Clare Brennan 17/60

Anyone who is involved in the creative or design community here in Ottawa, knows who Clare Brennan is. He’s one of the creative pillars in Ottawa’s advertising community, as a partner in Fifty Strategy + Creative, an instructor at Algonquin College and also the founder of Creativity in Common - a pretty cool initiative which shares creative inspiration and ideas on Instagram.

Clare’s also been a dear friend for over 20 years. I’m very grateful for his friendship and our creative collaborations over the years.

Thanks Clare!

Clare Brennan / Creative Director / Advocate for Creative Thinking

Dr. Anmar Salman 16/60

Yesterday we photographed a corporate profile portrait for an Ottawa physician, Dr. Anmar Salman. During the shoot we talked about humility and the power of being confident in what we know and what we don’t, and that it comes best with age and experience. We also spoke about Anmar’s career and his experience living and working in other places. He was born in Iraq, lived in and studied in the UK and now lives and works as a family physician here in Canada. Having other living and work experiences really helps one appreciate community.

Anmar, not only really cares about people and community, he also has a cool interest in classic fashion style, of which he likes to blend with his interests in health and wellness.

As I get to photograph more people for the 60 at 60 series, it’s great to see how the individuals I get to photograph, help make up the dynamic fabric of our community and perhaps the continued tapestry of my friendships (old and new). As Anmar mentioned yesterday, a black & white portrait has the opportunity to capture the different shades of grey that we all harbour in our personas.

Thanks Anmar for bringing your sense of style and your kind perspectives to yesterday’s shoot!

Dr. Almar Salman / Family Physician

Benoit-Antoine Bacon 15/60

I had the awesome (and fun) opportunity to spend some time yesterday at Carleton University, photographing the university’s 15th president, Benoit-Antoine Bacon. I’ve photographed Benoit a few other times for Carleton and each time it was such an easy and interesting experience. This shoot was similar but even more cool, as our conversation leaned towards how we all see the world with our eyes and brain, his love for music and also his gratefully close relationship with his daughter (who is also studying at Carleton).

Benoit is kind and curious, approachable and humble, and really enjoys helping students find their way.

Thanks Benoit, for being such a pleasure to photograph!

Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon / Professor, President and Vice-Chancellor / Grateful Father

Alex Cuba 14/60

We were fortunate enough to see Alex Cuba in concert last night at the NAC. His music was warm, fun and full of heart, and we really loved how he blended his Cuban/Canadian story into his music and stage presentation. The concert truly was a wonderful and passionate dose of sunshine, during such a cold time in Ottawa!

After a quick Instagram exchange last night, Alex was kind enough to agree to an early morning portrait before he headed off to his next concert destination. It was so cool to meet and photograph the humble and creative person behind such wonderful music.

Thanks Alex!

Alex Cuba photographed for Dwayne Brown's 60 at 60 project.

Alex Cuba / Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter / Juno and Grammy winner / ‘Love & Light’

To learn more about Alex Cuba’s music and tour dates: mendo.alexcuba.com

Dan Lavoie 13/60

I met Dan Lavoie last month while photographing a family portrait for him and his siblings as a gift to his mom for Christmas. It was great meeting and photographing the whole family (and dog), but Dan’s empathy and gracious nature really stood out. We finally got to spend more time getting to know each other yesterday while we shared a couple beers and made some portraits together.

Dan has a soft nature and a strong will to help people. He does this with humility, a kind heart and a journey full of life experiences. He’s worked in the music industry and he loves fashion, but his true calling is helping others. I’m very grateful to of spent the time yesterday creating and connecting.

Thanks Dan!

Dan Lavoe

Maria Ford 12/60

One fun aspect of the 60 at 60 project, is the impromptu nature of the series. Today while photographing Maria Ford, for some creative branding imagery for her company Phrase Strategy, we decided to capture some BW’s and create a portrait for the series.

Maria is a creative entrepreneur through and through. As a self proclaimed ‘dreamer’, she’s owned her own local dance studio, she writes, she creates marketing strategy and she also helps and coaches companies to scale and better fulfill their potential. And she does all of this with creative drive, curiosity, attention-to-detail and very focused intention. Business endeavours aside, it was also cool to hear about Maria’s recent cross country drive with her 83 year old dad and to learn that she’s originally from Alberta. (yeah, that’s where I’m from too!)

Thanks so much Maria, for sharing more of your story and lending your face and personality to the project!

Maria Ford / Creative Strategist, Writer, Dancer and Cross Country Driver

Susan Boudreau 11/60

I had the opportunity to photograph Susan Boudreau in the studio yesterday. Susan is a local hair stylist, working out of the Julian.Marc Salon on Dalhousie, and has been cutting my wife Jennifer’s hair forever. Yes, Susan is a super talented stylist, but she’s so much more. She’s innately intelligent, creatively observant and intensely present. These qualities definitely help her professionally, but they also make her an empathetic listener and a kind friend. Oh yeah, and she’s fiercely courageous!

Thanks Susan!

Eryn O'Neill 10/60

When you photograph someone who is as multi-dimensional as Eryn O’Neill, it makes sense to photograph her twice to help capture her story. On top of being a super talented and successful painter, Eryn is also studying at the Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism, working on her Masters of Achitecture (MArch). She’s very dedicated to learn, teach, create and tackle any challenge in front of her!

Thanks Eryn, for braving the camera (two weekends in a row)!

Eryn O’Neill / Masters of Architecture Student

Dr. Graham Sher 9/60

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph Dr. Graham Sher in the studio. I first met Graham several years ago while I was shooting some corporate work for Canadian Blood Services, where Graham was and still is the CEO. When we met, I was immediately drawn to his kind, humble and disarming nature. I was also super impressed to learn at the time, that he was quite an accomplished and passionate landscape photographer.

During our session today we talked about many things - his gratitude for the opportunity to work with such a great team at CBS, his personal photography pursuits (including our shared love for Fuji cameras), and of course his family. Graham truly is an outstanding person. He’s a collaborative and dedicated leader, he’s a creative and curious photographer, he’s an Officer of the Order of Canada and he’s a super proud family man. I’m very glad that we met all those years ago and now I’m very grateful to have him as a friend.

Thanks Graham!

Dr. Graham Sher / CEO of Canadian Blood Services, Officer of the Order of Canada and Intrepid Photographer

To learn more about Graham’s photography: www.grahamsherphotography.com

Eryn O'Neill 8/60

We spent a fun couple hours this afternoon photographing my dear friend, Eryn O’Neill in her downtown art studio. Eryn blends a cool mix of fine-art, architecture, academia and entrepreneurship (and her love for construction) into her life and her creative pursuits! I love how she embraces the unknown and keeps painting despite the challenges surrounding her. She’s very talented and super interesting, and she’s constantly moving forward - creatively and academically. Oh yeah, and she’s an exceptional painter!

She truly is an Ottawa gem!

Thanks Eryn!

Eryn O’Neill / Artist

Jack Doré 7/60

It’s always great to spend time and photograph Jack. It’s been fun capturing portraits of him in between his adventures tree planting and travelling. I’m so grateful to have his trust in front of the camera!

Thanks again, Jack!

Jack Doré / Tree Planter and Insatiable Philosopher

Sophia Crosby 6/60

Photographing Sophia tonight was like being commissioned to shoot a portrait for Rolling Stone Magazine in the early 70’s. She has such a cool style combined with a soft serene confidence.

Thanks Sophia!

Sophia Violet Rose Crosby

Jack Doré + Sophia Crosby 5/60

It was pretty terrific photographing Jack and Sophia tonight. Jack is as strong as he is sensitive. While Sophia is sweet as pie, yet also owns a quiet strength as well. Together, they bring a pretty cool vibe and caring energy where ever they go.

Thanks Jack + Sophia!

Jack Doré + Sophie Violet Rose Crosby

Soungui Koulamallah 4/60

Anyone who has met Soungui knows what a determined entrepreneur he is, but his drive is quiet and reserved. Perhaps it comes from his love of basketball and knowing its all about playing the long game, and playing with a long term determination, to attain the goals you set out for yourself. Something else that is at Soungui’s core is helpfulness and evoking change - his goals are to help you attain yours.

Thanks again Soungui, for making the time yesterday for some portraits!

Soungui Koulamallah / Fitness Entrepreneur

Soungui Koulamallah + Alycia Fowler 3/60

It was such a treat to photograph Soungui and Alycia this afternoon. Together, they run Soungui Fitness, helping their clients improve their health, nutrition and happiness. They both have such an energetic yet calm presence, mixed with intelligent determination. It’s so cool to photograph a couple who truly compliment each other - both in business and in life!

Thanks Soungui and Alycia!

Soungui Koulamallah + Alycia Fowler / Fitness Entrepreneur + Orthomolecular Nutritionist

Kate Brennan 2/60

The #60at60 project is off to a wonderful start, with this portrait of my dear friend, Kate Brennan. Kate (or Katy as I’ve always know her as), has always been kind, witty and quietly confident. I’ve known Kate for more the 20 years and it’s so cool to see how she’s developed into such a lovely and intelligent young women, using her natural personality, interests and empathy, to become an accomplished and dedicated biologist, working in wetlands conservation.

Thanks Kate!

Kate Brennan / Biologist

Dwayne 1/60

To begin my #60at60 project, I thought it would be best to put myself in the hot seat and in front of the camera. Every time I create a self-portrait, I’m reminded just how humbling it is to be photographed. (we’ve earned every wrinkle and grey hair - right!?) Now I need to get rolling on photographing the next 59 portraits!

Dwayne Brown / self-portrait