Our CNE Lifestyle Photoshoot with Maria
Blue sky, bright midway signs and people moving through the fairground: the Canadian National Exhibition gave Maria's portraits plenty of colour and context. We moved through the grounds, using different parts of the setting as backgrounds for the photographs.
Finding frames in a busy fairground
The CNE has a lot happening in every direction. In this series, some frames include the rides and signs, while others bring Maria closer and leave the background softer. A railing, a coloured column or a patch of open sky can give a portrait a different structure without leaving the fairground.
Keeping the outfit easy to move in
Maria and I planned a casual outfit for the setting: jeans and a light blue-and-white cropped top. You can see the same look throughout the gallery, which helps connect photographs made in different parts of the grounds.
The poses change around it, from hands resting at the waist to raised arms and turns away from the camera. Clothing that allows movement gives us room to try those variations during a walking session.
Working towards the evening light
We planned the shoot around the late-day light. The warmer light sits alongside the blue sky and colourful signs in the photographs, adding another part of the fairground's palette.
For an outdoor session, the direction of the light matters as much as the time on the clock. As we move between backgrounds, I look at how the light falls on the face and what is happening behind the person.
The photographs and the film
The film at the top of the page accompanies the gallery below. Together, they show different parts of our time at the CNE: portraits, the fairground setting and the movement around us.
Planning a lifestyle session in a lively place
This is an archive of our shoot, rather than a current event guide. The CNE is seasonal; for a future session, check the official CNE website for dates and admission information, and confirm any photography requirements with the organisers before making plans.
For your own session, we can begin with a place you enjoy and choose the timing, clothing and pace around it. Explore my portrait and lifestyle sessions or tell me where you would like to shoot.
