I am always learning
My studio would not be where it is today without these influences in my life. THANK YOU.
Schooling
Toronto Metropolitan University - Formerly know as Ryerson University
Photography Studies - School of Image Arts - 2015
My favourite professors are Rob Davidson of RDA Photo and Margaret Diotalevi of Avenue Photo. Both are very down to earth professionals that gave me so many A-HA moments, challenged me at my craft, and cut my workflow in half. This was the first time in my life I got straight As in school.
The freight elevator is absolutely terrifying at TMU but I learned a whole lot from the challenges and assignments. I also mastered my natural light work before I got the hang of studio lighting. The program validated my love with photographing people (sorry Rob) and that I really hate tethered shooting and harsh lighting of any kind. I understand light so much better than I could have imagined, and levelled up my editing skills exponentially. I got my paper and did it!
Workshops
Tianna Jarrett Williams
Private Headshot Workshop - 2023
It always feels like home when I connect with friends in the UK! Tianna welcomed me to her lovely studio and taught me how to pose clients, where to place my lights and modifiers and essentially, how to nail the perfect headshot.
When I choose my workshops, I go to the educators whose work inspires me, otherwise, I'll always just be wondering! When it came time to learning more about this type of portraiture, I knew immediately that I would call Tianna because I've admired her work for years.
Thank you Tianna for your warmth and kindness, and showing me the ropes!
Natasha Ince
Finding the Goddess Workshop - 2020
I adored this workshop so much while I was living in London, UK. Natasha is seriously the best in the business.
I had been waiting for years to finally work with mamas who were not afraid to embrace their pregnancy bodies and curves, and this was a game changer for me. After a few model calls and applying some of what I learned to my own workflow, I was able to put out the mama portraits I've been dreaming of.
On a personal level - Natasha is incredibly honest and really does want to empower women, from the models and mamas she works with, and even her students. A former coach of mine, who will remain nameless, made a very impolite comment about how "not sexy" I was during a workshop. I laughed it off embarrassed in front of my peers, but the truth is that it was very hurtful. When I took Natasha's course in London, she literally had me POSE in front of the group to demonstrate my body shape, lighting and curves (despite me thinking I didn't have any from that un-sexy comment) and it was such a spirit-booster.
When Natasha came to Toronto (finally, hallelujah!), she had me and my daughter model for her workshop - and the experience in itself was magical.
This is what I want for all my mamas - not only to come for stunning portraiture, but to look and feel incredible - for an experience of lifetime to celebrate themselves in such a beautiful way.
Erin Elizabeth + Alli Peck
Bellies and Babies - 2018
I am always learning, and try to take at least 1 workshop per year to be reinspired and brush up on my skills.
This was my first taste of a maternity photography workshop and after this, I was hooked! The challenge was - how do I get to work with Mamas who are confident and in love with their body during pregnancies? This was a code I had yet to crack until 2020.
I've always admired how Erin poses and lights her newborns. I had a lot of fun and made some friends with other Ontario photographers.
Caralee Case + Jennifer Nace
Creative Captures Workshop - 2015
My first time flying solo to the USA because I wasn't going to miss my chance to learn from Caralee Case before I had my baby. I made so many new friends and learned looooads from these two talented ladies, from posing, lighting, and prop use for newborn and sitters.
Caralee Case's work was my favourite at the time and still, to this day, is consistently beautiful!
Lola Melani Academy
I am OBSESSED with Lola's creative work and addicted to her fabric draping courses. This was a serious game changer for me because I can now customize so many looks for mamas, irrespective of their body type.
"Everything Lola Melani says is bible".
Charlotte Gamache Newborn Academy
Until I can take her workshop in person one day, I am soaking in her online academy techniques and teachings to make my newborn posing consistently beautiful.
Business Mentors and Friends
Megan DiPiero
Level Up Workshop - 2021
The breath of fresh air when I came back to Canada. Thank you Megan for giving me a solid business foundation and for helping me believe in myself and value the work that we do as professional artists. You are a true inspiration and I can't wait to meet you when I make the 10K club.
"If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough".
Jessica Thomas
I don't have much to write except thank you for being the amazing human being that you are and for always being there for me. You have contributed so much to my renaissance and I just know you are going to coach and help so many people in our industry.
Tishan Baldeo
Uncle Tay, my event second shooter, my Nikon and tech-geek friend, my body guard, my brother for life. Tish is one of my closest friends and has always been there for me from my first camera and studio lights, to MacGuyver-ing my SkyTrack system to make it work perfectly for me.
Tish has very high standards and is doing incredible work in the commercial world. It is intimidating to work with him sometimes because he is so knowledgeable, and technically, he trained me first! But he has never judged me (not cruelly anyway) and is one of the most trusted people in my life.