2015- Truly a milestone year for me and my career. When I first moved to Toronto to attend Journalism School I had no idea that I would be lucky enough to have the opportunity to work for and be published by some of the most respectable organizations in the industry. Last year I got my feet wet with an internship at The Globe and Mail and got the opportunity to dive in head first into an industry that's not always welcoming.
After graduating last spring I was offered a contract position with The Toronto Star (one of those places I dreamed of working while in school) and got to experience the life of a full-time photojournalist. It was truly the opportunity of a lifetime, and one that many people in this industry wish they had. While I did spend my year shooting the usual weddings and commercial gigs, my experience with The Toronto Star is what truly stuck as memorable for me as a photographer in 2015, and that's why my look back on the year only highlights my editorial work.
For the first time in my life I actually felt like I found what I should be doing day in and day out. Don't get me wrong, like all things in life there were peaks and valleys, I got a first-hand account of how daily editorial work can be taxing on you physically and mentally, but especially creatively. Truly, the creative and grueling challenge of the work is just one of the reasons I love what I do. Walking in to a situation blind, having multiple technical adversities (like shitty light or location) to overcome, working with uncomfortable subjects in uncomfortable situations in uncomfortable environments, dealing with the requirements of the reporters/ editors / layout design etc etc. are all really fun intricacies of the job. The real reason I love it though, and why I continue to do what I do, is that I get to experience all these different things, meet all these different people, visit places I would never knew existed and take photos of what essentially are my memories and experiences. In the end, I'm the one truly benefiting from it as a story teller, artist and human being.
It may sound selfish, and it sort of is, but photography is something very personal to me, and photojournalism is unique in the sense that it sort of allows me to channel my perspective and experiences through other people's stories. I guess it seems like a backwards approach to documentary storytelling, but I was fortunate enough that my editors encouraged me to do things my way, so I did, and sort of went a nontraditional route most of the time, but I don’t regret it at all.
Regardless of what I shoot, I never take the opportunity for granted, I'm pretty damn lucky to be doing what I'm doing and to have been given such a large platform to showcase my work on. I was allowed to learn and make mistakes, be colleagues with some of the top talent and most respected photojournalists in Canada / World, it was pretty fucking cool to be honest.
It's crazy to actually look back on my year and realize that I got to work for The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, VICE, etc. when months prior to my contract I was at a serious crossroads in my life and basically abandoned the idea of being a photographer. However, I lucked out when I got professors who are notable photojournalists/journalists mentoring me personally and allowed the cynical me to see the glass as half-full. It was cool that Professor Peter Bregg, Lisa Taylor and Anne McNeily encouraged me to pursue what made me happy and they allowed me to be fully prepared for what I had to endure. Although they may not know, nor may they ever know how much they affected me, I felt I had to put it out there in the Universe.
It goes without saying that I couldn't have persevered through those same hardships without the help of my close friends and family, who always supported my career path, and who always give me a shout out when they see my name in the photo by line while reading the newspapers with their morning coffee.
These photos were all made for editorial purpose, mainly for the Toronto Star since I spent most of my time working for them from Spring to Fall. Some images were published in print, online, their iPad app or all of the above. Others were rejects, part of a larger photo series, used for cut outs or layout purposes, and some have never even been submitted to my editors. Some are digital, some are film. This isn't a "Best Photos" series in a traditional sense. Some photos are bad, some photos were harder to take than others (like a grieving family of 4 kids who just lost their mom to cancer weeks before Xmas). Some photos physically hurt to take (being stuck 3 times by fucking bees) and others were just straight-up hilarious (the Mannequin Man, basically a Seinfeld episode in real life). These however are the most important and memorable images I took in 2015, for one reason or another, these images, these stories, these people, situations, etc. all left some sort of impression with me, some more obvious than others, but they are all important in telling my story as a documentary photographer during that time.
Too Long - Didn't Read - 2015 - Took photos, met Jane Goodall, got soaked in beer, ate crickets , had a blast.
-3B
*Scroll over image for caption*
Author and Scotiabank Giller Prize nominee Padma Viswanathan poses for a photograph inside the Penguin Publishing House library - The Globe and Mail
Global News reporter Catherine McDonald cares for her daughter Eve during her treatment at The Hospital for Sick Children after she suffered injuries to her hand from a dog bite that happened during their visit to Holt Renfrew - The Globe and Mail
(Photo Series) Mike Wilson inside his personal museum of Toronto Maple Leafs hockey collectibles. Wilson owns the largest collection of authentic Toronto Maple Leafs memorabilia as well as other unique hockey collectibles like Wayne Gretzky's script from his Saturday Night Live appearance. - The Toronto Star
(Photo Series) Organic dairy farmers Ron and Deb Vice, of Birchwind Holsteins near Oshawa, celebrate along with their cows during the first pasture of spring. Ron Vice is a third-generation farmer. When his dairy cows go out to pasture, there's a lot less work for him to do in the barn. - The Toronto Star - City Feature
Organic dairy farmers Ron and Deb Vice, of Birchwind Holsteins near Oshawa, celebrate along with their cows during the first pasture of spring. Ron Vice is a third-generation farmer. When his dairy cows go out to pasture, there's a lot less work for him to do in the barn. - The Toronto Star
Jane Goodall poses for a photograph prior to an interview with the Toronto Star to look back on her research with chimpanzees. - The Toronto Star
(Photo Series) The 2015 Canadian Air Guitar Championships held at the Mod Club in Toronto featured acts from Guitar Heroes Helen "Hey!en" Laurin , the oldest active competitive air guitar in the world Bob "Mr.Bob" Wagner and the 2015 Champion Jason "Thrust" McNeely. - The Toronto Star - Life & Entertainment Feature
The escalating rent prices of West Toronto has chased many art galleries and curators to find a new home in the Dupont and Dufferin part of town. Gallery owners Erin Stump (pictured), Manny Neubacher & Anya Shor, Simon Cole, Jamie Angell and Powell MacDougall are all launching new galleries within the art-hub of the city. - The Toronto Star- Arts & Life Feature
Bread & Butter owner Blake Shaver has gained local attention for his studios work with reclaimed wood from former iconic Toronto stripclub Jilly's to recreate modern home furniture. - The Toronto Star
(Photo Series) Founding director of the Research Imaging Centre at CAMH and the University of Toronto, Dr. Sylvain Houle, explains different components of the centre's cyclotron machine. The RIC faces potential closure due to the potential of rent increase. Dr. Houle gave the Star an exclusive look into their research labs. - The Toronto Star - Health
(Photo Series) Self-taught chef Karon Liu demonstrates how to cook the perfect rice stir fry in the comfort of your own kitchen. - The Toronto Star- Food
Local historian Madeleine McDowell visits the location of an unmark grave at St. James Cemetary in central Toronto. McDowell is behind the garden for Susannah Moodie's daughter Agnes Fitzgibbon who is said to be buried in the grave.
A dumpster at the St.James Cemetery is seen filled with numerous flowers from a recent funeral held at the location. - The Toronto Star
Toronto Star reporter Michael Robinson sits inside a cryotherapy machine at the Cryotherapy Health and Wellness facility. The three minute procedure is said to have multiple health benefits including better sleep, pain relief and weight loss. - The Toronto Star
Critical injury lawyer Patrick Brown seen inside the Mcleish Orlando law firm.Brown is raising awareness about the lack of regulations at extreme sport facilities around the city. - The Toronto Star
Critical injury lawyer Patrick Brown seen inside the Mcleish Orlando law firm.Brown is raising awareness about the lack of regulations at extreme sport facilities around the city. - The Toronto Star
Newly appointed Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Lou Lamoriello addresses the media at the Air Canada Centre on July 23. 2015. - The Toronto Star
Newly appointed Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Lou Lamoriello addresses the media at the Air Canada Centre on July 23. 2015. - The Toronto Star
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair addresses the media inside the Mayor’s Office on July 23, 2015. Mayor Tory met with Mulcair and members of the federal GTA causus to discuss various issues surrounding the city. - The Toronto Star
(Photo Series) La Cubana restaurant on Ossington street serves up traditional and inspired Cuban dishes for their lunch and dinner patrons. The restaurant's decor is inspired by a throwback to 1940's Havana diners. - The Toronto Star Life- & Food
(Photo Series) CEO of Canada Boutique Bags Shai Azoulay poses inside his warehouse alongside his stock of mannequins. Azoulay has posted ads online to rent out his mannequins to individual drivers hoping to take advantage of the new HOV ride share lanes in effect for the Pan Am games. - The Toronto Star - City Feature
Co-Owner of Soul Drums Doug Sole, left , plays a traditional Cuban Shekere along to musician Altaf Bwana Motto Vellani's congas inside of Soul Drums. - The Toronto Star - Arts & Life
Owner of newly opened Nuvango Gallery & Goods Drew Downs inside the store's gallery. The new Queen West boutique features locally made goods and art pieces created by local and international artists. - Arts & Life Feature
Workers run lighting tests on a giant maple leaf inside the Air Canada on July 23, 2015. The leaf will be inside the new scoreboard that will be completed and unveiled in August. - The Toronto Star - Technology
Keith Williams poses for a photograph outside his Brampton home next to his van during his family's annual Christmas bake sale held on December 19, 2015. Williams' wife Laura died from cancer on November 20, and to honour her life his children painted a halo above her character's sticker on the back of his family's van. - The Toronto Star - Life
The parents of Muzik nightclub victim Duvel Hibbert, Auline Lewis and Delroy Hibbert grieve next to an image of their son at six years old inside the law office of Michael Smitiuch on August 13, 2015. The family has hired a personal injury lawyer and are speaking out about the level of security at the nightclub the day her son died. - The Toronto Star - Crime
The CN Tower peaks through a downtown Toronto building behind the Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors announced a press conference to introduce their newly acquired free agents from the off-season.- The Toronto Star - Sports
Newly signed Toronto Raptor DeMarre Carroll addresses the media at the Air Canada Centre on July 9, 2015. Carroll was one of the high profile free agents the Raptors acquired during the off-season. - The Toronto Star - Sports
Newly signed Toronto Raptor DeMarre Carroll addresses the media at the Air Canada Centre on July 9, 2015. Carroll was one of the high profile free agents the Raptors acquired during the off-season. - The Toronto Star - Sports
Canadian Advertising Professional Maria Qamar along her handmade artwork inside her Toronto work space. Qamar's South Asian influenced pop art gained attention on social media platforms such as Instagram which led to her being featured on Buzzfeed India. - The Toronto Star - Arts & Life
General Manager of Splendido Restaurant Matt Poulston at the restaurants bar top with a glass of El Dorado rum. The restaurant offers a unique drinking experience to their diners with their El Dorado Rum Board. - The Toronto Star - Food
Owner of True North Climbing Inc. John Gross, inside his rock climbing facility. Gross is an advocate for safety at his facility and has a process to help keep track of any on-site injuries caused to climbers. - The Toronto Star
Owner of True North Climbing Inc. John Gross, inside his rock climbing facility. Gross is an advocate for safety at his facility and has a process to help keep track of any on-site injuries caused to climbers. - The Toronto Star
Natalia "Cookie" Martinez Martinez with her cricket infused snacks at her downtown food stand. Cookie offers a variety of Columbian street food that feature the insect as a special ingredient. - The Toronto Star - Food Feature
Junked Food Co's popular dessert item the Frozen Doughnut. The restaurant caters to the late night bar crowd and offers unique versions of guilty pleasure snack foods. - The Toronto Star - Food
Cava Executive Chef and co-owner Doug Penfold cooks a paella dish inside the Cava food hut at the Front Street Food Market - The Toronto Star - Food
Cava co-owner Niall McCotter inside the Cava food hut at the Front Street Food Market. - The Toronto Star - Food
(Photo Series) Bee keeper Kuldip Jassal inspects his bee hives in North York. Jassal uses friend's and neighbours' backyard to host the hives. - The Toronto Star - Life Feature
Artist Erella Ganon and her daughter Celeste Ganon pose for a photograph inside their Toronto home. - The Toronto Star - Life
Artist Erella Ganon and her daughter Celeste Ganon pose for a photograph outside their Toronto home. - The Toronto Star - Life
Teresa and Tim Liang pose for a photograph outside their home in Richmond Hill on September 21, 2015. The Liang's are one of over 160 people from Toronto making a trip to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis' first visit to the US. - The Toronto Star
Teresa and Tim Liang pose for a photograph outside their home in Richmond Hill on September 21, 2015. The Liang's are one of over 160 people from Toronto making a trip to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis' first visit to the US. - The Toronto Star
Leslieville wine bar Corks & Platters owner Krista Pollett poses for a photograph inside her restaurant. - The Toronto Star - Food
Leslieville wine bar Corks & Platters owner Krista Pollett poses for a photograph inside her restaurant. - The Toronto Star - Food
Iron Chef Susur Lee poses for a photograph inside his restaurant Bent on Dundas West on September 17, 2015. - The Toronto Star - Entertainment Feature
Iron Chef Susur Lee's personal recipe book rests on the bar top at Bent restaurant. The handbook, which Lee began to fill out in the late 70's is one of his top 5 must have items when travelling. - The Toronto Star - Entertainment Feature
(Photo Service) Mike Brzozowski along with his 1964 MG MGB convertible outside his home on August 19, 2015. Brzozowski purchased the vehicle in 2004 from a seller in San Francisco via Ebay. - The Toronto Star - WHEELS Feature
A Porsche is seen in a handicap loading zone on 111 Chestnut Street on September 16, 2015. - The Toronto Star - City
Toronto Symphony Orchestra principal violinist Teng Li poses for a photograph insideof Roy Thompson Hall - The Toronto Star - Arts & Entertainment
Toronto Symphony Orchestra principal violinist Teng Li poses for a photograph insideof Roy Thompson Hall - The Toronto Star - Arts & Entertainment
Daniel Schwartz plays the drums during a practice session at his band's rehearsal studio. Schwartz is a drummer with Toronto's The Key Frames and he suffers from dystonia -- a neurological condition he developed as an adult that messed up his ability to play drums. - The Toronto Star - Life
Jessica Wilson in front of 25 Givens St. on August 17, 2015, a new duplex she unsuccessfully fought. A city zoning loophole that has opened the backdoor to doubling the number of homes on residential lots by allowing “enormous” vertical duplexes, residents say. - The Toronto Star - City
Tenzin Nordhen seen with the iconic smoked meat sandwich at the Caplasnky's restaurant and deli on College Street. Nordhen, a recent immigrant to Canada, has been working at the location for five years and is currently the active manager of the restaurant. - The Toronto Star - City
Factory owner Brent Lewis inside his Mississauga industrial packaging factory. -The Toronto Star - Business
Owner and founder of Sculpraits Studios Steve Cory poses next to a 3D figurine of himself inside his studio. Cory's team uses 137 cameras to capture images of people and turn them into 3D mini statues. - The Toronto Star - Life Feature
Battle Bots veterans and builders Ravi Baboolal (left) and Dalton O'Connor (right) inside the Kwartzlab Maker Space in Kitchnener on August 28, 2015 for the Bot Brawl build session and practice battles. The build was a precursor match to southern Ontario Bot Brawl and Maker Expo on Sept 19th that was organized by both Baboolal and O'Connor. - The Toronto Star - Technology
(Photo Series) Toronto Police Service member Bobby rests inside the TPS stables at Exhibition Place. The Toronto Star profiled the horses and their assigned officer during an exclusive tour of the compound - The Toronto Star - City Feature
(Photo Series) Const. Jeremy Beaupre and his assigned horse Bobby during a visit to the Toronto Police Services stables. - The Toronto Star - City Feature
A Canada Post postal service worker returns to his illegally parked delivery van on Richmond Street. - The Toronto Star- City
A violent confrontation in downtown Toronto between an inebriated man and a member of the Toronto Police Service ends in an arrest. - The Toronto Star - Spot News
Toronto indie-pop legends the Rheostatics pose for a photograph on the rooftop of their rehearsal space on August 27, 2015. The band is reuniting for their first three shows in eight years at the AGO in early September. - The Toronto Star - Arts & Entertainment
(Photo Series) A view of the outside of Santouka ramen restaurant on Dundas Street East in downtown Toronto on August 27, 2015. - The Toronto Star - Food Feature
(Photo Series) Chef Dave Mottershall of Loka Snacks prepares various ingredients for a main entre during dinner service. The pop-up restaurant was temporarily operating inside Hi-Lo bar on Queen St. East - The Toronto Star- Food
(Photo Series) Toronto Football Club (TFC) captain Michael Bradley celebrates scoring a goal against the Montreal Impact during a regular season confrontation that saw TFC best their Canadian rivals by a final score of 2-0. - The Toronto Star- Sports
2015 MLS MVP & TFC midfielder Sebastian Giovinco dribbles the ball by Montreal Impact defenders during their team's regular season match-up. TFC finished the match with a 2-0 over their Canadian rivals. - The Toronto Star - Sports
Milos Raonic plays through a rally on tennis court floating on a raft on Lake Ontario for a Rogers Cup promotional event. - The Toronto Star - Sports
Canadian tennis superstar Milos Raonic poses for a selfie with a group of campers kayaking on Lake Ontario. - The Toronto Star - Sports
Musican Jay Douglas poses in front of a newly made mural on Reggae Lane in Toronto's Little Jamaica district on September 18 , 2015. The new area is inspired by and in honour of the cultural influences brought by Reggae music and the mural includes Douglas' image. - The Toronto Star
(Photo Series) Members of the League of Lady Wrestlers pose for photographs during their rehearsal on September 7, 2015. - The Toronto Star - Life Feature
Designer and certified aviation geek Laird Kay poses for a photograph inside his living room. His aviation photography has gained a large following on Instagram and is now releasing a airplane based clothing line. - The Toronto Star
Designer and certified aviation geek Laird Kay poses for a photograph inside his Toronto home. His aviation photography has gained a large following on Instagram and is now releasing a airplane based clothing line. - The Toronto Star
Ken Runneymede looks for a place to settle down during his visit to the east Toronto beaches on the last day of summer in 2015. - The Toronto Star