Blog Feed: Flashes of Inspiration

A Beautiful Mom-to-Be

Published on 2012-05-10 11:22:00

Last week, I was privileged to work in the studio with lovely expectant mom Sherry. > read more

I Framed My Wife

Published on 2012-04-30 08:24:00

My wife, Lorraine, needed an updated business portrait, so we took care of that on the weekend. > read more

What Photographers Do for Fun

Published on 2012-04-26 08:54:00

Last Sunday, I got together with my friends and fellow professional photographers Brad Kelly of Tequila Moon Productions and Zoey Heath of Arts & Craft Photography. > read more

Creative Project with Daniela

Published on 2012-04-20 16:07:00

Sometimes things just come together: Over the last month or so, I have dreamt up several creative development project ideas, and I have committed to myself to make the time to pursue them. > read more

Judy and Ron

Published on 2012-04-13 15:16:00

Judy and Ron celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by hosting a party for their friends. > read more

Move to Amahi File Server

Published on 2012-03-05 08:06:00

Out with the old.  In with the new.  For the past couple of years, a Windows Home Server has been an important part of my file backup solution.  I store many terabytes of backup data on my WHS file server.  I also use it to host the files that we share here at Lumacraft’s office.  But WHS v1 does not support Advanced Format hard drives, which are quickly becoming the norm, and feeding new disks to your file server on a regular basis is part of life for a digital imaging professional.  Whil [..] > read more

Portraits for The Golfi Team

Published on 2012-02-28 11:44:00

Rob Golfi firmly believes that the right portrait significantly contributes to the success of his real estate business. Rob was back in the studio last week to update the set of portraits that we produced 18 months ago. This time, he brought along colleague Heather Reid, one of the members of his sales team. Heather was a delightful subject. Look at her cheekbones and eyes, and her easy confidence. Some people just belong in front of a camera. Rob relies on the pose and look that we captur [..] > read more

Best in Class for Fashion

Published on 2012-02-12 09:40:00

Last night, PPOC Ontario held a banquet to announce the award winners for its Fall 2011 Image Competition. I received the Best in Class Award for Fashion, for my image "Mocha and Caramel." I am deeply grateful to my professional colleagues for honouring me, and to HP Canada for sponsoring the award. I share this recognition with two very talented artists who collaborated with me on the project that produced this image: the beautiful and inspiring model Casey Lynn Rand, and the skilled and creati [..] > read more

Executive Portrait of Dan Ruginis

Published on 2012-02-10 18:21:00

Dan is enjoying a successful career in the petroleum industry. He has also been one of my best friends ever since we were roommates in university. How long ago was that? Well, it was the year that Raiders of the Lost Ark hit the theatres, Blondie was big on the radio, Trudeau was still Prime Minister, IBM launched its first PC, Lady Di married Prince Charles, and oh God this is depressing. Anyway, many thanks for entrusting me with this portrait commission, Dan! > read more

Head Shots for Actor Gavin Lanteigne

Published on 2012-02-09 10:44:00

Do you recognize this young man?  If not, I bet that you soon will.  Gavin Lanteigne is only 11, but he has already appeared in several TV shows, and has been featured in TV commercials for various big name brands.  He has come close to landing key roles in some major movie productions, too.  The threshold to stardom is a crowded place, but my sense is that Gavin has a real chance of crossing it. It was my pleasure to work in the studio with Gavin and his mom a couple of weeks ago, to produce [..] > read more

Catalogue Photography for Nadine McLeod Designs

Published on 2012-01-23 16:20:00

Last week, I met with Nadine at the studio to photograph her latest creations.  This supplements the catalogue work that I did for her in 2010.  Visit Nadine’s websites at http://www.nadinemcleoddesigns.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nadine-McLeod-Designs/169140096482991 . > read more

First Business Portraits of 2012

Published on 2012-01-04 16:26:00

Thanks Garry, Jennifer, and team! Makeup and hair styling by Virginia, Beauty on the Go. > read more

Derrick’s Portraits

Published on 2011-12-05 16:44:00

My standard executive portrait package includes a single finished portrait, as chosen by my client from among one or two dozen select previews that I provide. Following post-production, the finished portrait is delivered as both, a high resolution image file that is ready for print, and a low resolution image that is ready for the web. Derrick was in the studio last week, and as a matter of course, I covered a range of expressions. It’s not uncommon for clients to make the choice that Derrick [..] > read more

1940’s New York Photography by Stanley Kubrick

Published on 2011-12-02 12:26:00

Wow, these photos are awesome! Perhaps what you might expect if Henri Cartier-Bresson and Diane Arbus were to have a love child photographer. Oh alright you left brainers, let's say he made it with Diane Arbus's mom then. View the above and 14 more images here. > read more

Time And Value

Published on 2011-11-23 12:29:00

Pablo Picasso was sitting in a park when a woman approached him and asked him to draw her portrait. He opened his artist’s pad, and after studying the woman’s face for a moment, quickly drew some contoured lines. He handed the women the drawing. “It’s perfect!” she exclaimed.  “You have captured my essence with just a few strokes of your pencil!  Thank you!  How much do I owe you?” “Five thousand dollars,” he replied. The woman protested, "But it took you only a minute!" " [..] > read more

Awards in 2011 PPOC Ontario Image Competition

Published on 2011-11-10 08:42:00

I have just received notice that I won the following awards in the 2011 PPOC Ontario Image Competition.  Judging was earlier this week.   Award of Merit - Fashion category - Mocha and Caramel (Modelling by Casey Lynn Rand. Hair and makeup by Virginia, Beauty on the Go.)   Award of Achievement – Press Category - Kickboxing Championship   Award of Achievement – Fine Art category – Old World Charmer   The intimate portrait album that I produced for Jessica as a gift for her hus [..] > read more

Thinking About Holiday Season Gifts Yet?

Published on 2011-11-09 13:32:00

> read more

Our New Studio Location!

Published on 2011-07-01 09:20:00

We are excited to announce that, effective July 1, 2011, we have relocated our studio to 270 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton, ON. Our new studio has a beautifully photogenic interior, provides incredible natural lighting possibilities, offers convenient cu > read more

18 Hospitable Subjects

Published on 2011-06-23 12:15:00

It was a my great pleasure to work with the teams at Dana Hospitality and Marek Hospitality, to produce their head and shoulders portraits.  Once again, professional makeup and hair stylist Virginia of Beauty on the Go was my able collaborator. > read more

Photography in the Park with Davide Greene

Published on 2011-06-19 11:11:00

Portrait copyrighted by Davide Greene.  Used by permission of the artist. Toronto area pro photographers, check out the great day of photography and learning that PPOC Central Portrait Branch have planned for you on Monday June 27.  Intern > read more

Mike’s Ride to Conquer Cancer, Day Two

Published on 2011-06-13 08:19:00

Before the cyclists resumed their ride on Sunday, I made a portrait of 18 members of Mike's team, "Sweet Cheeks". We brought 5x7 prints of the portrait to give to everyone at the finish line. (Don't worry team members who we missed .. Mike > read more

Mike’s Ride to Conquer Cancer

Published on 2011-06-11 13:18:00

Cancer has touched our family's lives, taking some people very dear to us.  So this morning it was with a mix of pride and sorrow that we watched our seventeen year old son Mike embark on the 2011 Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer.  He and 460 > read more

Bathing Beauty

Published on 2011-05-31 14:54:00

At last, after looking for one for for ages, I recently got my hands on a claw foot bathtub to use a set piece in the studio.  Last week, with some generous assistance from some talented colleagues, I was able to test it out.  Studio wiza > read more

Laurie’s Review

Published on 2011-05-30 15:17:00

You may remember Laurie’s vintage pin-up session  that I described in this blog posting back in January. Laurie has just contributed a 5-star rating and this testimonial to the Reviews section on my Facebook Page: David, I just love the wa > read more

Casey – Fashion Modelling

Published on 2011-05-26 18:29:00

Casey's main purpose in coming to the studio yesterday was to model for some pin-up and fine art styled images featuring a claw foot bath tub. But we also found time do a fashion styled second set. Here are a few sneak previews. Virginia of Beauty on > read more

New Review from Bride Erica

Published on 2011-05-13 12:41:00

The Reviews section on my Facebook Page was growing a little stale, so I sent a brief note to Erica asking if she would consider contributing something.  If you follow my blog, you may recall that I have posted previews from Erica and Aaron’s > read more

How One Business Portrait Became Seventeen

Published on 2011-05-07 13:20:00

Mr. K is the President of a food services company with locations across Canada. He called us early this week, looking for a head-and-shoulders business portrait.  He needed it finished quickly. He was happy with our service and with the results, > read more

“It Fits Our Room Perfectly!”

Published on 2011-05-06 07:26:00

When ordering printed enlargements, people tend to choose sizes based on their preconceived notions about big and small.  All too often, this results in prints which are much too small for the intended presentation.  Undersized display prin > read more

Site of Local Crash Landing of Plane

Published on 2011-05-05 15:17:00

While I was out running some errands today, I received a text message from my son.  Word had spread among students that a Cessna had just made a crash landing at a high school here in Burlington Ontario, and he thought that I might want to take > read more

Creative Glamour Session with Jaclyn

Published on 2011-04-22 11:35:00

My friend and fellow pro photographer Brad Kelly, whose studio is Tequila Moon Productions in Cambridge, met with me at my studio last Wednesday. After we took care of our business activities, we did something that we have been talking about for ages > read more

New Website is Up!

Published on 2011-04-14 09:36:00

A brand new version of my main website, www.lumacraft.com is now live!  I have been working on this rebuild, time permitting, since December.  In addition to totally redesigning the look and structure of the site, I have added a lot more in > read more

Stephanie M

Published on 2011-04-12 11:58:00

We are delighted to welcome legal consultant Stephanie McManus of Compliance Support Services (http://www.compliancesupport.ca) to our roster of executive portrait clients. > read more

Fencer Portraits - Canadian Fencing Academy

Published on 2011-04-11 09:36:00

I just delivered everyone's preview contact sheets at Canadian Fencing Academy in Oakville.  We were there last week to make portraits for the club members.  Why not ask us about providing an onsite portrait service for your club or group > read more

New Portfolio Galleries

Published on 2011-04-07 09:07:00

Since the beginning of the year, as time has permitted, I have been working on a major redesign of my main website.  This project is now nearing completion.  With only a couple of more pages to be written, and a stack of small tweaks to do, > read more

Executive Portraits: Richard and Charmaine

Published on 2011-03-15 16:24:00

I am happy to add another local RBC Dominion Securities team to our client list. Thank you Richard and Charmaine! Thank you also Virginia of Beauty on the Go, for once again contributing first class in-studio styling work. > read more

Interested in Renting Our Studio?

Published on 2011-03-14 11:50:00

Our private studio is available for short term rental by photographers. We are located in Hamilton, right beside Gage Park, about a 10 minute drive from the QEW Burlington Street exit, and are very easy to get to.  There is private parking lot a > read more

Creative Studio Session with Danielle

Published on 2011-03-13 14:30:00

Photography and presentation copyright © 2011 by David A. Gilmour LPPO. All rights reserved. Music under license from Stock20. Modeling and makeup by Danielle Ellisia Brandino. > read more

Daria’s Studio Portraits: Stills, Video, Music

Published on 2011-03-11 07:29:00

Here is a multimedia presentation of the images from Saturday’s studio portrait session with Daria. Photography and presentation copyright © 2011 by David A. Gilmour LPPO. All rights reserved. Music composed by Conquest/Talbot. Used under > read more

Creative Session with Danielle

Published on 2011-03-07 12:57:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of working for the first time with model Danielle. As you can see, her cool, classic look spurred my creativity. While I see some Audrey Hepburn and Natalie Portman in Danielle's features, she suggests Roxette. Not just a > read more

Images from PPOC CPB Creative Get-together

Published on 2011-03-02 00:29:00

I enjoyed meeting up with some of my PPOC Central Portrait Branch colleagues at Kristina Laukkanen’s studio in Toronto on Monday, for a fun photo shoot.  Our models were DrĂ© Graves and Shelley Miller.  Here are some of my images fro > read more

Lacey and Bill’s Bridal Album

Published on 2011-02-24 16:05:00

Click on the above graphic to be taken to a simulation of the custom designed collage album that we produced for Lacey and Bill. You will see the 15 collage spreads that I created for the album. The actual book, handcrafted in Italy, with a padded le > read more

Birthday Party Model Shoot – Groups

Published on 2011-02-21 07:46:00

At her parent’s request, we also made some group portraits during the fun model shoot for Jasmine’s birthday party. Above is the presentation that I envisioned and recommended for the trio of prints of these trios. > read more

Fun Birthday Party Model Shoot

Published on 2011-02-20 16:13:00

A couple of weeks ago, Jasmine and her “Sweet 16” birthday party guests had a lot of fun taking turns performing as fashion models under my studio lights.  This week, we will be sending out to each girl a CD-ROM containing her set of two to > read more

View Dannen & Darek’s Bridal Album

Published on 2011-02-16 09:53:00

Click on the graphic above to be taken to a simulation of the custom designed collage album that we delivered to Dannen and Darek. Flip its pages to check out its 16 custom collage spreads. Truly a beautiful couple and a beautiful day. Contact Lorra > read more

Portraits for Sports Teams and Clubs

Published on 2011-02-16 07:56:00

This is the poster that I just delivered for a portrait service that I am providing for a local fencing club.  Is your team or club, or your child’s team or club, tired of the run of the mill, cookie cutter portraits that it gets from the fr > read more

Workshop Announcement: Intro to DSLR and Making Great Natural Light Portraits

Published on 2011-02-13 11:47:00

We have only just started promoting this through informal channels, and already it is nearly sold out!  There are just three seats left.  Once again, Marie and I will be running this workshop together.  Contact Marie at 905-320-3130, o > read more

Workshops, Arranged Shoots, and Mentoring

Published on 2011-02-10 07:46:00

I am planning several group workshops at the studio over the coming weeks.  Possible subjects include: Introduction to DSLR Photography Lightroom Photoshop Digital Imaging Workflow Studio Lighting Portraiture Glamour Th > read more

Beauty Portrait for a Beauty Pageant Contestant

Published on 2011-02-08 07:54:00

Lumacraft Photography is sponsoring Miss Canada Petite 2011 contestant Kristeena Berube.  I met with Kristeena at the studio last week to photograph this head-and-shoulders portrait of her, which she will be using in her various promotional mate > read more

Playful Pin Up, Uniquely You

Published on 2011-01-25 07:04:00

My client Laurie wanted some vintage styled pin-up portraits.  Despite having no modeling experience, she proved to be a natural for this look.  I love the results that we got, which were certainly elevated by the contributions of my regula > read more

Glorious Glamour, Uniquely You

Published on 2011-01-17 12:58:00

Give him a gift that he will truly appreciate this Valentine’s Day, one that celebrates your unique beauty.  Invest in a glamour, boudoir or fine art portrait, custom created for you by professional photographic artist David A. Gilmour LPPO.&# > read more

Beautiful Boudoir, Uniquely You

Published on 2011-01-15 13:57:00

Give him a gift that he will truly appreciate this Valentine’s Day, one that celebrates your unique beauty.  Invest in a glamour, boudoir or fine art portrait, custom created for you by professional photographic artist David A. Gilmour LPPO.&# > read more

A Unique Catalogue Shoot with Two Beautiful Little Girls

Published on 2011-01-07 14:15:00

I have been involved in a special project that has proved to me once again how rewarding my work is, and how fortunate that I am in my life.  My client for the project is an international manufacturer of medical equipment, specializing in prod > read more

Business Hours and Holiday Closure

Published on 2010-12-21 12:28:00

Dear Clients, Colleagues and Friends, Thank you for helping make 2010 Lumacraft Photography’s best year ever!  Thank you even more for entrusting us to be your photographic artist of choice for your personal or commercial images. Starting th > read more

Portraits for Local Home Builder

Published on 2010-12-19 10:59:00

Last week I completed a photography project commissioned by Burlington based home builder Branthaven Homes.  I produced several informal portraits of company president Steve Stipsits.  This one is my favourite. I also produced a series > read more

High Resolution Panoramas for Real Estate VR

Published on 2010-12-13 17:41:00

Lumacraft Photography is now offering high resolution panorama production services.  High resolution panoramas can be used to produce virtual reality (VR) shows, like the sample below.  Click and hold on the image to move around.  Fo > read more

Gennum Corporation Children’s Christmas Party

Published on 2010-12-13 08:10:00

Yesterday Lorraine and I had great fun being part of Gennum Corporation’s children’s Christmas party.  For a third year in a row, we provided an on-site studio portrait service for the company’s annual function, held at the Burlington Conv > read more

Multigenerational Birthday Celebration

Published on 2010-12-07 11:44:00

We were invited to document the joint birthday celebrations of Mr.Lee and his one year old grandson.  The walls of the venue were floor-to-ceiling glass, creating a lighting situation that was both challenging and beautiful. > read more

A Few More for Nadine’s Knitting Pattern Catalogue

Published on 2010-12-05 14:31:00

Back in September, I posted some catalogue photographs that I had produced for Nadine McLeod’s new knitting pattern business.  Last week, we reconvened with Nadine at the studio to photograph these finishing touches for her website, which is n > read more