Royalty

Prince Charles makes his way into a citizenship ceremony while in Saint John on Victoria Day, May 21, 2012. Photo: Kâté Braydon/Telegraph-Journal

Oi. Work and life have been a bit crazy these past couple of weeks with elections, home renos, and a Prince coming to town. So, I'm going to share a few of my faves from the royal visit.

Their Royal Highnesses, Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, came to Saint John on Victoria Day for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This was my first time, sort of, covering a royal visit. When I was in college, the Queen came to Fredericton and I shot her along with some friends from school, just for ourselves.

A lot of planning happens in the newsroom for an event like this. Tons of story ideas, delegating people to different locations, memorizing schedules, conference calls. You also have to plan your outfit and what you feel that you can carry with you all day, since you're going to be out ALL day. That morning, I made sure to wear a loose fitting shirt that was long enough to cover my butt when bending over and that wouldn't show cleavage. For real! These are seriously things I have to consider. I pretty much live in black jeggings because they are so comfortable and practical for my job. Also, solid and comfy shoes, because you're going to be walking and most likely running a lot. Sunblock, sunglasses, snacks. Water. Oh, and my camera.

Also, use the bathroom before you leave. You might not get another chance.

 
This was semi-frustrating and hard work. I arrived about an hour and a half early to get a good spot. Risers were placed in locations where planned photo ops would be happening for the media. They weren't very big but they did help. The royals have a huge entourage. Dozens of Brit photogs, police and other security around them at all times. To get a clear shot is supremely difficult. The British photographers that follow him around the world get the best access. So at one point, I ended up stepping off the riser and joined the public on the sidewalk. This worked well. The Prince walked right by me and I got some pretty good close-ups.

My colleague, Cindy Wilson, and I, were tag-teaming the event, covering different locations. At this point though, we ended up in the same spot, and she grabbed this pic of me while I was getting the shot above:

Photo: Cindy Wilson

It's funny... it felt like such a long day, but really, I was only shooting for about 4 hours. I guess it was all of the waiting. The anticipation is draining.

Thanks for reading! Ciao.

gi joe

Four Chinook aircraft from the US Army landed at the Saint John Airport on Monday, May 7, 2012, along with four Blackhawk helicopters, to go through customs before making their way to CFB Gagetown for training.  Photo: Kâté Braydon/Telegraph-Journal

Well, I'm back from the AJA's with a Silver Award, which is a nice way to say that I didn't win, but it's cool. I had a great time, and at the risk of sounding like a cliché, it really is an honour just to be nominated. So, ya.

This week, I got to hang out on the roof of the Saint John Airport for a few hours and shoot these enormous Chinook helicopters that came in from the States. THEY WERE SO LOUD. This assignment did not excite me in the least at first, but then, when I saw them coming up over the horizon, I actually got really excited. They're really amazing machines, and to see and hear four of them flying over our heads was kind of freaky! Just not something you get to see everyday, I guess.

Four Blackhawk helicopters landed as well. They weren't as cool.

Outtakes:

CBC and CTV getting some shots from the roof.

Really glad it was a gorgeous day.

I'm a dork.

But thanks for reading! I hope you keep coming back for more. I'm having a lot of fun with this blog. This 'Outtakes' thing is something new I might try. I talk a bit about 'behind the scenes', so I thought I could show you some of it as well, once in a while. So what do you think so far? Is there anything else you'd like to see? Lemme know!

Ciao for now!