Category: Travel Diary

Here are some additional photographs I made in Yorkville last week. Walking along the Southside of Bloor Street, I noticed this beautifully painted white bicycle. It was stunning and it really stood out from the streets against the cold, grey pavement. There was a sign above, a notice that a young man, a cyclist, was killed at this location.

This reminds me that even in the most tragic of circumstance, there can still be beauty to be found.

I think although it is best to stay on the positive side of life and have an optimistic attitude about it. It is important to acknowledge that life is not always about the pursuit of happiness. There are always going to be sad, unfortunate instances. Accepting this, one can have a more neutral, balance state of being where one is not swayed by circumstances. Rather, choosing to be happy no matter what life brings.

On a personal note, I have learned to adapt a very detached state of being. I do not feel attached to what life brings to me, nor do I try to control it. I have gone from one career to another, always thinking at the time, that I have finally found something I will do for a long time, as though I had just landed ashore and I am going to make this island my home. But staying in one “place” has never been my thing, and I have come to accept that. I choose to go where the wind takes me instead of holding on to the ground. It has certainly made life more interesting and this is how I have gotten involved in doing photography and video, an unintended destination. One that I am happy to explore and share with you.

#bicycle #DAS5 #RIP #death #sadness #tragedy #letting go #happiness #wheat #transition #autumn #Toronto #cityscapes #positivethinking #balance

I really liked the results of my last set of photographs I posted, so I decided to go back to Yorkville to create more. I love the way the cityscapes merge with the window displays along Bloor Street. There is something magical about it. Like being transported to a hyper-reality.

I studied art throughout high school at an arts school. Most of my reference points for art are from the mid-century modern period. I am very much inspired by the early works of David Hockney’s poolside painting and painters like Elizabeth Peyton. I like the colours in my photographs to look like that of a painting or illustration.

#Yorkville #windowdisplays #DavidsShoes #Dolce&Gabana #BloorStreet #hyperreality #Toronto #shoes #architecture #cityscapes #fashion #ManulifeCentre

There’s something really beautiful that happens at around 4pm along Bloor Street. This is when the sunlight is hitting the shop windows, casting a reflection of the city. The city starts to merge with the shop window displays. This latest set of photos captures what I am talking about.

My first job after university was working at Holt Renfrew as an assistant to the visual display department. I learned so much from this experience and it has given me a real appreciation for beautiful window designs.

#windows #HoltRenfrew #displaydesign #light #Yorkville #Toronto #Louis Vuitton #Gucci #style #fashion

I met with my friend Victoria to do some head shot photos and and grab a coffee to catch up on what’s going on in life and business. We ended up in a beautiful little Parisian-style cafe just off of Spadina. We had croissants because we are both croissant obsessives (frankly when left to my own devices, I can consume a half-dozen of them by myself!). They serve a variety of teas and I had the mint-liquorice tea, which was very delicious.

#Paris #cafe #Toronto #coffee #tea #croissant #portrait #autumn