Two days before we left for Mexico Emily and I were stopped on the street by an elderly lady. She asked, “Where did you get that?” pointing at a ribbon-shaped pin I had on my jacket. “World Vision” I replied. She asked me where to buy one - she’d been looking for something like it for years. When I took it off and gave it to her she grabbed me and kissed my cheek. She told us that she had been in Canada for 25 years and that no one had ever given her anything for free. Looking back I consider this the beginning of our trip. The first of many women to tell us little bits of their stories and shower us with affection and grace.

Mexico was different than my other trips. First, travelling with Emily was a wild ride. I haven’t travelled internationally with her since we were 19 (she was with me the first time I travelled overseas). Also, the first time I travelled independent of an organization was to Mexico City. That was 7 years ago. I was desperate to see the world. I remember being on a tourist bus driving out to the pyramids looking longingly out the windows at the communites that whizzed by. I would have rather explored those communities than the pyramids.  I wanted to meet people - to talk to them and hear their stories,  but I didn’t have the means.

Returning to Mexico City under the banner of World Vision was a dream. The communities that I had longed to see years before were amazingly the ones that I had been sent to photograph. I finally found myself on the other side of that bus window eating and visiting with the families that lived in those communities. This time I was equipped with experience, support and time. I’m constantly amazed (and choked up) at how passions get placed and when the time is right you get brought back to them - to experience them fully.

As many of you already know Emily and I are in Mexico City collecting photos and words for World Vision’s magazine Childview. I have to run (back to those mountains) but here is a quick video of Emily sitting in the rain outside of the World Vision office in the suburbs of Mexico.

Much love,
Lys

I took this shot of Gerry Sheff (left) and Ira Gluskin a couple of weeks ago for the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine. Every photo shoot is an adventure. You go prepared and with an idea of what you want to capture—and then you go and make it happen. You meet the most fascinating people, and for a day or two, you get to glimpse their world. It’s always interesting to head down to the financial district and take a look around (though I have to remember to turn off my headphones in the echoey elevators and not rumple my crisp shirt).

You can find the full article here. And shout-outs to Clare Jordan for the gig—amazing fun.

The whole concept behind Little City was to encourage a community of artists to create just for the fun of it. It keeps the creative mind healthy - builds imagination and just makes us better professionals. So in following my own advice I shoot as much personal work as possible. My bud Marco and I have a running deal that he’ll pose as often as I ask (which is pretty awesome.) I am working on a series of nostalgic photos and the pool was an amazing find. I was really stoked when I saw the wood panelling and the fish (the fish!) mounted to the walls (plus it’s always fun to go swimming in winter!) I thought a dimly lit scene a pretty interesting challenge. So this is what I came up with. It’s different than my usual so I’d love to hear what you think.

One of my favourite things to doing during the winter is to tuck myself in and go through my archives. I come across photos that I somehow neglected throughout the busy year. I get all excited and can’t wait to share them with you. Here’s a shot from my last trip to Mali. These guys were moving concrete in the Koutiala market.

Hurray! Some of my prints are available in the Little City store along with art from some of my favourite people. Check it out! www.littlecityandhow.com

My friend Mike and his dog Gambit come over for lunch every Thursday to talk hopes, dreams, fears and the like. I enjoy the steady progress updates, encouragement, advice and ridiculous puppy faces.  You’ll be seeing Mike a lot on this blog since I tend to pull my camera out during our time together.

Inspiration. I’ve been discussing it with close friends over coffee for the past few days. As a photographer I am inspired by the stories of the people I’m lucky enough to meet. I tell their stories with the hope that they’ll create a movement, a change. My question is - what inspires you to be actively make the lives of others better? What are the sirens that haven’t just become part of your everyday?

To kick things off here is a black and white from Paris. My friend and I found this truck randomly. It was early in the morning and there wasn’t anyone around to ask what the story was. In any case - it was a stark contrast to the neat and upscale area around us.