Alyssa Bistonath Photography: Of Life After 24,

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.

I live by a fire station - I often wake in the night to the distinct wailing of sirens. In fact I just heard them a moment ago. My heart is heavy as I think about Haiti and the destruction there. I look through a photo essay posted on Lens, and watch World Vision Canada president Dave Toycen on Larry King. The chaotic sirens outside my window somehow seem fitting. I wonder about my colleagues on the ground in Port-au-Prince and pray that they can find moments of peace and solace so that they can organize aid and tell the stories that need to be told.

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?

It’s been exactly a month since I posted my last blog. A very intentional break. I like the silence, taking some time to appreciate being a little older, letting the excitement about the coming year seep in and most importantly reflecting on priority. For me it is a priority to truly see things as they are and shouting out how they could be with a little love and care. To see the vulnerability and humanity in everyone. Not surprisingly I can’t do this until I acknowledge these things in myself. I’m constantly struck by how much we all need the same things regardless of our position in life - community, security, hope. With that in mind - let’s hear for the new year! Together, I think it’s going to be a good one.

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.