This shot is from an assignment I did last week for Trot magazine out of Toronto.  Kayla is a young woman blazing the trail at Fraser Downs.

“It was awesome to spend the day with you. We found you to be professional, easy going and hard working. Someone at the wedding said that you worked your butt off taking pictures. We appreciate it and had the opportunity to look at them. There is quite a variety of shots. The photos are beautiful and very difficult to choose which ones we want to enlarge. Thank you for a great day and we would be more than happy to recommend you to other bridal parties. You were stellar. Thank you again, the Surrey Golf Course is lucky to have yourself as a feature. Warm wishes Anita and Kelly.”

I volunteered to help them tell their story, and the many stories of their clients.

This has been one of the biggest challenges for me as a photographer. Normally when I take a portrait, people come to me. They come to me to capture the best moments of their lives. The moments when they’re all dressed up. Their daughter is getting married. Their son graduating from high school. They’re at the top of their game, and in their Sunday best.

And now I find myself, reaching out to complete strangers, who in most cases were not experiencing the best moment of their lives, struggling, in challenging situations. I need to engage them, and gain their trust and permission to take their photographs.

None of these photos are taken with a telephoto lens. I spend a lot of time walking up and down the food line, talking to people, getting to know them. The camera is secondary, the dialogue is critical. Through getting to know these people, I know myself better.

I am on the food line a couple of times each week documenting their stories. Putting a face to the need.

Please donate to your local food bank. No one should go hungry.

View the entire set on my flickr account here.

From time to time, after having their photos taken, people will ask me if they can purchase digital files rather than prints.

There is a reason I prefer not to do this. Unlike point-and-shoot photos, professionally produced photos typically are created in “RAW” mode, which captures the most detail and quality. But RAW files need to be developed! Out of the camera, they often look dull and washed-out. When I process my photos, I make judgments to achieve the best possible colors and contrast. I often soften skin texture and remove blemishes and specks of lint. Some people even request special enhancement to their features. The level of adjustment of course is up to you.

This is a photograph of Natalie, a bank manager who asked me to give her a “photo makeover”. On the left is the photo before any adjustment. The center shows my standard processing. And on the right, you can see the adjustments she requested; sharper cheekbones, making her eyes more symmetrical, and a more tanned skin tone.