Showcase is envisioned as a gallery that will change monthly, according to my whims as an artist. It may one month feature the work of one of my models, and then the next, be more thematically focused, perhaps around a holiday or an event.

For this, my first new gallery since my hiatus, I would like to re-introduce some of the wonderful models with whom I’ve worked, and I hope that you, Dear Viewer, will have the same pleasure in perusing these images as I had in creating them.

To travel, either near or far, and to document; to record that which is true in the moment, the intimacy, or the portentousness; the joy, or the tears —

To record, so that it isn’t forgotten.

In December of 2021, Jason Mehmel, the Artistic Director of Calgary’s Sage Theatre, asked me to do the promotional work for their world premiere of renowned playwright Clem Martini’s “Cantata — Rumours of My Crazy, Useless Life.”

We would start work later that month with Jason generously acting as a parts model — that’s his hand, used in the original poster — with more extensive work with the entire cast and crew in both March and April of 2022.

This was my first time ever shooting a theatrical production, so my jitters were legitimate, but it became one of the most demanding, exciting, and fulfilling shoots that I’ve ever done, and a selection of the photographs taken would eventually see print when a hard copy of the play (alongside a second work by Clem Martini, “The Extinction Therapist”) would be released by Durvile & UpRoute Books.

Forthwith, Cast & Crew:

Clem Martini, playwright; Valerie Campbell, actress; Brian Jensen, actor; Precious Akpoguma, actress; Rod Squance, musician/composer; Jason Mehmel, director; Emily Parkhouse, stage manager; Calum Maunier, designer.

The Art of capturing — or trying to — those ethereal, often hidden qualities that make an individual unique, filtered, invariably, through the artist’s and the viewer’s eyes.

If it works, it shows a moment, like a heartbeat, radiating through that moment and into the profundity of that ephemeral something that will last and be remembered, and maybe even treasured.

I have worked with Fearra more than any other model in my career. I have worked with her as a solo model, and as part of a duo twice, with the much loved and missed Lintendo.

Fearra brought a sense of adventure and daring to her work that pushed me as a photographer and as an artist, just to try to keep up, but the effort was more than worth it: together, we were published and awarded with honours, and this time, this dynamic, remains an integral part of my life, both personally and artistically.

This gallery is the culmination of two shoots, the first in March of 2021, with the second a few short months later in May.

Fearra had already had a profound impact upon my work, and through her I was blessed to meet Lintendo.

Magic, as before, happened again, but with twice if not thrice the impact. The statement in the art is not always in the drama and the spectacle, but rather in the humanity of the moment, the individuality of the gesture, the bewitching chemistry of artists creating art from and for one another.

Trust was given, vulnerabilities explored, and insights shared.

Never before had I felt this way, and the experience changed how I both approached and viewed my own aspiration to Art —

Lintendo tragically passed away just a few months later in October of that year, and although the tears of losing a very dear friend who was deeply loved never lose their sting, Lintendo still stands as both inspiration and Muse, and she will always live in my heart.

Lady Anonymous — how do I even begin to describe her?

We met serendipitously, casually, and her magnetism was there from the beginning. I asked if she would model for me.

She said “yes,” without ever having done such art previously.

That first session left me awestruck; her elegance was natural, her talent innate, and her daring spellbinding. Then some months later, we had another shoot, and every quality that she displayed in the first was reinforced many times over.

Lady Anonymous is one of those rare and truly magical people who forever impress upon the heart and soul.

A standard of my work for the longest time, until she left the industry.

Angela was a muse — no, she was THE MUSE, for the longest time. We shared secrets, tears, and the occasional bottle of pink champagne and fine Swiss chocolate together.

She opened my eyes to what this Art could be, and for that, I will forever love you and miss you.

Sienna Hayes, the very first model of international stature that I worked with —

Funny story: she came to site, we started working, and my big, new, and very expensive camera seized — wouldn’t do a thing.

Panic. Went through the menus, went through all the trouble shooting, and nothing worked.

Switched to my backup camera and got shots that got awards.

My memory card failed. Switched to Sandisk Pro, and not a problem since.

Tryst is an absolutely wonderful Canadian model who has gained an international stature, and has relocated to the UK.

Talented, graceful, and fearless are the terms that immediately come to mind when describing her. Sadly, I only did one shoot with her, but the results? Awards from the website JustB&W in Italy, and publication in both electronic format and in an analogue magazine published by the esteemed Model Society in the US.

What more could be hoped for, other than another session?

I had a total of two shoots with Karisa, the first using low key or more muted lighting, and the next experimenting with a high key approach, or very aggressive lighting.

Both sessions were spectacular. The low key method accentuated Karisa’s grace and sensuality, while the next allowed us to explore a more glamorous and colourful side.

Prints were made, and awards received — enjoy the gallery!

I’ve worked with international model Christiana Ouellette twice, once in 2020 and again four years later in 2024, and both experiences were phenomenal. The expected standards for a model of her stature within the industry were exceeded every time, and she brought a sense of elegance, daring, and intelligence to set for each day-long shoot that we did, and her energy could not be outmatched —

Christiana is more than deserving of the fine and professional reputation that she has worked so hard to acquire.

I have worked with international model Marie Brooks twice, the first time in 2019 as a solo artist, and then again in 2021 when she was joined by the equally esteemed Angharada for a duo shoot.

It’s difficult to convey the full range of emotions that can be felt when working with two models of such a calibre — there’s excitement, of course, but also anticipation, nervousness, exhilaration, and a profound contentment when everything goes well, and you know that what you’ve got on the memory card is more than just good, it’s —

It’s everything you imagined the session could be, and more, and for that, I am so indebted to the models who’ve shared their talent with me.

Somewhat out of character, but I had to start and include a goodly number of colour photos — how could I not?

Look at the vibrancy of Ginger’s hair!

And her personality is just as magnetic. Originally from the province of Quebec, Ginger has like so many of the other models that I’ve worked with built an international reputation, and cemented herself as an integral part of that lofty and exalted echelon.