A Drink With The Queen

Last week I shot a job for Maclean's Magazine, and it was such a hoot that I can't help but share it with you.

My photo editor Liz told me that we'd be shooting a story about Dubonnet. I'd be shooting at The Drake Hotel because Mixologist Mike Webster makes a killer Dubonnet cocktail (I can now confirm that he does). Liz then told me that I would be shooting someone seated at the bar dressed as The Queen of England. YES! This was going to be fun.

My good friend Tammy is always willing to stick her gorgeous little hands in front of my lens, and luckily, she was available on the shoot day. I was a bit vague when I described the shoot to her and just sort of "forgot" to mention that she would be sitting in for The Queen. When she arrived, I handed over her wardrobe and she instantly broke out in laughter insisting that she wear the entire pink Chanel suit just to "get into character."

We spent a couple hours laughing, sampling some of Mike's amazing cocktails, and speaking in terrible British Queen accents - oh and we took some pictures while we were at it. Yup, these are the kinds of jobs that really make me love what I do. I've got to admit, I'm a pretty lucky gal.

Thank you, Mike and Tammy, for being such super-duper folks and letting me take over your Sunday afternoon! Thanks Liz for sending me such a fun creative!

For your viewing pleasure, here's the winning shot, as well as a few outtakes:

Simple Can Be Awesome.

Sometimes when I begin a project, my initial reaction is to come up with the most complicated way to accomplish it. I can't help myself. I get excited and then get lost in the endless possibilities of my imagination. What I have learned over the years is that most often, the simplest solution is the best one. It's usually the hardest one to arrive at, but in the end it's usually the best.

In honour of beautifully executed simple ideas, I bring you Otherlands Coffee Bar's "Best Cinnamon Toast in the South." When Zac and I were in Memphis, TN., we stopped here for breakfast. I have a weakness for cinnamon sugar on - well - anything. I couldn't have possibly resisted a breakfast item being touted as "the best in the south," and let me tell you, I'm glad I didn't. Thick slices of buttered white bread covered in an almost equally thick layer of raw sugar and cinnamon cooked under the broiler until crisp. If you had this in Montreal, it would likely be called "Toast Brulee."

Try it at home kids, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Hunka Hunka Burning Love

I seem to have more images than words floating around in my brain these days, which in the end I suppose is a good thing, since I am a photographer. On the other hand, it's not so fantastic because it's been keeping me from filing the pages of my blog. I've decided that while I work on my voice, I'll share some of the things my eyes have seen.

Here's where I begin to play catch-up....

When Zac and I took our road trip back in November, we drove through Memphis, TN. We're not particularly Elvis fans, but how could we possibly pass through Memphis and pass on Graceland, the home of The King? As we arrived, I immediately put on Paul Simon's Graceland, which I happily played in my mind all day long.

I found myself inexplicably drawn to all the Elvis souvenirs (both in the gift shop and in the displays). I could have spent days looking at all the chatchkas. I was blown away by the kitch factor and the empire that is Elvis.

The house was really something special, and I would highly recommend it to everyone. Elvis fan or not. Graceland is spectacular. It's like walking into a time-warp. A wonderfully gaudy, imaginative, shiny, upholstered time-warp. I wish I could have taken more pictures of the inside of his house, but the tour was crowded and the house is extremely dark. Getting a clear shot with a proper camera was tough. My two favorite rooms were the "Tiki room" complete with indoor waterfall (below left), and the billiards room (below right) where the floor, celling, walls and furniture are all covered in matching fabric. Unreal. I can only imagine that his cleaning lady hated that room.

As the house tour came to an end, a larger than life oil painted Elvis bid us adieu.

Thumbs up to Win!

Hi there friends, I know I've been a bit slack in the blog department lately and for that I apologize! The good news is that I'm still here, and the better news is that by sticking with me, you've earned the chance to win!

I've recently joined a very talented group of people on the roster at Sparks Photographers and I couldn't be more stoked! What does this news have to do with you, you ask? Sparks is having a contest! Head on over to the Sparks Photographers Facebook page 'like' it and your favorite image. Your name will be entered in a draw to win the image of your choice which will be custom printed and framed just for you! Hurry over to the Sparks page, the draw takes place on February 10th.

Good luck!!

A Lovely Day in Louisville

After a long drive the previous day, we decided to stop in Louisville, KY for breakfast before hitting the road again. I had heard good things about Lynn's Paradise Cafe, but nothing could have prepared me for the magic that is Lynn's. Giant sparkly letters beckon you to come in from the road while an Elvis bear greets you at the front door. From the moment I sat down, I was in love. When I first saw Lynn's I felt that spark of creativity and pure childish joy that I often have to search for. There was a little bucket of toy animals on the table that I couldn't resist playing with. For me, the food was almost secondary to the atmosphere. Now, I did say almost... I can often be pretty easily wooed by fancy sounding breakfasts items like extravagant French toast options or the 'house's special hash' but amidst Lynn's spectacularly decadent menu I just kept on going back to two little words: homemade biscuits. I'm a bit of a sucker for great baked goods so I just went with my gut on this one and kept breakfast simple. Two eggs, biscuits and fresh fruit. Let me tell you folks, that's how it's done. To my absolute delight the biscuits were light and crumbly, but dense enough to hold together long enough to butter and get to your mouth. Oh, and did I mention that they were cooked in bacon grease? Cuz they were.

Words or even photographs can't accurately describe Lynn's. Next time you're planning a trip to Disney Land - forget it. Go to Lynn's. It's the happiest place on earth.

Road Trippin'

It's that time of year again! Zac and I are driving to Florida and along the way, we're searching out some really great food. This morning we packed up and headed for sunnier skies.

Today's plan was to get as far south as possible, and south we did get. All the way to Shelbyville, KY. Here's what we saw/learned along the way:

1. Detroit is rich with off the highway strip clubs. "The Landing Strip" wins for best name.

2. I came, I saw and I conquered Denny's.

3. Driving into Kentucky, I saw a sign for "buttermilk park." Unfortunately, we passed by in the dark and didn't get a chance to explore. I'm sure it's a wonderful place where pancakes do the backstroke in lakes of syrup and chickens dive head first into rich, luxurious pools of batter. I'm not sure if I'll ever visit buttermilk park but I'm positive that it's as good as, or even better than I could ever imagine.

Well, tomorrow will officially kick off the food fest part of our trip. Time for bed. May all your dreams be filled with BBQ.

Beans N' Toast

Recently, Maclean's sent me to shoot their Student's Guide to a Cheap and Delicious Meal. Two Toronto chefs and a Maclean's writer dressed up and re-imagined a cheap and cheerful classic. May I present to you: Beans N' Toast from the Maclean's 2011 University guide. Here are the shots that made it to print, along with a few more of my favorite portraits.

    Giovanna Alonzi - Terroni's Executive Chef

    Jessica Allen - Maclean's Resident Foodie

    Matty Matheson - Parts & Labour's Executive Chef