A Passionate Touch

We got to shoot another portrait for the NACO project tonight - Charles Hamann the orchestra's principal oboe. (But everyone calls him "Chip") I had never really looked closely at an oboe like I did tonight and I couldn't resist grabbing a snap of it with Chip's hands (it's such a beautiful instrument). I've always thought hands tell so much about someone, and tonight after hearing Chip speak so passionately about his and the orchestra's music I would have to say his hands tell a caring and passionate story. :)


© Dwayne Brown

Fifty for Food

I just finished a super day working with Clare Brennan from Fifty, shooting a web campaign for the Ottawa Food Bank. It's so cool to have the opportunity to help the Food Bank help Ottawa families.


© Dwayne Brown

Ideas

Ideas are everywhere. They are mostly lurking in conversations or in the pages of magazines and websites; and sometimes they're floating right in front of us. Today was such a day - I got to chat to Greg Wheeler's third year advertising class yesterday morning. It was a day of sharing, inspiration and ideas. They were a great class full of thoughtful questions, ideas and loads of inspiring promise!


© Dwayne Brown

Shooting on the Corner of Rideau and Tequila

Just got back from an awesomely fun shoot for the National Arts Centre Orchestra, shooting Murielle Bruneau and her double bass in the middle of Rideau Street for an upcoming project for the orchestra. We're super lucky to be working with Tim and Véronique from Banfield Seguin again this year on the NACO business, they're such a great creative team! I thought Mureille was kidding when she said she'd brought along a little something to help keep her warm while we shot her outside in the middle of traffic - trust me....she wasn't! ;) Oh yeah - yes 'awesomely' is definitely a word - I think!


© Brent Gervais - Dwayne Brown Studio

Crossing

I couldn't resist risking life and limb to grab this cool street composition while crossing an intersection a few minutes ago here in Toronto. I've always loved the graphic shapes of the TTC street-car rails. Okay, it wasn't really life and limb, just a little honking and funny looks! ;)


© Dwayne Brown

Via

Technology and travel are two things or concepts that sometimes I still find so abstract and cool - or maybe it's when the two collide or coincide that I find them so interesting. I always find it so cool that while racing along on a high speed train we can still be connected online - maybe I'm really just a 14yr old in an adult's body. :)


© Dwayne Brown

Up and Forward

Life is never without challenge. Some days feel more challenging than others, but as a wise friend keeps teaching me – things could always be worse, and someone else has it even more difficult than us. So this evening as I sit reflecting and worrying about someone extremely important, I’m reminded there are only two ways to look at life and that’s up and forward.


© Dwayne Brown

Family Spoons

I've been spending a fun few hours with my favorite cousin Tami, sorting through a box of old family photos and we found a treasure trove of old collector spoons that our Grandmother Echo had enjoyed collecting when she was still alive. To be honest I've never really understood the charm of collecting such things, but today I gained a huge appreciation and shared memories of my Grandmother. :)


© Dwayne Brown

Double Double

I was out shooting this afternoon for an Ottawa Magazine project, and at one of the locations I noticed this beautiful still-life sitting at the side of the curb. I know it's just discarded trash, but it looked so beautiful. :)


© Dwayne Brown

Happy Abstract Accidents

I'm not totally sure how Alex did this shot, or if it's just one of those happy accidents, but what I do know is, I love it! What I learned a long time ago is, happy accidents count, super nice abstract shot Alex! :)


© Alex Brown

Giving

Happy thanksGIVING! Tomorrow or I guess today now, I'm going to do my best (with my son) to focus on the GIVING part of Thanksgiving. We have our ideas and I hope you'll have the opportunity to what you can too. :)


© Dwayne Brown

My New Evening Office :)

I've got a new office! Jack Astors in the west end. Cool music, super nice staff, free wifi network, great food.....and best of all - my daughter Claire works here now! :)


© Dwayne Brown

Fragile

This morning I took a snap of a small seedling in the palm of my hand, and I was quickly reminded just how fragile life and the procreation of it is - and also how innovative and preserving it can be. (the seedling being able to helicopter it's way to a safe place to plant itself.) I also loved the interesting parallel of the lines in my hand serving as a background to the veins on the seedling - life is all so connected! :)


© Dwayne Brown

Mary

It's been a busy Saturday shooting, including some personal portraits of Mary Wilkinson from Banfield Seguin. For those in town who haven't yet met Mary - she's a tall 6ft creative copywriter at BSL who has a super witty and vibrant manner and yes, curses more on Facebook than anyone I know! ;) Seriously, she's super talented and such a nice person - I'm really glad I got to not only photograph her today, but also get to know her a bit better. Thanks Mary!


© Dwayne Brown

A Daughter's Gift

I got to participate in a really cool gift this afternoon. My friend Chanda wanted to give her mom Chris a special portrait for her birthday (the two of them) - but it was a surprise! Her mom didn't even know she was being photographed today till Chanda brought her my studio door. Super fun! :)


© Dwayne Brown

Full House

We had a super fun shoot and challenge last night shooting for the National Arts Centre Orchestra. How to shoot from from the stage's perspective while Pinchas and the orchestra plays for a full house? Answer......with loads of creative co-operation! ;)

I wish I could share the finished images, they worked out so well! A super big thanks to Chis at the NACO and Tim from BSL - and of course the backstage team at the NAC! Thank you!


© Dwayne Brown - a quick snap from my blackberry.

apple :(

© Dwayne Brown