We just got back from doing one of the most fun and exciting shoots we’ve ever had…The Carnival Nationz Launch Party/Fashion Show to kick off this years festivities! Check out our pics on the web site !!! This was way more incredible then we could have ever expected and an absolute overload for the senses.
Dave and I were on opposite sides of the stage shooting the Fashion Show and couldn’t resist boogie-ing a little to the beats in between shots lol!!
Look carefully… Dave grabbed this awesome shots of the models in the reflection in the window- super cool!
We had so much fun I feel guilty calling this work, everyone was so friendly it was really more like a party. I really can’t say enough about the costumes you’ll love checking out the photos… I totally wish I could just try one on they’re soooo awesome!
Our friend Natasha was a model in the show on the “Green Team” she’s the one in the gigantic green wings. With a costume like that you’d think that they would have trouble with the weight, but Natasha says the costumes are literally light as a feather 
We met some great people running the event and did we mention beautiful models??!!
The models for the Fashion Show were absolutely stunning and so exotic, with gorgeous subjects like these Dave and I had photo ops everywhere we turned! Stay tuned for more posts and pics as Caribana comes to town. Don’t forget August 2 is the big day so come party with us like your in the islands! Here are some of our favourites… Enjoy.
Every year us Torontonians are lucky enough to host one of the biggest Caribbean celebrations in the World, that’s right it’s Caribana time again! Dave and I are super stoked to be lucky enough to be a part of it all as the official Photographers for the brand new Carnival Nationz Website !! Carnival Nationz is one of the many Masquerade Bands of Caribana. What exactly is Caribana you ask? Caribana is Canada’s embracement of its Caribbean community, the world famous festival attracts over 1 million tourists and spectators globally to the Greater Toronto Area each year. It has become one of the largest annual events held in Canada. Caribana is a wonderful experience for all the senses. You’ll see beautiful people dressed in absolutely amazing elaborate costumes. These colourful costumes truly are incredible works of art and can reach heights of 15 feet in the air!! You’ll have a chance to taste some delicious Caribbean cuisine like mouth watering (and my personal fave) Jamaican Jerk Chicken and maybe even cool down with a Carib or Rum Punch. Listening to the rhythms of the Soca-Calypso vibe you’ll feel your body move as the parade rolls by and you can’t help but "Jump up and wine"
Caribana hits Toronto August 2nd, but before the parade begins a lot of work goes into the party, lets take a look behind the scenes of Carnival Nationz! It all starts with a great group of people. Organizers, web designers,costume makers, highly skilled make-up artists and of course the absolutely beautiful models all do their part to make it come together. Before the show starts the model wait for hair, costume and make-up to arrive. Dave grabbed a shot of the girls patiently waiting before the show with the Ring Flash (I love this one)…ahhh the life of a model…hurry up and wait…
We really were so honoured to be a part of it all as the photographers for the Fashion Show check out the pic he took with the models from the White Team backstage Sooo much goes into the Show not to mention the parades. Each model has make-up artists that carefully creates nothing short of an absolutely stunning work of art for each of them. Little tiny beads and jewels are applied to the models faces, glitter glitter glitter galore and my favourite…feather eyelashes!!!
After make-up, it’s time to get into costume. These costumes are so incredible, they’d give any Las Vegas Showgirl a run for her money!! You’d think that the costumes would be really difficult to wear but they are so well designed and aren’t heavy at all. Stay tuned for more blog posts on all of the Caribana fun…
Dave and I had another great day shooting with our buddy Jaymz! We had a photo shoot set up with Tiffany who’s been a good friend of mine for years. Tiffany is super beautiful and she knows how to pose lol, which made my job a lot easier… Look out Canada’s Next Top Model!! We were going for a sexy and modern look which I think we achieved, I just wanted to get some beautiful shots of my amazingly gorgeous friend. I’ve known Tiffany since I was 15and I really really wanted to capture her outgoing,fun-loving personality as well as her beauty! Tiffany and I had an awesome time shooting together and I’m so happy that Tiffany was absolutely thrilled with her shots!
Here’s Charlotte rocking the ring flash mounted right onto her camera. It’s a seriously heavy rig, so it’s lucky Charlotte hits the gym regularly!
At the end of the shoot, James grabbed this great snap of the two of us I friggin love the ring flash.
Yesterday, Charlotte attended a workshop run By James Van Hees at his amazing photography studio in Waterdown, Ontario. I was on board as a guest speaker/photographer for what turned out to be a very successful day!
We had a fantastic day - I had a great time doing some of the teaching to assist James. Meanwhile Charlotte was participating with the class and doing some behind the scenes photography. She styled and photographed some of the shots… the following are her images… check out the Holt’s setup!
We wrapped up shooting with a ring flash and had a great time playing around with Jen. She’s a blast to have as a model and was really into doing the wackier stuff. Check out this shot of me, James and a few of the other photographers!
Here’s a quick shot of the gang who attended…
