A few weeks ago we held #TCCopeningup, an online gathering on vulnerability in creative practice, featuring @chrisunwin @nicolledoublel @jahgrey @danielaandrade @withlovetika⁣ ⁣ Thank you to our partner @open_wines for their support, and to so many in our community who attended. Some feedback from attendees:⁣ ⁣ “I feel listened to even though I didn’t speak.” @c__rm__n⁣ “So often we talk about vulnerability and rarely do I find a space where I feel a heart-centered connection.” @jemalswoboda⁣ “It's nice to hear a lot of things I feel everyday put into words.” @neginehtesham27⁣ “Heard.” @wildblackmusic

It’s been a minute since you last heard from us. We’ve been using the past while to listen, learn and redefine the nature of our work and how to be of service to our community. ⁣ ⁣ To that end, we’re excited to announce #TCCopeningup, an online gathering centered on vulnerability and acceptance in creative practice, featuring @withlovetika, @chrisunwin, @nicolledoublel, @jahgrey, and @danielaandrade. ⁣ ⁣ Participants will come away with inspiring perspectives and practices to support the artist’s journey. Thank you to @open_wines for their support, and for embracing this timely conversation.⁣ ⁣ Link in bio for details and to register your spot.⁣ ⁣ Cover photo by @jahgrey⁣ Creative by @tier0 and @steeeeni

[RSVP 03.26] 🥀 Covid-19 has disrupted our lives, economy, and culture. But in times of crisis, there is opportunity for growth. The creative community has a huge role to play in getting us through this while helping to create a vision for a more prosperous future. ⁣ ⁣ To help our community continue to be inspired and educated through this challenging time, we are launching a new online series called Conversations featuring members of the Creator Class community hosted by Director of Programming and @dhanioks. ⁣ ⁣ In each live episode, we'll dive deep into topics photographers, directors, designers, and creatives care about. These conversations will take place on Zoom, a popular free platform for online gathering, that allows for a rich, intimate and interactive experience. ⁣ ⁣ Our first episode features @luismoraphoto , a Colombia-born artist and commercial photographer based in Toronto. His eclectic portfolio of work includes covers for Toronto Life, lookbooks for OVO, celebrity portraits for the Toronto International Film Festival's annual portrait studio, and countless others. Most recently, Luis placed second in the Edward Burtynsky Award and published a book in support of his first solo show Say it with Flowers at the CONTACT Gallery. ⁣ ⁣ Luis is known for his still life photography, and in this episode we'll discuss his approach to the art form and how social distancing and self-isolation presents a great opportunity to become a better photographer while you're at home. [🔗 IN BIO]

Musician-turned-cook and food photographer @dennistheprescott was taking a break from touring when he decided to borrow cookbooks from the library and make a meal for friends. The connection and community he felt in that moment inspired him to grow his passion for food, sharing photos of his dishes on Instagram along the way for fun – until Food and Wine called requesting he develop recipes and take pictures to share with their readers. Since then, Dennis has released his first cookbook, Eat Delicious, has had his work shared by the likes of Nigella Lawson, and continues to strive to inspire people to invest in time in the kitchen and around the dinner table.⠀ ⠀ We joined Dennis, who lives in his hometown Moncton, New Brunswick, to discuss food styling and photography, and how he doesn’t just want followers to like his photos – he wants to inspire them to build meaningful community around accessible, attainable meals. ⠀ ⠀ Director: Dylan Mitro @meetdylan⠀ Cinematographer: Matt Levin-Gold @matt.lg⠀ Producer: Stephanie Hooker @_stephaniehooker_⠀ Production Manager: Josiah Joseph @josiahjc⠀ Sound Recordist: Sam Rodgers⠀ Editor: Leah Lalich @leahlalich⠀ BTS stills - Tylor Key-Carr @tylorkc⠀ BTS stills - Jared Brookes @momentsbyblue⠀ HMUA - Mikey Elliott @elliotteyedeas⠀ Production Assistant: Marcel Phang ⠀ #canoncreatorlab

Visual artist and photographer @briony is known for her vibrant work, combining pop culture with surreal elements that draw viewers in. Since relocating from her hometown of Woodstock, Ontario to Toronto at the age of 16 to pursue becoming a full-time artist, Briony has built a career on bringing who she is to her work. She has brought her unique perspective to work with brands like Nike, TIFF and Vogue, and her photographs been published around the world.⠀ ⠀ We joined Briony on her latest project to discuss bringing who you are to your work and the strength in being different.⠀ ⠀ Director - Dan LeMoyne @danlemoyne ⠀ Producer - Stephanie Hooker @_stephaniehooker_ ⠀ Feature Photographer - Briony Douglas @briony⠀ Wardrobe Stylist - Caitlin Wright @caitliniswright Cinematographer - Matt Levin-Gold @matt.lg⠀ Production Coordinator - Josiah Joseph @josiahjc ⠀ Interview Cinematographer - Liam Higgins @lmhggns⠀ 1st AC - Maurici de Haro @mauricideharo⠀ Sound Recordist - Nicolas Field @nicolasfield⠀ Sound Recordist - Ferdinand Meurer @ferdinandmeurer⠀ Feature Model - Helen⠀ #canoncreatorlab

Ontario Arts Council Award-winning photographer @_anishinaabekwe is known for her powerful portraits of Indigenous people, capturing diverse perspectives, voices and stories that challenge colonial narratives. The self-taught Anishinaabe photographer and founder of photography company @_redworks has traveled Canada for over a decade, shooting events and portraiture that empower those she covers to share who they are.⠀ ⠀ Nadya invited us to Six Nations Reserve to share her most recent series, the Red Chair Sessions, and discuss how she uses her perspective to photograph identity, culture and a sense of belonging.⠀ ⠀ Director / Cinematographer - Dan LeMoyne @danlemoyne ⠀ Producer - Stephanie Hooker @_stephaniehooker_ ⠀ Feature Photographer - Nadya Kwandibens @_anishinaabekwe ⠀ B-Camera - Dhani Oks @dhanioks⠀ Production Coordinator - Josiah Joseph @josiahjc ⠀ Interview Cinematographer - Liam Higgins @lmhggns⠀ 1st AC - Maurici de Haro @mauricideharo⠀ Sound Recordist - Nicolas Field @nicolasfield⠀ Feature Model - Derek Miller⠀ Music Composer - @ziibiwan

While photographer @luismoraphoto has built a career capturing the culture of Toronto—from covers for Toronto Life to lookbooks for OVO and the Toronto International Film Festival's annual portrait studio—his connection to his hometown of Bogotá, Colombia is central to who he is. Luis recently received the Edward Burtynsky Photobook Grant, allowing him to publish his first book and photo exhibit Say it with Flowers, a project focused on one of Colombia's largest flower markets, and the moments of transition that happen within this beautiful space.⠀ ⠀ We joined Luis at Paloquemao in Bogotá to capture the energy of the market, and discuss how the flower industry mirrors his own experience, and how he hopes to inspire people to reconnect with where they're from.⠀ ⠀ Director / Cinematographer / Editor - Dan LeMoyne @danlemoyne ⠀ Producer / Cinematographer - Stephanie Hooker @_stephaniehooker_ ⠀ Feature Photographer - Luis Mora @luismoraphoto ⠀ Production Coordinator - Josiah Joseph @josiahjc ⠀ Interview Cinematographer - Liam Higgins @lmhggns 1st AC - Maurici de Haro @mauricideharo ⠀ Sound Recordist - Nicolas Field @nicolasfield #canoncreatorlab

[RSVP 12.05] 🦉We all know that moment when the stage lights dim and the audience anticipation is palpable. What most don’t see is what happens behind the scenes. The tireless prep, unforgiving schedule, creative fatigue, endless rehearsals, nonstop jet lag, and finally: the triumph of when it all comes together. For the past 7 years @theo.skudra has been singularly documenting these moments for one of the world’s biggest artists, Drake.⠀ .⠀ Theo is the creative mind behind some of @champagnepapi’s most iconic images and director of his most recent videos (Money In the Grave & Nonstop), both showcasing his signature monochromatic style. He’ll be dropping by the #canoncreatorlab for a discussion and audience Q&A as well as a first-ever gallery of his work, giving us a backstage look at some unforgettable moments from his impressive career. ⠀ .⠀ Note that this is a 19+ event and space is extremely limited so be sure to RSVP [🔗 IN BIO].

[RSVP 11.19] Stories of Things w/ @luismoraphoto 🌹 We all have objects in our life that hold great meaning. We animate them with our emotions, memories, and unique way of seeing them as characters in our own story. . Luis Mora is a Colombia-born artist and commercial photographer based in Toronto. His eclectic portfolio of work includes covers for Toronto Life, lookbooks for OVO, celebrity portraits for the Toronto International Film Festival's annual portrait studio, and countless others. He’ll be stopping by the #canoncreatorlab to share his approach to shooting still life photography and show you how to tell a compelling story about anything, including the objects that are laying around your house. RSVP OPEN, LINK IN BIO 🇨🇴📸💐

[RSVP 11.07] Waves w/ @zaknoyle 🌊 — Surf photography is different from many styles of photography in that it's physically and mentally demanding. Elite surf photographers have to train as extensively as the athletes they shoot. Zak Noyle is one of the top extreme ocean photographers working with clients like Chanel, Stussy, GQ, Patagonia, and Mastercard. Often a mentor to emerging photographers showcasing that aqua-photography is not an exclusive club, Zak will be stopping by the #canoncreatorlab at @Free Space to participate in a convo with photographer Tristan O'Brien (@tristancobrien) to share stories and images from the waves. RSVP OPEN, LINK IN BIO. 🔛🅰️🌊

Josef Adamu is a Toronto-based creative director, producer, and founder of @ssunday.co. In this episode of POV, his camera tells the story of a young man who finds strength in fashion and personal expression. . Director / Cinematographer: Dan LeMoyne @danlemoyne Producer: Stephanie Hooker @_stephaniehooker_ Feature Photographer: Josef Adamu @josefadamu Assistant Photographer: O'shane Howard @oshane.howard Production Manager: Josiah Joseph @thelittlealchemy Interview Cinematographer: Liam Higgins @lmhggns 1st AC: Maurici de Haro @mauricideharo Sound Recordist: Ferdinand Meurer @ferdinandmeurer Feature Model: Kristian Okiring @kristianokiring Production Assistant: Lucas Espinola #canoncreatorlab

Creator Class alumni Maria Jose Govea AKA @TheSupermaniak is comfortable around a stage. The Venezuelan-born, Toronto-raised photographer travels the world shooting iconic artists at shows & major festivals. Here are some of her selects from @JessieReyez recent performance at the @RedBullCanada Music Festival. Do you shoot concerts? Join the community and share your work using #thecreatorclass and tag @thecreatorclass