Portraits

Oct

2021

Haunt Manor Niagara Falls

If you are anywhere near Niagara Falls, Canada in the last part of September through to the end of October, be sure to visit Haunt Manor. Located at Campark Resorts on Lundy’s Lane, just on the edge of the city. You can’t miss the big red barn! Inside is full of scary stuff. And in saying, if you are near Niagara Falls, I mean a couple of hours drive is completely worth it, if that’s what it takes.

Phil Van Kleef, the mad mind behind this whole creation, and his team have created the largest Screampark/Haunted attraction in Canada using professional make up artists, actors and set design.

Phil and his crew tour some of the largest and successful Haunt attractions in the world to learn and get ideas so that Haunt Manor Niagara Falls can be updated every season to give you a new, exciting and ‘scary’ event!

You can purchase tickets and learn more (hours, dates, etc) here: https://www.hauntmanor.com/

Below are a few photos of the actors decked out in their make up and costumes.

Follow me on IG: @portraits.by.martin

Oct

2021

Muskoka Horses in the Autumn

Muskoka Horses

Muskoka is known for its tourism not necessarily its horses. The bugs in the Spring and Summer can be a bit harsh on the animals, but the Fall, with the nice weather, it being a bit cooler but still nice the horses are much more relaxed.

Last year I made some new friends up the street from the cottage. Also made friends with their horses. I had driven by their farm numerous times and seen these beautiful animals from the road. One day I stopped and talked to Stirling, who allowed me to take some photos. He put me in touch with his niece and sister who own and care for the horses. So, the first of the two photo sessions with these horses was planned and they were groomed nicely. (Aside from the rolling around on the ground after the grooming.)

Still lots to edit but here are a few sorted from both days. They were all taken early October. For me, the most beautiful time of year. I was able to capture some colour with a few of the shots. Nice to get some warm weather without the bugs. For the people and the horses.

One of toughest things about photographing horses, when you are in the field with them, is that they are such curious and generally friendly animals. When I want a bit of distance, they come right up to me, maybe they think the camera is food.

The buckskin horse in these photos is Kit Kat. Very photogenic. Kit Kat will often keep some distance as well, allowing me to get some decent 'posed' photos, whereas Bella, the champagne/white horse, always comes as close as she can to me.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I did taking them!

You can see more of my photos on Instagram: @portraits.by.martin

Sep

2021

Antonio and the Hat

Jul

2021

James B

This is my friend James. You can find him on Instagram: @poejob and on Youtube at James Owen Brown.

He does local gigs in the Niagara Region (Canada). You can always see him and his lovely wife Autumn perform at Haunt Manor in Niagara Falls during the season in Sept and October.

Check his Instagram account for updates.

We did a short 15 minute photo shoot. Me practicing with my Nikon Z6 and forcing myself to only use my 50mm F1.8 lens. Great dynamic range with the full frame and extremely quick focusing even in low light. Love this camera.

Sep

2020

Wedding Portraits

Recently did some wedding portraits in the studio for some friends. Weddings are not generally my favourite thing but I've done quite a few, mostly for friends/friends of family. Honestly, though, I love the studio and am still learning. I like the control and the simplicity. And the intimacy. These two have been together for 10 years. This was a few days before their wedding. She was pretty wound up getting things ready for the big day. Getting her to relax wasn't really an option. So, we went with that. I love the results. I hope you enjoy as much as I do.