Michelle Casey Portrait 1 July 2010 by Carmin Davidson
Michelle Casey Portrait 2 July 2010 by Carmin Davidson
Michelle Casey Portrait 3 July 2010 by Carmin Davidson
Michelle Casey Portrait 4 July 2010 by Carmin Davidson
Michelle Casey Portrait 5 July 2010 by Carmin Davidson
This summer it was time once again, to consider the dreaded task of getting my portrait taken. I’m always nervous about being photographed because I don’t feel I’m an especially photogenic person. Sometimes when I see photos of myself, drama queen that I am, I lament the results for weeks and months! This past year, however, good fortune came knocking at my door in the form of Carmin Davidson, a young seasoned photographer, fresh from Kenora (MB), who helped me design my new business card. Once we got to chatting, I discovered we shared similar artistic sensibilities and that she specialized in portrait photography. A glance at her portfolio, revealed people of all ages, shapes and sizes photographed in stunning style, colour and detail. As I regarded these images, I felt she truly captured a sense of the personae of her clients. Smitten with these images, I asked her to take my portrait in the hopes that some of that magic might rub off onto me! It was a hot, humid July day when we headed to the Byward market teeming with musicians, tourists and local shoppers to do our photo shoot. Spiriting me away into hidden corners, secret squares, exotic flower stalls, wondrous architectural vistas and stylish cafes, Carmin managed to find the most intriguing spots to photograph. While I fended off insects and wiped off dripping sweat, she peered out her camera’s lens seemingly unaffected by the summer’s heat, lost in the world of composing. At first I was intimidated by the attention of onlookers but soon developed a sense of ease working with calm, unassuming Carmin… who had assured me she saw the beauty in me… time sped by … it was Monday morning of this week on an equally hot August day, we met once again in the Market to exchange “goods”. I was nervous about picking up my DVD of images; adding to the tension, Carmin called to say she’d be delayed. When she finally arrived breathless, she pressed a neatly wrapped brown paper packet tied with a black leather string and tiny dangling spotted feather into my hands. “It’s all recycled materials!” she exclaimed, taking pride in saving a tiny bit of the world through her packaging. Moments later we were sipping coffee in a cafe exchanging stories about our lives. I eagerly opened the contents of my package to discover the DVD wrapped in red tissue paper tucked in along side it, a touching personal note. We talked some more, then said our goodbyes. Three days later, I found the courage to view the contents of my DVD. I am thrilled with the results! There are so many images… ones that depict me in a multitude of airs and poses – fairly confident artist, lost soul, cool chick and even mythical and dream-like figure all in the rich, gorgeous colour and detail I have come to admire about her style. I fire off an email to her straight from my heart. We both breathe a sigh of relief. It is the perfect end to my week. Look for more of Carmin’s images on my site later this week. Visiting her blog is definitely a must!
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