Hello everyone.  This is a bit unusual for me to post about, but I wanted to share with you a great achievement that I’ve earned in my Aikido studies.

This certificate was awarded to me this past June for completing 10 months of Aikido Kenshu.  For those of you who might not know, Kenshu is a special kind of training that involves a lot of physical and philosophical study.  The translation of the word “Kenshu” means “sword sharpening,” and throughout this course, I learned a lot and was able to advance my aikido a lot.

I studied intensively every week for 10 months under the supervision of Kyoshi Kevin Blok, an 8th degree black belt in the art of Yoshinkan Aikido.  Martial arts has been a passion of mine since I was a teenager, and I’m happy that I have a great teacher here in Windsor that I can learn from.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  I am going to train for another 10 months come Fall 2011.  OSU!

This week I had the pleasure of working with one of Windsor’s up and coming models, Sarah McGregor.

We had a great time shooting at Sand Point Beach, and had a really cool situation to work with as well. We arrived just as a storm was coming towards us from off the water, and there were only a few clear clouds in the sky. So we quickly got a few shots of the clear sky, as well as a few shots with the overcast sky. Both scenarios turned out really great!

Here’s a few images. If you’d like to view the hi resolution images, please click here to be taken to a separate web gallery.

Till next time, take care all!

Once again, if you’d like to view the hi resolution images, please click here to be taken to a separate web gallery.

Hello everyone. I know I haven’t been keeping up with my weekly adventures, but now that a few things have settled, I’m looking to get out there and start up again. This week I was invited by a friend to attend a performance put on at Parkwood Gospel Temple.

The subject of the performance showed some of the struggles that youths face in modern society while they still remain to be good Christians. It depicted a number of situations, such as being socially outcast, dealing with their parents, and even confronting those who are less fortunate.

Everything was performed well, and I grabbed a few candid shots as the performance was underway. Thanks to everyone who put on this show and for inviting me. Take care all!

So I wanted to test out my new lens this week, and I was just puttering around my house and I saw a great example of some window light. I love using window light as it’s the most natural way to capture an image, and I just took a quick snapshot. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

This week I started my engagement photo shoots for the 2009 wedding season. I had the pleasure of working with Mike and Erin. We had a great time along the river front, and got some great photos! Here’s a preview of 2 of them. Until next time, take care!

This week’s adventure took place where I haven’t been in a while – in a studio! It’s a relief to actually get into a studio and do some shooting with a great subject.

This week was the launch of Modelooza, a great event for experienced and aspiring models (for more info, click here). My first applicant was Emilie. She’s looking to get her career started in acting, singing, and modeling, and with her energy, I’m sure she’s going to go places with it! We had a great shoot, and here’s just a sneak at one image for now.

Till next time, take care!

So this week, I went out to a great seminar with Andy Armstrong of design|house (www.getdesignhouse.com). He gave me a number of tips and tricks to get great composition, lighting, and post processing for fashion, boudoir, and couples photography.

With Modelooza around the corner, I’m so glad I could attend this great seminar! I’ve already edited one image, and more are to come. Sit tight!

This week I went into Malden Park in my city to get some photos of the sunset. The past few days, we’ve been getting some great sunsets, and I didn’t want to let this week go by without taking a few photos of such a beautiful natural scene. Until next time, take care!

This week a friend of mine invited me to an older church in the West end of my city. It was closed, but I got inside and saw a great light coming in the window (go figure!), so I asked that he stand in the light and also read the Bible. We got a few shots done, despite the darkness of the church. Thanks everyone for checking in. Take care!

This week was a light week. With some other tasks really consuming my time, I went out this morning in my neighborhood to take some shots of the local park and church. I’m gonna be working on the church shots over the next few days as I’m a fan of old archetecture, but for now, here’s a gazebo covered in snow. Take care.