Top 50 of 2021

I feel like I say this every year, but this 2021 was unquestionably different in terms of what I was photographing than what I was expecting to. My Top 50 of 2019 focused heavily on my time spent travelling, my Top 50 of 202o was an accumulation of personal photographs and unique projects designed to pass the time, and I had expected 2021 to follow suit. I could not have imagined not only the clients I would come to work with, but also the sheer volume of work I would face, and I count myself extraordinarily lucky.

2021 was the year photo and video work became my full-time profession. While the first few months I did not seek out/book any shoots, and spent my days working from home in an investors relation position, I used my early year to upgrade my gear to professional standards across the board. It quickly paid off, and I ended up finding myself quite busy indeed. I start opening myself up to freelance work in June (as the IR job winded down), and continued booking freelance gigs through the end of November, and was lucky enough to count nearly 50 shoots in that time. Pair that with the beginnings of a 6-month full-time contract with the Toronto Police to create a stock photo library beginning in August, and it becomes needless to say I worked more days than I did not.

I was fortunate enough to find myself working with brands such as McDonald’s, Roku, MLSE and the ERSI Brain Project, but also with a plethora of small local businesses ranging from the likes of Alpha K-9 all the way to A+A Discount Auto Parts and Paupers Pub. But there was more than just business on the other side of my lenses- I shot my first batch of both weddings and engagements, my first album cover and of course was delighted with the return of professional sports. I was given full creative control over fashion brands creating images to launch their new lines, and glimpsed the love awaiting a child during a maternity shoot. I shot things I had never even thought of before, and the challenge was more than I could’ve hoped.

While the last 2 years have seen me take 18,000 and 12,000 photos respectively, that number soared this year to well over 34,000 total photos taken within 12 months. That was all with my own Canon 5D Mark IV, my back-up Mark IV, a Canon FTb (35mm photos marked with *), as well as when I was lucky enough to be able to test various Sony and FujiFilm cameras as well. I sacrificed a lot of time I had designated to spend with friends and family this year in the constant push to book more and more, and while at times I very nearly burned myself out, looking back at the bulk of my work from 2021, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

And just like years prior, it is important to note- by no means are these necessarily my best photos of 2021. These are the 50 photos from this year that stuck out to me the most, whether it be compositionally, for the opportunity to take it, or the moment forever associated with it. 2021 was an odd year- COVID seemed to end at times, and at others it was worse than ever, but similar to last year- all that uncertainty to me only increased my love for what I do, and realize how important moments are, and the significance of immortalizing the memories with a camera. To everyone who hired me this year, I can never thank you enough, and to all those already booked for 2022, I can’t wait to create for you.

Cheers everyone- for what 2021 was- what 2022 will be- and the people we’ll be in a year.

And also, to the 50 photos yet to come.

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“...what matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause; what matters is whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim.”- Amor Towles