Caley’s Bio
Where did you study photography?
I guess it really began at Havergal with the art teachers named Mrs Macdonald and Ms Bunge who loved photography and resurrected a closet darkroom with a handful of students. Inspiration also came from a great photography professor named Thaddeus Holownia (I studied Fine Arts at Mt. Allison University). Thaddeus taught me to see. I learnt the technical aspects of photography while working as a darkroom technician and assistant photographer at a Custom Photolab. After completing a Professional Photography Diploma from the Western Academy of Photography in 2002, I moved back to my hometown of Toronto to begin my photography career.
How do you approach your photography?
I like to ask questions when looking through the lens. For example, when photographing a wedding, I may ask questions like “Is the bride a princess or a treehugger?”. The answer will help you find the photograph. If the bride is a treehugger, then maybe I would suggest walking barefoot on the grass. Questions help to point you in the right direction and make a photograph exclusively for your client.
Who is your favourite photographer?
Diane Arbus taught me to abandon the need to have perfectly exposed, perfectly composed images and allow mistakes to guide your photographic eye. Let loose of your photographic memes and see what happens…
Thanks so much…for the outstanding job you did with the photo for the National Post ad last week. The photo truly made the ad work, and you were so wonderful organizing everyone and being so professional. I look forward to using your talents for more projects down the road. Thanks again, Caley, you’re a pleasure to work with.
-Dan, Editorial Director / Senior Writer of a Non-Profit Organization
