Illuminating Black Excellence: A Photographic Journey the First Ottawa Black Creatives Hub Performing Showcase
Explore the dynamic world of Ottawa's Black creatives in our captivating blog post. From soulful performances to insightful discussions, delve into the vibrant tapestry of talent showcased at the Ottawa Black Creatives Hub’s Performing Arts Showcase. Witness the power of artistry, resilience, and community as we celebrate Black excellence in the heart of Canada's capital.
In the heart of February, as we honour Black History Month, the Ottawa Black Creatives Hub's Performing Arts Showcase illuminated the city with a celebration of talent, culture, and resilience. Nestled in the backstage realm, my lens danced with hues and shades, capturing the essence of a night where artistry met diversity in its purest form.
Hosted by the dynamic Sammy Blanco, the evening unfolded with an array of performances that echoed the rich tapestry of Black experiences. From soul-stirring melodies to captivating spoken word, each act was a testament to the multifaceted brilliance thriving in Ottawa's artistic landscape.
At the helm of this grand showcase stands Sharlène Clarke, the visionary force behind Hors Pair Social. Recognizing the abundance of untapped talent in Ottawa, Clarke embarked on a mission to spotlight the diverse voices and narratives within the Black community. The journey wasn't easy, as Clarke and her jury board meticulously curated a lineup of 13 performing artists and two captivating short films, "Jayla" by Fitch Jean and "Surprise!" by Kiera Meeks.
As a photographer navigating the challenges of capturing the magic from the back of the house, I was met with a kaleidoscope of lighting, each hue presenting its own set of obstacles. Yet, armed with knowledge and passion, I embraced the challenge, harnessing the interplay of colours to immortalize moments of raw emotion and artistic prowess.
Amidst the artistic splendour, organizations like the Ottawa Arts Council and The Framework, Youth Action Now stood as pillars of support, fostering an environment where creativity flourishes. The Ottawa Arts Council's commitment to advocacy and representation, particularly through initiatives like the Mandala Project, underscores the importance of amplifying marginalized voices within the arts. And then there's Framework founded by local icon Kingsley Swim - The Framework is a polymathic agency dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through grant writing, publicity, and strategic partnerships, The Framework embodies the spirit of collaboration, bridging the gap between vision and execution with finesse and ingenuity. Ottawa Music Coalition also made an appearance speaking to their artists being represented and how they advocate for fair pair for musical artists.
Amidst the vibrant performances, Stéphane Alexis, representing the Ottawa Black Art Kollective (OBAK), graced the stage to shed light on the collective's mission and vision. As an artist-directed initiative, OBAK is dedicated to promoting the diverse work of Black artists in Ottawa, providing a platform for their voices to be heard and celebrated. In addition to showcasing artistic talent, Stéphane took a moment to address the importance of mental health within the creative community. His words resonated deeply, reminding everyone of the significance of self-care and well-being, especially in the pursuit of artistic expression. Through his advocacy and openness, Stéphane exemplified the spirit of unity and support that defines OBAK, leaving a lasting impact on both the stage and the hearts of those in attendance. Furthering the curation of Afro, Black and Caribbean ancestral talent - Curator Yanaminah Thullah also spoke detailing her transition from Public Service work into a curatorial practice intending to uplift and make space for Black, Afro and Carribean-descended artists within the fine arts context and institution. She also spoke of the guest currated exhibit she worked on with OBAK title We do not dream of labor.
As my lens continues to reflect the vibrancy of the Ottawa Black Creatives Hub's Performing Arts Showcase, let us remember that beyond the pixels and frames lies a narrative of resilience, empowerment, and the boundless possibilities of creative expression. In celebrating Black History Month, we honour not just the past, but the living tapestry of stories that shape our present and inspire our future.
To kickstart the night, a panel featuring Rose-Ingrid, Patrick Cormack, and Axandre Lemours took the stage, delving into their creative journeys here in So-called Ottawa. They candidly shared the challenges they've faced and offered insightful solutions for not just surviving but thriving as creatives in an ever-evolving world, particularly as Black artists. Their stories resonated deeply, echoing the struggles and triumphs of many in the audience.
Now, let's shine a spotlight on the 13 other remarkable artists who graced the stage with their exceptional talents:
Grey Brisson, an emerging singer-songwriter, mesmerized the audience with tracks from his EP "Nobody!", accompanied by the electrifying energy of fellow rockers, the Lionyls. N'nerjie's soulful performance commanded attention, channelling the spirit of vocal legends. Sommer Knight captivated hearts and minds with her insightful spoken word performance, seamlessly weaving conversations about identity and reflection into her words, eliciting audible snaps of agreement from the crowd.
Malaïka Urbani's commanding operatic performance left a lasting impression, showcasing her formidable vocal prowess. Chloë Bonnet dazzled with her high-flying dance routine, demonstrating unparalleled technique and dynamism.
Miss Mcleod's impassioned and resonant performance showcased her brilliant control of the stage, solidifying her status as a star in Ottawa's artistic constellation.
Christjay transported listeners back to an era of soulful melodies, reminiscent of classic records by icons like Marvin Gaye and Eddie Holman, infusing contemporary lyricism into his soundscape seamlessly.
King 509 ignited the crowd, inviting everyone to celebrate Black History Month with a reflection on Ottawa's vibrant Haitian community, with even Sammy Blanco joining in the festivities.
Noni delivered a rooted and subdued performance that packed a punch, with Iman's beautiful guitar accompaniment adding depth to the soul-stirring experience.
Rapper Mxzy embraced the challenge of opening the night with gusto, delivering an energetic and entertaining performance that set the tone for the evening.
Olivia Onuk unpacked complex emotions with her powerful poetry, exploring spiritual relationships and introspection with poignant sincerity.
The Carleton Afro Dance Crew (CADC) brought the house down with their explosive performance, igniting cheers and wild applause from the crowd throughout their electrifying showcase.
Jacqui Du Toit used her talent for allegorical storytelling to deliver a teachable moment, encouraging reflection and appreciation for our differences while embracing our collective strengths.
The Lionyls took the stage for the closing act, infusing the venue with their signature blend of rock and soul. Their performance was a captivating display of raw energy and undeniable talent, captivating the audience from the first chord to the final note. With electrifying guitar riffs and soulful vocals, they brought the night to an unforgettable climax, leaving the crowd in awe of their musical prowess
Each artist brought a unique perspective and a touch of magic to the stage, collectively painting a vivid portrait of the Black experience through the arts. Their performances were not just entertainment but a testament to the resilience, creativity, and diversity thriving within Ottawa's creative community.
As a Black photographer in Ottawa, documenting and showing up to community events like this showcase is not just about capturing moments but contributing to a living record of our cultural heritage and artistic expression. It's about amplifying voices, preserving legacies, and empowering future generations to embrace their identities and tell their stories unapologetically.
Captured Connections: The Intertwined Narratives of a Free Community Portrait Photoshoot
In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, we often overlook the profound connections that shape our lives. But in partnership with Carleton University Art Gallery, we believe that these connections are the threads that make life's tapestry vibrant and meaningful. Through the lens of the talented Ottawa photographer, Adrienne Row-Smith, we embarked on a journey to celebrate the beauty of relationships.
Our project was a tribute to the diverse communities we're part of. Whether it was a family member, chosen or biological, a dear friend, a colleague, or a life partner, our aim was to capture the essence of these connections. Through photography, we sought to tell the unique stories that bind us together, reminding us of the power of human connection.
Join us on this visual exploration as we revisit the importance of community bonds and the enduring impact they have on our lives. It's a celebration of the intricate threads that connect us all.
“Community means to me an extension of embodied support and solidarity with colleagues and their artistic presentations.”
In a world where our lives were often marked by the bustling chaos of daily routines and digital distractions, it was easy to lose sight of the profound connections that wove the tapestry of our existence. We were not solitary beings but were, in fact, part of multiple, overlapping, and distinct communities that enriched our lives. The relationships we nurtured within these communities were the threads that bound us together, creating a rich and vibrant tapestry of shared experiences. Celebrating these connections was a powerful way to recognize the beauty of our intertwined narratives, regardless of the circumstances that defined them.
Connections Across Circumstances: Our communities came in various forms, each with its unique circumstances. These connections might be rooted in family, chosen kinship, friendships, professional ties, or romantic partnerships. Regardless of the specific circumstances, all relationships hold significance in shaping our lives.
Chosen Families: For many individuals, chosen families often held as much, if not more, significance than biological ones. These were the friends who became family, the mentors who provided guidance, and the partners who shared life's joys and struggles. A photoshoot that highlighted these chosen family bonds recognized their vital role in our lives.
Strength in Unity: Today, more than ever, communities are coming together to celebrate diversity and promote unity. Portrait photography can showcase the strength of these community relationships, reinforcing the message that we are stronger when we stand together, regardless of our circumstances.
Visibility and Representation: In a world that still grappled with prejudice and discrimination, portraying diverse relationships through photography was an act of visibility and representation. It challenged stereotypes and encouraged society to acknowledge and respect the full spectrum of love and connection that exists within our communities.
Photography has always been a powerful medium for storytelling. Through carefully crafted images, we can capture the authenticity and beauty of relationships. Each relationship, regardless of the circumstances, is deserving of celebration and recognition. Portrait photography offers a means to do just that.
In a world that sometimes felt fragmented, the celebration of community relationships took on added significance during the present time. It was a reminder that our lives were richer because of the communities we were part of and the relationships we cultivated, no matter the circumstances that defined them. So, take a moment to reflect on the importance of these bonds within our communities and consider embarking on a visual exploration that celebrates and shares the strength, love, and resilience that define these connections. Through the lens of portrait photography, we can collectively create a more inclusive and accepting world where all relationships are celebrated and respected.
Take a look at some of my favourites from the recent shoot in August!
“Community to me means people who you can be your whole self with, and will take the time to learn what they do not know to best make you feel safe, validated, and heard”
- Namitha R (Participant)
Cherishing people in all their complexity.
Behind the Lens: The Making of the Ready 2 Listen Campaign - A Celebration of Indigenous Voices
Are you ready to be inspired? As a producer for the Ready2Listen Campaign, I had the honour of traveling across the country with Spruce Creative on behalf of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak to capture the powerful voices of Indigenous communities. The campaign's strengths-based approach allowed us to showcase the resilience and beauty of Indigenous Women, Non - Binary and Trans Folks, and I'm excited to share the behind-the-scenes process with you.
As a photographer, traveling light was key. With only a small flash and reflector, I was able to capture stunning portraits that truly showcase the strength and beauty of each person we interviewed. It was a challenge, but I'm thrilled with what we were able to achieve.
Image shared with permission from Spruce Creative - to hear more stories head to https://celebrateindigenous.ca/ready2listen/
But the heart of this campaign is in the voices we captured. From coast to coast, we interviewed rad Indigenous leaders, activists, and artists who shared their powerful stories of resilience and hope. Through this campaign, we hope to inspire and empower Indigenous youth and create a space for their voices to be heard.
Don't just take my word for it, head over to https://celebrateindigenous.ca/ready2listen/ to see more photos and the final videos of the campaign. Get involved and be a part of a movement that celebrates Indigenous voices and perspectives. Are you Ready 2 Listen?
Capturing Your Best Self: The Importance of Updated Portraits
In this blog post, we take a closer look at Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman, and use her story as a case study to explore the power of professional portraits in building personal brand and business success. Through her experience, we examine how updated and high-quality portraits can convey confidence, professionalism, and personality, and help individuals stand out in a competitive marketplace. Follow along as we delve into the impact of updated portraits and the ways in which they can enhance one's personal and professional brand.
Looking to elevate your personal brand?
Follow the lead of Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, the director of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, who used her updated professional portraits as a powerful tool to showcase her ongoing work in activism, accountability, and justice. From social media to conferences, learn how bold and colorful portraits can help you stand out and draw attention to your unique personality and style. Don't miss out on opportunities to make a lasting impression – invest in updated portraits and let your best self shine through!
At the end of 2022, I had the opportunity to photograph the esteemed and wonderful Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, who is the director of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD). At the CCGSD, Debbie and her team work To empower gender and sexually diverse communities through education, research, and advocacy. Guided by the goals of the communities in which we work, we undertake our mission with both empathy and compassion since it is what the communities we serve deserve.
However, that’s not the only thing Debbie has been working on! She has used her portraits from our session to showcase her ongoing work within activism, accountability and justice. Take a look at some of the places her portrait has gone!
Debbie has used her portrait on social media sites, like LinkedIn, and Instagram. This allows her to have consistency and promotes her face so that when she’s at conferences or networking events she is easily recognizable. Furthermore, having a recognizable portrait with a bold colour palette is also a great way to start an introduction and conversation!
She’s also used to standout as one of the Advisors for CityShapes , which is a non - profit dedicated to building cities citizens actually deserve. In my opinion (not that I’m biased at all) I’m immediately drawn to the bold and colourful image in contrast to the other portraits featured. I’m intrigued to know more about what this person has to offer since they’re drawing my attention.
And even a close cut of one of the portraits from out session was used as part of promotional material for the Ottawa People’s Commission, who worked on the inquiry regarding the Convoy Protest in Ottawa (2022)!.
All in all, this just highlights how important it is to have updated portraits. You’ll never know where you might need to look your best.
Transform your brand with stunning portraits - fill out the form below and let's get started
Unveiling the Unforgettable: Captivating Moments of Laura Paolini's Make Your Bed (2020) through the Lens of Photography
Check out these stunning photos of performance artist Laura Paolini during her captivating piece, Make Your Bed (2020). Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Laura's artistry continued to shine through, and I was honored to capture it through my lens. Head over to her website to see the full collection of photos from the performance and learn more about the inspiration behind it. Experience the power of art and photography in this unique collaboration that captures a moment in time that we won't soon forget.
Join our community and elevate your brand with professional photo documentation
BLK Gurl Portrait Days
Showcasing the beauty and joy of being Black in Ottawa, the BLK Gurl team and I collaborated on 2 free portrait days where folks showed up serving looks to get commercial grade portraits.
Photography is an immensely important field of work. From archiving, to capturing the news - history as we know it has become reliant on great images. However, while this field of practice encourages creativity, news reporting (both good and bad,) it also plays a vital role in how we view ourselves in the era of social media. Pictures and motion get you everywhere, and yet the service of “good” portraiture remains financially inaccessible for a lot of folks.
I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for folks from my community taking a chance on me, and giving me opportunities to grow, learn and thrive. In order to uplift my community through my practice, I was honoured to be selected by the BLK Gurl team to capture events, and starting this year be able to offer free portraiture for the community.
Here are some of my favourites from the two sessions we ran this year! If you want to continue to break down the barrier for folks to access commercial grade portratiure, please consider donating to the BLK Gurl Team. If you’d like to know when they next portrait day is happening or for other events centering Black Women, Non - Binary and Trans folks head over to the BLK GURL Instagram!
Vanity - Succeding with Photography: Photography & a Podcast.
Recent Published Work is a blog series in which I track down my commercial photography work that has been put out into the large inter-web, and see where it ended up. Was it use for promotional work? An editorial? Tune in every week to find out where I find my photos, and how they’re being used!
This week, we ended up in the land of podcasts - where not only do I delve into the episode that my photo was used, but also the irony that I myself photographed the image for my own podcast type series!
You know the funny thing about photos, sometimes you just take them and you never see where the end up. However, I’m starting a mission - I’m going to try and track down everywhere my photos that I’ve taken for clients wind up.
The real question is why I would spend my time doing such a task? Well, let’s break it down:
I have conversations with my clients during our sessions, about how they feel and how they want to be represented. So why not explore and see where the finals from our sessions trying to capture their most authentic self end up?
In this weeks’ find, I have found my partner in crime and co-founder of Firegrove Studio Mailyne K. Briggs out in the wild! The photograph used for this podcast (which will we get to, just let me talk about myself for a second), was done when I did a short (but on - going, post - pandemic) series titled The Future is…. ,where I interviewed various folks about how they were involved in the Ottawa Arts community. We discussed at length barriers that they faced, and most importantly, wha they would need to see for the Ottawa Arts Community to thrive in the future. You can check out the full interview that I did with Mailyne (Kilam Media) right here, in this post!
But anyway, enough about me. Let’s get into where specifically I found these images. It looks like Mailyne used one of the images from this conversational session as a promotional photo for the podcast - “The Small Machine Talks”. This podcast is described as:
“The Small Machine Talks is a monthly conversation that explores the poetry scene of Central Canada and beyond. Its hosts are Ottawa poets, Amanda Earl and A.M. Kozak. The podcast features interviews with poets, publishers, and literary event organizers, discussions of recent and upcoming poetry events, calls for submission, talks on poetics, recent issues of online and print journals, books and chapbooks and sometime in the future, topics of interest to writers and readers of poetry. The podcast is part of AngelHousePress, a Canadian micro press that publishes raw talent, ragged edges and rebels in the form of chapbooks, two online magazines, a transgressive prose imprint, DevilHouse, and an essay series.”
In this particular episode, Mailyne and Shery Alexander Heinis, discuss their backgrounds and the launch of In Our Tounges Reading and Art Series - which is dedicated to showcasing Black, Indigenous and People of Colour poets, writers and musicians in Ottawa. (this podcast recorded way back in 2019!). Check out Mailyne and Shery on the The Small Machine Talks Podcast (below) ! If you want to learn more about In Our Tounges, or want to get involved with them - check them out here.
Vanity - My photo was used in a article post!
Vanity - where I spend time tracking down where some of my photography work has ended up. Today’s find? An Op - Ed Piece by multi - talented Gloria Song. Spoiler Alert Gloria sent it to me.
You know the funny thing about photos, sometimes you just take them and you never see where the end up. However, I’m starting a mission - I’m going to try and track down everywhere my photos that I’ve taken for clients wind up.
The real question is why I would spend my time doing such a task? Well, let’s break it down:
I have conversations with my clients during our sessions, about how they feel and how they want to be represented. So why not explore and see where the finals from our sessions trying to capture their most authentic self end up?
Anyway, this title does not really apply to this one, as Gloria sent it to me (THANKS GLORIA!!!) but it’s inspired a mission to find all my photos out in the wild…in their unnatural metaphorical wild.
Check out this OP - ED that Gloria wrote about sexual harassment in the workplace (CW for SA and the like). Check it out:
Taking Action Against Sexual harassment in the workplace on International Women’s Day
Now, I don’t want to get too into what Gloria’s article talks about (because we support websites and generating responsiveness).
Be sure to check out the article, and all the other lovely projects Gloria works on - particularly her music venture known as Scary Bear Soundtrack.
SoGal Ottawa: Prepping For the Future of Work
Recently, I was hired by SoGal which is “largest global platform for the education and empowerment of diverse entrepreneurs and investors”, Their mission is to close the diversity gap in entrepreneurship and venture capital. Sogal’s Ottawa chapter were recently having a networking event to ask how they could prep themselves and the youth for the future of work. They hired me to to film and put together a little recap video for their Ottawa Chapter. The event had a keynote speaker: Shauna Pollock: co-founder & director of Ottawa’s leading experimental prototype school, Blue Sky School. Check out the video below!
Music by: Ben Sound
Kenneth & Kennedy: A Peaky Blinders Session
I met Kenneth and Kennedy during my studies at Carleton University. During that time and since then, I have been amazed and humbled by their beautiful souls and intellect. But beyond their amazing personalities, I also have been in awe of their fashion sense and just had to get a photosession with them in! The twins operate a radio show (on break until April) , but be sure to check it out!
Behind The Scenes: With Justina Sadecki & Chris Roussakis
Shows the retouching of an image shot by Photographer Chris Roussakis featuring Model Justina Sadecki - (Click to See the full thumbnail)
In this day and age, if you’re not on some form of social media you tend to miss out on a lot of talent. However, if the spotlight isn’t for you there are still roles in which you can be near the light but not directly in it. At Strast Media, we pride ourselves in being both in and out of the spotlight. Anytime we can help a fellow creative shine we are over the moon about it!
Which leads us into today’s post, as our founder Adrienne Row - Smith assisted, retouched and shot a video for fellow Ottawa Photographer Chris Roussakis. Chris specializes in commercial and editorial photography and is always willing up for a challenge, and wanted to do something a little bit different and also wanted to take the opportunity to feature model Justina Sadecki in his portfolio.
Check out the animated video for retouching and the Behind the scenes video of his shoot and Strast Media work!
How I Got The Shot: Tarzan & James
Short blog on how Adrienne got the Tarzan & James image.
March 5th, 2019
Lighting Schematic for Tarzan & James ©2019 Adrienne Row - Smith / Strast Media
Normally, my favourite images are high contrast with an accent of colour. I like to do larger than life production photographs, however I prefer their technical setups to be minimal. However, I wanted to try my hand at emulating a big production and lighting photograph to just see how far training my eye via the Algonquin Photography Program has gotten me.
The image that I wanted to Emulate was David LaChapelle’s American Jesus: Hold Me, Carry Me Boldly (2009). However, before even going into the studio I had a lot of prep work to do. Firstly, I needed to understand the lighting (as much as I could get through the camera).
Tarzan & James ©2019 Adrienne Row - Smith / Strast Media
Initially, I was under the impression that there was a hair light and kicker in the background that helped give the ‘Jesus’ of the image his glow. However, based on other lighting around the bodies, and after further consultation with others it was decided that the best route would be to use medium strips off to the side and pointing at the subject. Then, I decided to use a beauty dish up high, and a parabolic with a 3 degree grid down below to help create a harder shadow while also still ensuring light filling in on the subjects. Finally, to make sure that the subjects had enough even lighting, I decided to enclose my set with white v – boards. During shooting I realized that the Beauty dish was a little too harsh and hot (meaning that the subjects were having very bright spots landing on them overexposing certain areas) on the subjects – that I decided it would be better to bounce the light back into the white v – board to diffuse it a little bit more. And not to forget, I included an orange gelled snoot shooting through my background, to create the illusion of the sun setting.
Once I had the lighting figured out, I need to go get supplies. I found the greenery that “Tarzan” was sitting on at Michael’s, and then found the leafy flooring (which was actually a wall trellis) at Lowe’s. However, the most challenging part was creating the background. The background was printing on vinyl, after I found a royalty free image online. Once I had all these pieces and lighting together it was time to head to the studio and tie it together.
After shooting with my models (shout out to Lucas & Jesse for being great sports!) I then imported the images into photoshop from Phocus (Hasselblad specific software) and began to put it all together for the final image you see below!
Why Printing is More Important Than You Think
In the digital age, printing is as important as ever. Check out Strast Media’s blog post as to why we think printing is vital in the wake of the digital age.
Printing in the digital age appears to be a topic of great disccusion, with some emphasizing its importance while other feel that printing is becoming a dying industry. However, at Strast Media we beleive that printing is still an important asset. Here at Strast Media, we believe that printing helps to enhance the vision of our clientele while also showcasing our work in its best light. Thus we want to elaborate on the importance of printing and understanding the process it takes to print!
Experimenting with test printing helps you to better understand which of your images look great with texture, less colour or even a colour cast!
The upside to the digital age in regards to printing, is that now, printing is fairly accesible and afforable for photographers and creatives of any level. But if you’re new to printing it can be a daunting endeavour to wrap your head around. Especially with the varying degrees of textures and colour boosting papers that can be accessed, it’s difficult to know where to start.
So let’s start with the basics, you have the perfect image completed edited and ready to print - but how do you know paper is going to best showcase your efforts? Will be something with a bit of texture? Or a paper that has a colour cast to it? The questions and options are endless! That’s why photoshop or any editing software with access to ICC profiles is a great way to experiment and start. For those that don’t know what ICC Pofiles are, they are a set of data that characterizes a colour input or output based industry standards and can be set by the user based on their needs. In short, ICC profiles allow for the user to digitally mimic an output for printing in order to get a closer picture to what the image will look like when it is printed.
With that in mind, a user can use ICC profiles to see what the potential outcome of their print will look like without having to spend money and time on paper and printing! However, at Strast Media we believe that this is a helpful step, it is always better to do test prints to get an accurate picture of what an image will look like.
The upside to this is that multiple stores like Henry’s and Vistek offer paper packages that allows you to experiment to see the physical differences that paper can have on your images . At the end of the day, printing helps to give your clientele a concrete example of what you’re capable of ,and helps to drive home your abilities as a creative! So be sure to try printing out and give your brand a better representation of your vision.