Kevin

I had an extraordinary morning this morning. I had the opportunity to visit Robin Hood School just outside of Edmonton in Sherwood Park. Now this school isn't your everyday school. It's a school full of special students, students full of life and smiles - students so eager to say hello, and students so eager to be there. Robin Hood School is a school for students with mental and physical disabilities, and a school where my brother Kevin has been attending for many many years.

They call it a school yes, but it's really much more than that. It's really more like an extension of home or a community where these clients (as the staff call them) of all ages come 5 days a week for the better part of the day. The students/clients learn, they socialize, they exercise, they dance, they work - and they experience.

The students are not the only special folks there. The staff that I met this morning were so wonderful, so dedicated - and so full of heart and generosity.

My brother Kevin is so lucky to be part of the Robin Hood community and I feel so lucky I had the opportunity to visit them today. :)


© Dwayne Brown

Lighting up for the Holidays (in November)

Nothing says Christmas in Edmonton, than lighting up with a nice subtle and festive yard display. ;)


© Dwayne Brown

Desolate

Nothing like driving across a desolate Alberta prairie to see everything a bit more clearly. Sometimes life tends to get complicated and confusing. I sometimes forget to see the beauty and value of simplicity and desolation.


© Dwayne Brown

Questions - Answers - Stories

I spent an hour this morning being interviewed by three first year Algonquin photo students. It's always fun to meet young students and share a story or two (okay okay.....maybe more than two). What do you tell students who have a dream to be a photographer? Is it easy, is it fun, can you make a living doing this, what's my story?

I wanted to answer their questions of course, I'm always happy to tell my story and I wanted to give them some advise. Take photographs every day I said, learn to embrace making mistakes (consistently if possible), listen to your heart and not always to your profs, and of course it never ever hurts to be nice. :)

It's not always easy making a living being a photographer, but it's much more than making a living and nothing so rewarding is ever that easy anyway. But if you love what you do, it doesn't seem that hard either.

I hope these three young students got as much out of the chat as I did. It was fun!


© Dwayne Brown

Back Stage Pass

Earlier this week Brent and I were lucky enough to be commissioned to shoot some behind the scenes imagery for the National Arts Centre Orchestra. It's always a treat to work with the NACO as a client and with BSL who are doing a great job sharing the orchestra's story. It's an honest story - we have a world class orchestra with world class and exceptionally passionate artists, supported by a creative and dedicated team behind the scenes. How cool is that to be apart of such a great story!

Thanks to Vicky and Cloe from the NACO, as well as Véro and Tim from BSL!


























All Images © Dwayne Brown

Vicente Fox (and his biggest fan)

We did a fun shoot the other night down at the Rideau Club - photographing portraits and an event with the past Mexican President, Vicente Fox. It was sort of a last minute thing for Algonquin College, who had invited him to speak at a conference for them this week.

The reason I wanted to blog about this shoot was not because of the President's obvious profile and political stature, but because of a shot I grabbed of his biggest fan - his wife Marta Sahagún. I loved that regardless of her own stature, she seem so taken and genuinely proud of her husband while he spoke about North American economics and Mexican drug crime to the admiring crowd.

I should also mention that both the President and his wife were such a lovely couple to meet and photograph. They were so gracious and down to earth - how often does a past president of country give you his card and invite you down to his country for a visit. (okay okay, he was saying that to everyone that night) :)




© Dwayne Brown

François Tardif - Never Too Late

I had some fun this afternoon starting to work on some imagery for François, a buddy of mine. Helping him to create an image library to help him with his newest creative project "Frank Late" - a project that will help François wear all of his many talented hats. (from music to the creative side of the corporate world)




© Dwayne Brown

Centre Block - Hall of Honor

I was shooting in The Centre Block building on Parliament Hill earlier this week - it's always such a cool opportunity to be in there. It's Gothic architecture is a little daunting and beautiful at the same time.










© Dwayne Brown

Fire Abstract

I just love this abstract composition, not just because is has great color and cool movement, but also because my 11 year old son Alex shot it the other day. A kid's perspective and sense of experimentation is so cool - less rules and they aren't afraid to try stuff. The camera is less of a tool for them and more of a conduit to creativity.


© Alex Brown