One of my favorite aspects of this work is choosing among the (thousands) of photographs I have taken to find the ones that best capture a place, a time and a mood. Choosing my favorite composition over the half a dozen others that vary so minimally, bringing that image into the Veni Etiam collection and giving it a title and caption – these are the steps that take a lot of time, but that are so deeply part of the creative process. 

Although Veni Etiam was conceptualized as custom “print on demand” online shop and primarily for large sizes of wall-art, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I needed a fine-art print collection, and that some of these photographs had to be printed and made tangible. I developed my line of fine-art prints for shows and for boutiques. I was reluctant to print only a select few in mass quantities, and tried instead to keep the “something for everyone” feel of the vast online collection. Picking and choosing which images should be part of the printed collection for shops and shows is no easy task. Neither is picking which format they might look best in and which would suit the majority of buyers. 

You can find these 8x8s in my shop, under Square Prints. A number of them will soon be available in my Etsy shop!

The Montreal series in 8x8 will be available in spring at Affiche en Tête, one of my favorite boutiques. Stay tuned for more details!

As always, if you have special requests or if there is something you’d really love to see on Veni Etiam, don’t be shy! Drop me a line!

It was a year ago when, with butterflies in my stomach, I wrote my first blog post and officially launched this endeavor off the ground. I can perfectly remember all the excitement and nervousness that was encapsulated in that series of moments - posting the blog, unveiling my Facebook page, inviting friends and acquaintances to take a look. It was like unveiling a part of my soul. I was shy. It felt crazy. But what has followed has been wonderful, inspiring, rewarding and just as deeply exciting - every day!

Before having launched, I took about a year to actually create Veni Etiam - to figure out my vision for it and lay the groundwork down. This past year has also had its fair share of groundwork-laying and learning. I have thoroughly enjoyed adding to my store, launching my Etsy shop for smaller items or limited editions, collaborating with independent shops who carry my Montreal collection, and participating in artisan fairs and shows in the community. There were some growing pains, of course, but I must count my blessings that my first year brought me lots of opportunity and inspiration! 

In the coming months, I'd like to blog even more - to share with you what is new in the collection, where I find my inspiration from, where you can find me or my prints in person. I've been posting more and more updates on my Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest pages, so find me on there to be kept in the loop! 

To say thank you to all my wonderful fans - old and new - I'm holding a CONTEST for Veni Etiam's birthday. I’ll be giving away a fine-art print of your choice!

It’s very simple:

1. Like Veni Etiam Photography’s Facebook page 
2. On the post describing this contest, enter as a comment which photograph inspires you most, and why!
   
   

You’ll be entered in a draw to win THAT very print (in 8x12 inches).
You'll also make me happy by letting me know what you find inspiring.

A big thank you for making my first year so much fun!

Now...see you on Facebook :) 

​In October, I finally had the chance to visit a city that has been on my ‘dream-list’ for years: Chicago. I had seen friends’ photos of the riverfront and, of course, of The Bean, but aside from these iconic views, I had little idea of what to expect.

​The winding and weaving El-Train was a highly enjoyable way to get around town and to see it from a different perspective.

​An architectural cruise allowed me to see the face that Chicago presents to the river, with its industrial bridges, playful reflections and carefully planned-out waterfront promenades. I have always been fascinated by cities that are built by (or on) water, how they interact with it and how it becomes part of their identity. 

​As if feeling tiny among the skyscrapers was not enough, I let myself lose track of time along the Lake Shore Drive and in Lincoln Park, feeling the wind from the lake, and watching the view of the cityscape change behind me. 

​I enthusiastically met all the requirements for the role of "Tourist": I stood amused by my reflection in front of the Bean. I climbed to the top of the Willis Tower and stood among the dozens of other tourists and their iPhones until the sunset colored the sky around us. I even made it through a deep-dish pizza! 

​I also tried to get a sense of Chicago’s other neighborhoods. I strolled through funky and eccentric Wicker Park/Bucktown, with its eccentric independent shops, galleries, bookstores and cafés. I loved the peaceful residential streets in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, and how the area around Armitage Avenue and Clark street suddenly grew livelier, like little pockets of the city hidden among peaceful stretches of trees and beautiful homes. I let myself dream as I weaved through the streets of the Gold Coast, and enjoyed the charming Old Town that had so much diversity to offer. 

Of course, a first trip, especially a short one, only ever serves to take that first bite out of a city. I always take it as consolation that there is no better way to guarantee our return to see more of it - soon. 

​~ * ~

A few photographs of Chicago have made their way into my collection, and are also available as fine-art prints in versatile sizes. 

​Check out:

• Fragmented Time
• Loop Bound
• Up She Goes
• ElTrain
• Lake Air

 
Stay tuned for “Musings” in other cities by subscribing to the blog, or by staying in touch on Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest!