In my last blog post, I took a look back at a selection of concert photos that I’d done for Chart magazine between 2005 and 2008. This week, I’ve selected some editorials and bio pics that I took between 2006 and 2008, some for Chart magazine and some for the bands direct.

From left to right, top to bottom:

Sloan (Chart magazine cover shoot, June 2008); The Horrors (Chart magazine editorial shoot, Oct. 2007); Care Failure/Die Mannequin (Chart magazine editorial shoot, March 2007), Shout Out Out Out Out (Chart magazine editorial shoot, Sept. 2006), Good Charlotte (Chart magazine editorial shoot, Apr. 2007); Johnny Truant (bio pics, July 2006); Kevin Drew/Broken Social Scene (Chart magazine cover shoot, Oct. 2007); Bedouin Soundclash (bio pics, July 2006); Queens of the Stone Age (Chart magazine editorial shoot, June 2007); Jeff Martin/The Tea Party (Chart magazine editorial shoot, April 2006)

If you knew me in my early twenties, you probably remember that I was out most nights shooting concerts. I shot concerts, mostly for Chart magazine, from 2005 to 2008… it was a whirlwind time in my life to say the least! A decade later (wow, time flies!), I thought it might be fun to take a look back at some of my favourite live shots.

From left to right, top to bottom: 

Broken Social Scene (Kool Haus, Toronto, Jan. 21, 2006); Gnarls Barkley (V Fest, Toronto, Sept. 9, 2006); The Flaming Lips (V Fest, Toronto, Sept. 9, 2006); Radiohead (Hummingbird Centre, Toronto, June 7, 2006), Shout Out Out Out Out (Lee's Palace, Toronto, March 3, 2007); Amy Winehouse (Lollapalooza, Chicago, Aug. 5, 2007); Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Lollapalooza, Chicago, Aug. 4, 2007), Billy Talent (Edgefest, Toronto, July 1, 2005); M.I.A. (V Fest, Toronto, Sept. 8, 2007); Alexisonfire (Edgefest, Toronto, July 1, 2005); Raconteurs (V Fest, Toronto, Sept. 10, 2006); Bauhaus (Kool Haus, Toronto, Nov. 16, 2005). 

When you do yoga, you make shapes with your body, calming your mind as you focus on your breath. You’re often reminded to keep breathing. Whatever you do, don’t hold your breath; just keep breathing (there are exceptions of course but I’d be going off topic and I’m not an expert, so not going there…).

When I paint, I visualize a series of abstracted shapes within a composition, then I focus on my paintbrush hitting the canvas, all the while breathing with control: in through my nose and out through my nose, just as I would during a yoga class.

When I compose a photo, I’m essentially doing the same thing. I look at my subject and its surroundings as a series of angles, shapes and light. Then I hold my breath and squeeze the shutter. Yes, that’s right, I hold my breath! It’s an old trick; you hold your breath to avoid camera shake. It’s funny, this is almost something that I forgot I even did… that is until I started taking yoga classes last year and began paying so much attention to how and when I breathe.

After years of feeding off of stress, yoga has taught me that a calm mind is a creative mind; a mind free from stress is a mind free to think and dream — and create art.  

Yesterday Facebook reminded me of something that I posted four years ago: it was a photo of Pearl Jam with a dog in a recording studio. My caption was something like “How did I not know that it was Take Your Dog to Work Day?”

I begged, pleaded and joked at my previous jobs about bringing Maeby to the office. My dream never materialized (I tried so, so, so hard!). BUT… Fast forward to the present…

Sometimes I think I made the decision to go freelance so that I could bring Maeby to work with me!

Really. I’m kind of only half kidding. Dogs make the best co-workers. She’s like this cute creature of habit that keeps me on track, keeps me laughing, keeps me going.

She has an ever-evolving job title that keeps me forever entertained. Right now it’s: not so silent business partner, head of security & client retention. There are good reasons for all of these things. You just need to meet her once to get it.

Earlier this week she created her very first Instagram account: @sweetpeastudiodog. She’s gaining new followers faster than @picturpaint is! Go Maeby!!

So… to all of the dogs going to work today, and to all the humans going with their dogs to work today, have a wonderful, productive four-legged Friday — and maybe take a minute to thank your employer for making this little dream of mine come true.

If you’ve been following my Instagram feed — @rachelverbinphoto — you’ve probably noticed that I’m obsessed with location scouting these days. My little partner in crime Maeby (a.k.a. @sweetpeastudiodog) and I keep our eyes peeled for shoot location gems when we’re out on walks, driving around, going here and there (and yes, if you’re wondering, I do take her everywhere with me — or at least I try!).

I’ve lucked out with some pretty amazing locations recently for yoga and fitness photos, two of them vacant warehouse/garage/factory spaces that were boarded up shortly after we were finished with the shoots.     

Shooting on location definitely comes with some challenges and risks (unpredictable weather and site conditions, dirt, dust and grime, parking tickets, even the odd police visit), but at the end of the day this is where the photo magic happens.

It’s in that moment, when the sun peaks in through an old set of factory windows, illuminating your subject in the most beautiful way — and it hits you that this shoot is truly one of kind — that you feel at peace with your dust-covered clothes and the parking ticket waiting for you on your dash.