Almost done Rotary for another year!

I have been the official Photographer of the annual Charlottetown Royalty Rotary Supplement for 15 years!  I started before I even had kids!  For those unfamiliar with it, it is a glossy colour magazine consisting of approximately 450 Island Businesses.  Each ad consists of a photograph of the business.  The first year I did it there were around 200 so it has really grown!!  Looking back I realize just what a fantastic experience it has been.  I have met and really gotten to know so many incredible business people, many who have now become excellent clients and friends.  This job does not come without it's challenges of course, mainly the coordinating of staff to commit to a time and date to be photographed.  Everyone is so busy!  I start work on this project early July and shoot until the end of November.  It is published in the Spring.  John Barrett, the graphic designer and founder/creater of this publication then takes over and inputs all the information, creating the finished product!  It is one of Rotary's major annual fundraisers.

When John and I started working together on this project in 1994 it was all black and white film and prints.  A lot of the work was in the darkroom.  I don't miss the smell of chemicals, the red light, sound of water running, and fans going, annoying dust hairs, and viewing tiny images on contact sheets with a lupe.  We went digital in 2000 so this year marks 10 years of being digital.  Back then so many folks were amazed that I could show them the photo in the camera right then and there and now everyone expects it.  How times have changed!

I really try to be creative with the images to keep it interesting. The goal is to visually show what it is the business does if at all possible.  This can be challenging sometimes with folks like lawyers and accountants!  Not everyone goes along with my sometimes crazy ideas but it is fun when they do!!  Some people put their kids and pets in it!  Anything goes really! 

For fun I went back several years and thought I would share Delta Survey's Rotary Photographs.  Brian Potter, the owner, is a very proud Grandpa to 5 gorgeous little girls!  It has now become a Remembrance Day Tradition to have them all pop up to the studio for a shoot.  They are just the giggliest girls!!  Note how Brian just looks the same??

Delta Surveys from 2002 until this year.

Here are some of my favourites from this year's businesses.  Yikes 46 favourites!!  Included is one of Velle Bugden of The Studio.  He has been the official framer of the Supplement for even longer than I have been a part of it!!  Be sure to check it out.  It will be distributed in The Charlottetown Guardian, Eastern Graphic, and Journal Pioneer newspapers around March 24th.  I'll send out a facebook message and blog so you are sure not to miss it.  It is awesom for anyone who lives here to flip through!!  I actually keep mine close to my desk for reference when I need to call a particular business! 

Please do not print or copy...contact me if you wish to purchase a copy.

Thank you to everyone involved for yet another successful year!  Won't be long before I am at it making those calls again!!

Until next time, Louise!