Tony Chestnut AW14

Margot Pollo very much for Tony Chestnut. My friend Jill has been making stuff for as long as I have known her. I consider myself a kind of kid sister to her creative process. Her own kid sis and I used to sneak into Jill's various cool bedrooms just to look around at her paintings and general creative going-ons. Quiet look-sees for two inspired girls. I am unsure if she ever knew of these visits, but she never made us feel like we needed to KEEP OUT. Her home today is the exact opposite of everything that is the KEEP OUT sign; it is an open door leading to a warm and welcoming gathering place for all. 

Tony Chestnut has been around for nearly a decade. It is just Jill, making unique clothes at her dining room table that are practical, utilitarian and chic all in one beautiful go. No fuss. These clothes don't scream, grab or beg for anything. They speak humbly and let the wearer do the interpreting. I like that about Tony Chestnut. When I choose clothes, I seek out quality pieces with a slight nod to masculinity in simple and chic fabrics that make the woman in me feel strong and ready to hustle. Somehow Jill's latest collection for Fall / Winter delivers these far-flung demands with ease IN EACH INDIVIDUAL GARMENT. Whoa. Her humble company has grown substantially over the last five years among crazed Winnipeg women especially! 

From an inspired artist's standpoint, I must say how special it has been to be invited into Jill's homespun process for her last two seasonal collections (by way of photography). It is an honor to work alongside someone who entrusted me with her vision from the get go, no questions asked. As the photographer I am there to capture her magic frame by frame. During shoots, she keeps up a sharp-witted banter with the subject in front of the camera which in turn keeps the energy and laughter genuine. Nothing easier to photograph than genuine laughter. All I have to do is frame up the beauty playing out before me. I especially love Jill's appreciation for 'off' composition, raw beauty in motion and her sense of humor that comes through her clever styling. 

Working with Jill and model Lane Delmonico Gibson was a damn treat. Lane took to the clothes immediately and threw on her own hats to top off a narrative we all delighted in. To wear clothes is one thing, but to move in clothes in such a way that brings them to life is another story. Lane brought Jill's vision to life. Looking so forward to the new crop of Tony that will be turning heads come Springtime.

To order your own Tony Chestnut, meander over to Jill's online SHOP for your own quiet look-see. 

Here are some photos I felt free to capture of Tony Chestnut AW14--- a beautiful collection of black magic: cotton, leather, wool and silk. Enjoy.

* Contrast - 35 // 120 Tmax 400

* Color - 120 // Portra 400, 35 // vanilla 400

Magic arrow flies precision

"I need a record" says Donnie as she swipes her hair away from the eyes.

"Yup" says Buck with a sigh as he settles into his found orange chair beside the vinyl cabinet.

Paul Simon fills the room, on cue.

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Two cold beers for two followed by one hot bath for one.

Poolboy comes in and out of the warm bathroom to refill my whiskey. I rock out in the bath to Guided by Voices. Four orange candles of various shades. Winter light slinks away with a slight wind and all is well. Night comes slowly. The bath empties itself slowly and I refill it again and again with hot water and drops of eucalyptus and cedar.

Welcomed scents.

Dirt roads are good roads.

Iain tunes up on a slow Sunday.

Dayna readies the tree.

Extended Ross family with Frosty.

O's latest tattoo.

While on a walk, we came across this fallen trunk.

Yummy Yucky and routine nighttime laughs.

Trying my damn best.

Portrait of a man/dolin.

Iain shot this of me concentrating on a game of Scrabble.

A good spot as any.

Here lie some photos I felt free to capture while hauling my Nikon F2 in and out of December 2014. I am currently sitting at my desk listening to an old Timber Timbre record feeling quite content even though the quality of my photo work seems to be regressing at an alarming rate. Perhaps I should stop processing every last goddamn roll as Tmax 400 and live a little.

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In other camera news, I recently picked up a new-to-me Pentax 67 from a wonderful Manitoba gentleman. He called me "nuts" for picking up his old 70's gear. Little does he know what I am used to working with! I am moving on up one Kijiji score at a time. My insides were grinning while handling that honkin' beast as he ragged on and on about the death of photography. It's as dead as you believe it to be! I believe it to be quite alive and well thankyouverymuch. My work with film has just begun! Had to laugh again today at his word "nuts" circled my thoughts while holding my breath as that enormous mirror clattered up and down mid shot. Impromptu color portraits of JJ on my shoulders in my Tony Chestnut dotty dress in his family bathroom. 22 months and growing like a beautiful weed.

Negatives growing from 6x6 to 6x7cm! 

Live and learn.

Live and learn.

Live and learn.

Live and learn.

Live and learn.

Live and learn.

Live and learn.

Live and learn.

There is so much to learn in this lifetime. Handling that 67 makes the Kiev feel like a doll's toy. Slowly bumping up my negative size, one centimeter at a time.

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Time to put my hands to work. Its been too long since I last sat at that light table and put some muscle into the stencil lying there, waiting. Self determination. How hard can it be? Just do it.

Adios.

Long John Silver

What can I say? Winter is here to stay. We are in the thick of it now in cold, old Winnipeg. Proof of full moon vibrations left over from the night before remind me of energy yet to be harnessed and ridden out. Loads of crazy people making moves all over town. Where is my camera?

I was thrilled by the turn of the new year this year. I normally don't find New Year's eve to be big deal or reason for much celebration, but this year I welcomed my New Year's kiss with surprising fervor. I was in the valley for a midwinter getaway with my tall drink of water---Iain---when he surprised me by pulling out a bottle of champagne at the stroke of midnight. We were in the midst of a focused game of Scrabble when suddenly there he was, handing over a ceramic goblet of bubbly. There he was! Just like that. We toasted to new beginnings, to the start of something pretty incredible between us, to new experiences to come. I named my intentions for the new cycle aloud and he smirked at me with that side grin I am learning to know like my own hands. I laughed at myself and then beat the pants off him in Scrabble.

In the morning I took photos with my mind's eye. Slatted sunlight on a gentle sleeping face. Happy cheeks. The camera lay elsewhere, stone cold. The fire was down and took a little convincing before it too woke up and got to work. Coffee. We wandered through that snowy landscape he knows better than I do and I shot photos of the bush encased in ice. My kind of winter holiday.

I am terribly content and haven't laughed this much, if ever, in years. That's sign enough to keep going.

Bare naked faces. Nikon F2 // FP4 processed as Tmax 400

2 0 1 4 / adios

2 0 1 4  /  adios

This photographic lot represents some of my favorite moments spent capturing portraits of summer days, weddings, new babies, the break of winter in NW Ontario, family portraits, self portraits, camping trips and moped journeys. What a wild year it continues to be. I am looking forward to witnessing the Year of the Sheep reveal itself and capturing the magic firsthand.

In the coming year I intend to shoot and process much contrast film, update all contact sheet binders, graduate from school, debut MPHQ online and cook up my first solo exhibition.

I bought a mix media work book today and two new pens to start the new year off right.

Looking Forward To's:
- walking together
- building up the darkroom
- cooking well
- waking up to sun on the face
- maintaining the fire
- photo essays of auctions
- driving to the country
- Bob Dylan everyday
- baking a loaf
- boiling fresh pasta
- finishing the Arbus stencil
- swimming in a big hat
- grinning while canoeing
- the Springtime

Though winter is going no where fast, I did wake up convinced it was Spring today! Birds chirped their agreement.

Partridge in a pear tree

Family portraits are quickly becoming my favorite work. Shot this lovely series of the Partridge Chafe family two Sundays back on a crisp Winter's day. They were good sports about the cold and so was their pup. The light was perfect and we shot along the river near their home. Here is some contrast work I am happy to share.

Nothing better than family, this I know.
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Kiev 60; Tmax 400
Contact megkroeker@gmail for more information.

Stove to Mouth

Well seasoned pan, farmer sausage, drippings, eggs.

Comin' in hot!

Let us eat. Two oranges, cowboy coffee and a pocket knife.

My kind of breakfast.
Nikon F2 / Tmax 400