Great day shooting Seun Ola, designer and owner of Bravomoda. Seun needed some portrait/lifestyle shots for his publicist in Miami as he prepares to enter that fashion market. I previously shot Bravomoda’s latest lookbook and, knowing each other’s style and work ethic, we were super efficient on this day. 7 looks in 3 different lighting set ups all incorporating some of his designs within an hour and a half. Nice!!! I thought these two portraits caught Seun’s personality best.
Soundtrack for today was Seun’s iPhone mix of techno and r&b.

Thanks to Colette for her assistance.

At the home studio today shooting some head shots for Chris, a talented and hilarious writer/author from Toronto. The photos are for a local print magazine where he is featured and will be a regular contributor. There were many laughs this afternoon to the soundtrack of Alabama Shakes’ fantastic album Boys & Girls and we were able to get the shots needed.

America’s Next Top Model Live made it’s way to Toronto at the Metro Convention Centre after debuting in Britain last year. The 3 day model expo type atmosphere included several runway shows on 2 stages and many booths and exhibits for shopping. The Schwarzkopf Professional Main Stage Fashion Show not only had the America’s Next Top Model All Stars including winner Lisa D’Amato strutting down the runway but included performances by Danny Fernandes, Karl Wolf and The Dancers of Toronto. My arms got a workout from the 30 minute straight fashion show (left monopod at home) and also my eyes as the mixed lighting was all over the place. Don’t get me wrong, it was great to look at but terrible to shoot in. Coloured spotlights moving in all directions and many instances directly down the runway straight at the camera. Also there was a large screen at the back of the runway that made for some unwanted glare and fringing when it was a bright white. I shot the first show on Friday and the last show on Sunday (8 shows total over three days on the main stage). I really didn’t want to shoot the main stage again on Sunday as the shows were pretty much the same except for a musical act or two but in the end a good reason to shoot it transpired. Frank (house videographer) allowed me to stand on his sole riser dead centre beside him. Why? Because I asked…and Frank’s a nice guy. Like anything in life, it never hurts to ask. I also decided on Friday, besides the first main stage show, I would cover one other fashion show on the much smaller Pandora Open Catwalk Stage and then shoot the rest of the fashion shows on the Pandora Open Catwalk Stage (which repeated on all three days) on Saturday, which I did. Sunday was reserved for some atmosphere/creative shots and for some networking. Overall a great weekend with good laughs from Raymond, Ron, Michael and Alan.

Schwarzkopf Professional Main Stage Fashion Show images from May 4th can be viewed here.

Triumph Lingerie Show images can be viewed here.

The Bay & American Apparel Fashion Show images can be viewed here.

Joey Bevan Fashion Show images can be viewed here.

Joey Bevan Lingerie Fashion Show images can be viewed here.

French Connection Fashion Show images can be viewed here.

Art of Fashion Fashion Show images featuring designer Albert Yeun can be viewed here.

American Apparel Fashion Show images can be viewed here.

Fashion Crimes Fashion Show images can be viewed here.

Schwarzkopf Professional Main Stage Fashion Show from May 6th can be viewed here.

 WHAT TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHY ARE YOU CURRENTLY FOCUSING ON AND WHY?

On a personal level I have been hitting the streets of Parkdale where my studio is located and documenting people on the street. I get a chance to stop and look around me and observe what might otherwise elude me. People walk by fast and these moments get missed. There is a complex dynamic happening in Parkdale as it is gentrifying and holding out at the same time. There are days when you can feel the tension more than others from line ups at the soup kitchen to line ups for trendy restaurants. This is an ongoing project and may never end. I am planning a show. I also shoot in my studio and on location for commercial clients ranging from architectural, food/product to lifestyle.

TELL ME ABOUT A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO INSPIRES YOU

There are so many photographers I admire. These photographers inspired me to try photography: Irving Penn, Eugene Atget, Robert Frank, Berenice Abbott, Joel Peter-Witkin and Shelby Lee Adams.

FOR YOU, WHAT ARE THE BEST AND WORST PARTS OF PHOTOGRAPHY?

The best part of being a photographer is the access you get into spaces, places and people’s lives. It is never the same and you have to adapt to each new situation. It is soooo much better than working at a desk. I love editing too and finding more than you thought was in a a shot.

The worst part for me is being undervalued by other people. Some clients just don’t get the value that a photographer brings to a shoot. We are resourceful, creative and problem solvers. A good photographer should be paid accordingly.

WHAT IS THE LATEST PIECE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT THAT YOU HAVE ACQUIRED AND HOW IS IT USED FOR THE TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHY YOU DO?

300 watt Arri Fresnel lamp. I love adding a bit of HOT light to still life and product shots. It gives that hardness that a strobe can’t deliver.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAMERA?

I was living in Vancouver and bought a Mamiya C330 medium format camera and started shooting ads for a clothing store. I loved it and realized I needed to learn more so I moved to Toronto and assisted for 5 years in a commercial studio learning every format that existed before digital.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LENS IN YOUR BAG?

My wide Canon 16-35 f2.8L. It is sharp and sees everything.

WHAT, WHO OR WHERE WAS YOUR ULTIMATE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE?

I have had some great experiences being a photographer. I love the variety of work from shooting celebrities to documenting poverty in my own backyard. I have yet to have a really bad experience so in terms of the ultimate experience I am still waiting for it. I don’t know what it will be but I hope I am ready for it.

WHAT, WHO OR WHERE WOULD BE YOUR ULTIMATE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE?

I would love to shoot a magazine spread for Vanity Fair or spend some time with Appalachian Kentuckians.

WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO?

Mogwai, Kraftwerk, Katy Perry.

THANK YOU AND KEEP SHOOTING!

www.aaronmason.ca