John W. MacDonald's Weblog

Megan & Kelly

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Sun, 29 May 2016 10:40:00 +0000

©johnwmacdonald.com

Greely House Fire

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:58:00 +0000

I witnessed a house fire in its early stages of development this morning. The fire probably started in the garage area of the home in Greely, Ontario - lighting a car ablaze in the driveway. Tragically, two dogs perished in this fire according to news reports.

2 dogs killed in Greely house fire
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/fire-home-empire-grove-street-1.3597683

Twin Hug

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Mon, 23 May 2016 15:49:00 +0000

My little girls. Not so little any more. :-(

Kids - May 2016

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Tue, 17 May 2016 13:39:00 +0000

Kate Heartfield

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 01:27:00 +0000

Ottawa Citizen journalist & editorial pages editor, speculative fiction writer. Mom. heartfieldfiction.com/

Michael Dennis

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:51:00 +0000

Michael came for a visit. We talked about books, poetry and took some photos. Great spring day in Greely. http://michaeldennispoet.blogspot.ca/ Michael Dennis, poet. Ottawa, May 2015.

Self-Posed

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 23:37:00 +0000

Most times as a photographer I have to coach the client into a pose suitable for a great photo. Sometimes, the client has their own ideas, too. I've always believed that the photo session is a dance between two people. Sometimes you lead and sometimes you follow. It's a win-win scenario for us both.

Accenture Head Shots in Ottawa

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:20:00 +0000

I had one of my largest number of head shot sessions last December: a whopping 42 people signed up in one very short but fast-paced afternoon! I wont post all the photos here as they all pretty much looked like this lighting setup -- which was a strong mix of ambient light from a window behind me. This was enhanced by a diffused Profoto D1 Air (roughly on camera axis) and another D1 in an umbrella on camera right. Very, very subtle. The aim was to get a consistent lighting across all shots as much as was possible due to the dark winter afternoon daylight in December. And for some shots I stepped a little to the left and photographed the clients against the white wall directly behind them to get another look entirely.

Natalia

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:00:00 +0000

From a recent promotional photo session shot outside just before the snow fell.

James K. Moran

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 19:21:00 +0000

I am excited to announce that James Moran has published his first novel "Town & Train" this month. It's now available to order. I am pleased that James sought out my photographic services last month for a promotional headshot session for his book. Congratulations on the novel, James. Much success! More info on his twitter site: twitter.com/jkmoran

Dave Telka

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 20:17:00 +0000

A promotional head shot for professional purposes on LinkedIn and the like.

Rhonda Douglas

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 20:10:00 +0000

Rhonda Douglas photographed on location in Ottawa, summer 2014.

Frances Boyle

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:27:00 +0000

I love word-of-mouth references for my photography. Frances is in the poetry & writing community in my home town of Ottawa and recently reached out to me for a promotional portrait for herself. I was more than happy to oblige. She's a wonderful person and it was my pleasure providing a professional photo for her fans!

the twins

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 12:11:00 +0000

from summer of 2014

NCC Transfers Bike Share Service to CycleHop

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 23:03:00 +0000

This past April I was hired by The National Capital Commission (NCC) to photograph the official transaction of the new owner/management of the bike share operations in Ottawa. This is one of the photos that ran in their press release: www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/property-management/what-we-manage/news... (from left) NCC CEO Dr. Mark Kristmanson and CycleHop CEO Josh Squire

Sandra Ridley

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 16:14:00 +0000

Sandra Ridley, Ottawa 2013.

Reading at the Manx Pub

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 01:01:00 +0000

Saturday, October 26th: Bookthug Cabaret with André Alexis, Sandra Ridley & Michael Blouin (A Plan 99 / Ottawa International Writers Festival event)

Richard Truhlar 1950-2013

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:45:00 +0000

Richard Edward Truhlar (February 14, 1950 - September 17, 2013)
Last September Richard Truhlar sent me a request for an author photo from a selection of candid shots done prior to his 2010 Ottawa performance. He is/was to have his book released the Fall of 2013 entitled FACT SIMILE: Collected Fiction 1979 - 2005. His last message to me was, "I may come back to you in future when I do my other book in 2014. I love your work, by the way!" Thank you again Richard.

Tearsheet - Ottawa Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 14:16:00 +0000

Tearsheet: Ottawa Magazine - September 2013. My 2009 photo of Yoga on the Hill is still making the rounds. Proud to have it published in this great local magazine.

Jeanne and David - Strathmere Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 00:06:00 +0000

Sandra Ridley

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:53:00 +0000

from a spring photo shoot with a lovely Ottawa poet with a new book to be published this fall.

Memorial Services - Joan MacDonald

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:28:00 +0000

Memorial Services for my mother, Joan MacDonald, will be at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home and Chapel 1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa on Friday 17 May 2013, 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm. Burial will take place at a later date in her hometown of Lourdes, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

Thank you again to my friends and family for your support during her lengthy illness and final weeks spent at the Hospice at May Court. Your thoughtful comments and notes have provided much comfort to my family and I. She was a great mom, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, nurse, and friend.

“So while the parish priest at her bedside Went hammer and tongs at the prayers for the dying And some were responding and some crying I remembered her head bent towards my head, Her breath in mine, our fluent dipping knives-- Never closer the whole rest of our lives.”
-- Seamus Heaney

MACDONALD, Joan (nee Smith)
Peacefully after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the age of 77. Beloved wife of Edward. Loving mother of Ross and John (Julie). Cherished grandmother of Matthew, Kelly and Megan. Dear sister of William (Donna) and Virginia Gerrior (the late Donald). Predeceased by her parents Elsie (nee Warrington) and William Smith and by her sister Cheryl. She will be dearly missed by many nieces and nephews. Friends may pay their respects at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road at Albion Road on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Cremation to follow. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Lourdes, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. For those who desire in memoriam donations, please consider the Hospice at May Court, 114 Cameron Ave. Ottawa, ON K1S 0X1 or a charity of your choice. (via)

Greely Ducks

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:14:00 +0000

Tear Sheet - Canadian Running

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 16:54:00 +0000

Got another sweet double-page photo in the March-April 2013 issue of Canadian Running magazine. Thanks again Dianne Kapral!

Elizabeth MacKinnon - Ottawa Headshot

noreply@blogger.com (John MacDonald) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:47:00 +0000

Elizabeth - Headshot by John W. MacDonald