Creating a story and a world is one of my favourite parts about working on a photoshoot concept. For this shoot, it was all about bringing the tropics to Montreal for a creative personal brand photoshoot.

Alana Barrell is not a typical artist. She has a mind like no other and the beautiful paintings she creates are an expression of her unique outlook on life. It’s in part due to being raised in South Africa, Singapore, Ethiopia, and Brunei throughout her childhood, but it’s in part due to the fact that she lives with schizophrenia.

Doing a smoke-bomb photoshoot can be intimidating but the smoke did not phase her at all. Working with smoke-bombs can be challenging but the rewards are more than worth it. The results can be one of a kind art pieces that capture a level of mystery while also making you feel completely free.

Depending on the photoshoot concept I will choose the perfect location. For this concept, I wanted something dark and vampy and that needed a more salacious hotel room. When I saw this space with the dark red curtains and matching carpet, I knew it would be perfect. The fabulous burlesque performer Mia Culpa really embodied the whole vamp feeling I wanted to create in these images.

This beautiful, hard working mom was gifted a photoshoot from her wonderful partner so she could have a day that was just about her. The concept was vintage meets modern, my absolute favourite style to photograph. Soft, sensual and playful were the words of the day.

Feathers, tulle and a vintage aesthetic is one of my favourite kind of photoshoots to do. The moment I met burlesque performer, Satin Simone, I knew she was a combination of Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe.

I created a private page that all my clients will have access to that lists all the things necessary to have a successful photoshoot

“It’s just, I wish I had more time to seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade.” - Morticia Addams

I love when vintage meets modern in fashion, in life and especially in a photoshoot. This shoot combined a touch of the vintage pin-up found in ‘70s Playboy magazines combined with modern day sensibilities.

When I first started photography 16 years ago, a lot of my models and clients were part of the fetish scene because boudoir photography was considered to be outrageous back then. That sounds crazy now, but it took many years for the idea of posing in your lingerie to be popular. Of course I loved the fetish scene because I love corsets, leather, high heels and any excuse to create interesting art. And when I start liking a subject, I start researching everything about it.

I think my new favourite saying is, “There’s magic in chaos” and nothing could describe this shoot more accurately. For those who don’t know me, I like to plan out every possible detail of a photoshoot. That being said, when I’ve worked with someone as long as I have with Christelle Souverbie, I like to go with the flow and see where the wind takes us.

I grew up watching movies about King Arthur and the infamous Lady in the Lake. There are many different interpretations of who she really was but to me she was a powerful warrior that guarded the sword Excalibur. I could write a long explanation that goes into the background of the characters but I know you’re just here for the cool pictures and a curiosity of how they were created.

Finding the right beauty products that work for you can be hard, especially if you don’t even know where to start. It’s taken me years and years to find the right products that make me feel beautiful and I want to share them with you now.

I’ve always wanted to play with black light because of the intensity of the neons that can be created. I wanted to make sure I could do it in a sophisticated way because it can so easily go trashy. Don’t get me wrong, I love trashy but I knew that black light could be so much more if carefully used.

I’m a big geek and one of my favourite things to do is research art concepts and story lines. When I get an idea in my head, I just go down a rabbit hole finding all the relevant images and references to create inspiration boards for both my glam team and clients.

I finally broke down and downloaded Tik-Tok and life has never been more entertaining. Here are are a few videos I have on my account to give you a little taste of what I like to create. Hope you enjoy them!

What I loved about shooting at Manoir Blackswan so much was how every room had it’s own unique personality. The house is filled with these elaborate antiques curated perfectly by its owner.

Loved doing this Old Hollywood inspired photoshoot for Jenn's 38th birthday! This hard working mom needed a break from her husband and kids for a day where she got to play dress-up, drink champagne and float in a private pool.

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” - Maya Angelou

A big congratulations to Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière for winning Miss Exotic World at BHOF this year! I met Lou Lou 15 years ago at one of her first burlesque shows when I was just starting out as a photographer. (See our first shoot together at the bottom of this post)