MELISSA DI PASQUALE PHOTOGRAPHY: The Blog

Cabo 2012: Beach People

2012-02-12T18:35:00.001-05:00

Collect Books. Read Them.

2012-01-28T17:25:00.000-05:00

Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas

Happy New Year, Or, I Just Want To Be Deluxe!

2012-01-01T16:34:00.000-05:00

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

- Neil Gaiman

Sweet Grape = Sweet Month:

Crashers:

Living Room Dance Off:

Pick your poison:

Basement Dance Off:

Merry Christmas and thank you for being a friend!

2011-12-26T16:47:00.001-05:00

Paper Friends:

Cozy:

Jewels:

Leather:

Stay Clean:

Dress Me Up:

Brain Candy:

Pre-Christmas Super Sexy Dance Party

2011-12-24T16:39:00.001-05:00

Holiday Party Jam Session + Hilarity

2011-12-16T18:22:00.003-05:00

Grammie Gene + Hank

2011-11-06T19:14:00.000-05:00

My Grammie Gene and her new husband Hank Hilts

Shout out to Melmarie Desserts for the perfectly festive cake.

The Donaldson's (missing Heather, Aimee, and Abner)

The Di Pasquale's (missing Mark who had "the best time of his life at Deadmau5. Kids.)

My Grammie got remarried this weekend! She married Hank, a long time friend and super nice Muskokan man at the Log Cabin Inn in Parry Sound. It was really special to see her smile and laugh the way she did last night amongst family and friends. I felt really proud to be the photographer, and as my Grammie put it "Somehow it seems so hard to imagine 'little mel' being responsible for all this technology today!" xoxo

Book Wear

2011-10-30T17:33:00.000-04:00

Aging Up

2011-07-22T00:35:00.002-04:00

My favourite shot.

Moses.

Birthday photographer for all of the above.

Today was my birthday – my 26th – and I had a wicked day. In the morning, C and I photographed a trade show for Game On, and got some great new images. Then came lunch at The Counter, and that was bunless burgers because I love 'em and their tastiness so much I have to have them all the time. Heading out from there, we were walking and chatting about whatever, and C and I agreed I should get a tattoo I've been thinking about so we head over to Black Line where we met Damon and Moses. I had so much unexpected fun in that place, and I wanna go back and hang with those (hot) guys soon. The drive home was long, but I was looking forward to coming home to have some Bass and my favourite potatoes for dinner. My mom is too good on our birthdays. Really, we're very spoiled and lucky that she still makes such a fuss. I got tons of BEAUTIFUL gifts from Nic and Mark, my folks, CHawk, and my neighbours. So thankful for their excellent taste in summer apparel and that C always comes through with an inspiring photobook to refresh my creative mood. Thanks to everyone for all the sweet messages that peppered the day. Can't wait to hang this weekend xo.

Summerlicious Photo Fun

2011-07-17T22:30:00.002-04:00

We've made it a tradition to hit up Summerlicious with the families every year to indulge in some different eats and some sun. This year was Tappo in the Distillery because believe it or not, my neighbours have never been to that area! Wild I know. I coaxed them into a few photos and even got to be in one for a change :p

1st Birthday

2011-07-03T01:50:00.000-04:00

Today I spent the afternoon photographing a 1st birthday party for a perfect little guy named Alexi. His mom made the cake herself (carrot on the bottom and ferraro rocher on the top) and I thought it was pretty cute!

NEW WEBSITE!

2011-06-25T01:04:00.000-04:00

Maria's Graduation Kegger

2011-06-24T04:39:00.000-04:00

Big congrats to my neighbour, Maria, for graduating from York U this month! In the way that only she can, Maria hosted a keg, flip cup, beer pong party in her backyard to celebrate that got out of hand as much as a good party should. I gotta say, I've hosted a few summer birthdays and what not in my backyard and I definitely saw things I'd never seen before this time around: Cuban Cigars for one. I myself wore a bottle opener around my neck one year, but glow stick glasses really add a different flavour. No more going to school! So proud of you, Kid. xxoo

Post work dinner at Mel G's new place where the food is fresh and delicious and she makes you whatever kinda tea you want even if everyone wants a different one she makes 'em all..

2011-06-10T01:20:00.001-04:00

Golden Girl.

2011-06-08T01:28:00.002-04:00

C-Hawk and I have been working insanely hard these past few months on different projects so it was mandatory to take a minute during a packed work session tonight to take a break -- obvs a photo break! Come on, it's us afterall. I don't know about you but I can't ignore the pretty light we have this time of year either.

If you haven't already, please check out a special dance post at TWO SHAKES.

Easter: Part II, Di Pasquale Table

2011-05-01T20:38:00.000-04:00

Easter Weekend: Part I, Donaldson Family Home

2011-04-24T23:17:00.000-04:00

TWO SHAKES

2011-03-30T23:39:00.001-04:00

Oh yes. A brand new creative venture. Believe it or not Claudia and I are not maxed out yet so be sure to check out twoshakes.ca where we feature the beloved Jenna Rocca Show, among other things to come, and add our feed to your readers and what not.

AND on a non-photography related note: C is also the Editor-in-Chief over at howtoraiseaboyfriend.com where I've contributed a piece of writing. It's WRITING out there in world, all by itself with no accompanying photo to distract from all words and sentences making you feel things. And it's not related to photography at all so how about that? Check out my rant and tell us if you've been there, or not, but do it over there because we don't want too much of that writing stuff mixed in with all the looking (and clicking) that goes on here, like at this new editorial for example:

Silver Snail

2011-03-24T17:01:00.002-04:00

George Zotti

I had so much fun earlier this month when I got to shoot George Zotti from the Silver Snail Comic Book Store on Queen for POST. He let me choose any replica item from the shop as a prop so I went with this gun from Hellboy. Pretty nuts and it was so heavy! Check out the full article here.

Also, you remember the Oscar post from last month? That was featured on one of my favourite sites, Beautiful/Decay! Check it out here!

Cheese Cave

2011-03-23T01:27:00.001-04:00

Chef Tom Brodi

An outtake from my shoot with Chef Tom Brodi last month at TOCA by Tom Brodi in the new Ritz Carlton Hotel for Post City Mag. I quite like this photo as it was taken prior to a full tour of the restaurant which started here, in my heart. Did I say heart? I meant cheese cave. I'm baby stepping my way into foodland thanks to all the restaurants I've been shooting in over the last six months AND a new, more streamlined diet AND most of my friends love to cook and discuss food (and are great at it) AND on top of that, Chef Brodi spoke enthusiastically about homegrown, naturally-raised ingredients. I'm really enjoying shooting Chefs. They're all so passionate about their work and I'm drawn to that about the industry as a whole.

I was also thinking about Saul Leiter when I was preparing this image and I caught myself lost in the reflection of the glass more so than the subject. His photos incorporate lots of windows and reflections, sometimes obstructing the majority of the subject (not the case in my image above, but I was thinking about this and this.) I was turned on to Leiter's work last week by Claudia who learned of it in the Making of Mildred Pierce doc on HBO and the influence his work had on the cinematography of the film. I wasn't surprised to find him in the company of Diane Arbus and Robert Frank (I've been wanting to get my hands on a copy of The Americans for way too long a while now) and I felt an immediate connection to the painterly qualities of his work. I don't know how such a huge, influential figure slipped through the cracks in my education. He's had such a full bodied career! In fashion for Harper's Bazaar no less! And he's in his 80s and still shooting. It's so cool to realize I thought I had at least heard of every who's who in photography (the first ever recorded image is from 1822 - a history of less than 200 years, and compare that to the first painting, some 32,000 years old... nuts) and how wrong I was. There's still so much more to know... always a student on the road.

Top 'O' the Evening (is what my mother said when I cheers'd her Irish heritage)

2011-03-18T12:33:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Kid.

2011-03-14T23:56:00.000-04:00

Happy Downtown Day Birthday to my sister, Nicole, who turned 24 and took the day off work (like all bday people should) and (hopefully!) enjoyed a fantastic breakfast, mani, shop, and dinner out and about in the sun.

Coney Elvis

2011-03-13T21:44:00.000-04:00

Mark McEwan

2011-03-13T17:59:00.001-04:00

Canadian Celebrity chef Mark McEwan.

Tyler Sim

2011-03-13T01:10:00.000-05:00

Fun Times, Girls Night*

2011-03-12T22:46:00.000-05:00

I usually do my best to blog chronologically but as I discovered today I haven't been doing a winning job. In a huge undertaking, I decided to organize all the images on my laptop and desktop before doing a massive backup and found too many files I've only kept for myself, like the following Fun Times, Girls Night gem of an image:

Lins + Nicky

So while I do know it's March already, here are some images from January because I need to believe I'm not an image hoarder. Keeping it nice and fresh over here at Melissa Di Pasquale Photography...

*Fun Times, Girls Night (name coined by Nic) is a sporadic hang out at c's condo usually centered around mortadella maki and other meaty, cheesy treats.

Big Laughs

2011-03-12T17:22:00.000-05:00

Elisa + Tony

Janine + Raf

At Elisa and Tony's new house doing a round floor discussion on hypotheticals with millions of dollars and bags of cat food at stake.

The Jenna Rocca Show Promo Two

2011-03-12T16:55:00.000-05:00

The Jenna Rocca Show, Promo 2 from Two Shakes on Vimeo.

Just in case this hasn't made it's way into your homes yet, here is the second installation of many promos to come for The Jenna Rocca Show by Two Shakes.

Jenna Rocca, Dancer.

Music: Let's All Chant by Michael Zager Band (1978) Available on iTunes.

On Growin' Up Cabaret!

2011-03-10T14:34:00.001-05:00

On Growin' Up: A live action cabaret based on the book On Growin' Up by Ryan Kerr

Fay Slift + Ryan Kerr

Part of Your World ft. Ryan Kerr

Get Outta My Way ft. Chy Ryan Spain + Fay Slift + Ryan Kerr

Fay Slift

Jennifer DePoe

Becky Windhager

Ryan Russell

Bein' Green ft. Jenni Burke

Are you there? ft Ryan Kerr and..

...Liam Titcomb

Crowd

David Tomlinson

Fay Slift

Dave Dunville

Ryan Kerr

Dog Days are Over ft. Fay Slift + Ryan Kerr + Chy Ryan Spain

The Maestro, Ryan Kerr

The Jenna Rocca Show Promo

2011-03-03T00:02:00.002-05:00

Oscar Night - The Jenna Rocca Show from Two Shakes on Vimeo.

A TWO SHAKES production. A new creative venture. Get on board early ;)

The Oscar's Costume Party 2011

2011-02-28T21:16:00.002-05:00

My dear friends and I rang in the Oscars this year at the Rocca Palace for an OFFICIAL costume party. The rules stipulated that we must come dressed as one of the following: any character from any film that has ever won an Oscar, Or dressed as any character from any film from the past year that has been nominated for an Oscar. Prizes were at stake to the competition was fierce. Before I begin the parade of characters I have to thank Jenna, Bill, and Steve for hosting the occasion. Not only were we all feed, boozed up, and costumed, but there was a red carpet, Oscar pool, during show commentary, key moment rewinding thanks to PVR, AND Jenna still managed to live tweet the whole thing. Pretty serious. Ok, here's my contribution:

The Hosts (minus Steve):

Jenna Rocca as The Black Swan (2010)

Bill as Teardrop, Winter's Bone (2010)

The Costume Award Winners:

Best Costume:

Tony as Aron Ralston, 127 Hours (2010)

Best Supporting Costumes:

Claudia as Edith Piaf, La Vie En Rose (2007)

Andrea as Mark Zuckerberg, The Social Network (2010)

Brett, Facebook (Ongoing)

The Lovely Rest:

Elisa as Penny Lane, Almost Famous (2000)


Adam as Jack Twist, Brokeback Mountain (2005)


Nicole as Velma Kelly, Chicago (2002)


Dave as Bad Blake, Crazy Heart (2009)

Natalie as The Collective Sisters, The Fighter (2010)

And me, Annie Hall (1977)

Jones Soda Labels

2011-02-19T20:19:00.001-05:00

I found these today too! I had these two photos of Claudia published on Jones Soda Bottles a while back, can't remember what year but it was YEARS ago. She used to carry that paint brush everywhere in her purse. Weird, eh? And did you know they don't send you the bottles?! They send you the labels and you have to go on your own mission to find the bottles! I did find green apple soda bottle at a convenience store in Square One by fluke. I still have it unopened on my bookshelf. I dont look for the other anymore.

Train.

2011-02-19T20:02:00.001-05:00

Spent some time this morning cleaning out and old file cabinet and found this photo I took in 11th grade photography class. I shot it with a Minolta SRT SC-II that my mom bought me one year. I dont have a lot of memories about this shot but I do remember I thought I'd have to sit and wait a while for a train to come by but it ended up coming pretty quickly.

Joseph D Carrier Gallery: Israel & Jordan Exhibit

2011-02-15T17:12:00.002-05:00

Quick image recap:

The space

Panel 1

Panel 2

A discussion

My supportive fam.

My agent/rep who kindly supplied these photos so I could mingle

Thanks to everyone who made it out, to those who still plan to go by, to Neil Fox and to Humber College. I had a lot of fun hearing everyone's thoughts on the work. It's a really dynamic space with lot's of cool things to check out inside and it's super close to Yorkdale ;) The show hangs at the Joseph D. Carrier Gallery at the Columbus Centre at Dufferin & Lawrence until March 23rd.

JPG Magazine: PUBLISHED!

2011-02-03T21:13:00.001-05:00

I've been a happy, contributing member of the JPG Magazine community since Jan 2007 and a subscriber since June 2010. I'm sure I've even solicited votes from you all from time to time when I was eager about a photo. If you don't know what I'm talking about and you're a photographer, or a photo lover, or a person who likes to vote, you should definitely go over there and start an account and get submitting and voting. To be honest, I've contributed my own photos on an infrequent basis, but I do vote often and follow their blog. I was close to getting published in their print magazine once before with a photo of Claudia from a series we shot of her as Audrey Hepburn, but that one ended up in a digital version of the mag which I still thought was pretty cool at the time. I was contacted in December about a photo I had posted on the site, but also posted here on the blog and in my book as well, of my Zio Sabatino making sausage. A nice woman named Darlene emailed me with some questions about how I knew him, what was going on, and asked me to talk a little about family traditions all of which is worded much more cleanly in the blurb above than I think I wrote to her. Anyway it snowed a bunch this week and voila! There it was! A posting in my reader this very night that their latest issue had come out. Zio Sabatino, page 52, hand to the grinder!

A little Behind the Set

2011-01-25T01:40:00.000-05:00

A new post called, READ MY MIND

2011-01-24T23:53:00.003-05:00

My friend and cousin to Jenna, Amanda Ondretti, visiting for the holidays from sunny California. I was thinking about her when I entered the Join Kelly Cutrone at NY Fashion Week on Talenthouse with my images of the men of Jackass because I must thank her hugely for welcoming C and I to sleep on her couch for a week to get that job done. You can literally read Amanda's mind, and you should given the opportunity as she is an incredible film critic over at her blog Amanda Ondretti: The Thoughts and Meanderings of a Certain Cinephile. I'll welcome any guesses as to what she was thinking, and maybe if we're lucking, she'll remember and tell us because I like it best when somebody wins.

AND you can vote for my photos here! Unfortunately, you'll have to be a facebook member to do it which is disappointing because many of my friends aren't, but at least check it out because the seeing is really the point after all.

My team!

2011-01-24T14:51:00.003-05:00

So it's a brand new year folks! Lot's of exiting new projects on the way! Yesterday I wrapped a big shoot that I've been prepping along with my fantastic team for a month. While I cant blog the photos from the shoot, I thought it'd be cool to post a few prop related outtakes, featuring:

Zak Ferguson, Hair
Claudia Grieco, Casting & Wardrobe
Nicole Di Pasquale, Craft & On-set Assistant
Jenna Rocca, Make-up

Aren't they so rad?!

Israel & Jordan

2011-01-16T21:02:00.000-05:00

Please come to our show!

Mark is 21 today!

2011-01-09T03:14:00.001-05:00

You turned out to be just as cool as I hoped you'd be back when you were three and took the time to flex your kid muscles in our faces all the time, like this:

Happy Birthday Buddy!
Hope you like the shirts I bought you!
(Guys I dont think he even reads this...)

Holiday Sausage Short

2010-12-24T16:37:00.005-05:00

My zio called me to come take pictures of him making sausage again and this time I tried to do him one better. Can't wait to show him later.

Music: Scenic World by Beirut

No Street Photography Love

2010-12-24T00:36:00.001-05:00

Just keeping it real before those super reflective, holiday, extended family posts start rolling in. At least the bottom guy kinda smiled at me while he flipped me off. Love that downtown holiday spirit.

Portrait: Dana Krook

2010-12-21T14:36:00.000-05:00

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing Dana Krook, the managing editor at Faze Magazine. This is definitely a favourite from the session.

Sometimes your inner architect has the blueprints to a church

2010-12-20T20:47:00.000-05:00

A big Jesus Jenga shout out to my fellow designer, Andrea Grassi. Next up, Jenga drinking game.

About Me

2010-12-20T20:33:00.000-05:00

If anyone happens to be looking for another way to market yourself online, I'd definitely check out About.me

I created a personal profile page a few weeks back in order to consolidate all of my many pages (twitter, facebook, blog, tumblr, etc.) onto one simple, clean splash page at about.me/melissadipasquale. It allows you to upload a photo or one of their custom backgrounds, a bio, and connects your many links to that one page. What I like best so far is how the site monitors your analytics in a way that's simple enough for even me to understand the benefits of the page.

I just noticed today that my page was selected for the Inspirational section of directory so I'm pretty excited for the recognition and extra push of possible viewers! Check it out if you're curious.

Tombola!

2010-12-20T20:12:00.000-05:00


Photo of the night. Stefania and Michael D's reenactment of a big win.

A few selections from the tombola portion of the Infusino Coudouridri Fry Fest 2010. Being a lucky first timer, it took me a few rounds to get the Calabrese lingo down, but I think I did pretty well. Definitely won an Ampo (sp?) and Terno (sp?) round or two and walked away with a cool $7.25 or so. Not bad, right? Standout moments included all of Tara's tombola's right next to me, C's caller antics, and the Zia's giving everyone shit for calling out bad numbers.

Inaugural Chef's Challenge at The Carlu

2010-11-21T19:20:00.004-05:00

Chef Gordon Ramsey and Celebrity Photographer George Pimentel

I photographed the inaugural Chef’s Challenge: The Ultimate Battle for a Cure for Post City last night at The Carlu. I had SO much fun shooting Celebrity chefs David Rocco, Jamie Kennedy, Lynn Crawford, Mark McEwan, and Massimo Capra on the red carpet and then stayed to shoot the kitchen battle and auction. There was a ton of press there, some from Global, The Star and dine.to. I'm not very good at being schmoozy, anyone will tell you that, but when you're surrounded by such successful industry pro's you cant help but try to snag a few tips. Case in point, George Pimentel. Pimentel has photographed the who's who of celebs on red carpet's around the world. He's a third generation photographer and started his career by snagging a press worthy photo of Robert De Niro at TIFF at the age of 20. He spend 3-4 yrs building a celebrity portfolio in his early 20s, traveling to LA and NY to get the shots (ahem) and then sold the black and whites to Flare. You can see in the above photo that I'm standing behind him to shoot. What you can't see, is that I'm standing behind a red rope, at the front of the group, but behind the rope no less with all the other photo and video press while Pimentel moves freely along the carpet. He's basically the man.
Check the rest out here!

Ps. Team Crawford won.

Benefit For Crystal

2010-11-20T16:00:00.000-05:00

Great friends. Great times. Great cause.

If you missed it on TV, PLEASE check out the documentary I Dont Have Time for This available online here, where you can watch the unbelievable strength of my friend Claudia, Crystal, and three other wonderful women.

Jenna Rocca

2010-11-17T23:40:00.004-05:00

November 19, 2010 @ The Arts & Letters Club
AD LIB, 8:00 p.m. –"Jenna Rocca Stagecraft documentary" Host: Betty Trott
http://about.me/jennarocca

I feel lucky today.

2010-11-02T23:20:00.003-04:00

I feel incredibly lucky that a few weeks ago I had the extreme pleasure to briefly photograph CTV's legendary Jeanne Beker for another great issue of POST. I've been watching FT forever (it's closely tied to my love of Naked in the House which I hope to someday own on VHS. Yes. VHS) and I've only dreamed of not just meeting, but seeing and discussing fashion and photography and art with even one of the talented and influential people she's interviewed over her career. She's obviously an extremely hard working woman (author, columnist, host, judge, and on and on and on) and was very nice in person. I stood in awe watching how effortless she was on camera discussing aviator jackets and scarves off the cuff for November's issue (ps. nice one Ale!). Her voice is so commanding and recognizable. It was kind of surreal. I guess you can tell I'm happy about this one... Well I am! She's great and I like this shot ;)

I also shot for a few other pieces for print this month that are featured online here:

Battle of the Burgers

Margot Boyd

Wabora

Laurel

Well, that's about all for tonight. How's everything with you?

Halloween

2010-11-01T01:16:00.004-04:00

Leshes (The plural of Lesh, kind of like lashes) 26th

2010-10-19T23:22:00.003-04:00

Bit the bullet and went to a club?!! for Alessia's bday. Ale, I've missed a lot of birthday's thanks to clubs (including my own siblings at times, but i'm grown up now and can handle it, oh yes) so you better appreciate this :) No really though, it was fun. C and I got to bypass the huge line to get in because we're cute and have manners, and later on we took part in a feminist rally in the ladies room so you know it was a good time.

Today was her actual day, so Happy Birthday Alessia!

You all might have to go into work late tomorrow. Just saying.

2010-10-18T22:10:00.002-04:00

One of my fav photos of us from this year at her bachelorette

Check out Canada AM (that's on CityTV if I'm not crazy) tomorrow (Tues, Oct 19) @ 8:40am for an interview with my best friend and frequent face on my blog Claudia. I personally will be watching in the lobby of Al Palladini CC and flagging random gym goers over to watch with me.

C will be discussing the documentary entitled I Don't Have Time For This that she was featured in along with four other women and follows them through each of their individual breast cancer stories. It officially airs Saturday October 23rd at noon on the W Network.

Make sure to try to watch. I'll be able to tell if you dont. Yes, I am magic like that.

UPDATE** I am crazy. It's CTV and the link is here: http://watch.ctv.ca/news/top-picks/cancer-doc/#clip362683

Tucker

2010-10-14T22:11:00.001-04:00

Getting the stare down from my cousin's dog Tucker on the weekend. I wanna squish his face between my hands when I look at him and he's totally terrified of cameras and was backing away from me seconds after this. I really love the light behind him. I wish there could be light like this all year round.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

2010-10-10T14:13:00.000-04:00

Cerrone's. Love 'em.

2010-10-04T22:57:00.002-04:00

Angelica, Maria, and Nico Cerrone

Oh my god, I love these kids. Just look at those faces! If you think even one of those smiles is fake in the slightest, you're wrong. These three little gems have been my neighbours for basically my whole life and are like a mix between siblings, children, and little Italian dolls in my eyes. Look at Nico! A while back their parents told them all they wanted as a gift for their upcoming 25th anniversary was a photo of the three of them together, and even though they felt shy to have their photo taken, they asked me if we could do it and the only thing they wanted was to wear leaf jerseys because their dad is a huge fan. So cute. This wasn't the shot they chose to give them, but this was my favourite because I'm partial to the outtakes. We went to my studio (vacant farm house) and my sister was acting a fool behind me while I was shooting which cracked them up and saved the day because we shot this at night and even I was scared to go into this place even though it's like my own scary, abandoned, corn field place.

Untitled Project

2010-10-03T23:55:00.001-04:00

Stills from a scene in an upcoming film project that will have a proper and exciting debut in the very near future. I can't say much about the video at this point because nobody likes to spoil a surprise, but will say that Claudia and I have been lucky to be working with such an extremely dedicated and talented team! More details on the crew and cast and content to come of course. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled folks...

Alfred Sung Outtake

2010-09-30T22:41:00.004-04:00

Alfred Sung modeling his pick for best blazer and bowtie

Last week I had the pleasure of being asked by Post to photograph a segment they were filming with Alfred Sung on the cities best blazers and ties. Alfred was incredibly honest in his explanations, very kind to interact with and extremely easy to photograph. His studio was impeccable and I was jealous of all the gorgeous natural light that beamed in at every area. It must be a dream to create in that space and I know it takes a lot of hard work and a real pro in the industry to get there. Very VERY inspiring. Here is the link to the online "Prep-by-Prep Guide" and be sure to watch the accompanying video if you can. I also shot this chicken pot pie face-off at Caplansky's Delicatessen which was fun too even though it made me hungry. And these shots of Ben Kaplan in Little Tibet.

Tara's 23rd Birthday

2010-09-22T23:16:00.001-04:00

I could explain the night, or I could let the hands do the talking...

I dont want to punish people based on hand use, so here are some people having fun but with controlled hand use..

Time for the summer wrap up..

2010-09-22T00:22:00.009-04:00

Jason Rhyno, Editor-in-Chief, jobpostings

I just discovered the portraits I took of the fine folks at Passion Inc. last month are up on their site! Back in August Jason contacted me to come in to work with him on a vision he had for their new website and I love the shots they went with and especially Jason's above. So fun and atypical. Check out the rest of the images at jobpostings.ca/masthead

I had a super good time working with them. Everyone was friendly and interesting to chat with during the shoot. Take a minute to go through their bios if you have it. I did before I met with each person and it really helped to get a sense of what they were about. Alexandra Gualtieri came in to work the makeup and acted as a bit of an assistant to me. Couldn't have asked for an easier time. I love this type of work!

My freelancing for Post City Magazine is going well too. The pace has been fast and it's been such a good learning experience for me. So far so good and definitely more on that in the upcoming weeks.

There are definitely bigger things on the horizon. Please stick with me... we've come so far :)

From the pages of Interview in the mailbox of Mil LeLain

2010-09-14T17:36:00.001-04:00

Interview Mag September 2010 Issue*

As a gift for graduating from Humber, my super BFF Claudie didn't get me a cake.. or flowers.. or buy me a drink.. actually she did buy me a drink come to think of it, but what she did do that is waaaaaay better than those things was get me a subscription to INTERVIEW! How cool is that? I've been waiting a couple months for it, and waiting anxiously. I jumped the gun and bought last month's issue with Marion Cotillard on the cover because I love her and didnt want to miss that issue. Since then I've been checking the mail nearly everyday and it finally got delivered this afternoon. Honestly though, who doesn't love getting mail? No one. Mail is like a little gift. Even when I know it's a bill or something lame, I still pretend it might be good mail. You know what else? They put that key in there that opens one of the big communal boxes. That's just the icing on the cake because that box is such a neighborhood mystery. Just to prove how excited I was, and to strengthen my geeky tendencies, I shot some of the pages. You can see from my choices why I'm looking forward to this read. C-mun, you're a peach.

* Interior Photography by Michael Jansson, Mert & Marcus, and Craig McDean

Twin Peaks: How 90s style was invented*

2010-09-13T00:40:00.005-04:00


My ode to Twin Peaks photo


Andrea diggin her meal at Sushi & Bento. Let's call this, "Andrea Emotions Food #1"

Lady hostess

@ Dave and C's on the balcony

C and I laugh so hard sometimes...

...that my lip gets stuck on my incisors.

Love you short hairs.

Went in for more drinks. Andrea Emotions Food #2

C posing with her vacuum in the 60s.

Ps. The vacuum is sooooo tempermental

No Problem? Looks like there's a problem in those eyes.

C took a blues and pinks only nap.

Jenna is so connected. She was live tweeting the hang :p

Episode 3 or Episode 1?

You thought it was over? Andrea Emotions Food #3

*Jenna Rocca

Innisfil

2010-09-09T12:43:00.000-04:00

My mother's most epic spoon display

2010-09-08T23:05:00.002-04:00

Featured travels include but are not limited to the following:

New Smyrna Beach, Ireland, Banff, Jamaica, Oklahoma, Calgary, Niagara Falls, Boston, Republica Dominicana, Midland, The Land of Lincoln, and Anne of Green Gables House.

Those who are magical break from silent structures after years of chrysalis *

2010-09-04T21:59:00.003-04:00

*Michael Ondaatje

Social networking interlude

2010-08-23T22:46:00.006-04:00

A coulourful outtake from Friday's long hair shoot with Mel G. More looks from that to come.

Make it work

2010-08-22T23:09:00.002-04:00

This is what I've been looking at for the past 9+ hours. Mmhmm.

Office Chair

2010-08-20T00:25:00.002-04:00

Editing like a madwoman. That's about all today.

On Growin' Up

2010-08-18T22:44:00.005-04:00

The Incomparable Ryan Kerr

I've been lucky enough over the past few months to get to spend a few important occasions in the company Mr. Ryan Kerr. I've been even more lucky over the last few years to get to take his picture, not once, but twice, and hopefully for a third time soon! Ryan is stunning, in all the ways. He's so sweet, interesting, and an excellent singer and dance partner. Ryan recently self published a beautiful book, On Growin' Up.. A Guide, which he wrote and illustrated. It can and should be purchased and followed HERE or HERE. What I find most cool is that no two copies of On Growin’ Up are alike!

Short Roadtrippin'

2010-08-18T00:22:00.009-04:00

Buffalo, NY

I went to Buffalo last week with the Al Pal girls in Marisa's little green Bug. I would talk about the shopping but right now I'm more concerned with her GPS lady that was honestly out to get us. Her voice is straight up crazy and she failed to give us the right directions even one time the entire trip. We should have thrown her out the window when we got to a house that should have been a mall. It must be bad karma to not name your GPS lady though. We tried out a few names like Sherri... actually it was just Sherri and then the rest turned vulgar... the point is my friend Linda's GPS used to be named Brigitte but is now called Peggy AND she's British AND she's super nice AND she always gets you where you need to go. Marisa's lady hates her life or something. Anyway, forget Sherri, we made it there, back, and the in between went something like this:

Lewiston? Never heard of it..


The ride was long so I convinced Jess to become a part-time glasses model.


We went to Ralph Lauren and I almost bought legit purple riding pants but I'm not Betty Draper.

Pause for a blurry fight sequence:

Alessia was an innocent bystander.

My first time in Target was a good time.

I'm probably the last person on earth to visit there for shopping but Buffalo is a decent town. The ride there isn't long and I think it's fun to take little trips. I had a good time shooting outside too which was surprising. The little rundown streets and abandoned buildings really caught my eye and with more time I think it might be cool to go back and do some more architectural shooting.

Come and find your kind

2010-08-16T23:57:00.003-04:00

My dad.

My mom. And I'm actually lying about this one below. I have seen it, but it's my favourite shot of her and I think it goes with my new fav of my dad.

It's safe to say I'm in love with old photos of my folks. Just when I thought I'd seen all the pictures of them in existence, my mom hits me with all these! She knows I love old pictures of them and these are my new favourites hands down. I don't know too many people who dont love old shots of their parents, and not only do they love them, they've blogged and talked about them too (See: She's Such a Charmer Not A Model Big Exit ) I guess you think you know your parents so well because you've known them your whole life, meanwhile, once upon a time they were just a hippie and a Marlboro Man. Not that I didn't know this about them already, but come on, it's stil so cool to see. To be honest though, they're pretty much the same. My dad is still wearing the same size jeans even.


She seems to think this one was pajamas but it looks like clothes to me.

My brother makes this face everyday.

A Virgin Suicides outing. (C, you called it)

I ADORE this. Little babes.

I dont know what's going on here, but I'm feelin' it. And I'm feelin' my moms dress. Ma, you kept everything else, why didnt you keep this one!? I could have been wearing this right now.

They aren't in this one, but most of my aunts and uncles are. It's like Dazed & Confused or something. Oh and I see you there, Heather, you SUPERCHICK ;)

That's all of that for now. I had a really great day shooting portraits at Passion Inc. downtown on Yonge. Really great people over there and very interesting to shoot and talk to. Alexandra did a bang up job on makeup. Very fast and pro. Just what the day needed. Hopefully I can get some of the images up here when I'm done, soon soon.

No Cars Go, Or, Come on guys.. that's just rude..

2010-08-15T20:05:00.005-04:00

Went to check out Arcade Fire at Olympic Island last night and it was completely as awesome as I thought it would be. No surprise there, but Janelle Monae, WOW. I dont know if it was just her stage presence or what, but that girl puts on an incredible show. Before we left, I told Ryan, Andrea, and Linny that we could take my personal ship over. See above.

I made sure to show them where all the life preservers were, and once we were all safe, we cut loose with some more casual pictures. My ship isn't all about the rules you know.

Lins tried to cozy up to this little couple but they kept slapping her hands away. It's okay Lins, that was so ruuude of them anyway.

We finally got to the show which was very packed and very hot but I got to eat a poutine so I was happy.

And Ryan tried to turn it into a Twin Peaks convention by stalking this guy so that we could take a picture home to C. Dont let the thumbs up fool you, this dude was not impressed.

And to top the night off we met up with C and Dave who were dressed cute even though they just came from clubbing :p

Little Post Update

2010-08-12T23:18:00.009-04:00

I just found out the photos from the Vistek show will be up on their site for the duration of the exhibition and I think that's so cool. You can check out the entire exhibit HERE. You just have to click on the first gallery called Humber College to see the images. There's also a gallery of images with the work of my instructor and travel buddy, Neil Fox. He's been around the world and back with his students which I think makes him pretty great.

I also thought I'd post a couple shots of Nic and I hanging out in Israel and Jordan since we had so much fun and were lucky enough to travel with a group of photographers :)


Group in Petra shot by Brenden Wilson.

Nicole tied her scarf into bunny ears and mastered the skill of camel riding in Jordan.

Trying to sing in Arabic. We sang them songs in English, like O Canada lol, and then they sang and we tried to catch on, which wasn't exactly hard because they basically just chanted. Shot by Nics.


Shooting in a crevice in the desert in Timna Park, Israel. Shot by Liz Lau.

Waiting for the jeeps to cool down in Wadi Rum. I was chilling. Nic was stressed. Shot by Matt Sullivan.

She got over the stress though. Here she is killing it at a Jordanian dance party later that same day. It was a rave, pretty much.


Insanely gorgeous swimming in Ein Gedi, Israel. Shot by Nics.

Nicky made a lot of different friends. This one was at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem.

Rock jumping at Gan Haslosha, Israel. Shot by Neil Fox.

Nic bought some light scarves from this kid's shop in Bethlehem. I think his name as Aman? Shit, I was supposed to email him this.

I made (and drank) some tea with our jeep driver in a one off tent in Jordan. I'm convinced this tea made me real sick the next day. Shot by Nics.

And finally, the obligatory do-it-yourself shot in Jerusalem.

Wake me up colours

2010-08-11T23:53:00.002-04:00

I'm super duper tired today from waking up insanely early all week so I'm using this shot as a pick me up and besides, who doesnt love gifts? I took it when I was shooting Jenna's shower and I really love the way the colours came through.

Oh No. Two Birthdays!

2010-08-11T00:09:00.002-04:00

C-Money and I celebrated the double birthday thing again this year. Didn't we look so fun? The bouncer at SpiceSafar told me I looked like the Matrix and then ordered me a shot of something vile. I have to say I had an incredible amount of fun. C always tell me I get too excited on my birthday and I think that was proven very true again this year. She and Dave hosted the before and the after party at their new condo where Mel G mixed the drinks and we listened to records and took photos with disposables. Everyone was pretty much taken care of from there and well on their was to being in the bag when we walked ourselves over to the venue. Our friend Ryan hooked us up large at the lounge? Club? Shit was that a club? I think we took everyone to a club...

Even when your hands are small they sometimes kill things

2010-08-09T22:07:00.003-04:00

I was trapped outside in the rain this afternoon, barefoot and getting a bit misty under the canopy in my backyard. I sat and waited for whatever the reasons and was starring at the flowers in the garden that I planted in May or June. The colours looked extra bright because the rain was so pale so I decided it'd be pretty to pick some to take inside but they basically died in my hands. Later I had them spread flat on a napkin instead of in a glass which was my fault and kind of sad. When my mum walked by I asked her if flowers were ever blue and she said no and she meant it. I was going to look it up anyway but didn't because I remembered that little poem where the violets are blue and decided my mum must have been wrong. Still though, the poem cant be right either because violets should be violet coloured and if they're not and are actually blue, I don't think anyone will hold it against me, or my mum, for not knowing if blue flowers exist or not.

So Many Any's

2010-08-08T18:30:00.008-04:00

It's a strange feeling to drive 5 minutes from your suburban home and feel like you've been dropped into the middle of what's that term? Anytown, USA or something? Ya it is. I looked around and I was in the middle of Anytown. Lately it seems like anytime I'm doing anything on Kipling Avenue it's like getting sucked into a weird little time warp. Like, where did Pappy's Olde Fashion Soda Pop Co. come from? They just unfold these little buildings and all these mother and grandmother rib-lovers roll out the backend licking their fingers and sucking on the bone. Who needs Coney? Nah kidding, I'd still love to go, but Woodbridge Ribfest 2010 definitely did the trick for now.

Vistek Opening + Website!

2010-08-05T22:29:00.004-04:00


www.melissadipasquale.com

If I haven't already told/messaged/or sent it to you, I launched my website this past weekend! Yay me!

And tonight was the little opening at Vistek where two of the photos I shot on my trip to Israel and Jordan this past spring will be on display, along with a few other of my fellow travelers, until September 15, 2010. Right now the show is at the Mississauga location and then moves to Ottawa November 5th to December 31st and then makes it’s return to the Toronto location Feb 18th to April 1st. Swing by and check it out if you're in the area.

Always like this

2010-08-04T00:50:00.000-04:00

Went to a couple little fam jams this weekend. Nic and I went to make pizza at my zia's house on the Monday, well, I helped a little and then decided to shoot around a bit. My zia kinda goes about her business and ignores me, that or she's just really into washing that lettuce. Isn't she the cutest little woman?

Edward Sharpies

2010-08-03T16:10:00.003-04:00

I checked out the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros with this riff raff on the weekend. Linny Lins supplied the tickets and it was C's bday so it involved a lot of random happenings and everyone being up for pretty much anything. I tried Supermodel Pizza on College and I gotta say I wasn't crazy about it. The crust isn't even as thin as supermodels like they say! Since it was C's day we'll let her in all the shots, except for T-pain, she gets her own.

The No Water Jump Series

2010-08-03T13:02:00.006-04:00

This is a bit like Halsman's philosophy of Jumpology: the idea that when someone is jumping, they devote all their attention to the jump itself and a little more can be discovered about their character in that stolen moment. I dont know if he intended to add swimming pools and free throws into the mix but things always seem to form and evolve in their own way like that.

Happy Birthday Claudie!

2010-07-30T17:46:00.001-04:00

Taken at McLean House.

Chantel Simmons

2010-07-15T19:33:00.001-04:00

Coming off of a busy weekend that included the incomparable Jenna + Bill's Togetherness Experience and the Lady Gaga concert, I'm glad I found time to photograph the lovely Chantel Simmons. Chantel is ALWAYS so fun and easy to work with, so when she asked if I would take some shots for her for fashionmagazine.com I said heck ya and hauled my gear downtown. My personal fav from the day pictured above and the interview and final image of Chantel showing off her shopping skills here. Check it out :)

We are not what we seem

2010-06-07T16:45:00.002-04:00

I wont hide it from you, and it's not like you already dont know it, but I'm not sure what's up with this blog. It may be on its last legs here, but I'm still unsure what to do with it. While I figure this mystery out, here are some fun shots from the incomparable Jenna's Mad Hatter Tea Party. It was at McLean House on the Sunnybrooke Estate and a photographers dream. At the end we pretty much ran around and shot an editorial. Credit to Claudia on the one with me of course as my purse is definitely not a camera.

The End.

2010-04-22T17:49:00.001-04:00

So, I had my portfolio display yesterday at Humber. There was a great turnout of friends and family, and some industry people so I'd call it an overall success. What I'm most excited with is my brand new (and first, hopefully of more to come..) book!

Here are a few personal favourites:

It's one of those projects that really couldn't be done without the help others (*ahem* C, Lins, etc.) who put up with not only my flashes but also my constant, "Does this order look right? Should this be in? Out? It sucks doesn't it. You can tell me if it should be out. Etc etc. SO THANKS :)

Also, a photo a took a while back for author Chantel Simmons was featured along with an interview with Chantel here.

Claudia & Dave's Wedding!

2010-04-20T00:13:00.001-04:00

Can't even describe how gorgeous the day was xoxo.

Humber Creative Photography Portfolio Display

2010-03-25T16:55:00.001-04:00

The more the merrier :)

Venice Beach, CA.

2010-03-10T13:42:00.001-05:00

The Thinking Woman

2010-01-21T00:11:00.003-05:00

Heather Donaldson

My aunt Heather, who lives and works for the majority of the year in Poland, was kind enough to sit for a few test shots for me a little while back and pulled her version of Auguste Rodin's The Thinker out of her hat. She'll tell you she did this unintentionally, and that she doesn't even know who Rodin is, but I wouldn't believe her. She's just cool like that. So, she's back over there now, enjoying kluski and delicious kremovka, which I also discovered was the Pope's favourite dessert. Who knew?

"They are the proof that something was there and no longer is. Like a stain. The stillness of them is boggling."*

2010-01-19T23:11:00.001-05:00

*Diane Arbus, On photographs

All the fabrics

2010-01-08T00:01:00.003-05:00

Today I'd like to commemorate C's final chemo with a photo of her wearing all the prints and fabrics in the world because she has fashion by the throat and it does whatever she tells it.

15 Kendon.

2009-12-28T13:37:00.002-05:00

Grandma's house snowed way in.

An average looking, Donaldson Family Christmas

2009-12-27T20:31:00.003-05:00

But the first one we used GPS to get there, just for fun, we obvs know the way.
The first we ate delicious roast beef and said bye bye to sucky turkey!
And the first without our Grampa Ted.
I took this shot from his seat :(

Se Sab.

2009-12-21T17:52:00.001-05:00

Sabatino Di Giovanni

I love so many things about this image.

I've been told my Zio's sausages are the best. I dont eat much pork, it honestly creeps me out a bit, but I went by anyway with my parents for a visit because I miss their faces and to pick up this sausage. My dad says this sausage machine (?) is half hand-made. Obviously I can see it's not the meat grinder part, so it must be the box part, that's totally a homemade deal right there. There's something still so old world about my family when I see images like this. Then I was told that my zio learned this from his father, who learned from his father, etc., and the whole chain was brought here. Last week my dad taught me, again for the hundredth time, where to put windshield washer fluid in my car, and that's not telling about my dad who has a wider range of skills than I'll ever absorb, but maybe I should learn to make pork sausages or at least eat them or something.

No cars, kid.

2009-12-10T10:59:00.002-05:00

Nico Cerrone

Nico, my awesome neighbour and pseudo sibling, was cool enough last week to bring his chopper (chopper, right?) over to my driveway for a portrait. I can't begin to understand how to make these machines work, or how to even steer one but he knows how to do both, and really really well. I asked him to pretend to fix something while I shot, and he said "pretend?" and actually went ahead and fixed something that needed fixing. He's the best.

Melancholy Melissa Marie.

2009-11-29T22:53:00.004-05:00

Melissa Di Pasquale.

MelMarie is a girl close to my heart: She keeps my brother sweet and in line, bakes our family delicious treats, and is available for a close-up whenever I call her lately. She doesn't have a blog yet, otherwise I'd link it here, but I have been encouraging her to start one, so while we wait, you can follow her on twitter. Thanks MM! You're a total dolly.

Mark, Farm hand.

2009-11-27T11:34:00.004-05:00

Because hey, sometimes we can.

2009-11-26T13:54:00.002-05:00

Amanda Di Pasquale.

Amanda was an awesome subject to photograph for my beauty shot (You were!). She would tell you she's not comfortable in front of the camera, but kindly agreed to my photo request anyway, and I think this photo proves otherwise. She's a beautiful girl inside and out, has gorgeous hair, and is super hilarious. Amanda has a degree in media studies and creative writing which she puts to good use over at her blog Not A Model. Go! Add her to your reader!

Smile, give your face a holiday.

2009-11-24T23:24:00.009-05:00

My great aunt Teen Cassidy.

Part-time entertainer.

The title credit is hers and there's another part to it I can't remember right now. I also can't remember the context of the quote, but when she said it I immediately laughed and loved it. What I do remember though is a cool story she told me a little while ago about being born in the bedroom of the house she and my grandfather grew up in. I have my own stories of her from growing up too, where she used to dress up fully as a clown and perform at our birthdays.
I still don't know where the water disappears to in the Styrofoam cups.

Pears.

2009-11-23T13:55:00.002-05:00