Giving Flowers

Some artists are celebrated for what’s visible — the voice, the work, the art. But what moves me most is often what people don’t see: the brilliance behind the curtain, the spirit that fuels the craft. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing many gifted people. Today I want to pause to give flowers to three: Omar Lunan, Glenn Lewis, and Jibola Fagbamiye.

Omar Lunan

People know Omar for his voice — powerful, soulful, magnetic. They see him on stage with The Recipe Band, lifting the crowd with music that makes you want to dance.

What they may not realize is the depth of authenticity behind that performance. Omar doesn’t just sing — he connects. He has a gift for making music feel personal, like it’s meant just for you, even in a crowded room. And off stage, his kindness is just as real. He celebrates others, lifts them up, and gives flowers freely.

I’ll never forget the first time I heard him at Harborfront Centre, when life felt unbearably heavy. His voice gave me light that day. And that’s who Omar is: someone whose artistry doesn’t just entertain, but heals.

Glenn Lewis

When people talk about Glenn Lewis, they talk about his voice: smooth, soulful, timeless — and it’s true, his voice is unforgettable.

But what I don’t think people always see is just how gifted he is as a creator. Writing a song that truly resonates — one with heart and a hook that stays with you — is one of the hardest things in music. And yet Glenn has this way of stepping into the moment, hearing a beat for the first time, and breathing life into it. He starts weaving melodies, layering harmonies, shaping something new and beautiful right before your eyes.

To witness that is to realize that his artistry goes far beyond the voice people already admire. It’s not ease — it’s dedication, craft, and brilliance honed over years. But he carries it with such humility that it almost feels like magic.

People know Glenn is vocally gifted. What I wish more people understood is how extraordinary he is as a composer and creator. That’s the part I’ve been lucky enough to see — and it’s just as awe-inspiring as his voice.

Jibola Fagbamiye

People see Jibola’s finished work — stunning, detailed, layered pieces that draw you in. His debut graphic novel, FELA: Music Is the Weapon, reimagines the legendary Fela Kuti through Yoruba mythology, culture, and music.

What they may not realize is the quiet strength and humility behind it. Jibola doesn’t create for applause — he creates to honour, to preserve, to uplift. His art speaks loudly because he doesn’t have to.

When I photographed him recently, what struck me most was his stillness — an artist whose vision is vast, but whose spirit is grounded. His brilliance is not only in what he makes, but in the integrity with which he makes it.

Omar, Glenn, Jibola — thank you. For what the world sees, and for the even greater brilliance that so often goes unseen.

Sometimes Love Circles Back

Sometimes love doesn’t arrive when we expect it. Sometimes it takes years — decades even — to circle back.

When I was 14, I met someone through my sister. He was handsome, talented, magnetic. I quietly crushed from a distance, but never acted on it. He and my sister went on a couple of dates — and that was that. But for me, it drew a line in the sand. Out of respect, I always felt like it was wrong to crush.

So life moved forward.

Through my 20s and 30s, I’d see him now and then at events. We’d say hello, exchange a few words, and move on. Inside, though, I kept a wall up. I admired his career from afar, but I rarely let on. Part of me felt like he never really saw me — that I was still “Cathy’s little sister,” not someone with my own gifts or identity.

So, in my own quiet way, I tried to prove myself. Every now and then I’d offer to do a creative photo shoot with him, hoping that maybe my work would speak for itself. But it never really came together. Until last year.

In 2023, he reached out. The timing didn’t quite work out then, but by mid-2024, we booked a day to shoot. I didn’t think much of it — just another creative project. But something shifted. We both planted seeds that day.

A few days later, we hung out once. And then not long after, by pure coincidence, we ended up on the same trip. I had already planned to go with a friend of mine to see Robert Glasper in Detroit. He had plans to go with his friend. What we didn’t realize was that our two friends had arranged for us all to go together. So there we were, driving down and back as one group.

That trip was the catalyst. By the time we got home, I knew I needed to talk to my sister. I liked him, and I didn’t want to cross that line without knowing she was okay with it.

And she was. In fact, she was more than okay — she gave her blessing a thousand percent. She laughed and said, “I wish you had brought this up sooner.” That affirmation meant everything. It honoured the integrity we had both quietly held for decades and allowed us to step forward freely.

Since June 2024, we’ve been building something that feels both brand new and decades old at the same time. Life hasn’t been easy — it rarely is — but being with him has felt like the most natural thing. It’s as if there’s always been an invisible thread between us, quietly weaving our paths together until the timing was finally right.

What I know is this: I see his heart, and it is beautiful. I see his mind, and it is brilliant. And I want to walk beside him as he rises, shines, and becomes everything he’s meant to be.

Love, at its best, isn’t about control or certainty. It’s about faith, and it’s about choosing each other — again and again. And that’s what I hope we continue to do, together.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

- Lao Tzu

The Quiet Struggles We Don’t See

Lately, I’ve been noticing something.
Everyone’s carrying something — but most of it stays hidden.

Some of my friends are losing parents.
Others are facing illness.
Some are quietly stepping away from friendships that turned toxic.
And a few are realizing that people they trusted only showed up for what they could take.

Then there are the smaller battles — the quiet ones.
Moments when pride or ego kept us silent.
When we waited for recognition.
When we thought, “They’ll notice.”
And they didn’t.
And the moment passed.
And all that was left was regret.

I’ve been there too — holding something heavy, pretending I was fine.

It’s a lot. And most of us are carrying it alone.

Meanwhile, connection is everywhere.
Online. In feeds. In endless scrolling.
But real connection? Real noticing?
That feels harder and harder to find.

The truth is: people are hurting.
People are stressed.
People are quietly in pain.
And sometimes, what we need most is simply to be seen.

So maybe that’s where we start.
By slowing down. By looking up.
By remembering that everyone we pass is carrying something we can’t see.

Here’s the challenge:

Check in on a friend today.
Send the message you’ve been putting off.
Ask someone how they’re really doing — and stay long enough to hear the answer.

Small acts of presence and kindness can break the silence.
And they might just remind someone: they don’t have to carry it all alone.

For Betty

Some people carry a strength so profound it reshapes the way you understand resilience. For me, that person is Betty Lewis.

Betty is a designer, a singer, a mother, and a woman of deep faith. This year, she walked through one of the hardest seasons of her life — a time marked by uncertainty, fear, and change. It was the kind of season that could have broken many.

But Betty did not break.

She met each day with courage and grace, lifting her head high when it would have been easier to bow. Even in the hardest moments, she kept moving — one step at a time, rooted in her faith and her quiet determination to keep creating.

Now, just months later, Betty is preparing for her own fashion show on September 13th, 2025. She is designing, building, and sharing her art — not in defiance of her challenges, but through them. Her creativity has become both her expression and her resilience.

Betty’s story is one of faith. Of beauty that cannot be diminished by hardship. Of strength that does not shout, but shines. And on September 13th, when her designs walk the runway, they will carry more than fabric and thread. They will carry her spirit — a spirit that refuses to be broken.

Betty, you are an inspiration.

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One of my first photos

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I was asked to speak at my old university about my experiences and life as a photographer. In preparation for the class I decided to look for some of my old photos and stumbled upon this one.

This was the moment I fell in love with photography.

This image showed me the power of a single image, it bears signs of the hardships she has survived, stories she has yet to tell and a life I want to learn more about. Her energy and her unforgettable eyes still captivate me to this day. I don’t know her exact age or name, but I remember the day my friend O’Bandelle brought me to her house in 1995. She lives in St Vincent with her family and to this day likely has no idea how our meeting transformed my life.

Happy Birthday Grandma Bar

My beautiful Grandma Bar is the definition of class. She is tall, elegant and quiet. Her own life hasn’t always been easy, but those hard times don’t show on her face or on her spirit. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. 

She is 90 years old today and some of the family is getting together to honour and celebrate with her. For those of us who can't make it across the border, we want to take a moment to honour her. She is a strong, determined woman with style, grace, class and poise. She is enthusiastic and quite funny. She loves the color blue. Anything blue. 

Truth be told, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that everyone in my family feels the same about my grandmother. Her presence in our lives is the ultimate proof that there is a higher power. We are blessed exponentially by just knowing her; we are aware of the beauty that she brings to our worlds. Not only did she raise my dad and his brothers and sisters (all 7 of them), she helped to raise several of my cousins. She simply smiles and expands her heart to include a little more space for the next one and the next one and the…Her love is limitless.

My family who live in the States and are able to see her more often have the benefit of this loving woman who feeds their dreams with sweets and kind words, who encourages their growth with her laughter and smiles. 

I LOVE MY GRANDMA and I want everyone to know that she has poured the best of herself into her children and her family. I am indebted to her for showing me that you can be a strong woman without being hard. I appreciate that she is charitable and continues to do for others. I thank the Universe for blessing us with her and I am eternally grateful for her love.

Your life has impacted not only our lives, but also the lives of those that know & love you! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA BARB!!!! 

We are all perfectly flawed

Who is in control?

I am.

Remember that:

I am.

Breathe.

Shit happens. We lose years of our lives to bad relationships, bad choices, not taking responsibility, making excuses, saying ‘I can’t' while another person says 'I CAN'. Becoming lost in our hesitation and self-doubt and missing amazing opportunities.

I drink occasionally and I have never smoked or used any other drugs. It has never appealed to me. The idea of losing control of my actions and my reasoning skills scares me. I'm confident enough to admit that.

I was raised in a pretty liberal household, both of my parents experimented with drugs when they were younger. No biases there, or anything.

Your life circumstance or decisions make you different... we should embrace it... soon, you will see that people will gravitate to you because you just don't give a damn what they think. If I am a ‘prude’ because of my decisions, I embrace it fully.

It is so important to let go of someone else's idea of who you should be and embrace your own. So, you live at your parents' house, you're spending the day listening to music, creating art, you're struggling to keep a job, you're not making enough money pursuing your passions, you're sitting on a patio all day long... embrace it and be kind to yourself. Find peace of mind in knowing that at least you're not hurting any one.

As long as you know where you’re coming from, as long as you know what you want. 

As long as you listen to your instincts and not delude yourself, as long as you check in and know what your true intention is, even if it’s as simple as: to make a friend, to fuck, to learn something, to be quiet, to be brave, to protect yourself, to be alone, to have fun, to dance, to see another side of life/ of the story…then you are not operating from an unconscious place. You’re not letting fear or insecurity guide you.

As long as you are awake, present and aware of your motivation, the consequences, and you are not intentionally hurting anyone, it's all good.

Nobody’s perfect.

"I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions." — Augusten Burroughs

My Dad

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The best way to describe my dad is to say he reminds me a lot of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) in the National Lampoons Vacation movies. It is Clark's truly endearing qualities that are reminiscent of my dad. When my dad was in his late twenties/ early thirties he bought 10 acres of land in Sharbot Lake and built our family a log cabin. The cabin soon became a treasured yearly family retreat. A place we went every summer to reconnect and bond, to laugh, fight and get in trouble. Every year, our dogs, as if they had an affinity for pain, would attack the local porcupine (the porcupine would always win) and we would end up bringing our dogs to the vet to get the painful needles removed. How often do we do things that we know we shouldn't and that cause us pain? We laugh at the persistence and stupidity of the dogs, but don't we do the same in our lives?

I could tell story after story, our adventures in town at the local inn, the days at the beach, the campfires, the dinners, the games, the hikes. And, I can't leave out the ghost stories my cousins would make up, usually based on their adventures playing dungeons and dragons. I was young, naive and had a wild imagination so they (and my sister, whom are all older than me) thought it was hilarious to scare me with their tales, like the story of the walking tree that resided in our swamp. I have many fond memories from my childhood of our family trips and of our adventures there.

My parents taught me strong moral values. They taught me about personal responsibility, about honesty, trust, to be compassionate and to respect all life. They taught me the value and importance of education. A little disclaimer here, both my parents are way too smart for their own good! My dad taught me how to ride my bike, he got me my first Swiss army knife (hahaha - I won't disclose how old I was), how to look for long-lost treasures by the waters edge, nestled between the rocks and washed up on the shore and how to make good decisions in life. He taught me the meaning of hard work, and the meaning of unconditional love. He did and does this by being a supportive dad and husband, we always feel secure and know he has our back, by being an amazing and talented artist, an ethical business owner, a Buddhist priest, a hard and dedicated worker, and a loving parent.

My dad is very giving, he gives us his true self so that we may grow up to face this challenging world with courage, hope, and faith. My dad is not perfect and he does have his faults, his struggles, and his weaknesses. He taught me, however, how to face problems and challenges with a positive attitude, perseverance and a strong will. The great memories I have shared with my dad are everlasting and have positively influenced my life.

One of many significant influences my dad has had on our lives is that my sister is now a successful yoga teacher and acupuncturist, a path that came about as a direct result of our dads generosity and hard work. He bartered his talent and time in exchange for my sister and I to get yoga classes and that choice set her on her current path. Now she is a wonderful and amazing yoga practitioner.  And, through his love of the arts, I am a successful photographer and artist. But, most importantly we have become loving, compassionate, loyal and driven women.

The older I get, the better I understand my dad because I find more and more of him in me.  He teaches me to care about people, to keep learning, to have beliefs and to live by them.

It took me awhile to acknowledge all that he gives me and I am grateful that I can let him know now.

My mom, dad and sister

SpeakEasy + CONTACT 2012

To the whole Speak Easy team, thanks so much for all the effort you must have put in to this.  I am very honoured and grateful to have been selected to take part in it. The opening night was a huge success and very well attended, everyone seemed to linger and enjoy the art, the event, and personal interaction.

When walking into the gallery I was struck by the variety of the work presented, not only in style but also in presentation. Some are very large, some are tiny, some framed, some not. It is an intelligent photography exhibition which encourages you to appreciate the images and think at the same time.  It contains central threads of ideas which have influenced how the photographs have been taken, style following content. The work on display is thoughtful, sensitive, well crafted, subtle.

Works by: Brian Barrer, Mark Belvedere, Genevieve Blais, Maxime Bocken, Zoe Bridgman, Julie Castonguay, Daniel Chiu, Shirin Divanbeigui, Gillian Foster, Matthew Fung, James Helmer, Adam Johnston, Catherine Jones, Namrita Kohli, Kyungmin Lee, Bernadette Leno, Ralph Martin, Marta McKenzie, Melissa Mercier, Robert Quance, PM Rendon, Tom Ridout, Rachelle Sabourin, Annette Seip, Mafalda Silva, The Dopamine Collective, Akas Tarmaji, Natalie Viecili, Esther Vincent, Wanted Media, Wioletta Wesolowski, Nicola Woods, Aleksandra Woszczyna, Alice Zilberberg.

I owe an enormous amount of gratitude to Speak Easy for organizing and curating such a wonderful exhibit.

Don't give away your S%^& for free

I was having a conversation with a good friend the other night. He was talking about his frustrations with the industry and how undervalued he feels sometimes. He was disheartened about how often he is asked to do things for free or at cost. Truth is, I know many many people who are in the same position and who feel unappreciated, underpaid and undervalued by the industry and, sadly by friends as well.

In my humble opinion, it is important that there always be an equal exchange, whether it is an energy exchange, financial exchange or barter, both parties should walk away feeling good about the arrangement. And, you shouldn't feel guilty or bad about saying No.

I'm sure a lot of you can relate to these requests.

Potential Client:

1) our budget doesn’t stretch that far

2) if you do it for free, it will be great exposure for you

3) we'll make it up and pay properly next time

By agreeing, you are devaluing your art and starving your business of the income it needs to pay you and invest in your business.

Truth is, you would be better off working on personal projects where you have creative control and that you can put your heart and passion towards.

Above all, remember that as an artist you have creativity, vision, technical skill and talent which has huge commercial value.

Never give away your most valuable asset for free.

To end on a lighter note, this is a great and funny video that draws home the point:

The Vendor Client relationship - in real world situations