Where did 2021 go? It seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye. Who would have thought we would still be in the throes of this pandemic two years after it took the world by storm? We are learning how to live with Covid as it appears to be here to stay, bending and shifting with each new variant, vaccine, and government-imposed restriction. Much like 2020, I did not get to shoot as much as I would have liked, but I did manage to get the creative juices flowing for a few special portrait sessions. Film work continued in full force, thank goodness, and all of us in the film industry bravely spent 65 hours a week in full personal protective gear to guard ourselves, each other and the actors in health.

I am getting to this annual highlight post of mine so late (posting mid-February this year!) due to a rough bout of Omicron that took me out for two weeks right after New Years followed by a major life move! My husband and I bought a beautiful home outside of Port Hope and in a Herculean effort managed to move our lives from downtown Toronto to this glorious winter wonderland. Needless to say, it has been a busy start to the year! I am delighted to finally have a chance to sit down and reflect on my professional highlights of 2021.

1. Blackout Rage

My first foray into narrative filmmaking was encouraged by a few surprising and exciting festival nods in 2021. ‘Blackout Rage’ was selected by Venice Shorts, Montreal Independent Film Festival and Big Sur Film Festival, and was a semi-finalist in the Experimental Shorts category at Blow-Up Arthouse Film Fest out of Chicago.

You can watch the film HERE. It is rated MATURE. Enjoy!

2. Becoming a Full-Fledged Member of the International Cinematographers Union

After almost two years of paid apprentice placements with seasoned teams on epic shows being produced in the GTA, I finally earned my stripes and upgraded to full membership status with I.A.T.S.E. 667. My rotations included stints on Suits, Tiny Pretty Things, Good Witch, Pretty Hard Cases, Locke & Key and Chucky. The extensive training prepared me for the fast pace, long hours and high level of responsibility required when working on the camera teams of these high-budget productions. It was a challenging journey, made even more so with the limitations imposed by Covid shutdowns and restrictions, but I made it through and am proud to have tucked this accomplishment under my belt in April of 2021.

3. Pandemic Portraits

In the Spring of 2021 I posted a call for subjects interested in posing for a series entitled Pandemic Portraits. The goal was to play at glamour, beauty, fashion and freedom of expression in a rebellion against not being allowed to work, having to be masked in public and the inability to socialize with our loved ones. The photos in this series are some of my favourites I got to capture in 2021. I have always been a sucker for a sweet distraction from reality.

4. Locke & Key S.3

I was lucky to score my first job as a full member of the union on Locke & Key S.3 in May 2021. I had worked with the Locke & Key camera team for a six week placement on Season 2 the winter prior and from that experience, they hired me onto Season 3. I was so grateful for the opportunity! I had no idea if I had the stamina or guts to complete a five month contract working an average of 65 hours per week, but I did it! We had to get tested for Covid three times a week and our lunch breaks were spent in sanitized white plastic cubicles and we weren’t really allowed to have contact with departments other than our own, but we made it work and stayed safe.

At the end of the shooting schedule I was offered the opportunity to travel to Nova Scotia to shoot the final scenes for the series. We took a private jet to the east coast, were put up in nice hotels, and feasted on seafood in the quaint town of Lunenburg. The crew became my second family and we shot the hell out of Season 3. It will be out later this year on Netflix so keep an eye out!

5. Chucky

The new TV show about everyone’s favourite murderous doll Chucky was my last placement as a trainee for the International Cinematographers Union in March and April of 2021. It was educational and inspiring to see how it takes five puppeteers to bring Chucky to life and also how little CGI is used on him. He is truly terrifying! The original Chucky doll is still used in filming along with the original Master Puppeteer! Creepy.

I asked Don Mancini, the creator of Chucky, the writer of the series and the director of the pilot, what his inspiration was in creating Chucky. I wondered if it was a childhood fear or experience. Don said his father worked creating advertising geared toward children so Don got an up close and personal education about how evil and manipulative children’s advertising is. Chucky was born as a metaphor for this evil. I was a bit disappointed because I am terrified of Chucky and wanted to believe in his spirit, but no, he is a product of the times.

6. Boudoir

Boudoir photo sessions have been a mainstay of my photography practice since the beginning. I enjoy the process of creating an environment where my subjects can feel comfortable in their skin. It is an exercise in self-love, which is so deeply needed sometimes, especially when we get down on ourselves. I work to provide a mirror for my subjects to help them see just how powerful and fierce they are inside and out.

7. Little Tree Wellness & Apothecary

This autumn I got to do some art directing and photography of the lifestyle and products created by Little Tree Wellness & Apothecary. We caught some warm moments of little ones using the kid-friendly wellness teas and tinctures and mommas delighting in the facial serums and belly butters. It was a wonderful day capturing beautiful products and beautiful vibes.

Little Tree Wellness & Apothecary supports mamas, babies and families with functional botanical skincare and wellness products. The products are designed to help ease transitions and tackle common challenges of new motherhood and parenting, all the while feeling cared for and luxurious.

I honestly couldn’t recommend these organic, small-batch products more. Discover more HERE.

8. Painting

I picked up the new practice of painting during the lockdowns and have come to love the medium very much. I can work from any photograph in this colour block style. Send me a note if you would like to commission an original painting for a loved one as a unique and thoughtful gift. It would be my pleasure. xo

9. One Plant Kensington

In my second shoot with the shopping mall of weed stores in the centre of Kensington Market I got to shoot some product, some interior and some lifestyle shots for the brand. Always a wonderful time!

10. Flute In the Wild

Effervescent Canadian flutist Jaye Marsh received a Factor grant to produce a promotional video for her new album. A mutual colleague put my name forward to shoot the set of stills on greenscreen for use in a stop motion animation video. I always enjoy working with musicians as they generally make delightful subjects being so used to performing. Jaye was a delight in the studio. Watch the video and have a listen to her sweet blend of flute, harp and the sounds of nature HERE.

And finally I will leave you with a few self-portraits I took in 2021 because that is what happens when you leave me to my own devices in the studio. They are exercises in self-love. I wish you all a wonderful year ahead and hope we all rise out of these trying times better versions of ourselves.

To shine like diamonds, we must first be cut.

Daniel Lanois