DAVID ELLINGSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

“Survive? Think Thrive!”

One of the top career consultants for photographers is heading back to Vancouver.
Selina Maitreya has been here several times before to lecture, and offer private consultations for those interested, and she will be appearing at Langara College on the evening of June 17th. I had the pleasure of her advice years ago and will say I found it an invaluable experience.
Here’s the official notice we sent out:

The 3 year old full time Digital Photography Program at Vancouver Institute of Media Arts is putting out some promising new talent and I had the pleasure of being on the Portfolio Review Panel for the graduating class of 2010, better known as DP6.

Along with three of Vanarts faculty members experienced in other segments of the industry (Mary Jensen of Artisan Photography, Ian McGuffie of Exposure Gallery and Advisory Board Chair James Emler), I spent 2 1/2 days reviewing 14 portfolios and was impressed by the quality of the work presented. As with any graduating class, there was the odd exception, but most students showed real talent not only in their photographs, but in their grasp of the marketplace and industry. It seems that Vanarts is following through on it’s claim to “prepare students to master the artistic, technical and business practices for all areas of the professional photography industry”.

As I mentioned there was a lot of great work…but the following students I singled out due to their raw talent in their respective niche and more importantly because I saw a flash of brilliance in some of their images and got that tight, excited feeling in my chest while looking at it (note: if you get a chance to actually see their books it’s worth the effort. The websites are good but don’t show the work off nearly as well as the large prints I saw…a pleasure to view in person.). Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the sheer volume of photography out there but this experience, with all fourteen of the students, was one of those moments that re-confirms just what an exciting, satisfying career this can be and the inspiring creativity within it.

Long careers ahead I’m sure…

In no particular order:

DANIELLE ANATHEMA
Wow. The new Floria Sigismondi. Dark, surreal…amazingly creative.
www.anathemaphotography.com

THOMAS STRAND
Documentary work with great applications for advertising and editorial.
www.thomasarnestrand.com

ESPERANZA GOMEZ
Wonderful live photographs…someone who really knows how to use available light to her advantage.
www.esperanzagomezphotography.com

NEIL LOUIE
Strong, quiet, elegant fine art and portraiture work. Stellar.
www.nplphotography.com

KATHERINE LEE
Before getting her credentials in photography Katherine had a career working with children, and her ease, comfort and genuine interest in people shows in her consumer-directed family photographs.
www.momentosbykatherine.com

ASHLEY PERRY
Live bands and musicians with energetic compositions and timing.
www.ashleyperryphoto.com