by Kirsten McGoey | May 5, 2025 | Ajax, Ajax Family Photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville Family Photographer, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin Family Photographer, Brooklin headshot photographer, Copyright, Courtice Family Photographer, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Durham Region Acting Headshots, Durham Region Family Photographer, Educational, Family Photographer, Family Photos, Graduate, Graduation, Headshot, Local Business, Magic, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa Family Photographer, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Port Perry Family Photographer, Portraits, Print the Experience, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby Family Photographer, Whitby headshot photographer
Our photography studio creates graduate photographs for students graduating in the Durham Region from Senior Kindergarten all the way to University.
We have a series of v-stoles in our studio, gowns and hats and would love to work with you to capture this milestone in your education journey. We offer studio session and lifestyle graduate packages on location in the Durham Region at this time.
Our studio sessions can be our “One and Done” sessions or our larger “Lifestyle Graduate” package (which we adapt to the studio with your input). You are welcome to use to the gowns*, stoles and props we have in the studio – but due to the large variety of colours we cannot have every school in stock.
Some of the schools we do have include:
- EA Fairman PS (dark blue, red, dark blue – triple vstole)
- Henry Street High School (purple, gold purple – triple vstole, reverse too)
- Brooklin High (teal, white, teal – triple vstole)
- Anderson CVI (red, white, black – triple vstole)
- (red, white, red – triple vstole)
- (red, medium blue, white – triple vstole)
- (red, medium blue, white – triple vstole)
- (green, white, green – triple vstole)
- (teal, white, black – triple vstole)
- We also have some single stoles in silks but they are not as nice as the vstoles above which is now the industry standard. (Note: each stole is $45+ shipping so we add a few each year due to the cost, cost as of 2025 Spring.)
Where possible we also will adapt existing stoles to the colour (if photoshop allows for the change).
Post secondary stoles are not something we stock as there are too many variations. * Gowns we have in various sizes – SK in blue/red matte, black gowns in a variety of sizes, green and dark blue gowns.
Our studio has soft white faux tulips and we can forma faux diploma. The SK graduates really have fun with the props and we have large sized pencils just in this year to add to those moments.
Our lifestyle work allows us to break out of the studio and into the location settings. These are not group sessions (aka one grad per package) but one on one sessions with your graduate to document their graduation at a local park, mural or other space in your town/city.
Our graduates are encouraged to wear their suit or dress under their gown so we can capture both. Bring your sport or interest along – we can showcase your love of “soccer”, a photo with your pet or a photo with your siblings. But ideally the focus is on you during this session – a gown/hat image, a suit/dress image and a few creative shots in between.
The end result is a keepsake that you will cherish for a lifetime and can gift to loved ones.
Want to know more about our packages?
Want to see our graduate portfolio? Graduates
Send us a connect form!
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Feb 14, 2025 | Acting Headshots, Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Business Content, Corporate, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Headshot, Local Business, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Portraits, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
We are going to “shed some light” on the kinds of light photographers use to make your branding/headshot images. Light is everything in our work and it can shape the look of your brand, so knowing a few basics is essential in finding the look that aligns with you and or your brand.Â
Natural Light
This one sounds just like it is, we use the natural light in a scene or building to create your image. There are no extra lights on our cameras or off the camera to aid in creation of the images. We may use natural light at golden hour or open shade, where the light reflects softly in the shade of a building or tree. We may bounce light with a reflector but that light is still natural light.
Sometimes we pose subjects indoors using the light from windows – after all this is Canada and we have a sizeable winter season so we cannot always work with you outdoors. It is a softer light and best used in a space connected to you and your brand, it might be nature or the city – indoors or outdoors.Â
On Camera Flash
This is not one I often use for branding/headshots as I tends to give you that paparazzi vibe, which can be used intentionally with the right brand. I am going to show some examples but they are from events as I really don’t use the technique (or had clients who needed that look).
Events in dark rooms often require a flash on your camera to be effective but it would not be a first or second choice for professional work. You could use this technique effectively to create cool fashion brand on white backgrounds for that high key image look but the brand would need to align with this to make it work.
Off Camera FlashÂ
Given that we do have a sizeable winter season and many businesses have specific headshot and image requirements light the studio can be a popular or starting option for images.
There are a variety of different ways to employ studio lights with and without backdrops. For example, in the case of the image of Mika Modolo we took in 2017, there was one studio light in a cramped hallway, next to a coffee station and adjacent the newsroom and the computer graphics room. we also bounced a little of the light using a reflector on her right side to get this image.
In the case of the Mayor Roy and Council’s images we used a grey backdrop and then edited each image also as a .tiff so the file could be used on a responsive grey background gradient on the website itself.
We also create images that are high end music style like country music protege Riley Wheater’s image below and more fun images like the SNL inspired image of Greg Frankson flying into the frame.
The world of studio lighting gives realtors a fresh all white look and makes them easy to cut out for a variety of realtor signs, website and pamphlets applications.
Business Images
When it comes to successful business images we have spoken about the value of making your own images in our article Are there drawbacks to stock photography?. Stock tends to under perform on searches so creating it is in your best interest.
Business images are a great way to build brand recognition as it’s essential to keep a consistent look across your social media through to your website. A hodgepodge of images can be confusing for customers who are inundated with content 24/7. Every time a consumer visits you it’s important to show you are a serious brand and keep them engaging; branding images help you achieve that all important goal.
When telling a story a business images – be it a headshot or brand specific images – are essential to telling an effective and understandable story. They help you build trust with your customer base by creating a good first impression and subsequent impressions along the timeline of engagement with you and or your brand. For example, a headshot that looks like it was cropped from a wedding photo presents differently than a planned professional headshot in a studio or on location.
Images Shown : (Above) Local MP Ryan Turnbull engaging with Seniors at a local Seniors Centre in town. (Top Left) Yoga Jungle (Middle) Enjoying a promenade with a friend on Marito’s Coffee at Pearson Lanes (Top Right) Creating a tea cup flower arrangement with blogger Craftberry Bush.
Images Shown : (Top Left) Shopping at the Makers Hub (Middle) Exploring the greens growing pod at Durham College in Whitby (Top Right) Getting your eyes checked at Brooklin Optimetric.
Take charge of your brand
I know that my own brand is like my fourth child, it has grown over the last twelve years and that is why working with clients on their brands is so exciting. We are growing a special part of your work story – be it as a local MP, a trusted eye expert or a local maker’s hub – connecting you to your customers is essential.Â
What story do you want to tell?
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Nov 5, 2024 | Ajax Food Photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Brooklin, Business Content, Durham Region, Durham Region Food Photographer, Food Photographer, Headshot, Local Business, Magic, Markham, Oshawa, Oshawa Food Photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Political Photography, Port Perry, Portraits, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Whitby
Business Photography: Where do you start?
The art of business photography is work with a client to create a series of images that will represent their personal brand or business brand.
Quality over Quantity
This is a quality over quantity proposition by where the quality matters in each image much more in the long run. A client once said to me I hired you for this event because last year I received 1000 photos of which I only felt 50 worked, when I hire you I know if you give me 250 I will be able to use them all.Â
What do we explore before we even take a photo?Â
Just like a traditional headshot for business packages we explore the following:
- what is your immediate budget?
- what is the long term plan for images of your brand?
- how the images will be used?
- what location works best for your brand?
- will the images be cut out and used on different sorts of media?
- wardrobe discussions to align the clothing with your brand and ensure it looks amazing on camera
Why we recommend booking out the day.
To create images that tell your story it is never just one photo. It’s very normal for a client to be a little nervous and need a simple thing – time. It is key we work poses, outfits and use the time to get comfortable.
We have packages that start at 20 images through to 50 images. Anything more results in filler images* that will not be used. We want to showcase you, your staff, your office, your services and the vital storylines that make your business unique.
* Exception would be product photography but in those cases we do not cover those in business packages but instead in commercial photography quotes for each individual company.
Success Stories of Business Packages in Action
Below we are showing some business packages in action that are supporting local businesses in Durham Region today:
The dental team at Birch Dental wanted images to launch their new business and they had a wonderful, modern new office that was bathed in natural light. We prepared for the images we wanted, needed and the nice to haves. In the end the final results align with their modern brand and showcase these two entreprenuers for potential clients and existing ones.
The owner of Parents Therapeutic Massage wanted to showcase her treatment room and her brand. We brought in models to shoot treatments in the room you would be in and showcased Melissa the owner at work. A blend of the warmth and skills she provides to keep parents going with her treatments is in the images.
As our MP for Whitby Ryan Turnbull wanted to showcase the partnerships he has with various people and organizations across Whitby. His website shows him in action to meet with constituents and also included some headshots. Images are bright and colourful to match the enthusiasm he brings to the table as a member of parliament.
How do I choose which package works best?
Choosing a package for your business photography should align with your budget for the year. We never want to sell you more images than you need, again quality is our first goal and aligning with your growth strategy is a close second.
Want to learn more?
Send us a connect form and we will call to walk you through our process, your business and make recommendations.
Kirsten McGoey | Trinity Design | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Jun 3, 2024 | Acting, Acting Headshots, Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Art, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Durham Region Acting Headshots, Educational, Magic, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
Join us as we show you how a professional theatre production can be captured in Dress Rehearsals to support your production later in the week. Henry Street High School has a long standing tradition of great theatre and they delivered a great production of Mamma Mia! this year. Here we go again!
I am looking for the big emotional and physical moments in a play. This is infinitely made harder as I have rarely seen the play and sometimes notes about what to look for are not given. I watch to see where I can see the shots I want to make and often take a series of twenty to just get the right smile, eyes open and touch of nose or sassy look. Practice for them also applies to theatre photography, the more you do the more you know what to look for.
What I loved about the play this year was this black light sequence. It was so seamlessly blended into the story and the choreography was just amazing. It allows more of the ensemble to show off the depth talent at Henry. It was a great storytelling technique for the dream sequence and I was delighted I got some good frames as it’s the definition of “low light”.
When photographing theatre you will be faced with light changes, sometimes from moment to moment, sometimes one side is a different scene than the other. It’s always worth mentioning it to the tech team, sometimes the lights are like in Mamma Mia full of colour and capturing that is on point.
Every now and then a part is so perfect you could not imagine anyone else playing it. Meet Stella who plays Rosie in the production and nailed this part. Her physical comedy is spot on and I laughed, clapped and cheered her on in her pursuit of Bill. Bravo! A dash of her work is below:
I mean with ABBA as the soundtrack and a strong plot there is just not much you can say about this play that would be negative. The performances were amazing, the leads for performance 1 and 2 changed for 3 and 4 so we have tried to show you both casts as much as we could.
Stage Director : Skylar is rarely in front of the camera or on the stage but without her and the team there would be no performance. She guides the performance (her 6th with Henry) with skill and confidence – always smiling and ready to make it happen. We will miss you as you are moving on to post secondary.
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Apr 4, 2024 | Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Business Content, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Headshot, Local Business, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Pickering headshot photographer, Political Photography, Port Perry, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby headshot photographer
Creating effective photographic storytelling is unique to each person and the service they provide. Ryan Turnbull is a local MP in Whitby, Ontario and reached out to document his working day for his constiuent website. This site serves as a hub of information and a connection point for Whitby constituents to reach out to Ryan and his staff about key issues concerning the Whitby riding. In addition, there are links to many key services provided by the Federal Goverment – such as passports, old age security, the CRA and many more.
(above) Ryan connecting with staff who showed him how they work in the centre and tested out some machines together.
(below) Ryan shown in the Whitby Public Library – a stunning building designed in 2005 by Shore Tilbe Irwin and Partners (now Perkins+Will).
“My name is Ryan Turnbull and I am your MP for the riding of Whitby in Ontario, Canada: a fast-growing and diverse community just east of Toronto.(-) I am passionate about social issues as well as building a sustainable, eco-responsible economy.” (quote from website)
Telling the story of Ryan Turnbull, MP involved visiting his real constituents all over Whitby. Showing real people engaging with Ryan in community hubs, on campus at Durham College and businesses throughout Whitby allowed for great storytelling alongside connecting in real time with constituents, students, faculty and business owners. Ryan has been the Whitby MP since 2019.
Below: Ryan is shown at the Whitby Seniors Centre in the cafeteria engaged with constituents who know him well and had a hearty discussion on local issues.
Above (1): Ryan making espresso at Bistro ’67. (2) At the Maker’s Hub with Cheryl experiencing the confetti throws from her live shows during COVID. (3) Learning some paddy making skills in the food school at Durham College. (4) Testing the machines with Elliot at the Abilities Centre.
Above: Ryan is shown in a Durham College’s Mechanical Technician – Elevating Devices as a professor runs through servicing an escalator alongside students.
Above: Ryan is shown in a Durham College’s farm fresh and accessible year-round container which grows food; think shipping container with a hydroponic equipment that create rows of “bunk beds” for growing food even on the coldest Canadian winter days.
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Mar 12, 2024 | Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Business Content, Corporate, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Headshot, Local Business, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
How It Started
When Mark came to ask me to create images for his new business I was so excited. I had already worked with his wife on her massage business. So we got to work finding a spot to shoot, gathering models and creating content for his website and social media campaign which is managed by RainSpark Media Group Inc..
We knew right away that a clean, modern look would suit his brand and showcase the business which trains technical reps in skills that will elevate their effectiveness. Effective training starts with a skilled staff at V Specs which work with you to create training that aligns with your goals, portfolio, determine product market jurisdiction fits; all to align with your sales goals and targets. The content we made is designed to be used in a larger plan that stays on brand and on message throughout V Specs entire social media and online precense.
How It Went
Images were captured in Ajax at the The Work Hub is a standard white room, with brand focused items to add that clean and modern look to all the images we created. We also had use of an adjacent lounge area which we used for some of the additional training options to give some extra looks for the brand.
A clean slate room was perfect for us to offset the red, black and white of the brand. The client came very prepared with items in brand colours, mockups with the new branding and a series of staff and models to allow us to build scenes that showed how working with them would feel.Â
How It’s Going
Mark’s business is hitting all the right buttons for a new business, his social media images combine with his brand to create a cohesive experience on all touch points. It was a delight working with him and the team.
To connect about your story: CONNECT FORM
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
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