Chantale Perron - Project 365: The BlackCAT Adventures

The industry, Facebook censorship & feeling betrayed

 

They say the photography industry is a small one; but it's also really big. And scary. It's funny though, how in an industry filled with so many amazing people, it's easy to feel alone. I remember my first experience at WPPI a few years back; I sat in classes alone, walked the halls of the convention center alone, I ate in the food court alone. My evening schedule was quiet; definitely not filled with all the parties that were going on every night.

I left my first WPPI experience with only a handful of introductions, people whom I never communicated with again. It was a horrible feeling. I vowed that I would step out of my comfort zone from that point on and make an effort to network and meet more of my industry peers. That year, I attended more workshops, conventions, shows and events and joined Twitter. Now I leave each experience with new contacts who always seem to become dear friends. I'm not alone anymore and it feels great.

Recently, I joined a couple of quite large photography groups on Facebook. It was overwhelming at first just trying to keep up with the hundred of posts made a day! I couldn't help wondering if these people actually worked or if they just posted stuff to Facebook all day long? Lol. I recognized a few friends in the group and I also made a few new ones. Within a week I was just one of the gang! I felt at ease and began commenting on topics but it wasn't long before the fun stopped. Last Friday I commented on a particular topic - one that apparently has photogs divided; you are either for it or vehemently against it. I learned quickly that there wasn't much room for a healthy exchange of opinions and debate. It wasn't long before I was attacked on a personal level, my talent & abilities as photographer were questioned, as were my intelligence, my business sense and marketing knowledge, or blatant lack thereof. I had never met or even heard of this person, and yet she was publicly slinging insults. Just where, when and how did this all go so wrong?? Is there no such thing as a healthy debate any more? I wish I had known earlier as I could have skipped all my college debate classes!

Then last night, I received a notice from Facebook that some of my images had been flagged and removed as they were "offensive in nature". The photos had been up for more than 2, 3 and even 8 months and just NOW they were being flagged? Just 48 hours earlier I had voiced an opposing opinion on a discussion board....was this just a coincidence, or was it related? Either way, I'll never really know the truth. 

My Twitter philosophy is simple: if you don't like what someone is saying then unfollow. It's simple. And I live my life that way also; live and let live. You do you, and let me do me. Equally simple philosophies, don't you think? So knowing full well the Facebook reporting process is not an automated system, I definitely can't help feeling betrayed by a fellow photographer. If I have posted a photo that offends you in any way, then please let me know. Let's discuss it - don't hide in anonymity behind the guise of high morals.

So even though I was hurt by this childish act, I'm going to take the high road and choose to believe that whoever reported my photos is just jealous of my work. They say you know you've made it when you have haters! 

Have an awesome day! xoxo

 

Thirst for a Healthy Life

A couple months ago, I started hearing more and more about "Juicing". The talk on the subject totally intrigued me and I began doing some research. It lead me to the Joe Cross documentary called, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead", the story of Joe's suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease and his personal mission to regain his health and lead a healthier lifestyle. With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help Joe in the long-term, he turned to the only option left, the body's ability to heal itself. Joe traded in the junk food for fresh fruit and veggies and made a vow to drink only fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. His only goal: to get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle. His story was unbelievable, inspirational and nothing short of amazing. 

Meanwhile, in Facebookland, San Diego photographer, Joanne Encarnacion started a FB group called, Thirst for a Healthy Life, filled with great advice, inspiration and awesome recipes. Within a couple weeks of having seen the movie, suddenly it seemed even MORE people were talking about the benefits of juicing. 

Determined to make some health changes myself, I decided to check out what this juicing was all about. I headed out to The Bay, bought a killer Breville juicer, armed myself tons of veggies and started my 14-day juice detox! 

The next 5 days I had nothing but fresh vegetable or fruit juices and water. I'll admit it, it wasn't easy but the benefits were amazing and almost instant! My energy level sky rocketed, I was sleeping better at night, my skin looked radiant, and I dropped more than a couple pounds. What's not to love? Unfortunately I was unable to maintain ONLY juice and had to add one solid meal a day, but made sure it always consisted of fresh veggies only. Since then, I make sure to drink my veggie juice (almost) every day. For me, it's an awesome way to ensure I'm getting enough fruits and veggies. 

If you're looking to make a change in your diet you should definitely try juicing. An only juice detox is extreme but having a couple glasses of fresh vegetable / fruit juice every day, in addition to a healthy diet is an amazing way to ensure you're getting all the nutrients you need in your busy day. And if your looking for some amazing inspiration to keep you motivated on your journey, check out Joanne's new blog; Life as a Juice Junkie, dedicated to this very subject! She's always got some new and interesting recipes. I can't wait to try them!

So far, my all-time fave is apple + cranberry. Yummy!

Have an awesome (& healthy) day. xoxo

That was then....this is now

That was then....

I don’t know why but this is by far one my favorite old pictures of me. Maybe it’s because of the dimples, the fringe & pigtails, the fashion forward green knit hot pants jumpsuit, or maybe even that toothy grin that just screams out “brat!” Whatever it may be that warms the cockles of my heart (btw you can only use the term “cockles of my heart” during the Holiday season!) it sure does show how happy I was as a child. Every time I look at this picture I can’t help but laugh and remember an awesome time in my life. 

...and this is now

I think it’s safe to say that a LOT has changed since that photo was taken…the green-knit hot pants jumpsuit is long gone and now I have to pay to get the golden blond hair (shhh don’t tell anyone though!). But a few things have remained the same; the dimples, and that smile that screams out “brat!” And looking at this picture taken just a few months ago, I notice that my true happiness still shines right through in my pictures. 

Have an awesome day! xoxo

No & learning when it's OK to say it

No. It’s not a word I usually love to hear; especially when its being used by a salesperson telling me they don’t have those shoes in my size…but I digress. As an artist and business owner with the entrepreneurial itch to always say yes, learning when to use the word no can be crucial. And not doing so could potentially ruin your reputation.

One thing I absolutely love about the photography business is its diversity. I often get clients wanting to book me for photography services which are clearly not represented on my website. Rarely do I say no because although it may not be something I specialize in per se, it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, nor does it mean I don’t want to. 

Today was a bit different though… I received a call to photograph a new cosmetics line being produced and packaged. Photo shoot + Makeup line = HELLO! OMG totally awesome, right!?! But as we discussed the project in detail and got down to specifics, it soon became clear that this possibly might not be the job for me. I knew I would have to respectfully decline.

For the next half hour I paced around my office thinking of the logistics of the project I had just passed on. Had I done the right thing? Should I actually be refusing jobs in this economy? But in the end, I knew being true to my goals and saying no would get me much further in my career than having taken on a job that I knew I just wasn’t the right fit for.

Thankfully I don’t have to say no very often. I am grateful for every new challenge and opportunity that comes my way, even if it isn't something clearly represented on my website! And if some of those photos make it into a local publication, well, that just makes it all the better! 

I ♥ the postman

So don't tell anybody but I have a crush on the postman.....well not really....he's about 60 with missing teeth and smells of stale ashtray BUT he does bring me awesome stuff!! And this is what I got this morning! This infamous, amazing Kelly Moore bag I've been pining over for months! It was well worth the wait....this baby mixes photography functionality and style in an awesome bag that looks more like a designer purse than some of the sketchy ones Paris Hilton has been carrying lately.

I got the Classic bag in Cranberry Croc; and it can carry my camera body; a flash; 2-4 lenses (depending on if you stack them); off camera cords; camera batteries; phone; keys; wallet; double AA’s etc. I slid my 70-200mm in there and it fits perfectly!

Happy, happy day! Hope you have one too!

Will the real Chantale Perron please stand up...

.....oh! that's me! I'm Chantale Perron.....Right here....no, not that link, uh no not that one either.....a little lower, lower, even lower down the google list.....

So I admit it, I've never really taken the time to Google myself (is that really a verb now?) or BlackCAT Photography, but last night my cousin did and the results were less than impressive. Not only do I not pop up very high in the list (actually, my Montreal Roller Derby profile pops up way before my professional one does!) but another photographer is directly linked to MY website. How frustrating is that - especially now at a time when all my working hours are spent re-branding my company?!?

So today my day will start off creating Meta-tags and making sure people can actually find me....but now....just in case you were wondering.....I'm right here or here, and here, here and here. 

Hope to see you soon!   :)

 

Sniff, sniff...

Absolutely, positively, most definitely one of THE saddest days of my life. But, a friend made me see the light and realize that even though I see a "For Sale" sign in front of the house, it really is a sign of all good things to come and a very bright future for me.

Long live positivity and silver linings....

Here's to To Do lists and being back on track

I know, I know...I’ve been a bad blogger as of late. I’ve been a bad everything for that matter. A couple weeks ago I started feeling sick with what I thought was an ear infection. Turns out it wasn’t an ear infection after all, it was my jaw; an issue I’ve been struggling with for well over 10 years. For some reason, 9 doctors (GP), 2 ORLs, 1 Neurologist, 1 Dentist, 1 Orthodontist and 10k of braces, 2 Physio-therapists, 1 Active Release Therapist, and 2 Osteopaths have not been able to resolve the “problem”.

 

For what seemed to be the past year, things had stabilized somewhat. I ignored the pain and learned to live with the annoying cracking, popping and locking (man I wish I was referring to break dancing!). But 2 weeks ago, I started feeling the most excruciating pain I had ever felt. Ever. It was horrible, debilitating. It was a pain I had never felt before; an agonizing sharp pain that felt like a red-hot knife going through my ear, resonating down the side of my face anytime I opened my mouth, spoke, sneezed or yawned. I even felt it when I ate. It had to be an ear infection, what else could it be? I headed to the walk-in clinic in hopes of getting anti-biotics to get rid of this irritating infection. 3 hours and 22 minutes later, I was finally sitting in the doctor’s office. After 45 seconds of interrogation the doctor checks my ears and says, “It’s not an ear-infection; it’s your jaw.” I sat there in silence. Surely there was a mistake? I pressed her for more information. “What can we do?” I asked. “Nothing. It’ll come and it’ll go.” she says. “Can I take anything for the pain?”. “Advil. Tylenol.” she says, and with that, I was ushered out of the office. I fought back the tears as I walked out of the clinic. I was devastated. I have to admit that things haven’t gotten much better since then; I’m numbing the pain with Tylenol Extra Strength something or other and waiting it out until November 30 when I get to see my new family doctor. And believe me, I plan on tying him to his chair until he finds the real problem with my jaw, and fixes it, once and for all!

 

But, in the meantime, I need to get back to work, back on track and get things moving again. I’m about 5 shoots behind in post-processing, new contracts to follow-up on, old ones to finalize, and tons of other stuff to do, too. It was high time I write myself a ToDo list (I’m huge on lists) to help me get back in line. Gotta run....I’m back in the saddle again.