

Katie Alves

WOW!!!! I am super pumped to announce I'll be doing a shoot with the one and only Katie Alves, this August. The concept is still top secret. (Shhhhhh)

 Katie does the most amazing illustrations with makeup that I have seen in my  career in the photography world. Her wonderful work has been featured on several TV Shows including CTV's Canada AM.

Her designs are innovative and out of the box. She is not afraid to break away from the conventional norms of make up artistry.

We begin shooting mid august. Watch for further details, as no doubt the photos will be EPIC!!!!!

Jenna- Makeup by Kate Nadon

Kate and I werew itching to do something impromptu, so we got together with Jenna and went exploring in the building my studio is in. Its a very old Factory Loft building in the core of old Kitchener, so there are always nice vignette's and interesting areas we can get into to get some edgy shots.

Jenna was great to work with, and I hope she'll come on for another project in the future. We got several great images that really spoke to me. There was creeping Ivy which had grown inside the building through a window, so we of course had to incorporate that. :)

Kate's Makeup skills were on point as usual, and I love working with er. She and I have some very exciting prjects in the works. Stay tuned.

The Simon Sisters

A great group of girls. We were doing some portfolio work on the rooftop of my studio. No ambient lighting, so we did it essentially blind. Two Nikon strobes (sb-600's in Wireless mode) one with a fong half cloud diffuser, the other with a shoot through umbrella.   The Girls did such a great job. I didn't realize until the first flash went off when we were shooting against the brick wall, that it was covered in graftiti, especially with colors that would lend themselves so well to the clothing. I found it gave a very 80's B-Boy feel to the shoot.

Anyway, the makeup was done by Katerina Simon (aka Sweetness), with photography, and artistic direction by yours truly.


 This was one of the few times I've used the sb-600's this way, and I must say I do prefer studio lighting, but they sure did the trick. We did a quick wardrobe change and on to a different, and more refined look. I liked the contrast of the playfullness of the Wild 80's B-Boy, and the sophisticated edgy look of the black wardrobe.

I was very pleased at how each sister's personality seems to shine through. I get a different feeling with the expression and emotions converyed in the faces of each one. I really loved how they turned out in black and white.

As always, another successfull shoot with Katerina Simon. Her makeup skills are amazing and I can't wait to work with her again.

Simo Hammond

Avont Inc

After meeting with JRD on a previous Project for Kanati Clothing, I ended up getting signed on to do some more work for this Media Consortium (yup, I just called it a consortium, fancy eh?)

The amount of work and opportunities for me to expand my portfolio with this group are awesome, and they are a wonderful bunch of people to work for. Very dedicated and they truly are a family.  Most of the stuff I shot for them will be released later this year, but here are a couple of shots already in production and use in current marketing both digitally and hardcopy printed materials.


                                                Prynze and Juvy (A- Grade)

Miss Yee

Lex Marcello

And you can see how some of those images are being used.

for example. I took a detail shot of the mixing board, just because it caught my eye

Which then became this...

And so forth 

More examples can be viewed here of JRD's Digital design work with my images.

Stay tuned, More to come.

2011 DJ Stylus Awards

My First Red Carpet event thanks to my new affiliate Avont Inc.  (http://www.avontinc.com/)

What a trip. Seeing so many of the artists and celebs I have seen and heard on tv and Radio, was a great experience for me. Most were a lot more down to earth than I had expected. I had the pleasure of meeting Maestro Fresh Wes and wow! He looks exactly the same, even after all these years. Being one of the pioneers of Canadian Hip Hop, I for sure had to capture him, as well as take a fan shot with him (I know, I know) Last time I saw this cat live, I was 15, in Ottawa @ Canada Day, Landsdowne Park. 16 yrs ago, LOL!!!

                                                           Myself and the Maestro

Another artist I was excited to meet was Bishop Brigante.  I love this guys music. Been a fan since back in the day ("Thats the way" and "Don't touch that")  Bishop was really down to earth and easy to approach. He was a class act all the way.

Myself and Bishop

Seeing industry leaders like 2Rude and Keisha Chante, and Jully Black was amazing as well 

Even George Strombolopolous was in attendance. I remember when he host of The Punk Show, then host of The NewMusic, MuchLOUD and MuchNews.

I also ran into Shawn Desman, who I've previously shot in during an appearance in Waterloo, On, @ Cameo Night club. 140 University Ave West.

Big thanks to JRD from Avont Inc. This cat knows everyone I tell you!

You can see many more of the photos and Canadian Celebs you love by visiting the Avont Inc. Facebook page.  Just click the link below.

^{2011 DJ Stylus AwardS Photos here Courtesty of Avont Inc. and SHP Media.}

^{More to come from me, so stay tuned!}

Melinda Adams- MUA with a green thumb!

Earlier this year and in the last part of 2010, I had the pleasure of working with MUA Melinda Adams. Both as a subject and as an MUA. She was introduced to me by my friend Angela, whom I've shot several times (See my Mad Hatter Tea Party, and Angela in the Alley sets on flickr or FB)  We first teamed up with a newer mode, Vanessa V.

We went with somewhat of a "Clockwork orange" feel to it, which lent itself perfectly to the wardrobe and makeup we were using. Antique props were again provided by myself, and we ended up on my studio on Duke street.

The text in this shot is not photoshop, this was actual grafeti on the wall. Suited the mood perfectly.

I next worked on a smaller shoot with Ang, and Melinda

The idea being she was a colorful bird, finally free from her cage

Didn't come out as well as I had hoped, owever one shot really spoke to me, and it is still one of my faves to this day

 This was shot with a very minimal setip. Bowens 200DX  with a soft box ,camera left
small kicker with optical slave camera right with a shoot through umbrella.

So more work to come. Melinda then contacted me with an idea of doing a "Pin-Up" Style shoot for herself. We ended up in a Working Garage in Dundas, shooting inside a with a vintage porsche and got some truly epic shots.

She was a blast to work with. Sadly she moved to BC (Sad for me, good for BC folk)

I'd love the opportunity to work with her again, should she ever return to Ontario.

More to come, stay tuned.

Simon

 

Where do I begin. Lets start with earlier this year, and My work with MUA Katelyn Nadon.

Katelyn and I have worked together on several projects. One of them being a shoot I consider one of my personal best, with Stevie Starr and Clothing by Eros DIY (Michelle Weins)

So a while back, Kate contacted me with an idea of hers called the "Button Dolls" Which was inline with an idea I had wanted to shoot for some time now, thus began another collaboration on a 3 part series of photos. We've shot two of the 3 so far, and I am eager to begin on the third.

We ended up in my Studio (well actually a unit next door that was vacant) and threw a strobe up and started shooting. Our first Model was Angelina Campbell, and she did a great job. She was very open and good with any ideas or shots we wanted to try. Gotta love when subjects are willing to go outside of their comfort zone and try a different look or pose.  We used antique "tin type" photos and daguerreotype photos, along with a miriad of clock keys, doo-dads, widgets, and antique leather baby/infant shoes

The images we ended up with were great, and further inspired me on our next set of photos in the series.

This involved Erica and Chynna (our models) and returning with more of her great clothing from Eros DIY- Michelle Weins. Her outfits really set everything off perfectly and I love her concepts and designs. She always brings something unique to the table. We also had styling help from Chelsea Tilley- Who is an amazingly talented new affiliate of mine. She has a very keen eye and awesome concepts and designs, as well as great work with hair and accessories.

Again we end up back at my studio, and again in some vacant units we find the best spots. At one point we even end up on the roof. There is something about placing a beautiful subject in front of urban decay that speaks to me. It is definitely my "style"

We ended up with some more mind blowing images, and I haven't even finished processing all the amazing shots we got that day.

More to come from my work with this Series. Stay tuned.

Simon