~ Mural Mosaic Vegreville ~

The town of Vegreville is going to be the first of 150 towns across Canada to get murals created by the talented minds of Mural Mosaic  and on May 20th, 2015 it was revealed.  The mural was made up of 1500 tiles that were painted by community members and many of the students attending schools in Vegreville.  The mural is located on the wall of ATB and will join together with the other 150 murals to create a larger image.  Recently elected MLA Jessica Littlewood was there to represent the Alberta Government.  It was a fun day and some very cool art.

I teach art at the High School and was able to paint a tile and have my students be a part of this amazing experience.  Of course I shot some images. Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

~ Too much planning Spoils the Fun of Photography ~

When I am planning a creative photo shoot with a model they usually ask me what theme I have in mind.  I have to admit that themes can be fun and there are times when I do have an idea in my head for a shoot.  But the true fun for me comes from not planning shoots.  When the model comes up with looks on her own, does the hair and makeup it's fun and exciting to see what locations we can go discover that fit her look.  Some of my favorite shoots have been spontaneous in the outfits and locations.  I have discovered some really cool places to shoot just by going on an adventure and not knowing the destination.  Had I planned every last detail I would have missed out some great locations, light and images.

EXAMPLE #1(Model: Galina)

This is a shot of Galina taken in the country side north of St.Albert, Alberta.  We drove north and we just looked for some country roads and finally I saw this spot off the road we were on.  It was a farmers approach and it was grown with tall grass and lined with rows of bushes on either side.  The light looked great and we stopped to shoot a set of images here.  I could have gone out to scout locations in advance and driven right on by this spot.  Sometimes it's just about the light, light needs to be perfect and locations you scout do not always provide the best light due to weather, time of day, etc.  This spot was just perfect for the images we wanted.  I'll prob never go back to it, it was just a special photography adventure and the lack of planning made it exciting and fun.  It probably has a lot to do with my personality but I really dislike making detailed plans. :)  I am all about the unexpected and not knowing what is around the corner.  I love exploring the world with my camera and if I have a model or not, I think the same goes for nature photography.  Finding the light, the location and capturing a moment that is unexpected and impossible to plan for.  

EXAMPLE #2 (Model: Katelyn)

We drove around in the St.Albert area too, similar to the shoot I did with Galina.  We were near sunset (golden hour light) and found a construction area where residential buildings were being constructed.  This was mostly an empty field with some large concrete tubes (I have no clue what their technical names were) but they looked cool and Katelyn climbed on them and did some amazing poses.  The only things we had planned was where we would meet (A Tim Hortons) and from their we just drove around.  We had also briefly talked about the outfit but I didn't know her look until we met for the shoot.  It was just fun and I could never have expected we would find a place like this.  I know this is nothing new, many photographers/artists work like this but I just encourage people to sometimes step out of their comfort zones if you are a person that likes planning everything.  Try going out and being random....find something new and exciting and shoot there.  In Edmonton, I know the typical locations you can find photographers: Legislature grounds, many parks, Museum, Muttart, river valley, Fort Edm.....I've shot in these places lots too, but I have to say if I know I'm shooting there I kind of already know what to expect for light, for location.  

So basically go exploring with your camera!! :)  Make plans if you must but just be willing to go off the rails and find something new and be creative with it. :)

~ 274/365 School ~

274/365
Going to see the Indigo Girls tonight in St.Albert.  The Oilers start another season.  This is the school I teach in.....good old Vegreville Comp!!!
-Randy

~ 197/365 Tennis Tuesday ~

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197/365

Tennis is a sport I have always LOVED!!!  I got a chance to go out last night and play.  I have to admit my brain thinks I am way younger than my body does.  It was a blast to play after such a LONG time.....but ouch, had a hard time walking around after.  Hope to maybe play a bit more this summer. -Randy

~ 181/365 Summer Day ~

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181/365
Just a hot summer day.  Spent resting and enjoying the freedom of summer. -Randy

~ 169/365 Engagement Shoot in Vegreville ~

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169/365
Shot an engagement shoot today with my photographer friend Olivia.  We met the couple in Vegreville and did a shoot with massive clouds of skeeters attacking in waves.  Thankfully though the clouds cleared and we had a window of time to shoot without rain.  -Randy

~ 167/365 Fathers Day ~

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167/365
Fathers Day!!! Still fighting a bad cold and spent most of the day feeling BLEH!!! Called my Dad and wished him a Happy Fathers day.  Not in the best of moods, feeling work stress and sick combined means this coming week I am gonna be quite a grouch I predict.
-Randy

~ 148 Gym Membership ~

148/365
Joined a gym today, first one of my life.  39 years old and about to hit 40.  Hoping this will allow me to stay healthy and burn stress.  More interested in the stress issue than looking like Arnie.  So if you see me at the gym don't expect to see me crushing mad weights....I am going to be working the small weights and just sweating off stress. :) -Randy

~ 120/365 Morning Snow on a lovely Spring Day ~

120/365
I don't understand the hate of snow and winter.  I have lived around it all my life.  It's a season and I happen to love seasons.  The transition between winter and spring is not gradual.  Like this morning when I walked out the door I was greeted with this.  On the weekend it'll be double digits.  Love the seasons and love the place on planet earth I call my home. -Randy

~ 112/365 Streets of Vegreville ~

112/365
Good old Monday, went out and shot some pics on main street Vegreville.  It was so warm, loved it. So excited to shoot outside lots this summer. :)  This was just a taste of getting out in some warmer weather. -Randy

~ 107/365

107/365
Just a shot in the front yard......not much to say about today.  Just another pic off the journey to 365. :)  Hope everyone had a good day! -Randy

~ 106/365 Sunset Walk ~

106/365
Went for a walk with Jenn and we saw the sun setting, so decided to make this my pic of the day. :)  Warm day, finally nice to be outside and enjoying some spring like weather. -Randy PS- Processed this on LR5 beta and I am really digging it.

~ 103/365 Caturday!!! ~

103/365
Last night a rare moment, both girl's cuddling on Jenn's lap.  Scully with Nahla laying nice and close.  These two normally do not want to be anywhere close to each other, so had to be my shot of the day. -Randy

~ Day 100/365 Project with the Wonderful VITA!!!!! ~

100/365
Dropping day 100 on you like a bomb with this edit of the amazing Vita.  I take no credit here, Vita's just that awesome. :)  Great to shoot with Vita after such a long time.  Such an impressive model and talented young woman.  Happy to work on some shots with her and hope she pops back in to my 365 project before the year is over. -Randy

~ 99/365 Ice and Spring ~

99/365
Spring is coming, or so it may seem, lots of melting going on but still cold.  Cannot wait for some warm weather to go outside and shoot again.  :) -Randy

~ 98/365 Monday, bleh day ~

98/365
Just one of those days where it's sunny, but still winter....teasing us with sun but not quite being spring.  Really tired today, it's going to be a LONG week! -Randy

~ 91/365 APRIL FOOLS DAY ~

"APRIL FOOLS" Day is here, I decided to try my luck with the old "I'm moving to Edmonton and starting my life as a PRO, selling my digital cameras and ONLY specializing in wedding photography" trick.  I think I fooled a few, but most people knew this was a joke. :)  Kudos to the smart ones!!! -Randy

~ 75/365 Chayla ~

75/365
Nice surprise today, I got to shoot with a model that has worked with the AMAZING Claudine Gladue (a photography I have huge respect for and hope to one day meet, hint hint, Claudine) :) Anyway, Claudine has an amazing photo of Chayla taken at a Saddle Lake Pow Wow.....love those pics. Chayla is going to be going in to a Miss World Pageant and I wish her all the best. Thankful that she allowed me to take some promo shots for her run at the crown. :) -Randy

~ 72/365 Starcraft II Heart of the Swarm ~

72/365
Better late than NEVER!! SC2 is here!!!!!!!!!! New sexy Collectors Edition!!!! My inner NERD is blissful today!!!  Goodbye world....if you wonder what happened to me, just check day 72....hehehhe....peace out!!!  Got some SC2 game action to get on!!!! -Randy

~ 71/365 Kayleigh and Mitchell ~

71/365
Kayleigh and I had talked about doing a shoot years ago.  Today I was honored to have the chance to meet her and take some photos of her.  Her boyfriend came along and we were able to brave some cold wind and a fat studio cat that didn't like smelling dogs to get some photos done.  They are a really good looking couple, hoping they'll let me shoot them in some warmer weather this year.  Stay tuned! :) -Randy