Through the lens at a Toronto Women’s Photography Club meet-up
One sunny morning in June, I found myself standing in a circle at Guild Park and Gardens, camera in hand, introducing myself to a group of about 15 people – a diverse mix of photographers, stylists, makeup artists, and models. I was invited to capture a day-in-the-life at a Toronto Women's Photography Club (TWPC) meet-up, a group that hosts monthly events for women and nonbinary creatives to network and photograph themed shoots. This month's theme: Dark Angel.
As the photographer for Rebelle Zine, I had never actually participated in a photography meet-up before so I was quite eager to soak up the new experience. At every TWPC meet-up, participants are encouraged to bring a camera and dress up according to the theme, so I showed up in my best “dark angel”-inspired outfit, equipped with my Nikon Z5 mirrorless camera and F75 film camera. Though a photography meet-up, members are welcome to join TWPC events just for the ~vibes~ and all skill levels are welcome.
The air was bubbling with excitement as the early arrivals chatted. I caught a sneak peek of the collaborative makeup process by Leelu Warren (@eccentric.eclectic.camp) and Vinnie (@bunny.like.rabbit), and a close-up look at the DIY-ed angel wings, a five-day labour-of-love project by the club’s creative director, Dina Castelletto (@dscastlephotography).
Leelu Warren (@eccentric.eclectic.camp) and Vinnie (@bunny.like.rabbit) working on a collaborative makeup look on model Mary Ruth (@maryruthh). Shot on Nikon Z5.
This month’s meet-up was in the beautiful Guild Park and Gardens in Scarborough, about a 30 minute GO Train trip from Union Station. The park is unlike anything I’ve seen before – scattered with ancient Greek statues and architectural fragments, it was once an art collection amassed by the owners of Guild Inn before the property was sold as a public park to the city of Toronto. Every TWPC photo meet-up takes place in a different location within Toronto, and this unique park happened to tie very nicely with the dark, moody aesthetic of the shoot.
Guild Park and Gardens. Shot on Nikon F75 35mm Portra 400.
After introductions, the group was eager to get started. We headed to one of the many intricate gates dotted across the park to shoot some photos with Erika Alajar (@erikalalovesyou), TWPC’s Public Relations Manager, who graciously stood in as a model while we waited for the pre-styled model, Mary Ruth (@maryruthh)’s hair and makeup to be completed. With participants already dressed for the occasion, the club encourages members to try their hand at being in front of the camera as well as behind the lens. Members interested in being pre-styled for the shoot are also welcome to register as models prior to events.
Model: Erika Alajar (@erikalalovesyou). Shot on Nikon F75 35mm Portra 400.
The event coordinators had anticipated a gloomy day to complement the event theme, however were dealt the unlucky hand of a sweltering sunny day, which meant we had to work with harsh sunlight. If you’re a photographer, you may know overcast days or golden hour are fan favourites for taking photos, so it was definitely a challenge to work with much harsher lighting. To tackle this, I lowered my exposure compensation to maintain a darker look, playing with shadows and working around incorporating those harsh lines into my compositions. By our luck, there really was not much shade to work with near the statues and many of us (especially those dressed in black) were feeling the heat of the sun beating down on us. However, we were all good sports about it and ran to small patches of shade between shots.
Model: Mary Ruth (@maryruthh). Shot on Nikon Z5.
After about an hour of shooting in the sun, we found one statue sheltered by the shade and moved there for some photos. We quickly discovered that we were not the only ones seeking shelter, as an elderly couple also happened to be having lunch by the same statue. Working our angles around the couple, we captured our desired shots while the couple happily continued their meal. In fact, the park was buzzing with activity, with many photoshoots happening at once as several wedding and engagement parties all recognized the allure of the picturesque location. We even had the privilege to watch the magical moments of two proposals!
Model: Mary Ruth (@maryruthh). Shot on Nikon Z5.
After chatting to some of the members, I learned that there typically is an even mix of regular attendees and first-timers, ranging from hobbyists to freelancers. I found the environment very welcoming and members were happy to share their own tips and tricks to help each other out in improving their craft. One member brought a reflector, another a black veil, both of which made for stunning photos. Both members were happy to share their props, a testament to the club’s collaborative environment. We all took turns directing the model, and everyone was very respectful about allowing others to get their respective shots.
Models: Mary Ruth (@maryruthh) and Erika Alajar (@erikalalovesyou). Shot on Nikon F75 35mm Portra 400.
Behind the scenes of photographers shooting Mary Ruth (@maryruthh). Shot on Nikon Z5.
About another hour and an outfit change later, we approached the end of the event. After exchanging hugs and Instagram handles, we all gathered for a final group photo to commemorate the day. We promised to share our photos with each other, and the club would post a selection of the day’s photos on their Instagram account @TorontoWPC, providing exposure to many of the local creatives involved in the meet-up.
Group photo of Toronto Women's Photography Club June meet-up participants. Credit: Erika Alajar (@erikalalovesyou)
Being part of this community allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, collaborate with other creatives, and learn from their perspectives. Many times flying solo as the only creative director and photographer on projects, I don't often find myself surrounded by so many other photographers, all with their own individual styles and visions. Thank you to the TWPC community for inviting me to participate in such an inclusive creative community and to all the amazing individuals I met during the meet-up. I hope you all continue to uplift each other in your creative journeys. And if you’re a photographer or creative in the GTA, I recommend keeping an eye out for their future meets and hope to see you there!
Toronto Women's Photography Club invites you to join its community of women & non-binary creatives at their upcoming events and welcomes collaborations with local brands. You can find them at @TorontoWPC (Instagram & TikTok), torontowpc@gmail.com and https://torontowpc.wixsite.com/home.
