West Caribbean

Local Flavour "West Caribbean style"

     A quick trip to the Caribbean was all it took to bring back my travel bug. Stops were made in Cozumel, the Grand Caymens, Honduras, and Belize. It's always intrigued me how real local culture is easily overlooked by those who choose to ignore it.

     This was quite noticeable when walking down the main strip in Cozumel. Don't get me wrong... I love seeing drunken frat boys getting the boot from the local senor frog's just as as much as the next man. But, why travel to these places and not venture away from the comfort of the gated hotels to experience real cultural authenticity. A short 10 minute walk inland from the ocean forced me to abandon English for simple Spanish terms long ignored and forgotten since the 10th grade.

     I made it my mission to acquaint myself with some of the real individuals that live and struggle in these communities on a daily basis. I met and photographed Hondurans, Mexicans, and a few Jamaicans that wanted me to sponsor them to come to Canada... I wish I had that kind of pull!

Here are a few images from my trip...

East Hastings

A Night in the Vancity Eastside...

I recently spent a night walking and photographing the eastside of Vancity with a group of WHL hockey players from the Red Deer Rebels and some plain-clothed police officers from Vancouver. The purpose of this ... to spread drug awareness to the youth of B.C!

Faceless

Aliens and Chains

Surrounded

At the Pharmacy

     I've lived in Vancouver most of my life, but never experienced East Hastings in this way. It was an eye opening experience I`ll never forget. It was shocking to observe the lifestyle of the residents of this community, but also amazing to experience the sense of community that existed between these people. Though I was visiting a community of misfits, I felt like I was the misfit. The people in this community knew and looked out for one another.

     We observed drug deals, prostitution, drug use, physical assaults, and utter craziness! For some reason, all of this felt normal in this environment. I used to think East Hastings was a spot where the outcasts and misfits would congregate and disobey the law. Now I understand it`s a spot of comfort where common friends share the same problems.

The Light

On the way home

A day in Gibsons...

     A roll of Tri-X, and a good day in Gibsons at the marina!

    

Music Saves

Harmony in Music!

Kuba Oms

    

     Back in July I was contacted by a good friend of mine from Shore104 FM in Vancouver. He asked if I would be interested in documenting the production of a music video called “Music Saves”. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to photograph some great Canadian musical talent.

     “Music Saves” was developed to raise awareness for people and artists with disabilities, and is now in its second year. The two day video shoot featured John Mann (Spirit of the west), Kuba Oms, Barney and Dustin Bentall, and many other talented artists. Each artist sang a part from one song, the Joe Cocker classic “feeling alright”. I was fortunate enough to be part of the two day shoot, and pleased to be involved with such a great event and cause. To learn more about “music saves” please check out the website http://www.vams.org/index.html


Here are a few photos from those two days…

Sessions

Elements Of Contrast

New York Public Library

 

The city that never sleeps…

     I wasn't sure what to expect as I walked off the plane, but I couldn’t wait to pull my camera out of my bag. I stopped to check out a map on the way through the concourse and got cursed out by a customs agent. Ah yes… I must be in New York!

     A west coast Canadian thrown into the madness of the big apple for the first time. I couldn’t wait to get a glimpse of NYC.

     I had six days to absorb the New York vibe, and to document as much as I could with my camera. I spent my first day in Manhattan, and did my best to blend in, feel comfortable, and enjoy myself!

     First stop...The New York Public Library.  I was immediately attracted to the beauty and history of this structure. I put away my digital, and pulled out my film camera. The only way to document the true essence of this building was with B&W film.