I’m proud to report that the photographs I did last summer for the Vancouver Whitecaps Women’s League contributed to the United Soccer League announcement that the ‘Caps have been honored with the 2011 Women’s League Marketing Award. Alright!

This shot installed in BC Place Stadium is from a while back but I’d never been down this ramp before…and didn’t realize just how big this work was.
Sweet.

Stellar fashion stylist Luisa Rino called up to see about shooting a spread for Real Weddings Magazine for the Fall issue…who can say no.

At the newsstand now.

Here’s the rest of that shoot for BC based pet food manufacturer Petcurean and the new GO! product line.
Two days shooting this series in-studio…with a blackout set including cats and a water pool (not together, phew)…with creative director Matthew Clark from Subplot Design Inc. and the wonderful in-house gang from Petcurean. Thanks again to Gina at THEY Rep for all the production.

I now know the literal meaning of “herding cats”…

Action animal and pet advertising photograph from Vancouver commercial photographer David Ellingsen for new Petcurean's new packaging design, with agency Subplot Design Inc.

While I’ve been with Provide for a bit now I thought it was about time to give them a shout-out. David Keeler and Robert Quinnel opened this beautiful space, “a highly edited interior and lifestyle store located on Beatty Street in Vancouver’s emerging Crosstown district” in 2008. They have received a lot of well deserved press and recognition in that short time and their support of small boutique brands and independent artists is exemplary. I am very proud to be included in that small group.
Swing by and check it out…

I received a lovely thank-you letter in the mail today from the folks at The Canadian Cancer Society. I had donated some artwork for the auction at the annual Diamond Ball in April and they wanted to let me know that over $665,000 dollars was raised at that event. Among other things, these funds go towards Camp Goodtimes for children fighting cancer and their families as well as the continued work towards eradicating cancer and enhancing the quality of life for people living with cancer.

We had a very successful event this past week with the 2nd Annual CAPIC Vancouver Portfolio Speed Reviews. I won’t go into great detail myself as I’ll re-post the official wrap up below, but this has to be the second best possible reason to join CAPIC (the first is getting those Canadian copyright laws changed!).

Without doubt, one of the most successful and rewarding events that CAPIC Vancouver has put together! There was a fantastic turnout of reviewers representing the best design houses and advertising agencies in the city including Cossette, Karacters, Emdoublyou Design, and Hangar 18. This was matched by a real cross-section of photographers showing their best work. According to the reviewers, there were some stunning world class quality portfolios being shown.
Reviewers repeatedly noted that artists that they had seen last year had taken and acted on their advice to greatly improve the overall impact and quality of their books. This was a clear indication to them of the value of the event. The designers all felt that this was time well spent. Meeting new talent, reacquainting themselves with others and being part of the community was worth every minute.
Each of the artists felt the quality of the reviews. Although five minutes often felt like only two, it created a focused and intense session which was truly like speed dating ( for those who have done that) after which they hoped that could lead to follow-up meetings and potential work.
There is no other comparable business environment that brings so many artists and buyers together to meet.
The event committee, volunteers and board members all worked hard to organize this event that saw virtually every participant in the reviews having their portfolio seen and commented on by every one of the 12 reviewers. To everyone’s real appreciation, that exceeded all expectations. A giant thank you to all of the reviewers for staying on to finish!

Comments and quotes from the evening:

It really was a fabulous evening. It was exhausting, but extremely
rewarding. The reviews are a great opportunity for us to offer some
guidance on how to get the most impact from a well designed portfolio
presentation.
Vida Jurcic – Hangar 18

It was a pleasure. Overall I found the night very organized and quality
of work shown to be quite high. A shame not one illustrators showed up.
Local reps should be slapped for not encouraging their clients to attend.
Thank you again for inviting us to participate,
Mark Busse – Industrial Brand Creative

Thanks for having me last night, it was my pleasure.
Calvin Ho  Vancouver  MacLaren McCann

“Good to see some new younger talent, not sure how you attract this and
even getting some of the more established shooters to attend.”
James Bateman – Karacters Design Group

“Thanks for the opportunity to present my work to a variety of art directors
in an atmosphere that is both relaxed and analytical. It has been invaluable
to my development as a photographer.”
Leanna Rathkelly – Whistler

“If you need a reason to join CAPIC, it is the Portfolio Speed Review. A must
attend event for both professionals and amateurs.”
Pooya Nabei -  Pooya Nabei Photography

My agent Gina of THEY Representation Inc. is opening a brand new, beautiful studio here in Vancouver. Sugar Studios is comprised of two separate spaces, one being the best daylight studio I’ve seen in town, and will be available in February. Congratulations on the imminent opening.

Men’s Journal requested a portrait of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson to illustrate an article about the city and the 2010 Winter Olympics. I had photographed Mayor Robertson previously, during his election campaign, where he arrived to the shoot by himself, in a sharp suit and commuting on his bicycle…he had my vote right then.