Family Portrait Photography Session

Little children are natural, honest, unaffected  and so very endearing!  No pretence, they are just being themselves. It may not always be easy to keep up with  them--and you'd better use a fast shutter speed to freeze all that action, but your patience will be richly rewarded!!   This was the case last week-end when I took these photos of little sisters Lily-Rose and Mia at play. Their mom Angela posted the pics , with the heading "Heat Exploding with Love"   What an eloquent , beautiful expression of her feelings of pride in her little offsprings. And many people, extended family etc, will share her joy with her, since she plans to give them some photos for Christmas.  So much more personal than a store-bought gift!

All in all, this has been such  heart-warming experience and I thank Angela and the girls for choosing me to capture these precious moments for their family album.

Useful tips for Holiday glamour.

Hi there ladies, Here are some very useful tips to help you look glamorous for the upcoming Holidays!
Nothing like being prepared!
Of course, you always have the option of being pampered and having a "Before and After" photoshoot at Lisa Mininni Photography.

Event Photography--very special Hockey Game

I had a very special photography assignment yesterday.   I covered a truly memorable fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Society. It was called "Put Cancer on Ice" A number of celebrity hockey players,-Dimitri Mironov, Darryl Shannon, Jack Valiquette, Bill Derlago, Kevin Maguire, Dave McLIwain, - took part in a Maple Leafs Alumni hockey game. I was called upon to take photos of the opening ceremonies, the speakers, the certificate presentations and the puck drop -by Bob Baun (with 2 players)--Robert Baun had a 17 year career with the NHL, about which he wrote a book. I snapped away happily, while Bob was meeting and greeting fans and signing copies of his book, titled "Lowering the Boom"
While all this was going on inside,- outside there was a Maple Leafs Mobile Fan Zone, with Duke the Dog and Carlton the Bear, entertaining young fans and little ones. And upstairs, there was a silent auction with lots of hockey memorabilia  being snapped up to aid this most worthy of causes.
After the game, I had fun mingling with  the alumni, while  covering the VIP reception.
Hard work, but someone has to do it!---ha....ha....

Fun in the Maple Leafs Mobile Fan Zone:

Bob Baun signing his book for a fan

Some of the items on auction.

Some exciting moments in the game;

Bob Baun says he is enjoying the game.

Meanwhile, up in the stands:

The littlest fan.

"Go Leafs go!" This game is riveting!

Local actor in the limelight

Just thought I would blog about an actress---oops, I mean actor as we must now say----whose headshots I had a lot of fun doing not long ago.  She is Suzanne Coy, though her friends all call her Zan for short.
I saw her often, in the Canadian TV series "King" (season 1)     Zan's character, detective  Eleni Demaris, was sidekick to Jess King, played by Amy Price-Francis.  Zan described the main character Jesse as a smart-ass who wears high heels , thinks out of the box---and always gets her man.  Undoubtedly, these two had lots of fun!  I hope Zan will be back---or did her character get killed off? I must ask her.   Back to her headshots;   this time , we aimed for a casual, friendly image, and a business one.  I think we succeeed. Don't you?  Hope we will see Zan in a great new role again , soon.

Zan was also in an episode of the TV series "Suits"

Photography has its perks. In this case, -a yoga lesson.

As a photographer, I often get hired to photograph people who wish to include the images on their website.
On this occasion, with Natalie, the knowledge I gained about yoga, was an added bonus. Plus, I got to marvel at the suppleness and flexibility of a real pro in action. Take a look for yourselves;

To find out more about Natalie and her classes, check out www.smyogaonline.com

Namaste!

Guess who I ran into today at the Zoomer show!

Remember I Love Lucy-the TV comedy show?   No? Before your time?   Try renting a couple of episodes, they are hilarious! I used to enjoy the show a lot, back in the day! So, it was quite a treat and a bit nostalgic, to see Lucy, Ethel---oh and Elvis came too!  (Well, you know what I mean,----impersonators.)
These performers looked for all the world like the real deal.   See if you agree.

Oh and these old cars fit right in with the retro atmosphere .

Nature photography--Fall Colours

You do not have to go far to come upon   interesting nature shots. Sometimes, you may find interesting shots in your own back yard-or in the local park.  I did!   You don't need fancy equipment, either.
Can you believe I photographed all this in my local park? -and with my Iphone! I had no intention to do any photography on this day, I was just walking my dog and did not have any professional photography equipment with me.........and then it happened!...... entering the park, I was immediately surrounded by all this beauty. All these colours, --the colours of Fall.

Celebrating our own Canadian Talent

Hi guys!
I hope most  of you will be watching the Canada's Walk of Fame Awards. it will be shown on Global/slice, Sunday Oct. 23 at 8p.m.
More immediate though, is the Festival itself , held Sept. 29 (today!)  til Oct. 2   today, Burton Cummings will be performing at Massey Hall. Chantal Kreviazuk performs Sept. 30  (I just caught up on her life-story so far. Some of it very sad. )  K'Naan is up on Oct 1.   Comedy Night in Canada , Oct 2, features my favourite comedienne Carla Collins, as well as Mike MacDonald, Jessicas Holmes , The Doo Wops and Mark Debonis.  The host will be Jon Dore.
On Oct . 1 at the Elgin Theatre, Red Carpet and Star Unveilings; 3.30-5p.m. Canada's Walk of Fame will be celebrating the 2011 Canada's Walk of Fame Inductees:  Dr. Roberta Bondar, musician Burton Cummings,  athlete Daniel Nestor, Actress  (oops, I forgot! we now should say "actor" even for females) Sandra Oh, comedian Russell Peters, novelist Mordecai Richler  (Loved "Barney's Version , -didn't you?)
and Drake (Allan Slaight Award recipient)  Howie Mandel will be hosting.
Plus, there will be an exciting line-up of free programming at David Pecaut Square(formerly Metro Square)-on sept 30, Oct 1, Oct. 2.

See you there!  Let us all support our wonderful Canadian talent.

                                     
                                   I took this a little while ago when I last saw Carla in performance .
                                   Funny lady!  She will be at Massey Hall on Oct. 2
                                   Comedy Night in Canada. Don't miss it!

The Misadventures of a Photographer.

Hello friends, I would like to tell you a true story. Today, upon reflection, it is amusing. Yesterday, it was anything but!
It was a beautiful , bright,  sunny in the financial district in downtown Toronto.  I was on my way to do an editorial shoot for one of the magazines. Loaded with equipment -photography gear, - I made my way , underneath the office tower from P2, to a maze of corridors  and was happy to see a sign directing me to the elevator. This was a freight elevator. I soon piled my photography equipment in there and the door closed behind me. I pressed the button for the appropriate floor.  Nothing happened.  After a couple of tries, still nothing happened. so, I tried selecting other numbers, other floors---just in case.  No success. The elevator stood still. I reasoned that probably, a special card is needed to activate this elevator and since I have no such thing, I  should just get off.    Easier said than done!  I pressed P2 again, where I still was,  but the door remained shut. By now, I  was worried.   AH! Now I saw the Emergency button. this gave me hope. I pressed this red button, thinking, all will be well soon. Nothing!  Not a sound.   Now, I was scared. Really scared!  My mind started racing;   I had no food in my  handbag, not even an energy bar. Soon, my blood sugar would fall very low. What with that and the stress of this situation, my anxiety attacks, so long dormant,  would  now reappear. Is this elevator totally airtight ?--I wondered. How long before I run out of air?   I'm not allowed to die, ----I have a shoot to do!  They will fire me!  (What?)
What about my doggy? --He will miss me.   So, I banged my wrist against the heavy door of this grungy elevator and screamed for help.   No one heard me. It was hopeless.  To make matters even worse, the week-end was starting. It was Friday afternoon!   No one would use this freight elevator  for at least 2 days now,  maybe more, if there is no freight being delivered for a while. I must conserve my energy ,--I mustn't keep banging too hard-or yell incessantly.
After what seemed like an eternity---but was actually only a few minutes, -just as I was starting to resign myself to my fate ;  at best, a very long week-end in isolation, ( no cell phones, no computer, no newspaper, no T.V)----a miracle happened. Someone pressed the button on the 6th floor, called up the elevator and got in. He was most surprised by the reception he got;  I jumped on him, hugging and kissing him, in tears of utter joy!   I was saved!

Does anybody  out there think that the life of a photographer is easy or smooth?
Read my book.  It will be coming out soon!


Lisa

P.S. Have a great week-end------and stay clear of freight elevators!

Actor Val Kilmer here for The Film Festival

Francis Ford Coppola brought his latest film "Twixt" to Toronto International Film Festival,  (TIFF)  and with good reason. At this annual public film fest, in 2010 for example, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens at downtown Toronto venues. In the last few years, total attendance at TIFF has exceeded 260.000. Founded in 1976, TIFF is now one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. According to some, the Festival is second only to Cannes in terms of high-profile pic, stars  and market activity.
Last night, I was fortunate to attend  the after-party, celebrating Mr Coppola's film Twixt. The invitation was extended by Val Kilmer, who plays a hack horror writer. (Kilmer's character is tormented by his inadequacy and the fact that he needs to write crappy books for a living) there is a lot more; very funny moments of Kilmer's character trying to write, conversations with what seems to be the spirit of a dead girl etc. This is a meaty role indeed, that shows the actor's great versatility. A role that most actors would kill for. No wonder he was in a celebratory mood at the party. --A good time was had by all!
Congratulations Val, hope this film will bring you more well-deserved acclaim  and maybe even a nomination.
The film festival continues. Stay tuned for more news;

P.S. The party was held at the new Thompson Hotel.  I was anxious to check out the 360 degree  view of the city from the rooftop terrace. I am glad I did! Take a look;

The view from on high! The magnificent Toronto skyline, as seen from the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel. You can walk all around, to get a 360 degree view!  Plus, ---are you ready for this? --there is a swimming pool up there!--all lit up and very inviting. Imagine sipping champagne in the pool while enjoying the sight of T.O's skyline --maybe with a friend or lover. Now THAT'S living!  It gives new meaning to living the HIGH LIFE!--ha....ha...

Rexy the movie star

Hi y'all!
Am I becoming a stage mother?...ha....ha....      Like a proud mom,   I am happy to report that Rexy, --my little Yorkie,  is quite the movie star! While his acting is not quite the caliber of Lassie, for example, he is doing great. Last Wednesday was just one of many of his happy days on set. this time, the production was
the daring new series called "Lost Girl"  It is about mysterious young Bo, a succubus who drains the sexual energy of humans  to feed, heal and kill. Her co-star Kenzi---played by Ksenia Solo, has just won a Gemini award for Best Featured Supporting Actress-for Lost Girl.  Ksenia's character Kenzi is world-weary, even at her young age. With the soul (and heritage) of a former Eastern-Block/communist regime kid, she's prone to do whatever it takes to survive.    With Rexy, though,   between takes, Ksenia steps out of character long enough to  show her softer side.  See below;

Obviously, the feeling is mutual. I am jealous!

Rexy enjoys a hug from Ksenia while camera crew is setting up the next shot (below)-on Bloor Street. 

Rexy's close-up. This actor's headshot was also shot by Lisa . (I bribed him---with treats!)

                                                                               
                                                                             

History lesson

A friend of mine, Annie Ryan sent me this interesting article. (Thanks Annie,)- I thought I'd share it with all of you.

                                                                     

                                                                  1911  FORD MODEL T


                                             This will boggle your mind,-I know it did mine!

                                 The year is 1911---100 years ago. what a difference a century makes!
                                               Here are some statistics for the year 1911;

The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.
Only 14 percent of homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The  maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.
The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.
Ninety percent of all doctors had no college education! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and government as "substandard"
Sugar cost four cents a pound, eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
The five leading causes of death were;
1. Pneumonia
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas Nevada, was only 30!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.
There was neither a Mother's Day, nor a Father's day.
Two out of every ten adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from High School
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local drugstore.
Back then, pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels and is, in fact, the perfect guardian of health!"
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.A. !
I am now going to forward this to someone else without typing it myself,
From there, it will be sent to others all over the world all in a matter of seconds!
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

 Now aren't you glad you know all this? ---See? Lisa's blog is not just  about photography, headshots or even fashion. I mix it up a bit.  You never know WHAT  you'll find when you visit.  So, my friends, come back soon!


Warm hugs to all, 
Lisa