road_rage_bunny

2011 was the first year in a very long time that I WASN'T walking in strange countries, surrounded by languages I can hardly understand while eating what I could only hope was actually food. 2011 was 100% Me, Canada and Photography. For some crazy reason I got it in my mind that i should work for myself and do it through photography. Business for myself.... being responsible for paying myself. what a scary idea! But a good friend of mind in Osaka who started his own bike business gave me some really good advice once basically saying that if you jump in with both feet, you'll be fine. What you don't know, you'll learn fast, if your quality isn't good enough, it will get there fast, but only if you jump in with both feet

And so I did. With ever set back I learned something new and with every photograph I learned how to do it better.

The following is kind of a year in review of the photographs I've taken.

Street Fashion:

Something that I started doing for fun out in Japan caught the attention of world fashion watch which asked if I could start shooting Toronto for them of which I did. Shortly after this caught the attention of a CNN intern who wrote an article about me. Recently my Street Fashion photos can be seen on their own blog at http://paulhillier.tumblr.com/ and in the streetstyle section of new Italian website NssMAG.

My first day shooting street style in toronto (winter)


one of the photographs that got the attention of CNN as well it was my first encounter with Naughtymess to whom i would photography a number of times through the year. It was here that i fist discovered that i could meet some really cool interesting people through the street style photography. (spring)


The first photo to go viral on my tumblr. (summer)


The photo that started Gothic Lolita week on the street fashion blog (Fall)


And the latest street fashion find on the blog today. (winter again)


Yelp.ca

This was also the year i first met Vivek and Crystal of Yelp.ca through the most excellent Neil Ta and have since shot tones of yelp events and met some of the most interesting people in the city no the least of are the two crazies in the below photo. (also used my new soft boxes in my first ever photo booth setup)


Events

If it was happening i wanted to take a photo of it.

Save japan comic's art drive


TOJam where I met the team who created viral Ponycorn adventures "Ryan and 5 year old daughter Cassie:"



Anime North




Scott Pilgrim / Brian Lee O'Mally Day at the beguiling



The Scott Pilgrim cosplay team whom i would run in with again many more times in the future



Con Bravo


Fan Expo


Below "Bronies" featuring Mat whom i met at TOJam


once again the Scott Pilgrim cosplay team being awesome.


Red and Jonny


Pride Day... um...


Nuit Blanche



Zombie Walk


the live shows!


and to finish the events section a very un even, event. the crazy lighting storm we had over the summer


 

Wedding Photography

Yoshiko being awesome on her awesome day





Architectural Photography



 

Headshots and Portraits

Actor headshots

model shoot with Jen for Meiku Designs




Miguel and Andrew of Spooky Squid Games


Model shoots for Christine Vandenberk


Movember started Motography as anyone with a stash was welcome in front of my camera.


This included myself in a series of self portraits i did for my own stash.


 

The best thing about 2011 was all the incredibly cool people I met along the way to whom I can't thank enough for making the past year as awesome as it was! This of course includes Marika below who I believe is impossible to take a bad photograph of no matter what she does.







And so much more that I can't fit everything in one blog entry. Thank you to all to took a part in it and supported this crazy idea of doing photography as a job but thanks to you it's safe to say that 2012 is looking to be a very exciting year!

**note some of my favorite photographs of 2011 can't be shown yet but hopefully early 2012. As of now I'm Sadly sworn to secrecy

It has been the journey of a lifetime discovering my own inner Movermber Man. I am no longer the scared little photo boy anymore. Through helping my fellow man in kicking Prostate cancer to the curb I have learned the value of meat, how to put my best fist forward and to bulk up to take on any challenge. And in the end, like in any action movie event though i get the girl and wield a gun, the main value I learned was teamwork.

So with that I would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to:
Jen Crane, Christine Geraghty, Jennifer Wynne and Kathleen Medwyk
for helping donate to the Cause and giving my silly little project purpose!

http://www.movember.com/m/2247662

Looking froward to doing my best next year, until then Movember man bids you all adieu.

Movember is coming to an end soon  and as such so is Motography.
But before it ends i would like to introduce to you of few of my fellow brave Movember brothers.

The first is the excellent Francis Manapul Comic book creator extraordinaire






Followed by some fine gentlemen at gamercamp including Jim McGinley






As always, if you can, Donate to http://www.movember.com/m/2247662 and help make roadkill out of prostate cancer.

Everyday I discover Mo'Brothas and Mo'Sistas taking part in this epic community to raise awareness and $$$ in the great battle against prostate cancer!

Today I was introduced to the Fuse Marketing Group where these five BRAVE MEN have been growing their Mos for 22 days and required documentation so that future generations may marvel at the marvel above their upper lip. So let us all take a moment and wonder at the marvel that is the Fuse Mo'Five

Motography: If you too are taking part in this Epic and would like to take part in Motography drop me a line at Paul at paulhillier.com

And if you can, Donate to http://www.movember.com/m/2247662 and help make roadkill out of prostate cancer.

 

Movember is more than just me discovering my inter man and taking on prostate cancer at the same time. It's about Men (and woMEN) everywhere discovering how to man UP, Movember in and taking on a cause greater than any one individual can do alone. 

Last week I discovered fellow brothers-in-arms at Nissan Canada. As part of my Motography quest, I have documented their great journey so that I can share it with the world.

Motography: If you too are taking part in this Epic and would like to take part in Motography drop me a line at Paul at paulhillier.com

And if you can, Donate to http://www.movember.com/m/2247662 and help make roadkill out of prostate cancer.

Now I present to you the Movember men of Nissan Canada

There is something about a Mustache that is kind of intimidating. I don't think I'd ever want to go up against another man with a Mustache! Yet recently I've been looking in the mirror and have noticed that the very hint of a man shadow over my upper lip is becoming more evident every day. It's power is coursing through my veins!

Power enough to smack down Prostate Cancer by myself? Sadly no, That's why i need your help. Donate to http://www.movember.com/m/2247662 and together we can take prostate cancer outside and rough it up something good.

As you can see below I've been practicing



Remember, if you are a Movember Brother / Sissta and would like your greatness documented I am donating free Motography all this month!

Make a donation and help me dropkick prostate cancer in the ass! Visit my Movember page here:
http://www.movember.com/m/2247662

Becoming a real man is much harder than i had originally though. The hair pushing through my skin burns with ferocity of a thousand suns focused through a thousand magnifying glasses!

I needed some help, so I used my good friend the internet. He told me to check out these Manly men Epic Meal Time They appeared to get their power for Bacon but i had to be sure. According to this page and first on their list "1. Protein Grows Hair" and last time I checked (3 minutes ago)Bacon IS Protein!!! So after a good lathering I feel that I am indeed one step closer to becoming the hero of Movember!



Motography


If you are growing a stash for Movember you are my comrade and as thanks I would like to photograph you the people of Movember in a little thing I like to call Motography, Whether you are in a work group or are individually awesome drop me a line and I would love to photograph your face!

paul (at) paulhillier.com

It is Movember and I'm on a journey to find my inner man! For far too long I have been playing the part of the sissy, hipster artist but no more! Movember is the month where I push myself harder than I ever have before in order to drag out the "man hair" needed to do this great cause justice! Every sentences will need an exclamation mark and every photography will canonical every step I must make to be the manly man I know I am destine to be! And as we can see below, there is yet a long way to go!

Question of the day: What path must I take in order to become a true Movember MAN!?

Motography! To Honor my Brothers and Sistas's who are joining me on this great quest, I will offer my legendary skills at the camera FREE to anyone with a proud mustache during this holy month of Movember.



We have a long, Long way to go...
If all goes according to plan i will be this or this in a few days