Montreal Photographer

International Women's Day Portraits for Audi Canada

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I recently had the pleasure to take part in a national project for Audi Canada highlighting International Women’s Day. Here are my 2 favourites.

Interior Photography in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

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Some of my recent interior photography from around the Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

Wheelchair Fencing

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Wheelchair Fencing by Montreal Photojournalist Allen McEachern

In the early days of my career I was working to become an established photojournalists. Sports. sports, and more sports. I was invited to photograph a Defi Sportif event in Montreal. Prior to attending I was unaware of the sport of wheelchair fencing. Basically, the two combatants are seated in their respective wheelchairs which are then clipped into a track that hold them in place. All of the moves the athletes make are pretty much upper body. I was captivated by the speed and ferocity of the bouts. I found the frame you see above. and early and longstanding favourite of my sports photography portfolio.

Sir Richard Branson

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Sir Richard Branson was one of a wealth of speakers attending C2 Montreal in 2013. Being in the room, C2 as my client. This is why photographers know so much!

Caribou, Newfoundland and Labrador

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Caribou of Newfoundland and Labrador

This image was created along The Northern Traverse (formerly the North Rim) in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Northern Traverse is a mountain plateau around the Western Brook Pond fjord. The area is home to a Woodland Caribou herd. A species at threat throughout most of Canada, endangered in some regions.

LAURENTIAN LANSCAPE

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I created this image while working with La Ville de Labelle, Quebec. They required some strong images showcasing the historic and rugged beauty of the Rouge River Valley. LAURENTIAN LANDSCAPE is part of my ongoing archive documenting the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec.

MONTREAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

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I had the pleasure of helicopter flight yesterday over Montreal. The mandate was to created a series of images showing the project development stages of various publicly funded infrastructure sites. Respecting my client, I offer you instead a few of my out takes from the flight. (Out-takes: images I create for my own interests)

C2 Montreal [RE] Imagined in a Covid World

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C2 Montreal 2021 wrapped yesterday at Tohu. I was happy to be back with the C2 team and working alongside so many creative collaborators. After the loss of C2, 2020, due to Covid, I was curious to see how the event would unfold this year. C2 Montreal ran their iconic event on a smaller, [RE] imagined scale. This allowed them to test out their new "hybrid" event format, which combines both live in person with remote via screen participations. One conference I photographed just had three screens with people all interacting in conversation. It was bizarre but still delivered lively content. Many attendees participated on-line as well due to restricted in person places. All said, it was different, but still worked. Here are some of my favourite images from the three days.

Photographing Non-Professional Models

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By Allen McEachern.

I recently had the experience of working with non-professional models to create advertising for a national brand. The reason was that the client wanted to use their real employees to show the face of their company. This is an increasing trend in advertising photography. I believe that in this case it was a great approach to being transparent with the bigger message. The campaign has the goal of recruiting new employees. The message is that it is not just a job, but a career - highlighting the possibility for advancement with in the company. 

The challenge for photographers, in this case me, is to be selective and honest with the candidates to be photographed. Without the intent of hurting feelings…not all people photograph well. The client is expecting a specific result and it starts by choosing the “right” people available at the time. When I am involved in the selection process I try to get the most visual information from the subject as quickly as I can. I try to see a range of expressions, looking at them from different perspectives. I start by getting them comfortable with me, making them laugh, or asking about them. I also want to start and build a raport with them as quickly as possible, make them feel at ease, relaxed.

Once we have a selection of staff to be photographed, I like to put them in context of their work. Place them or leave them in a place that is familiar to them. I ask the subject to show me something specific to their work, or tell me something about what they do. I ask questions and get engaged. Reading this back to myself I know this sounds obvious, but it really is a skill that has to be developed over time and delivered with ease, naturally.

I explain what I will be doing. How many shots will I be looking to make. What my goal is. “I am looking to make three strong portraits of you in three different poses. These images will be used for…….It should take us about so much time.” You get the picture. I explain briefly the settings of the camera and how they impact what I am creating - depth of field, lighting, sometimes describing a mood that I want to create. Most people are curious about photography and explaining what I am doing helps them focus on something else. I will even show them an image or two (beauty of digital). This can really help put people at ease once they see how they look. (* Use caution here - I won’t show images to someone that I sense as being self conscious or over nervous, or controlling - it could turn negative fast.)

Once the raport is established and the shooting starts, I am reading the subject’s body language. Are they engaging? How do they look? Am I getting both sides, different positions, changing the positions of the hands, the head, looking for details, making sure they look their best. I try to create as many options as I can. Horizontal, vertical, close up, medium, full length. Different placement in the frame, different lenses (two cameras) different d.o.f. settings, slight lighting adjustments. I am also very attentive to how the subject is feeling. Are they really nervous? Are they bored or distracted? Are they laughing for no reason? 

My goal is to create the most value for the client. I also want to make the person being photographed feel proud about the images we create. If I can do these two as a base then I know it will work out for all of us. 

How do you handle photographing everyday people for advertising? I think this is something that we will see more of. What are your thoughts. 

NOVEMBER PRINT SALE

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By Allen McEachern.

Are you looking for limited edition photography prints for your home or office? Have you started your Christmas shopping early? All Landscape and Abstract Nature prints are 20% off for the rest of November. Visit the gallery by clicking here....and enter PROMO CODE: YJYLMQ2 when you check out.

ABSTRACT NATURE - 11 IMAGES FOR EXHIBITION

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By Allen McEachern

Following my failed crowd funding campaign, a number of people have contacted me to buy prints directly from the series. Click on the image below to link to the full series that I will present on July 30th at Les Mots Tremblant.