Cecilia (from Sweden) was one of my travel companions on my recent trip to Flin Flon and Snow Lake Manitoba with Epiroc. This was her first time in Canada and during our travels we would discuss our Countries and culture finding similarities and differences alike. It was a first for many things on her international travels including this portrait I created for her when all was said and done on the last day.
I remember watching the slag being poured at this very spot when I was younger. It was a big mountain of black rock called slag but is now covered with lush green grass, wild flowers and large milkweed patches that Vale has transformed throughout their reclamation process. The milkweed plant is crucial to the Monarch butterflies survival as they use the plant to lay their eggs. It’s also a great habitat for the Black-and-Yellow Argiope (spider) seen below which you can find hanging around every step you take but don’t worry, they are harmless and if you look closely you can see just how beautiful their markings are.
Note: They are harmless to us, but to the common grasshopper…………..not so much.
Finally had a quick opportunity to photograph another (my second) Kiruna truck while I was at Coleman Mine just outside of Sudbury Ontario. The last time was one of my first visits to the site in 2011.
While I did spend a week in Greece photographing Eldorado Gold’s Kassandra Mines for www.pendaproductions.com the Penda team were simultaneously recording all aspects of the project as well. Check out the Penda video Eldorado Gold just published to their youtube channel highlighting the sites and operations. Its a trip down memory lane for me as I photographed each of the scenes within the video capturing stills to coincide with their marketing materials. Check out the images below then look for the locations within the video while you watch. It was one of my favorite trips and to be able to work with Penda Productions again in another Country has been a highlight in my career.
Eldorado Gold Kassandra Mines Video
The bigger the better I always say! There is no denying that this Joy Global Haul truck has an “in your face” big box.
I found myself once again at www.parksidevet.ca (a long time client of mine) creating some updated images for their marketing materials. One of my subjects was eager to participate in the photo and as a reward he got a scratching behind the ears. 🙂
Over the years I have seen my images being put to good use across multiple platforms throughout a variety of clients all over the world. Magazine covers, back covers, headliners, social media ads, trade show booths, job posting, product announcements and press releases just to name a few.
When you compare the cost of professional photography services to the quality of custom images created as well as the versatility and time of use throughout the companies branding and marketing campaigns, these custom images cost dollars to create.
Of course there are hundreds of thousands of stock images you can choose from but I will be honest, those stock images are passed over by everyone who see them. Why? Because often the images used are not associated with the actual company. You want people to invest in your vision, your name, your product and most of all in your company and for these reasons alone you should be showcasing your people, facilities and shops using custom created photography. In the end your ROI will have paid for itself and continue to do so each year new photography is created.
“When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin
Creating shadows is one of my favorite pastimes while I am at work. This was a tricky image to create as I was very limited on where I could maneuver as well as providing extra illumination for the proper exposure. In the end I like how simple the image is as well as the storytelling.
Spring is here (so they tell me) and Summer is right around the corner and soon our area will be covered with the color green again. Each year I get to photograph the reclamated areas and I am always impressed with the amount of growth obtained since my last visit. The smells are different, the colors are vibrant and even the sounds are multiplied as new insects and animals make their way into the newest habitat.
I come from a family of greenthumbs. My Grandfather tended a wonderful vegetable and flower garden throughout my childhood, my mother always has fresh greens to give away when I am visiting and my Sister created a gardening tool for the garden industry www.pinchpruner.com. So when I find myself in the greenhouses on the mine sites I always take the time to browse around, ask questions and see what the different types of plants and trees they growing for reclamation. I have photographed fish stocking, tree planting, vegetable harvesting, hay cutting and bee keeping all to regenerate, rejuvenate and reclamate past mine sites and some grand scales it’s mighty impressive.
