Living in Calgary most of us are aware we lack in the season department. We go from summer to winter, and then a very slow winter to summer. Fall lasts about a week, and spring can include many snowfalls. Like just last weekend, on Easter, we received another snowfall. It was light and didn't stick, but still snow in April. I find life outside doesn't get green until after May, but that doesn't mean that outdoor photos will be bad. With daylight savings we now have our beautiful evening sun, that shines and glows for hours. A couple weeks ago over our springbreak, I took my boys out to a new spot down in Fish creek. Other than the mud and abundance of deer poop, it was quite beautiful. I wasn't expecting it to have such a dreamy quality to it. The day was fun, and these guys had a great time exploring, searching for heart shaped rocks and wishing stones. I was really happy with the way these photos turned out.
#Instagram love
Last friday I received some crazy exciting news, I was a suggested user on Instagram.
Those of you unfamiliar with the suggested user list, it is a group of photographers feeds that Instgram feels are the best. They pick people who have a big involvement in this community to be model Instagrammers for all. This has been a goal of mine since I joined. I just never imagined it happening. But it has, and in a matter of days I've jumped up to 11k+ followers. I'm so grateful for this oppertunity to have this platform to stand on and to show my work.
I know a lot of you out there use Instagram. I was intrigued by it from the moment I got my Iphone 4s a few years ago. As I've had this passion for photography I thought this was a pretty cool way to share my work and get feedback. Likes or comments all of it made me happy. Once I figured out how the whole #hashtag system worked, I was on my way. I did a bit of research on Instagram, call me a nerd but I'm a "need-to-knower" always have been, always will be... and I found some inspiring people to follow and found some "communities" I could be active with. The first time I started posting pictures with hashtags and seeing the likes build up, I was ecstatic! To me, the fact that 28 people liked my photo was amazing. ( I soon realized there were also key words or tags that had bots like the photo instantly) but still I kept at it. I made friends, I had photos featured and built up a bit of a following. It was a slow process, and when I reached 100 followers, I couldn't believe it.
What I love about Instagram is how it also has become an online photographic diary I have of my life. I get to document these normal life events with a photo, and have them all together on one beautiful feed. I get to look back and see how much my boys have grown, and how much I have grown as well. Instagram has definitely been a big part of my life.
One of the communities I first became involved with was one created by Josh Johnson & Kevin Kuster, which now is called @jjcommunity. There I participated in daily challenges and always had to be creative. It was to the point where the boys would ask me "whats the challenge today?" I remember one being circles, Brixton brought me some of his marker lids, and I shot them
here's the final result as seen on my instagram account @chowexander
This photo was one of my first that received quite a lot of buzz on ig. The fantastic Josh Johnson featured it on his main page, which is kind of a big deal.... it absolutely opened my eyes up to the way I see an everyday object too. Since then, I feel I see things differently too. I know its not everyones cup of tea, but for me I'm always looking for my next shot. One of my favourite quotes as a photographer is
“ Which of my photographs is my favourite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow. – Imogen Cunningham
And its true.
I've also had the honour of becoming a mentor on the hub @momentsinthesun. The whole premise of this feed is to get out and enjoy your life outdoors with your loved ones. It was such an honour when I was asked to join their amazingly talented team, of course I said yes. I enjoy going through photos that have been tagged to #momentsinthesun getting inspired, and picking photos to be featured. There is so much talent out there. I love all that this app has done for me, and am very thankful for all the amazing talented people I have met along my way.
Here are a few more photos Ive taken with my old Iphone 4s (since this past christmas I have upgraded to an Iphone 6)
@chowexander
@chowexander
@chowexander
@chowexander
Baby Piper
I was contacted at the beginning of december by Susan regarding the upcoming birth of their first baby. At this point I was actually booked full and hadn't even begun anything Christmas at my house, but how could I resist a newborn session? Luckily I had a cancellation so that opened up a date and I was able to do this sweet family.
I was greeted into the coolest "green" house ever. A whole wall of plants, like actually stacked in rows with their own hydration system. I knew this couple was going to be laid back, and they were just that. For first time parents, they were calm and relaxed. Piper was such a sweet little baby. For the record, I absolutely love the name Piper.
We had a great time shooting, and I was honoured to capture these moments for them. A new baby is amazing, and they were in complete and total love with this little girl.
