Well, it's that time of year again!! welcome to the 2015 WNU FITNESS CALENDAR photoshoot.
Dedication, Strict diets, long hours in the gym, time management... this is what it takes to get the bodies you see in magazines and thats what our models have been doing for this calendar... well not specifically for this calendar.. this is their life style.
This year two calendars were made.. 24 people! 12 males and 12 females for a male and female calendar.. WOW! I know, thats a lot of people, but they were amazing people, easy to work with, fun and ripped! We shot this calendar over 4 weekends, we had planned on shooting about 6 people a day, but like with anything in life.. people get busy plans must change so we work around it to get the job done, which is what we did and we pulled it off.
WNU Fitness is selling calendars to raise money for two charities: DASO ( Domestic Abuse Service Oxford ) and The Kendall Courts Project, which is an outdoor basket ball court that will have a roof over it so it can be used no matter what the weather is calling for, so kids have more fitness options. Not only did we shoot a calendar but there was a fantastic Party that followed. GOFF HALL in Woodstock On. was rocking with special guest, DJ FLASH from 91.5 The Beat Kitchener spinning all the hits. Everyone was there dressed up all pretty, dancing and drinking the night away. All proceeds from the calendar release party also go toward the two charities.
Overall, I had a blast being part of this amazing cause, meeting new people, pushing the photographic boundaries, my knowledge and editing abilities. I'd like to shout out a big THANK YOU to WNU for bringing me on board as the official photographer and for all their shout outs on social media and Rogers TV promoting my photography, you guys are fantastic! Can't wait to hear the finally tally raised. - Shutter Click.
Charity
Pittsburgh For The Win!
Ever feel like you just need to get away? you're sick of being in the same place all the time and working and feel bored on weekends?
I get like this from time to time and once it all builds up over a couple weeks, I need an escape. An opportunity presented itself to me through my good friend JMAC, who was going to be taking off to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to meet up with a friend of his who is a Marine, to open up a new branch of his Charity PTSD Battle Cry. JMAC asked me if I'd want to go with him and see Pittsburgh for the first time, how could I resist an adventure? a chance to photograph a new place I've never been before? ... exactly! I couldn't.
We hit the road, bags packed, camera gear all charged up and ready to shoot. Scott ( JMACS friend) put us up of the two nights we were there and was also our Tour Guide lol. Scott is a stand up guy who showed us all Pittsburgh has to offer, introduced us to a lot of amazing people who were so welcoming and friendly, took us to some world famous places to eat and of course, helped spread the word about PTSD Battle Cry (www.ptsdbattlecry.org).
Once it Pittsburgh we got right to it, hit up the city for some sight seeing and some food + beer.. lots and lots of beer haha. 7pm we had tickets (thanks to Scott) to head on over to PNC Park to see the Pirates take on the Cardinals, which was a huge treat for me as I've never been to a baseball game before. To my surprise, I was actually allowed to bring in my camera with me 70-200mm lens (big zoom lens), which would NEVER happen here in Canada. I shot a bunch of images of the game, we ate some food, had some more drinks and out of no where, who do we see? Geno's Malkin (Evgeni Malkin - Pittsburgh Penguins hockey player's dad).. so of course JMAC and Scott had me take their picture with him, which you will see in the images below.
Day 2: Was all about tourism. We took to the streets yet again, all different areas of the city to experience and shoot as much as we could. We hit up Pamala's for some world renowned Pancakes, even President Obama eats there.. there was a signed picture of him on the wall, and let me tell you.. those pancakes are something special! We hit everything from a huge candy store to a Pittsburgh Pirates gift shop, to some little pubs/bars for drinks to a Bottle Shop and bar named Hal's which was amazing, my favourite place, we went there a few times. One of the best sites was Mt.Washington.. riding the trolly up the mountain side was fun, but the view at the top was breath taking. You could see all of Pittsburgh, the yellow bridges, the city, Point Park, and the split in the river.. amazing... but enough talk about it, I will let you experience it yourself through my images. Enjoy - Shutter Click.