When it comes to being a "creative" I know I'm in the fetus stages of my "career".  There's lots to learn when it comes to the technical side of video, design, writing, and photography, and- there is there is even more  to learn in balancing life & creative, or balancing creative & making a living from it.
A big way I learn is by watching those that have gone before me- you know... the ones that already have made it- and ask them questions about what they do, how they got there, and how they stay sane during the process... *(I'm still wondering if the sanity part is realistic).
One of those people I know is Jeremy Wat- He's a local Good Guy and does graphic design/illustration as freelance work, on top of his 9-5 job.
My friend Sydnie and I, got a chance to film him talking about his passion for design, but also how design fits into his life.These are his words of wisdom:
"Love what you do... and it will LOVE you back" 

Thanks Jer for allowing us to film & share your story. We're excited to see what you come up with next.  

*******

No one was harmed in the making of this video--- but there were heaps of things learned:
  1. Check your audio- NOT JUST for good levels... but also that the audio is being recorded... other wise you have to go back and shoot the video again... *THANKS JER for being sooo very flexible, accommodating, and professional when someone asks to re-shoot something. 
  2. KIDS ARE CUTE- adding a baby in any video makes it 1000x more likeable. 
  3. B-ROLL is your friend- shoot lots of it.
  4. Editing is fun... but it takes time. Don't try and rush it or else you won't like the finished product regardless of how nice your shots are. 
  5. Again- check your audio & have a device *(like a laptop with an SD card reader with you) to check your footage before you get to far along with filming.
  6. Bring some coffee with you- a cup for you, but more importantly a cup for the person you're filming. As a struggling student ya might not have money- but you can buy coffee.
  7. If it's winter- your car might die on you- and you won't be able to make it to your shoot because you're car is a frozen block of ice... APOLOGIZE PROFUSELY- and get your car checked out so it doesn't happen again. If it turns out your block-heater doesn't work, get it fixed and reschedule your shoot time. And apologize again. Maybe bring some more coffee.

[k]

life of *DESIGN

I met Sarah & Graham this past summer - and in October I get a txt from Sarah asking me to take photos for their Winter Wedding.... in Saskatoon. To be honest I was a bit nervous. Shooting a winter wedding - where there would be both cold... and a high likelihood of snow seemed exciting, but also COLD and SNOWY. And shooting in Saskatoon (a place I've only been a handful of times), while being COLD seemed to add to my uncertainty of the situation. 
But if there is one thing I thrive on- it's being faced with a challenge. You say I can't do something... "Watch this!" is typically my response... 
It also helped that Sarah & Graham are just the funnest couple of people to take photos of- I knew there would be lots of laughs and lots of adventure along the way. And who can say no to fun and adventure!? Not this girl... So off we trekked to Saskatoon one wintery weekend not so long ago. 

This is the result of an amazing wedding- with fantastic people - who let me capture moments as they began life together.
*more wedded*winter photos...

To Sarah & Graham... If day 1 of your married life is a sign of the fun and adventure of things to come... I can't wait to see what day 365, 802, or 18390 and beyond look like!


As always there are things you learn when you take photos... ALWAYS something to learn... so in no particular order...

Wedding Photo tips (in winter, in a place you don't live):

  1. Get a ride with the wedding party. Because Saskatoon was totally foreign to me it was the best thing since sliced bread to drive with the wedding party (and great to get some driving shots along the way)
  2. Winter = COLD! Dress for it, I've said it before and I'll say it again- WEAR GLOVES. I almost passed out because it was soooo cold out. 
  3. Tailor-make the shoot for the couple. If they like skating... don't think that having a bride and groom tie up their laces and getting on the ice is out of the question.
  4. If it's winter- and you are going outside... switch locations up so some of them can be indoor to act as a warm-up moment. This is a tip for the wedding party as much as it is for you.
  5. Different locations have different photography policies... For example Starbucks DOESN'T like random photo-shoots to happen without approval from the district manager... And odds are you'll get kicked out of said Starbucks. On the bright side no one says you can't take photos outside of the location on the sidewalk!? 
  6. Roll, while ya go. Odd statement, you say?! Yes... but it's true. Roll with what you got while the getting is good, because who knows what's coming next. Make the most of the moment, and see what comes of it. And if it looks odd- you can always delete it after in post production. This is the blessing of having digital cameras. So take lots of photos- see what happens. You might capture your favourite moment yet...

Here is to your next photo adventure!

[k]

wedded*winter

New Year...
new goals, new plans, new outlook????

A new year brings a fresh start. Like hitting a reset button, the year begins a new and it make you feel like the possibilities are endless. 
*2012 brought a lot of sameness my life- I was in the same school program, the same house, the same routine. I lived and loved the year that was stable and consistent. 
*2013 looks to be the year of the unknown. A truly blank canvas. I finish school in April and with that comes endless possibilities of the unknown. Where to work, what to do with all my "free time"... traveling?, crocheting?, more video making?, more photo taking?, interior decorating?! Who knows.... 
I guess that's why its exciting- or nerve-racking- or a combo of the two.

To celebrate the beginning of 2013- I was invited to capture the celebration that went down at The Forks... which ended in a spectacular show of lights...



FYI: Event photo tips...
1. Have a game plan... Talk to the people in charge and make sure you know what they want/what you need to get. 
2. Know your lighting- Is it super dark out?!! How are you going to take photos in the evening vs. daytime?
3. Know your location- Do a walk around, know cool spaces/ places/ angles to take photos.
4. When outside in -1000000 degrees Celsius... HAVE GLOVES!!!!
5. If you ignore 4- you can't complain when you can't feel your fingers and you are trying to warm them up. 
6. Enjoy the moment. Watching fireworks is a fun time- taking photos of them is a RUSH, embrace it!
7. If you are sitting there nodding your head in agreement with these tips... know you are a photo geek at heart- don't deny it... enjoy it... and get to work snapping even better photos in 2013!

[k]

BIG Thanks to The Forks for letting me help out with such an amazing event!!!

Wpg*NYE

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