Toronto here I come
I’m off to the centre of the universe, otherwise known as Toronto. This will be the last time I’ll be able to go this year and it makes a record 4 times this year that I visit the Queen city. Toronto is a fantastic place to visit for all those seeking a fun and adventurous city. From walking through the busy streets and gazing at the modern architecture to relaxing with a few friends in a sleek hotel, Toronto has it all. Time for another Toronto Travel Massive event, some meetings with clients, catching up with friends both old and new and especially to see my sister and brother in law who are making a big change in their lives.

Toronto City Hall
I’m really proud of them for deciding to follow their dream to move somewhere warm and simplify their lives. They stunned me a few weeks ago with an announcement that they had bought a small beach bar and were moving to Belize. For the last few years they had been talking about doing something like this, but I had no idea that the big decision would come so soon (soon being a relative term). As my sister said to me this last week: “Some people talk about doing things like this; we’re doing it!”.
Good for you sis!
“By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day.”
~Robert Frost
I’m inspired by this news and excited for both my sister and brother in law. They both have inspired me in different ways over the years. My sister inspired me to get into fashion photography at the beginning of my career at the time when she was modelling in Europe and Japan. Later, I would be inspired by their travels and would have loved to have had the chance to go on the cool trips that they were taking. This inspiration led to a huge change in my life as a photographer around three years ago when I decided that I was going to take a stab at this travel photography thing. I haven’t looked back yet and hope to continue on this path for some time to come.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
~Confucius
My brother in law has always been a big inspiration to me and I hope that he knows that. His work ethic and passion for his work in the music industry are things I have tried to emulate in my life. Ever since I have known him, he has worked longer hours and harder than anyone I know. Now I find myself doing the same thing, sometimes wondering why and how long I can sustain this.
“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.”
~T. E. Lawrence
They are not going to be on a permanent vacation or retiring. They will just be changing jobs and following their dreams. Anyone who chooses to do that is a bit of a hero to me. Plus hey… Now I can visit them in Belize instead of Toronto. Sounds like everyone wins!
Continuing my series on Copyright
Stand up for your ImageRights!

“Hey, get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight
Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight”
~Bob Marley
One of the things that make me grind my teeth as a photographer, is knowing that as soon as my images get published online that they will be copied and often used for commercial purposes without my consent. In a perfect world, this would never happen, but it does all the time.
How does a photographer deal with this?
I recently had a chance to have a series of email exchanges and skype talks with Joe Naylor, the CEO and president of ImageRights. In my continuing series on copyright (you can find the links on the sidebar of my blog), I have tried to help educate photographers and those of you who use photography about the way the copyright laws work in the US and around the world. I’m no expert, so I have tried to talk to as many copyright experts as possible about this subject and relay that information to my readers.
It was during my research that I came upon the ImageRights website and decided to get in touch with them. I think you’ll be glad I did!
Joe has been an incredible resource and agreed to do an in-depth interview about copyright in photography and how his company can help you as a photographer if your rights have been violated. This is just the beginning of what the team at ImageRights can do to help you register, and protect your photo copyright, and fight for your rights via the legal system if your rights have been violated.
If you are a photographer or even a photo enthusiast, you need to hear what Joe has to say.
Read the Interview with the CEO and president of ImageRights: Joe Naylor
Irado seu Site. Adorei as fotos. Grande inspiração.
Abraço e boas energias sempre
Hi Ken,
Enjoy Toronto, although, I am pretty sure that NY is the center of the universe… just sayin’… C.
Glad to have you here! Feel free to get in touch for some awesome exploration tips…although Im sure you’ve already seen much that T.O has to offer:p
Recently I’ve had a buyer request the master image data, and said, he wanted to have the image printed himself. The image in question is a once in a lifetime shot and losing control or maintaining the quality would in my opinion significantly destroy the value of the image. I know that copyright law may help, but in reality it is more of a defense and could do little if you don’t have the means to peruse a legal remedy, particularly if the image would be sent outside the US. I thought a contract and a copyright usage agreement with a substance fee or some kind of bond may be a solution. What is your opinion?
Clint, I’m not the right person to ask. Please consult a copyright attorney for any legal questions or get in touch with ImageRights. Thanks.
Very good photographs. You are truly skilled!
Sounds like Belize is waiting for you… but I say you should come to NY first ;-)