K.I.H.S. Graduation 2018 @ Valhalla Inn
This event was another one that I was photographing for the second time. Last years Keewaytinook Okimakanak Graduation Ceremony took place at the Italian Hall and it was a very intimate yet fun event. However, this time around, I was amazed not only at how many more graduates there were but all the family that attended as well. Whenever I photograph graduations such as this, it's really not that difficult capturing special moments because everyone in attendance is just so happy to be there.
Institute For Canadian Citizenship Ceremony - Fort William Historical Park
This was my second year in a row photographing probably one of my favourite events of the year - the Institute for Canadian Citizenship Ceremony at Fort William Historical Park. For those of you who don't about this organization or event, I encourage to you head on over to their website where you can learn a lot more.
Finger Eleven + I Mother Earth Concert at Crocks Thunder Bay
It has actually been quite a while since I got out and photographed a concert so I was excited when The Walleye asked me to cover the Finger Eleven and I Mother Earth Concert at Crocks in Thunder Bay. Having only seen I Mother Earth live in concert a long time ago I was definitely excited to see them perform again. Admittedly I have not followed Finger Eleven but even so, they put on an amazing show.
Urban Infill: Art in the Core 12
Even though Thunder Bay is considered a 'small city' compared to the likes of Toronto and Winnipeg, it never ceases to amaze me how many great events there are throughout the year, and moreover, all the fantastic artistic talent this city has to offer. Case in point, Defsup's Urban Infill: Art in the Core 12 took place this past weekend, and it was just as diverse and fun as last years, which was the first one I attended. I was lucky enough to photograph most of this years version, along with a lot of other great photographers, who I officially met for the first time.
59th Canadian Firefighters Curling Championship
It was approximately 10 years ago that Thunder Bay hosted the Canadian Firefighters Curling Championship. So, when asked if I could cover the event I jumped at the chance because who knows when the next time it will make it's way to Thunder Bay again.
ONWA - She is Wise Conference - Chelsea Hotel Toronto
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of photographing an amazing event for ONWA, at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. The conference was called 'She is Wise in the Ways of Life'. It focused on ending violence against women and girls. Along with photographing the event I also helped design all a lot of the marketing for it, so I knew everything that was going on. With that being said, I was still anxious to see how it all turned out, and I couldn't have imagined a better event.
Gull Bay First Nation Microgrid Announcement
I was recently asked by Ontario Power Generation to cover a very important event at the Gull Bay First Nation this past Tuesday. Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek and Ontario Power Generation are working together to develop a microgrid that will use solar, battery storage and grid technology to help reduce diesel use at Gull Bay. It is to be the first fully-integrated solar energy-storage system in a remote community.
30th Annual LUNSA Powwow
I got asked to cover some of this weekends LUNSA Powwow and the Lakehead University Fieldhouse. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the event and I was honoured to photograph it. Surprisingly I had never been to the LUNSA Powwow, but I have photographed other ones throughout the city. So, I was amazed at just how many dancers and people attended. As I photographer, it's a dream event to photograph with all the colours and people and energy.
Human Trafficking Awareness Day - ONWA
I'm lucky enough to photograph a variety of events for ONWA throughout the year, and pretty much every single one is important in some way. Such was the case with their recent one focusing on human trafficking. My main job was to obviously capture the event but I was also able to learn a lot while I did so.
For anyone interested in learning more, please feel free to head on over to ONWA's Facebook page here.
Derelicte 10 - Black Pirates Pub
I was so excited once I realized I would be able to help photograph Derelicte 10. I had only attended once before, a couple years ago, and I had so much fun then. The thing I like most about Derelicte is that it's just so ... random. There are so many talented designers in this city and it's the one night of the year they get to showcase their amazing work. Not to mention, the musical talent a well, which is just as diverse.
St. Benard Kindergarten Information Session
This past Thursday saw St. Benard School host an kindergarten information session. It was a last minute booking for me, but luckily I was able to accept it. I didn't know much going in but once I got there, I soon realized there was going to be approximately 400 people there. My job for the next hour was to simply capture candids of the attendees, the booths and the speakers. It was right up my alley and my favourite type of photography.
Looking Back On My 2017 Events
I recently posted my favourite wedding photos of 2017 which was a great way for me to look back and really see what I captured, and also what I can improve upon. Then it dawned on me that I covered a lot of events throughout the year too. So it was a no brainer to select a few of my top photos from the numerous events I covered.
ICC Citizenship Ceremony at Fort William Historical Park
Last week I was honoured to photograph a very important ceremony for a lot of people. It was the Citizenship Ceremony held at Fort William Historical Park and it was hosted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. Approximately 50 new Canadians were officially declared Canadian Citizens. Before that happened, they all had a chance to meet with the other guests as well as share their stories and journey that brought them to this point. They have all been in Canada for quite a while now, so it was exciting for each an every one of them to be able to finally call Thunder Bay home.
ONWA Poetry Night - Strong Hands Stop Violence
This past Sunday ONWA held a very special poetry night in an effort to raise awareness of Violence Against Women in support of the United Nations International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women. My task was to capture the event in photos which included musical guests - Melinda a Melissa Henderson and of course Audra Santa.
Lakehead University Farewell Reception in Honour of Dr. Brian J.R. Stevenson and Judy Davies
This past Thursday, Lakehead University honoured Dr. Brian J.R. Stevenson's accomplishments as President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University from 2010 to 2017. For the first portion of the event everyone in attendance mingled and conversed while enjoying some amazing food. As a surprise to Dr. Stevenson, students from his achievement program marched down towards the main stage with flags representing their country. It was a great start to a memorable evening.
Remembrance Day - 2017
Once again I was able to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony at Waverly Park in Thunder Bay. Below are some highlights from the day.
The Hunger 12
The Hunger 12 took place this past Saturday in the downtown area of Port Arthur. As the name suggests, this was the 12th year, and I think about the 3rd time I have photographed it. It's always the perfect excuse to dress up, go out, and see all the awesome costumes that everyone came up with. As with the previous years, I was taking photos for The Walleye.
NADF - Business Awards
The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Business Awards took place this past Friday at the Valhalla Inn. I was hired to photograph the event and I had a great time doing so. The NADF is a non-profit Aboriginal Financial Institution (AFI) providing business financing and support services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and businesses to establish, expand, or acquire a business in remote, rural and urban communities in Northern Ontario. The awards presented celebrate the contribution of Indigenous people to the economy of northwestern Ontario.
CCAB Thunder Bay - Hot Topic Series
This past Thursday, the Valhalla in hosted the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business - Hot Topic Series. As I have mentioned in some of my previous posts, this was another first for me regarding this event. I didn't really know what to expected going in, but as I always do, I just rolled with the punches. The purpose of the event was to focus on partnerships between Canadian companies and Aboriginal communities to launch businesses in urban and rural markets. The discussion explored issues including the creation and alignment of shared goals, team building and management, and resource maximization. There were a variety of speakers at the event and they discussed some of the challenges and also some of the solutions in running a successful business.
Jumpstart 2017 - Lakehead University Hanger
I’m still amazed at how many great events there are going Thunder Bay, and a lot of them I don’t even know about. Case in point, I was asked to photograph Jumpstart this past Friday, which is an event put on by Canadian Tire. Jumpstart’s core purpose is to raise funds, lift spirits and support dreams. If you want to learn more about this great organization, I encourage you to head on over to the website.