My visit to the city of Chicago was the perfect opportunity to try my hand at Streetscape photography. I've always admired the work of Monica L. Shulman because she has the incredible ability to make any street look full of life. Here is my attempt at the street style genre. Chicago had a myriad of pretty sights, but I've managed to choose a few of my faves for this post. Enjoy!

I hope you don't mind me taking a breather from my work to share this short, but sweet blog post with you, my friends.

I'm still in love with the photos I took of my 5-yr old cousin [Joelle] at the park last week. Can you blame me!? She's adorable and she's growing so fast. So after looking through them for the 50th time, I decided to do some post processing that has made them even dreamy-er.

I used a combination of Totally Rad [Actions] and Jessica Drossin's [textures]to make this image pop. It's too much fun to add some life to pictures SOOC (straight out of the camera). Check out one of my favorites!

Like night and day don't you think!? It's gotten sharper and warmer with a faint texture to it. I love it!



Well like I said, this is a short one. Just wanted to say 'hey' and give my brain a short break. Have a super Friday y'all!

The images I shot at Canadian Music Week have been featured on I Heart the Music today! Catch Kimberlee's review of artists/bands Jodi King, Michou, and St. Alvia here.

Thanks Kim you did a great job! I can't wait to work with I Heart the Music again!

Stop by Toronto Fashion Trends Examiner to view my contribution to Stephanie Jones' article celebrating Black history month!

Check it out here!

Thanks for the awesome article Stephanie! You really got me thinking on this one. :)

I will start this post by once again reiterating how much I loved every moment of my 8 hour day shooting at our recent Smile with ♥ for Haiti Fundraiser. It was an amazing event and I hope the team and I can get together to do it or something similar again soon!

I'm writing this post because although I have a lot to learn about shooting in a studio, my experience on the weekend helped me realize the type of photographer I want to be. I do have a desire to learn more about the techniques necessary to shoot in a studio, but I can't help but feel drawn to being outdoors and shooting predominately in natural light.

Granted, most people can't stand the cold and to be honest it's not my cup of tea either! It also doesn't help that I am based out of Toronto in Canada where winter can take 6 months and more of the year. I do acknowledge these facts, but I feel strongly about shooting outdoors for relaxed and totally natural portraiture. I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to be myself in front of bright lights in a setting unnatural to me.

I have a new found respect for fashion photographers, models, and others that choose to work in the studio more often than not. It's hard! But because a studio allows complete control of your surroundings I'm still interested in learning more despite my preferences. So I'll conclude this portion by saying, I've got lots to learn about working indoors and outdoors and I'm pretty excited about it!

You may not know this, but I spend a lot of time studying. Yes, I am in grad school, but I'm not talking about my academic work. I study the work of other photographers because they provide loads of inspiration. With the permission of three fantastic photographers: Rebekah Westover, Anda Marie, and Kayleen T I have some examples of amazingly inspiring winter-y portraits. When I see amazing photographers like these ladies doing their thing despite the weather, I know that it's possible and that I'm not crazy! Check them out and click on the picture to visit their blogs!

Didn't these photos take you to another place? Well they definitely did that for me.

Take note, cold weather doesn't have to stop you from looking and feeling your best and getting fantastic photos of you and your honey, your family, or YOU. Think about the possibilities! If you're interested in a winter-y shoot my friends, I promise I'll supply hot chocolate and a warm blanket. Remember the memories are irreplaceable!

xoxo

Okay ladies, I've got some great news! I will be hosting a very special event along with the ladies of Lush and hair/makeup artist, Cindy Luke! The first 30 ladies to RSVP will be able to enjoy their close up with me along with a mini make consultation with Cindy for FREE. The ladies of Lush will be there as well for all your Valentine's day passion product needs.

Here is the promotional flyer:

Check out the Facebook event info here:

Enjoy this Saturday afternoon with make-up and a mini photo shoot hosted by the ladies of Lush; lifestyle photographer - Samantha Clarke; and make-up and hair artist, Cindy Luke.

The Valentine's season is upon us and what better way to prepare for the day of love than to take part in your very photo shoot!?

Round up your girlfriends, bring your hottest outfits, and get ready to smile and strut your stuff for your closeup! We are here to help you look and feel your best.

As you know, the children of Haiti still NEED our help. We will be accepting donation denominations of $10 to $100 for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

100% of your gracious donations will be given to UNICEF.

The first 30 ladies to RSVP will enjoy:

~ A mini-makeup consultation with Cindy Luke.
~ A fab mini photo shoot with Samantha of Samantha Clarke Photography.
~ A short passion presentation with the ladies of Lush.
~ Light refreshments, some R&B, and a positive atmosphere with strong independent ladies just like YOU!

Please RSVP with the names of your group of girlfriends as soon as possible via email to sam@samanthaclarke.net
or
via phone 416-554-5291.

What a wonderful weekend. I'm so thankful for old friends and the new ones! I spent approximately 24 hours this weekend just South of the border. My good friend Laura scooped me up and we had the pleasure to spend time with the birthday girl, Fawn. Here's a quick summary of the weekend: we ate, we shopped, we chatted, we laughed, we got ready, we hit the town, we ate and laughed some more, and then we hit the road! Take a look above at Fawn's yummy slice of heaven from her birthday lunch at my favorite Chinese bistro - PF Changs.


I also picked up my new lenses: a Pentax 80-200mm f/4.7-5.6, and my new favorite lense, a Pentax 50mm f/1.4. It's the sharpest thing I have ever laid my hands on and it produces the most heavenly bokeh EVER. From this point onward, my life (and photography) has been changed forever. Yay for new lenses! Thanks to my lovely friend Laura for posing (while she was terribly hungry and ready to LEAVE... Ha-ha!)for my first test frame with the 50. You're the best!


And here we are at lunch! (Laura's smiling now!... Wonder why!? Ha-ha!)




Hope you had as lovely a weekend as I did and if not, you've got lots of time to make it happen this weekend instead!

Kay, now back to work I go.

Remember this frame from my fun shoot with Cheryse? Well, I've been trying some textures and actions in PhotoShop and this is what I came up with! I used Totally Rad Actions and Jessica Drossin's Textures to enhance this image and I'm pretty impressed at how much of a difference it makes! By themselves or mixed together each addition can totally enhance a photograph to make it a piece of photographic art. Here is the fabulous image of Cheryse Before...

and After!


What do you think? Is there room for these actions in your photography?