Here is how my local Guelph neighbourhood magazine assignments became one of many ways for me to contribute and give back to my terrific community.
Since moving to Guelph in 2016, I have been constantly amazed by what this city has to offer and how it has made us feel. Undoubtedly, we have only had good memories so far. Therefore, I wanted to ensure I helped welcome other families lucky enough to relocate to this amazing “royal city” and feel how we felt.
How I became an exclusive photographer for two Guelph Neighbourhoods magazines
Besides marrying my wife and having two amazing sons, moving to Guelph is certainly one of the best things to happen to me. Because of my gratitude for this city, I was happy to start giving back to the community in any possible way. However, when we first moved in, I didn’t yet know how!
What experience did I have to contribute? I knew my photography skills could be an asset. However, I needed a way to use them to benefit the community. Most importantly, I wanted to make my fellow Guelphites feel as amazing as I had when they welcomed my family and me. First, I tried to connect with those in my neighbourhood and organically with the community. It was a slow process, and I couldn’t feel the impact I was having immediately.
The particular phone call
Then, one day I received an unannounced phone call from a US phone number. The caller inquired if I was interested in taking pictures in two local neighbourhood magazines in exchange for an advertisement spot. I was asked to photograph the featured family or a person for the magazine’s front cover and main story. Once done, I would deliver the images to the team for further work in preparation for the magazine publishing.
Nowadays, with the constant scammers and sleazy workers, it was tough to imagine that this offer was genuine.
After confirming this offer was legit, I began to see the opportunity it held! First, of course, the advertisement spot was exciting. However, the most gratifying aspect was that I would be working with local families, business owners, and people in my community. This project became the opportunity I was looking for to give back to my community. Furthermore, the added bonus was that I had a chance to get to know the neighbourhoods that I was assigned to photograph better.
The Neighbourhood of Clair and Gordon Magazine
This neighbourhood is located in the south end of Guelph. Because I also live in the south end, it was easy to drive to any photo sessions and 2-5min maximum in any weather or traffic condition. This quick commute felt surreal as I have become accustomed to driving hours when meeting clients.
First, I was introduced to Shilpa, the magazine content coordinator. She wrote the stories and introduced me to the people featured in the magazine who I would photograph.
I was so excited to work in this area, knowing that many families had just relocated from different parts of the GTA just like we had.
Exhibition Park Neighbourhood
The second neighbourhood I was assigned to was the Exhibition Park area. This location is part of old Guelph and has such a unique character that you can see in the houses, the people living there, and their businesses. I was so happy to get to work in and get to know this neighbourhood. Unquestionably, It is truly a unique area and, in a way, “the heart of the city,” as the residents say.
Most of the people featured in this magazine have close connections with the downtown core of Guelph, which is one of my favourite parts of the city. Some own downtown businesses or work in the area.
Heather was the content creator that worked with me for this magazine, connecting me to the families and people featured monthly.
What I could bring to the magazines
Indeed, this was a new experience for me! With the story being told by the content creators, I felt less in control of the storytelling aspect of photography. I usually photograph my clients in a way that illustrates our photo session experience. Instead, I just needed to take photos for these sessions to enhance the story already being told. So, again, it was a very new experience!
I accepted the offer and waited to see what the first sessions would look like. I was committed to this project and knew I might need to adjust my usual approach to make the featured family or person feel at ease quickly.
Ultimately, I knew my 25 years of photography experience was there to back me up.
My role in the Guelph Neighbourhoods Magazines
As usual, I pre-planned the session by envisioning how it might unfold and any challenges we may encounter. I wasn’t about to alter the quality of my work or my performance simply because it was not a paid appointment.
Above all, these sessions really solidified for me the beauty of giving and not expecting anything in return. I was so happy seeing the smiles on people’s faces. I thoroughly enjoyed their surprise when I took photos beyond their expectations in just a 5-10 minute session.
Genuinely, I treat these sessions as my own and put inside 100% of my effort for this to be successful without looking for a monetary return.
Return of given back
These magazine assignments have been excellent photo sessions. I have made some great connections and love seeing happy faces every month during sessions for both neighbourhood magazines.
Each month the printed stories of our residents are shared by mail with their communities and neighbourhoods.
To make this experience even better for the featured residents, I give each family or person featured in the magazine all published images complimentary so they can further enjoy the beauty of their session.
The following blog posts will feature individual sessions and my experience with the residents and my community of Guelph. It feels great to become a local photographer and give back in the best possible way I know – through my photography.
- Photos taken by Dragi Andovski, published ©2023 DA Photography
- Photo Locations: Exhibition Park, Riverside Park, Covered Bridge, The Boathouse, The Little Theatre, Aberfoyle Mill, River Run Centre, John Galt Park, Orin Reid Park and Downtown Guelph, ON.
- DA Photography Families on Instagram
- Want to see some more family photos in Guelph? Check another blog post.
