~ New Year 2016 and a blank canvas ahead ~

New Year is in full swing now and lots of people have already broke their resolutions which is why I don't like to make them.  I do enjoy thinking about the future and the creative opportunities that may come my way this year.  Every year is exciting to think what images I can capture from life.  I do love art and I am going to try and continue with my 52 week art challenge.  So here are some random things off the top of my head I am considering for 2016....

• working on putting together my art and photography to possibly have a showing of my work at a venue some where 
• PAINTING, I say it every year but I want to get the paints out and finish a few of these 
• This one is the same every year, but shoot some new faces and collaborate with some new creative people (photographers, artists)
• Game!!! I need breaks from the camera, I like to play some MTG (Magic) or course hop on the console (xbox one) for some fun.  My gamer tag is Phocus on xbox live if you wanna add me.
• Get stronger spiritually, doesn't have to be church all the time but I want to spend more time connecting to my God and building that one on one connection to Him

I have not really shot yet in 2016 so I'll post some recent edits from a shoot with the beautiful Russian Canadian Galina!!! :)

~ Fall 2015 ~

It's been a very long time since I've written anything on my blog.  The summer has ended and now fall and my teaching life is in full swing.  It's been a rough year, marked with the sadness of losing our newest cat Mulder at such a young age and right when the summer began.  I still find my happy place is behind a camera and being creative.  Without art, without imagination this world would be a very difficult place for me to exist in.  Social media to me is meaningless without images, I love photos and don't care if they are mine or belong to another photographer.  There are so many talented photographers out there.  I spend a LOT of time on 500px looking at works that humble me and inspire me.


Every year before I go back to school I attempt to do a photo shoot to mark summer ending and just get my last few pics in with warmish weather and natural light before hiding out in studio for the winter.  I will share here some photos taken of the stunning Vickie.  Hopefully I'll BLOG more as I have neglected this blog for a VERY long time.
-Randy

~ 2015 Is Here ~

2014 Thoughts 

I have neglected my blog long enough.  I really need to start writing again on here.  2015 is here and well in to gear.  Looking back on 2014 I can say I am always going to view this year with sadness as I said goodbye to a precious friend, my cat Scully.  I got to spend about 15 years of my life with her as my cat and it broke my heart when she suddenly got sick and we knew her time had come.  2014 wasn't all bad, I had some really amazing memories doing photography and worked with some talented photographers and models doing creative work.  I also started shooting with a new camera, I picked up a Fuji Xpro1 and I really am loving this new type of non DSLR size camera.  A lot of photographers I know of use this camera line and their results are too awesome to ignore.  I admit I use this camera as an every day camera.  My canon still takes the workload of my shoots but the Fuji is just a fun and amazing little camera to pack every where I go.  I want to give a huge congrats to my friend Roxanne Lavallee, a talented photographer who just finished a 365 for 2014 and has decided she wants to continue it for another year.  I have done 2, one in 2010 and in 2013 and I know how much of a challenge it can be.  She is starting her 3rd I think and it is a joy to see her daily images.

2015 Thoughts 

Now there is a new year ahead of me and I am looking forward to new adventures and moments in creativity.  Just before Christmas I started shooting an Angel theme that I am doing in studio.  So far I have worked with two models on that project and excited to shoot more along this idea.  I said it last year that I wanted to do more visual art and I failed at doing the work I imagined myself doing.  Time goes so fast and I realize if I want to do more art that I need to force myself to get to it or it is never going to happen.  I guess this better be the time to start at is, so hoping the blog might be a place I can share my journey with my return to some art.

For now I'll end this blog with a few images of my last shoot of 2014 with Sean and Clarrisa.  It was inspired by the movie True Romance but with more of a classic gangster look.  I dig the Bonnie and Clyde vibe and these two were fun to work with.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  Thanks for following my work and blog.
-Randy

~ Canon 5dm3 and Fuji xpro1 with Katelyn ~

I had a fun summer, did as much photography as I could fit in.  As summer ended and I went back to work I decided I would buy a used Fuji Xpro1.  I have been wanting one for a LONG time, the problem is I am a Canon dude I wasn't sure I was ready to add another brand to my photography addiction.  I asked a few friends for some advice and I found a used xpro1 and decided it'd be a good investment.  After shooting with it I am so excited by the perks of using such a small camera.  I knew having a small body would be fun compared to lugging around heavy gear.  I love the lightweight feel of it and the way it works.  It's totally fun as a photographer to use and it has made photography really exciting to explore with this little camera.

When I was a film shooter I always shot with FUJI film so yeah, it's a LOT of nostalgia to use a FUJI camera.  I also am thrilled with the combo of my Canon and the Fuji.  I can see myself using both a lot now.  I will try and post more from my adventures with this fun little camera.  Here are some samples from a recent shoot with the lovely model: Katelyn


FUJI XPRO1:

CANON 5Dm3:

~ 328/365 Galina ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
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Got to shoot it up with Galina Ermakova today out in Vegreville.  Was a short shoot but always an honor to work with her.  :) -Randy

~ 316/365 Night Shooting in Edm ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
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Went and tried some night time shooting on Whyte Ave with Destiny Kash after she had finished work.  She was awesome on short notice to meet up for some photos. -Randy

~ 292/365 Candace ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
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Went to Edmonton today, on the way I did a couples shoot of a young couple in Sherwood Park and then stopped in to visit the big name Edmonton photographer, Candace Vanstryland.  Got a few shots of her before it went all dark in the land of the fading sunlight. -Randy

~ 278/365 Destiny Shoot ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
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A beautiful fall day, shooting with Destiny outside in the fall colours.  -Randy

~ 273/365 Jane in Vegreville ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
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A cloudy day, cold but we still went out and did a shoot.  Thanks to Jeff and Jane for coming out to do a photo shoot.  Jane is awesome, so much fun to take photos with. Great way to start a week. -Randy

~ 257/365 Sabrina Portrait ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
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A headshot from a mini shoot with Sabrina.  Felt sick almost all day, bad headache.  Rested and cuddled cats almost all day.  Another quiet weekend in Vegreville. :)
-Randy

~ 239/365 Jane Shoot Pt.II in Vegreville ~

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Got to shoot with Jane today again, she drove out to Vegreville with her bf Jeff and he did an amazing job holding the reflector on this shot.  He gets A++++ for reflecting work.  Totally love the lighting in this shot, Jane had to battle off clouds of killer wasps and a wild fox and homeless tent people but we nailed this shot.  -Randy

~ 221/365 Kayla ~

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This model's name is Kayla Hrehorets and I am honored to be able to do this shoot with her today.  I first met her at a wedding where I was immediately impressed with her sense of style.  It took us a long time to finally do this shoot, but well worth the wait.  She is inspirational and just hanging out with her today for a mini photo shoot was great.  She is a young woman that has so much potential and was so much fun to photograph.  -Randy

~ 210/365 Janaya on Whyte Ave, Summer 2013 ~

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It was a LOT warmer today for my shoot on Whyte Ave with Janaya.  When I first met her it was winter and super COLD!!!!  It was great to have a chance to shoot with her again.  Enjoyed exploring Whyte and all the spots to shoot.  Had the usual creeper audience too while we shot....good times. -Randy

~ 208/365 Dani ~

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It has been YEARS since I 1st shot with Dani, was nice to connect on a shoot again.  Last time was a group shoot, this was our first time shooting 1-1.  She is a super cool model that just seems at home in front of a camera.....almost like she's modeled a few times before, hee hee.  :)  Thanks to her for a fun shoot. -Randy

~ Banff 202/365 ~

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Got to go to a shoot in Banff, invited by Jadeyn and met some awesome photographers and other models.  Such a fun day and friendly people to hang out with. -Randy

~ 191/365 Canola Fields ~

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Something fun about shooting some bright yellow canola fields.  I was able to get Sabrina out for some evening shots before the thunder rolls in to storm all night.  It's been a HOT day, happy to end it with a photo shoot. :)  -Randy

~ 147/365 Sabrina and the Apple Tree ~

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Sabrina came over and we were able to shoot some blossom photos before they disappear.  There is only a limited window of blossom availability.  I really am happy with this shot.  Too bad there was like a MILLION skeeters out there making the outdoors less fun. -Randy

~ 122/365 Myriam in the Spring ~

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This shot was one I knew would be my photo of the day the moment I looked down and chimped it. :)  Had a beautiful warm day to shoot.  Myriam and Sean came out to Vegreville and we shot up a storm then ate some A&W.  Good times. -Randy

~ 119/365 Snow Flakes in April ~

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Woke up to everyone complaining about the snow on FB.  But this is a great example of why I love snow and winter. :)  Been wanting a shot like this all winter and it finally came in spring. :)  Thanks to the lovely Sabrina who came over on the spur of the moment so I could get this shot. :)  Happy Spring everyone. -Randy

~ 113/365 Janaya ~

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Got to shoot with the uber creative Lynda Olsen, our model was Janaya and we had to shoot in the studio since the weather went sour.  Janaya brought some great outfits and I think we all had a good time. -Randy