Night Riders

Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario 


I don't know what it is, but I'm attracted to the dark!

I guess this is my 1000 entry! Where has the time gone?  

In my daily life I am a Rehabilitation Therapist working in the field of Acquired Brain Injury. I work with clients that can be physically, environmentally, and verbally aggressive. I also work with clients that have addiction and or mental health issues. I find working with these clients very challenging, but on the other hand very rewarding. With this job I am always prepared for the unknown.  I feel that the skills that I have learned through this work can easily be adapted when I am photographing on the streets, due to my enjoyment wandering the city streets at night with who or what I might encounter. 

I also have worked over 20 years in the Fashion Industry as a Visual Display Artist –creating window and in-store displays for retail shops, department stores and designers.  This work involves researching to get an understanding of what is visually needed from the designers – sourcing materials, lighting, props and accessories.  This design skill is used to promote the image, products and services of businesses and also organizations.  I have also trained as a Makeup Artist and have a background in advertising. These creative fields have helped me with my composition and my artistic eye. Picking up a camera was the next logical thing to do.

I cannot identify one point that inspired me to become a photographer. It was more like a series of events that contributed to my involvement with photography. I’m passionate about all arts and for thinking creatively. I’m a visual artist! Photography, especially street photography, has become a spontaneous and exciting way of expressing my own creativity by shooting (and interacting with) what I see in the instances of life I come across. It connects me with these myriad moments and makes the ordinary become special. I know that it has become a bit of a passion for me because when I stay away from it too long, for even just a break, I feel there’s a part of me missing. Photography for me is a way to express the beauty of the world as I see it.

But it was five years ago my dear friend Kathryn, who is a Photographer, encouraged me to get another camera and start shooting again. Picking up a camera was the best thing I ever did. It has opened a whole new world for me.  As for my start in Street Photography, this happened three years ago while on a trip to Glasgow, Scotland. I met a Photographer who changed my life forever! They introduced me to Street Photography.  I fell in love with the Streets of Glasgow. 

I have never had any formal training when it comes to photography. I am also a knowledge seeker and always trying to find different ways to refine my photographic eye.  As I have stated I have an artistic background in fashion, advertising and Makeup Arts, I feel that these creative jobs have taught me all about composition.

I also have tried to surround myself with creative people and mentors that freely give me advice or critique my work. I have to say I have received a lot of encouragement from many Photographers. I feel when photographers share their knowledge with each other it is worth more than its weight in gold. I feel that my photography has grown as a result of those sharing their knowledge and I will be paying that forward by sharing my knowledge and photographs.  

I would have to say it is emotion is what triggers me to shoot . When I feel some deeply stirring emotional reaction within, then I look closer to see what it is that I am reacting to. I am very intuitive and trust my intuition to lead me. Sometimes when I feel that prick of reaction I don’t know what it is. I will look and wonder, and sometimes think, ‘what could it be, that looks boring’. Other times it is electricity and I know there is something waiting to reveal itself. I try to immerse myself in the moment and to not allow conscious censoring.

Thank you, for the all the favourites, all the stars and for all your lovely comments.