Impulse Photography Blog

After some requests, I decided to post my Italy slideshow here for you to view. This was one of the videos shown in my WPPI workshop last week as I had explained how important it is to get out there and shoot for yourself also, without any pressure or limitations. Whether it be travel, or photographing for a non-profit organization, I believe fully that it refreshes our spirit!

So the story behind this video…..back in April of 2009 I decided at the last minute to hop on a plane and document Italy. I had the itch. It had been over 10 years since I last had photographed Italy, and that was entirely on film! I travelled Italy from top to bottom in just 9 days, so I did not stay in one location for too long. When I returned to Toronto, I immediately dove into my busy wedding season, and so my Italy images hibernated on my computer for almost a year! I was not even able to look at them! One month before WPPI Vegas, I decided to show some of my personal work in my class, and so, I sat down and really viewed them all for the first time. This is what I put together. (Note: this slideshow is composed entirely of still images, no video).

Grab a cappuccino, or a caffe latte, sit back………and enjoy!

Italy from Silvana on Vimeo.

I am back from Vegas!  This year was especially memorable for me as I taught a Master class to some wonderful photographers from around the globe!  I must say, boy was I nervous, but I went in solely trusting that God had my back, and He did not fail me!  After my class, I had the opportunity to speak to my new friends, and was pleasantly surprised to hear many of them opening up to me and sharing very personal experiences, some related to photography, and some not.  This is what it’s all about!  It made it all worthwhile.  All my nervousness and fear of the unknown went away after having such amazing conversations.  I can’t begin to tell you how amazing God is.  I believe that He sets up divine appointments.   Thank you to my amazing God and my fellow photographer friends!!!

I travelled light on this trip and took only 2 lenses with me.  This was the view from my room at the Signature Suites MGM.

Mr. ‘Incredible Photographer”, Anthony Cava, shared my flight.   Here he is preteding to be all shy……but he really is not.

About to touch down on Vegas ground!!!   Getting excited!

Okay, this was just too weird to see.  My name on a board outside the speaking rooms at the MGM………..little ol’ me…….who would have thunk it???????

I did not enter any prints into competition this year as I had other projects on the go, maybe next year…..we’ll see

Entertaining myself on my hotel balcony

I met my new homeless friend, Mike (aka “Sticks”) out on the Vegas strip the very 1st day I got there.  He says his friends nicknamed him “Sticks” because he is always breaking something.

It was a far way down from the 32nd floor

I was so happy to have a full kitchen in my suite!  I bused it to Whole Foods and picked up my produce for the week so that I can eat healthy.  Look at the avocados….Mmmmm….ripe and delicious!!

Me again……

It’s funny how something always happens to me when I go down to Vegas.  Last year as I was returning to Toronto, I had to be taken off the plane in a stretcher and rushed to emergency (if you missed it, you can read all about the ordeal here)……this year I had to leave Vegas 3 days earlier because my eyes were shutting down on me due to the really bad dry, smokey air in the hotel.  They were burning so much I just couldn’t keep them open anymore.  A day after I gave my presentation, I changed my flight and caught the “red eye” back to Toronto (no pun intended).

Nonetheless, I enjoyed my stay, meeting awesome people, and hanging out with my Toronto photog friend Judy.   I’m happy to be back home and am thankful for such an awesome experience!  I will never forgot it.

Silvana ~

XOXO

Special thank you to all of my sponsors: Vision Art Books, Forbeyon Albums, GTA Photo Lab and Modern Album Designs.   I love these people!  Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very particular when it comes to quality and service and  prefer to only deal with the best.  This is why I have chosen to gladly give my business to these vendors.

Also, Modern Album Designs have offered a 20% discount to all first time pro photographers  for trying out their services.  All you would need to do is provide the code:  WPPIimpulse.

Vision Art Books was kind enough to print a beautiful 60 page - 8 x 6 Coffee Table Book for all of  the attendees who were in my class!!  The book is a compilation of my most recent engagement & wedding images.

They also gave away these adorable little cookies from “Veronica’s Treats“.   The cookies were printed with a Vision Art photo on top and wrapped in cellophane.  They were too cute to eat!  So I took mine home with me to save and admire.  Well, my 3 little kitties were quite taken back by them also and decided that they would be a whole lot better sitting in their tummies.   This is all that was left…..*sigh*

Note: If anyone has a photo of the original packaged version, please send it to me so that I can show what it is really supposed to look like.

Update: I’ve got the photo!  Jesse & Matt from Finest Moments sent me the cookie photo below!!  (Two great guys with amazing hearts & photo skills) …..you guys are awesome!

I am so glad to report that our Homeless Drive last weekend went over very well!   A group of us got together to prepare meal bags and then deliver them directly to the homeless on the streets of Toronto to those in need.  We were all super-charged!  We met so many beautiful people and had great conversations.  It always amazes me how greatful and polite they all are.  Well, there’s lots to share……..so read on!!  

We all met up in the morning to prepare the meal bags which included a sandwich, juice/water, fresh fruit, granola bars and some sweets. In the end, we had over 70 bags!! We even gave out some toiletries, hats, canned goods, towels and shirts that were donated. We were not sure if we would even find 70 people to give them to, but we ended up handing them all out! At one point we got swarmed in the park! People would be running up to us! They were all very patient, just waiting for their baggies. In the end, we ran out and had to turn a few away……my heart broke

Here is Mariam wrapping the sandwiches……..with love.

Here’s Dave. Now before the judgement comes, you need to remember that, as we know, alot of people on the streets are addicted to drugs, and for some it’s their only means of coping. It’s sad……but I was amazed that Dave was being honest. As I was talking to him, I remember him mentioning that he loves his dogs much more than people, and that they mean so much to him. It’s the only unconditional love he gets.

And here’s Stephen. What an incredible man. He is 74 years old, of Greek heritage and has been rejected by his family. Lina & Ramez were so drawn to this man…….they were talking to him for hours! He was very open in sharing his life story and really enjoyed the fact that someone was listening. The next day, Lina called me and told me that she want’s to go downtown to see him again. He usually sits on the same bench daily, so she got the idea of inviting him to her home in Brampton so that he can shower and clean-up, and then sit down and enjoy a nice hot meal. (The 50 course Italian feast that she usually makes!) I’ll keep you posted on the outcome

Roshel and Miriam carrying the goods along Queen Street.

And here is me and Tyler. He is a very interesting man whose been through alot. He has a long criminal record and has been in and out of jail. He admits that he did some crazy stuff which resulted in him getting kicked out of his parents home. Things got worse on the street, and he became addicted to drugs. He is now on Methadone to help him with his addictions and is really trying to turn his life around. He says that after encountering God, he no longer lives for himself and has really changed, but it’s a daily struggle. He told me that he’s famous! He mentioned pulling a stunt and jumping into the rapids of Niagara Falls, just before getting arrested. I said: “Tyler, you’re playing with me aren’t you?” He said “No, really, I did it!” Google me. Well, the next day I did, and sure enough, he was telling the truth. He was in the news and everything. The last person to try this stunt died back in 1886. I believed he lived for a reason. You can read the story here. (credit to Roshel for taking this photo)

This was the cutest thing ever! Around Queen & Church St., a firetruck was stopped at a red light. The driver noticed an elderly woman slowly walking across the street, got out of his truck, and assisted the woman walking her all the way across. How sweet!!!!!!!! Way to go Mr. Fireman!!

A SPECIAL THANKS:

XOXO
Silvana ~