Keith Cartmell Photography: People

Mostly I'm interested in photographing things, like flowers, or skylines, or landscapes, but along the way I've taken a few of people. These people like their shots, which was a bit of a surprise to me. I don't think of myself as a people or portrait photographer. About the only time I'll do it is at an event, where people are relaxed and doing their thing. That makes for a much better photo than the "turn towards me a bit, chin down a little more, open your eyes wider, smile, no wait your hair isn't right..." thing.

Here's some of the best people shots I've done, with one exception. Plus a bit about the circumstances.

2023

An out take from a corporate photo session, Daryl and Michelle.

During an impromptu family reunion. Kelly, unposed.

Linda, unposed.

Kim, Linda, Angie, Mary, Kelly, posed.

Lois and Phyllis during the same family reunion, unposed.

2022

My favourite model Michelle, taken during a quiet moment as we were out for a walk, on 35mm film.

2021

Greg G. I met him in Lethbridge during a Zeller tour, and again during an art gallery open house. This is taken as the full moon rose over Cotton Wood Park.

My buddy Oksana. We have crossed paths several times, at regular work, and both paid and unpaid theatre work. We met as I saw her preparing to do some stilt walking, and I ran for the camera. I was coming home from a community photo gig, capturing gardeners putting flowers into the planter boxes near the office, when Oksana texted me, saying she was working in her garden. We don't live far from one another, so I dropped by to say hello. During the conversation some photo magic happened.

2020
Me. After I did Michelle's shoot, she suggested I should try being on the other side of the camera. We had lots of fun with her suggesting poses, and coaching me through it. For a thoroughly unphotogenic person, I'm really pleased with the shots.

My buddy Sean again. I like this one better than the one further down. He had dropped in on a light painting session with other buddies to say hi before we got started.

My buddy Michelle is a great model! The occasion is the tower lighting up for melanoma awareness month. We wanted a quiet contemplative shot holding a candle, and this is what we ended up with.

Some neighbours done as a porchrait.

Linda and my buddy Susi on a beach near her home early in the year.

2019
Linda and the cats.

Sandra was our amazing tour guide and driver from Dawson to the Arctic Circle, on her last tour before retiring. Perhaps her hardest thing was getting us where we wanted to be despite numerous places we wanted to stop for photos. Yes, that really is the Arctic in the background, and yes, it was shirtsleeve weather.

Kelly, the bird whisperer taking a break from the Dempster Highway.

One of the results of a fun family shoot in September. Antje and Michelle.

The conspirators celebrating their cahooting to arrange a birthday party for me. Linda, Julie, Michelle.

My writer buddy Jayne that I've done some photo work for, at a Chapters (with horrible light) for a book signing.

I don't know this man, but saw him sitting there while I was out for a walk one day. Originally this was in cityscapes tab and decided it was better here. Follow his gaze to his right knee.

On the ferry on the way back from Waiheke Island to Auckland. The wind was strong and I was fascinated by this woman's scarf.

Linda, same ferry ride. That guy in the sunglasses had been giving me the eye.

Linda, Milford Sound.

Linda, Doubtful Sound.

A newlywed Chinese couple in Glenorchy. He had the exact same camera I was using, and was using a remote to do some selfies. Not a posed shot.

Linda, in the first nice portrait of 2018. I really dithered about how much to crop this, and worried about the light. It seemed cluttered at first, but there's a certain serenity to it.

My buddy Katie at the Wild Rose Triathlon. This shot perfectly expresses her personality.

From here down is photos from 2017.
Linda. We were out for a walk saying goodbye to the 37th St bike path and the beautiful views. There's a freeway going in there. I have no idea who Bob is, or was. I hope they moved the bench before construction equipment moved it for them. (As of early 2018 the bench is still there, overlooking an enormous road construction site.)

Me. I was told I had to include at least one of me, that is not the selfie I took for the about me section of this blog. This was taken by Michelle during one of my winter photo walks in Fish Creek. I was on snowshoes, she was on skis. There is a cousin of mine, who shall remain nameless, who thinks this is a woman's hat. Au contraire! It has a stylish bow, and I've had many compliments on it. The brim is perfect for photography in cool weather.

Much as I love taking photos, the camera doesn't love me as a subject. This is one of the few good ones. I credit the camera operator, not the subject. No, I hadn't forgotten to trim the famous 'stache. Yes, it's what you think it is.

Michelle on the same photo walk. The camera loves her. The difficulty was choosing just one good photo.

Richelle. The camera loves her too. This was at a local triathlon, she was doing the swim for a relay team. It was a tough choice between this one and the wetsuit shot. Not many people can rock the wetsuit look.

Rose. Different triathlon, volunteering.

Amy. She was doing the bike on the same team as Richelle. I'd shown her the camera, and called out "be dramatic!" Then this happened. There's another one from about then she likes better, but it's a bit of an in joke.

Neil. We were in Waterton on one of his photo courses.

Nancy. Same course, same trip. There was a reason for the big furry hats.

Sean. We had done a winter hike up Johnston Canyon to the Ink Pots. I'm not sure what he was startled by. Or maybe he was just pushing up his glasses.

Andrea and Patricia. I had come to paparazzi Patrica during a half marathon. The pink made it easy to find her on the course, which is sometimes a harder thing than you'd think.