On March 9th, I had the pleasure of hosting a workshop that turned out to be a rewarding experience, not just for the attendees, but for myself as well. The room was filled with eager minds, passionate about learning and growing. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who showed up and contributed to making this event a successful one.
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The atmosphere was electrifying, and the enthusiasm was was felt by everyone. We all learned, we all shared, and most importantly, we all had fun. The feedback I received was invaluable. It not only gave me an insight into the areas where I succeeded but also highlighted areas where I can improve. This constructive criticism will go a long way in shaping my future workshops and making them even better.
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A special shout-out to the amazing coaches who shared their knowledge and experiences without any reservations. David Watson, Deanne Smith, Eluvier Acosta. Their free-flowing wisdom and patience in dealing with a multitude of questions were truly commendable. The models, with their professionalism and flexibility, played a crucial role in making the workshop engaging and interactive.
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A workshop of this scale wouldn't have been possible without the support of our technical partners. I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to Gary and The Camera Store for their incredible tech support. The cutting-edge lenses and cameras from Canon, Nikon, and Sony that they provided us with, elevated the workshop's experience to another level.
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Gary was our go-to guy for all things technical. His deep understanding of the equipment and its various features made him an invaluable resource. The way he handled all the technical queries and issues was absolutely phenomenal.
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With the success of this workshop, I am more inspired and motivated than ever. I am already looking forward to hosting another workshop, hopefully, this fall. That said, I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on what you'd like me to cover in the next workshop.
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Once again, thank you all for being a part of this wonderful journey. Here's to more learning, more sharing, and more success in the future. Cheers!

A Successful Workshop: My Journey and Lessons Learned

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It was an absolute pleasure to venture into the world of Medium Format mirrorless photography with the Hasselblad X2D camera for the first time. This Swedish-made beauty has been on my radar for quite some time, and finally getting my hands on it was nothing short of a thrilling experience. The Hasselblad X2D is known for its exceptional image quality and elegant design. Picking up the camera, the first thing that struck me was its weight. Despite its large sensor, it was surprisingly light and compact. It felt comfortable and well-balanced in my hands, a sign of the thoughtful design that went into creating this masterpiece.
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The next thing that caught my attention was the X2D's minimalist design. The camera body is sleek and devoid of unnecessary buttons; its controls are intuitive and easy to master. The images it produced were fantastic. The colors were rich and saturated, the details were crisp, and the dynamic range was impressive. Though it would take some getting used to with the medium format focus. It was quite difficult to really nail focus at F1.9 on the 80mm lens.
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Shooting with the Hasselblad X2D for the first time was an enlightening experience. The camera's exceptional image quality, sleek design, and intuitive controls make it an excellent choice for both professional photographers and enthusiasts, though it's cost may scare some away at a whopping $11,374 CAD. I'm still looking forward to capturing more moments with this extraordinary medium format camera in the future, given the chance! Here's a couple photos below.

My First Experience with the Hasselblad X2D Camera

This Christmas, I decided to do things a little differently. Instead of spending the holiday season amidst the snow and chilling winds, I chose to head south to the land of sunshine and vibrant culture - Mexico. This blog post is a travelogue of my adventures and experiences during the Christmas break in Mexico.
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The journey began with a flight from my frosty hometown of Calgary, AB to the warm and welcoming popular Canadian Meixcan destination, Huatulco, Oaxaca. As we descended, the view of the sprawling city, interspersed with patches of green and surrounded by distant mountain ranges, was breathtaking. I could already feel the shift in energy, from the slow, languid pace of a frozen city to the relaxing, warm Huatulco.
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The Zocalo La Crucecita (Main square in Huatulco) was decked with Christmas lights, and the spirit of the holidays was palpable.
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One of the highlights of my trip was going scuba diving with the Huatulco Dive Center and getting my son trained as a scuba diver!
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This trip to Mexico was indeed a memorable one. The warmth of the people, the rich culture, and the diverse landscape left a lasting impression on me. As I headed back home, I carried with me a suitcase full of memories and a heart filled with the spirit of a Mexican Christmas.
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So, if you're thinking of a different way to spend your Christmas break, I would highly recommend Mexico. It's a place that's sure to make your holiday season unforgettable. Below is a VLOG of my trip there! <a title="Mexico Video" href="https://youtu.be/HCPK9lb2GhY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mexico VLog Video</a>

A Christmas Vacation in Mexico: A Travelogue

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A day at MAS Studios is never just an ordinary day, especially when you have a model like Emma who brings an extraordinary energy to the room. This blog post will take you behind the scenes of one such photoshoot that made everyone exclaim, 'Emma is absolutely killing this shoot!'
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As a YYC photographer, I have had the privilege of working with numerous models, but Emma's blend of natural beauty and professional attitude made the session at MAS Studios stand out. Emma's effortless confidence in front of the camera, combined with her stunning fashion style, made for a captivating photoshoot. It was a perfect blend of model and photographer, both striving for the same goal &ndash; to create something beautiful and memorable.
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One of the most impressive things about Emma is her ability to communicate with the camera. She knows exactly how to portray emotion, making my job as a portrait photographer a lot easier. With each click of my camera, Emma was able to bring a new mood, a new story.
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The fashion element of the shoot was equally exciting. Emma's fashion style is unique, edgy, and sophisticated, reflecting her vibrant personality. Each outfit she donned seemed to tell a story of its own, adding depth to the photographs.
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Every photoshoot has its own rhythm, its own vibe. This one was a symphony of perfect elements &ndash; a talented model, a photographer in sync with his subject, high-quality camera equipment, and the most fashionable outfits. This was not just another day at MAS Studios, it was a day where everything fell into place, and magic was created.
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As a YYC photographer, days like these make me realize how lucky I am to be in this profession. Capturing beautiful moments, working with amazing models like Emma, and creating art through my lens.
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Looking back at the shoot, all I can say is, Emma was absolutely killing it at MAS Studios. Here's to many more such thrilling photoshoots and amazing models.

A Glimpse Into a Thrilling Photoshoot with Model Emma at MAS Studios

There's something electrifying about live music, especially when it comes to the metal genre. It's a sensory overload - the blistering guitar riffs, the thunderous drum beats, the guttural vocals, and the frenetic energy of the crowd. On a beautiful evening in September, we were lucky enough to witness such an event at Deerfoot City's renowned venue, The Rec Room. The spotlight was on Syryn, a local band making waves in the Calgary metal scene, who absolutely slayed their tune Succubus Queen.
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What makes Syryn stand out among many metal bands is their unique genre &ndash; Pirate Metal. A niche within a niche, Pirate Metal combines traditional heavy metal elements with thematic and musical flourishes reminiscent of the Golden Age of Piracy. It's a unique fusion that makes for an immersive and exhilarating live experience.
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The band's performance of 'Succubus Queen' was nothing short of spectacular. With a dramatic chorus and rhythmic verses, the song exemplifies the band's ability to merge storytelling with hard-hitting metal music. The band members' chemistry was palpable as they played off one another's energy, delivering a performance that was both technically proficient and emotionally resonant.
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The venue, The Rec Room, is an integral part of the live music scene in Calgary. Its impressive layout and top-notch sound system provided the perfect backdrop for Syryn's explosive performance. The resulting atmosphere, coupled with the band&rsquo;s talent and passion, made for a memorable night of live music.
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In conclusion, the live performance of Syryn at Deerfoot City was a testament to the power of live music. With their hard-hitting tunes, charismatic performance, and the audience's palpable energy, it was an evening that truly embodied the hashtag #LiveMusic. Syryn's performance proved once again that music, especially metal music, is best experienced live, where one can truly feel the raw energy and passion of the performers. So, here's to more such nights of #LiveMusic in the future. Till then, keep rocking and supporting your local bands!

An Epic Night with Syryn: The Succubus Queen Live Performance

On August 13, I found myself in the midst of an unexpected adventure. The night had been reserved for a casual outing at @therecroomca at Deerfoot City, but little did I know that I was about to witness a jaw-dropping live performance by the band @theanchorofficial.
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The high point of the night? Their electrifying cover of Fallout Boy's iconic hit, 'Sugar, We're Going Down.' The band's raw energy and powerful rendition of the song had the audience hooked from the first note, myself included.
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Here's the surprising part - I hadn't planned on recording any audio that night. Being a photographer and videographer by profession, I usually carry my trusty audio gear with me, as I was filming for a music video but the video was using previously recorded audio. However, when the first chord of 'Sugar, We're Going Down' hit the air, I knew I couldn't miss the chance to capture this moment. So, out came my camera, ready to record. What you hear in the recording is the unfiltered, raw sound straight from the camera - real and undiluted.
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The show was an absolute blast! The band's charisma and the crowd's infectious energy created a vibrant atmosphere that's hard to describe. It was one of those nights where you could feel the sheer love for music pulsating in the room.
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As a professional in the field, I have attended and documented live shows before, but this impromptu recording session stands out for its spontaneity and authenticity. It was a humbling reminder that sometimes, the best moments in life are the unplanned ones. It also made me appreciate the power of raw, unedited sound even more.
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In the end, it was more than just a live music show. It was a celebration of music, spontaneous adventures, and the magic that happens when the two come together. Here's to many more unexpected nights of great music!
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#YYC #yycphotographer #YYCvideographer #falloutboy #TheAnchor #Videography #Music #RockShow #SugarWereGoingDown

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An Unexpected Night of Live Music: The Anchor Covers Fallout Boy at The Rec Room

My husband and I were lucky enough to have brad be our photographer on our wedding day. From the smallest details to the largest ones he had everything covered, really going out of his way to get the best shots. His passion for photography really shines through!!! The best part about the whole experience was how much fun we had… my husband is not much for photos but Brad was making him smile and laugh with his jokes and amazing personality, I never would have thought hours of photos would be so much fun and the best part is that we have proof…. Brad captured every smile, all the laughter and love that we were experiencing that day more than we could have hoped.

Jennifer & Andrew

Thank you so much for spending the afternoon with our family and for taking such wonderful and artistic pictures ! Despite the weather, we had a lot fun! You certainly know how to put our little ones at ease, and made it so much fun for them. The photos and the video are really good. We really appreciate your speedy delivery of the digital photos. We certainly look forward to working with you again in the near future. Thank you again for your help in creating a happy memory for our family.

Tulian T.

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I was approached by my good friend Brandon to help photograph a wedding for our mutual friend Jennifer. I was more than delighted to shoot it. Then he told me it would be out by Spray Lakes in Kananaskis and I was ecstatic to shoot it. We had so many ideas!
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The intimate wedding was set out at the beautiful Mt. Engadine Lodge just south of Spray Lakes and Canmore on Highway 742. I would use the word highway loosely as there are times of the year you need an all-wheel-drive or 4x4 vehicle to safely navigate this road. Driving a 4x4 truck, I had zero issues getting there. This lodge is a very intimate, low-key lodge with no cell service, on purpose. Its purpose is to get you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into calm, relaxing nature. They do, however, have WiFi out there; which their password tells you to get out and explore nature. A small tidbit that I thoroughly enjoyed. They've got a few rooms in the actual lodge, but the interesting element that I loved was that they also had some camp-style A-frame "tents" and they also had cabins away from the main lodge. This was my kind of place, for sure! You don't need to pack food or camping supplies though, as they deliver food directly to your room, cabin, or tent every morning and every evening and include a packed picnic-style lunch to take with you, exploring. So, you should definitely check this out if you're looking to get out and do some exploring not too far from Calgary or Canmore and still away from all the busyness. It was a little smoky from the nearby fires in British Columbia, which would actually help give us some beautiful golden hour type light that was well diffused, later on.
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The ceremony was small, beautiful, and intimate. Only the couple, parents from both sides, the JP, videographer, and myself, photographing. It was set out on the rear balcony overlooking the valley in the background and looked absolutely stunning. We live-streamed the entire ceremony to their families all over the world and it was well-received! Below are photos from the ceremony and portrait session afterward.
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Jennifer and Andrew's Wedding

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