ONWA 4th Annual MMIW Pow Wow
This past weekend, one of my favourite and most important events took place. It was the ONWA 4th Annual MMIW Pow Wow. It’s a traditional Pow Wow honouring missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. To be able to be a part of such a meaningful cause is so rewarding. Not only did I get to photograph some amazing dancers and festivities, but in doing so, I am helping to bring awareness.
This past weekend, one of my favourite and most important events took place. It was the ONWA 4th Annual MMIW Pow Wow. It’s a traditional Pow Wow honouring missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. To be able to be a part of such a meaningful cause is so rewarding. Not only did I get to photograph some amazing dancers and festivities, but in doing so, I am helping to bring awareness.
There were a lot of people at this years event which is no surprise. With drum groups, dancers, throat singers and of course delicious food, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon with friends and family. The weather was absolutely perfect too which made the whole event that much better. Along with photos, I captured a lot of video so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks.
Choir!Choir!Choir! + Live on the Waterfront
The last event in the Live at the Waterfront series that has been taking place here in the Thunder Bay wrapped up this evening. My wife Anne and I decided to go check out the last night and it was well worth it. Choir! Choir! Choir! put on an amazing performance. For those of you who don’t know who they are I included their description from Facebook below. it sums them up much better than I could ever do.
The last event in the Live at the Waterfront series that has been taking place here in the Thunder Bay wrapped up this evening. My wife Anne and I decided to go check out the last night and it was well worth it. Choir! Choir! Choir! put on an amazing performance. For those of you who don’t know who they are I included their description from Facebook below. it sums them up much better than I could ever do.
Naveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman (also known as “DaBu”) started Choir! Choir! Choir! as a weekly drop-in singing event in February 2011. Equal parts singing, comedy, and community-building, the night unfolds like a dream: you get a lyric sheet at the door, DaBu teaches you the vocal arrangement, a video is recorded, and everyone goes home feeling great. Now touring internationally, Choir! Choir! Choir! boasts a dedicated and passionate membership of inspired singers. They have performed in holes, on hills, and in Carnegie Hall, and they’ve collaborated with guest singers like Brandi Carlile, David Byrne, Rick Astley, Patti Smith and more.
If you ever see that they are passing through your city be sure to check them out. They had everyone singing, laughing and having a great time. It was really good to see and I’m going to miss this weekly event. Until next year I guess!
Mino Bimaadiziwin Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program - Kingfisher Lake
My wife Anne and her mother Cathy were asked to spend an afternoon at Kingfisher Lake, which is just outside Thunder Bay, teaching aboriginal youth how to cook bannock. I decided to join them and document the afternoon through photos and video. Of course, I also got to have some amazing bannock made over an open fire! The program is called Mino Bimaadiziwin and is based on traditional cultural teachings and focuses on: key life skills, leadership development, healthy relationships, positive self-esteem, self-awareness and connections to education.
My wife Anne and her mother Cathy were asked to spend an afternoon at Kingfisher Lake, which is just outside Thunder Bay, teaching aboriginal youth how to cook bannock. I decided to join them and document the afternoon through photos and video. Of course, I also got to have some amazing bannock made over an open fire! The program is called Mino Bimaadiziwin and is based on traditional cultural teachings and focuses on: key life skills, leadership development, healthy relationships, positive self-esteem, self-awareness and connections to education.
There were many other activities the youth were taking part in, so overall it was an amazing experience for everyone involved. If you would like to find out more about this program, their website can explain it much better than I can.
BrewHa Craft Beer Festival 2019 - Thunder Bay
I have a lot of ‘favourite’ events throughout the year here in Thunder Bay, but I think BrewHa is up there as one of the best. Each year I’m more and more impressed with the vendors and also the people who attend. It’s such a chill and relaxed atmosphere and combine that with live music playing in the background by local bands, and you really can’t go wrong.
I have a lot of ‘favourite’ events throughout the year here in Thunder Bay, but I think the BrewHa Craft Beer Festival at Prince Arthur’s Landing is up there as one of the best. Each year I’m more and more impressed with the vendors and also the people who attend. It’s such a chill and relaxed atmosphere and combine that with live music playing in the background by local bands, and you really can’t go wrong.
Each year in August this event takes place and there are 3 sessions. This time around I made it to the first two, which took place on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. I most likely would have went to the Saturday evening session but I had a beautiful wedding in Murillo I photographed.
That was more than enough time to get lots of great photos for The Walleye and video as well. Speaking of video, you can view the short promo video I did for the event under my videos here on my website. Back to the photos, there were lots of them! I have long since gotten past my fear of approaching people in public and asking for their photos. That’s what happens when you photograph weddings for a living. You either get used to interacting with strangers or you are doomed! Almost everyone I asked was game for a photo.
I of course captured a ton of photos of the breweries in attendance too. It goes without saying that I sampled some beer too. You know, to get the ‘full experience’. I’m already looking forward to next years event, and I guess for now, I’ll have to pour my store bought beer in the little keep sake glasses handed out at the event, to make it feel like I’m still there.
Jagmeet Singh Meeting with Bombardier Employees - Thunder Bay
In a very last minute request I was asked to photograph NDP Leader - Jasmeet Singh’s visit to Thunder Bay this morning. He was here to visit with the workers of Bombardier who were recently impacted by the news of the impending layoffs in Thunder Bay. He was here to show solidarity and talk about the solutions our Party has in mind for these workers. I was honoured to be a part of such an important event.
In a very last minute request I was asked to photograph NDP Leader - Jasmeet Singh’s visit to Thunder Bay this morning. He was here to visit with the workers of Bombardier who were recently impacted by the news of the impending layoffs in Thunder Bay. He was here to show solidarity and talk about the solutions our Party has in mind for these workers. I was honoured to be a part of such an important event.
7th Annual Bay + Algoma Busker's Festival - 2019
One of the premiere events, I think, of the summer, is the Busker’s Festival. It’s always a great time with so many performers and vendors coming out. Not to mention, it always brings out so many people from around the city. I didn’t get out as long as I would have liked this year because I had a wedding to photography, but I still got the chance to photograph a small portion of it. Along with the photos, I walked around for about 45 minutes on the Sunday and focused on capturing some video. That can be found below as well. I’m already looking forward to next years festival!
One of the premiere events, I think, of the summer, is the Busker’s Festival. It’s always a great time with so many performers and vendors coming out. Not to mention, it always brings out so many people from around the city. I didn’t get out as long as I would have liked this year because I had a wedding to photography, but I still got the chance to photograph a small portion of it. Along with the photos, I walked around for about 45 minutes on the Sunday and focused on capturing some video. That can be found below as well. I’m already looking forward to next years festival!
Fat Guys Auto Parts Car Show - 2019
Yesterday the annual Fat Guys Auto Parts Car Show took place yet again and I swear, it was twice as big as last years. I only spent around 30 minutes walking around because I had a wedding to photograph in the afternoon but it was enough to get at least a few photos of the cars and the people. It was pretty crowded with people as you would expect so instead of trying to get photos of entire cars I picked out details that stood out to me. I would say some of the photos are almost abstract.
Hopefully next year I’ll have a bit more time to actually photograph more of the awesome cars and people that attended the event!
Yesterday the annual Fat Guys Auto Parts Car Show took place yet again and I swear, it was twice as big as last years. I only spent around 30 minutes walking around because I had a wedding to photograph in the afternoon but it was enough to get at least a few photos of the cars and the people. It was pretty crowded with people as you would expect so instead of trying to get photos of entire cars I picked out details that stood out to me. I would say some of the photos are almost abstract.
Hopefully next year I’ll have a bit more time to actually photograph more of the awesome cars and people that attended the event!
Festival of Colours 201
It was Day 2 of an amazing weekend. Yesterday, as I mentioned in my previous post, the Festival of India took place at the Thunder Bay Marina Park. Today, Festival of Colours was the main attraction, and it’s definitely one of my favourite events of the year to attend and of course photograph. I only had about an hour to work with because of prior commitments, but I managed to get some good photos. As usual, there was a ton of people in attendance.
It was Day 2 of an amazing weekend. Yesterday, as I mentioned in my previous post, the Festival of India took place at the Thunder Bay Marina Park. Today, Festival of Colours was the main attraction, and it’s definitely one of my favourite events of the year to attend and of course photograph. I only had about an hour to work with because of prior commitments, but I managed to get some good photos. As usual, there was a ton of people in attendance.
The biggest challenge, for all the photographers there, was not getting our cameras too dirty. I ended up using my ‘older’ camera to get most of the photos, but at the end of the day, it’s impossible not to get dust everywhere. I swear, next year, I’m wrapping up an even older camera and just getting rid in the crowd and going for it. Regardless, it was a super fun event and I am glad I was able to make it for a short while.
Festival of India 2019
Festival of India here in Thunder Bay has been going on for about 10 years I believe. I have made it to a few over the years and it’s always a great time. This year, I went for about 1 hour and came away with some memorable photos. The dancers that I did see were simply amazing. I would have been nice to stick around to see a few more but I had to go. Tomorrow, The Festival of Colours takes place at the Marina and I’m really hoping I can find the time to make it out. it’s quite the scene. Here are some highlights from this evening.
Festival of India here in Thunder Bay has been going on for about 10 years I believe. I have made it to a few over the years and it’s always a great time. This year, I went for about 1 hour and came away with some memorable photos. The dancers that I did see were simply amazing. I would have been nice to stick around to see a few more but I had to go. Tomorrow, The Festival of Colours takes place at the Marina and I’m really hoping I can find the time to make it out. it’s quite the scene. Here are some highlights from this evening.
Project Learning Tree – Government Funding Announcement – Lakehead Unviversity
Lakehead University played host to an amazing event yesterday. The Federal Government announced that it would be giving $4.4 million in funding to Project Learning Tree. Project Learning Tree is a workplace program that provides youth with employment opportunities in the forest and conservation sector. Currently Zac and Nick Wagman are biking across Canada and they made a stop at Lakehead University, where they were greeted by Minister Patty Hajdu to announce the investment, which will support more than 500 local and Canadian youth, particularly those facing barriers.
To find out more about this initiative, head on over to the Project Learning Tree Website.
Lakehead University played host to an amazing event yesterday. The Federal Government announced that it would be giving $4.4 million in funding to Project Learning Tree. Project Learning Tree is a workplace program that provides youth with employment opportunities in the forest and conservation sector. Currently Zac and Nick Wagman are biking across Canada and they made a stop at Lakehead University, where they were greeted by Minister Patty Hajdu to announce the investment, which will support more than 500 local and Canadian youth, particularly those facing barriers.
To find out more about this initiative, head on over to the Project Learning Tree Website.
Thunder Bay Blues Festival 2019
I attended the Thunder Bay Blues Festival a couple years back and that was actually the first time I did so. It was only for one day and I didn’t have access to the stage or the ability to really get in close. I still managed to get a lot of great crowd photos because that is mainly what I was hired for and I had a great time doing so. Fast forward to this years event and The Walleye asked if I could capture the event for them. As soon as they said I would be getting media passes I jumped at the opportunity. Plus, it’s rare that I actually have this weekend in July free. Usually I have a wedding booked.
I attended the Thunder Bay Blues Festival a couple years back and that was actually the first time I did so. It was only for one day and I didn’t have access to the stage or the ability to really get in close. I still managed to get a lot of great crowd photos because that is mainly what I was hired for and I had a great time doing so. Fast forward to this years event and The Walleye asked if I could capture the event for them. As soon as they said I would be getting media passes I jumped at the opportunity. Plus, it’s rare that I actually have this weekend in July free. Usually I have a wedding booked.
I knew I at least wanted to get photos of the the main acts in the latter part of the day and that’s exactly what I did. With so many amazing performers it was a joy to be up close and get great shots. Of course, it wasn’t all about the performers. I made sure to walk around the venue and get a ton of photos of people attending the event. All in all it was a long, but amazing weekend of live music. I brought my wife Anne to help me out and we seriously had Thai Kitchen 3 days in a row. That is a new record for us. I’m already looking forward to next years event assuming I’m available and of course asked to capture it.
2019 Scholarship + Bursary Awards Reception
The Thunder Bay Community Foundation hosted their 2019 Scholarship and Bursary Awards Reception last evening at the Boys and Girls Club. A select number of high school students along with their families were on hand to receive various scholarships and bursaries. My job was to simply capture the atmosphere, the people and of course the award presentations. I had a great time capturing candid moments and I could really feel the joy and excitement from everyone involved.
The Thunder Bay Community Foundation hosted their 2019 Scholarship and Bursary Awards Reception last evening at the Boys and Girls Club. A select number of high school students along with their families were on hand to receive various scholarships and bursaries. My job was to simply capture the atmosphere, the people and of course the award presentations. I had a great time capturing candid moments and I could really feel the joy and excitement from everyone involved.
If you would like to learn more about what the Thunder Bay Community Foundation does click here!
