18 Feb Downtown Ottawa Adventure with Corey
Earlier this October, I spent a Wednesday exploring downtown Ottawa with my brother Corey for a fun and relaxed portrait session. I’ve been photographing downtown for over a decade, so I know all the best spots — the hidden alleyways, the rooftops of parking garages, and those small nooks and corners that make for interesting backdrops. Yet no matter how many times I return, the city always offers something new. A fresh storefront or a seasonal festival can completely change the scenery, and that evolving atmosphere keeps downtown shoots exciting.
On the day of Corey’s session, the city was fairly quiet, which allowed us to move around easily and make the most of the locations. Corey came well prepared, planning three distinct outfits in advance that gave the session a great variety — from sporty looks to casual streetwear. Parking centrally downtown made it simple for him to switch between outfits quickly, which kept the session flowing smoothly.
We wandered through side streets, explored tucked-away spots, and even ventured onto the rooftops of parking structures to capture dramatic silhouette shots and portraits with shifting backdrops. It was an easygoing session, full of small discoveries and creative opportunities.
Photographing someone you know deeply is always a special experience. There’s something meaningful about capturing their essence as you see them — not just how they might see themselves. The images become a reflection of your relationship, of how you know and care for them. That’s exactly how it felt photographing Corey: not just creating portraits, but preserving the way I see him through my lens.
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