Photographer Annabelle Agnew

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Montreal, Canada? :)

—Excluding myself, I admire the work of a lot of talented photographers globally. In Montreal: Brent Calis, Laura Regev, Ella Mack & Micheal Beaulieu are some of my favorites. In Ottawa: Agatha Rowland, Joel & Justyna, Rubicon and Age of Indie.

—Are you photogenic?

—At the right angles and if I'm not being a goof... yes.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—My mother is a painter, my step-father a theatrical and architectural lighting designer. I was surrounded by art, artists, and so forth my entire life. My mother's best friend is a professional photographer and I remember taking my first "real" photograph at 8 years old with my mother's Olympus Rangefinder. Even then... it was a very circuitous route, even after I got my BFA in Photography at Concordia. But I am very certain of my path now that I found it.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Light is the most important — then composition. After that comes artistry and understanding how your settings can capture moments that evoke how they felt. Sharpness and bright lighting are over-rated and feel unnatural to me a lot of the time.

—Do you love traveling?

—Yes. Adore it. One of my favorite trips that I ever took was to Nicaragua. We go to Ireland (at least prior to the pandemic) yearly because my husband is from there. The last place we traveled to prior to the pandemic was Mexico.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—I love that what I do captures some of the most important moments of a clients' lifetime and that the history of that photo will shift over time to mean different things. I know how valuable my family photo albums have been for me and that's my driving force for every wedding I photograph.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—I'm a workaholic, it's hard to turn my brain off and find balance, being passionate about my craft verges on obsessive. It's important to hit pause, look back and appreciate work that I have done and so I've learned to do this — rest is equally important to make good work.

—What will be the future of photography?

—Just like anything else, it will evolve and yet it's essence will remain the same.

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—I'm not sure I understand this question.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I went to art school where our work was critiqued daily — so I am open to it and frankly wish I heard it more often now in my professional life. It's important to get external feedback in order to grow. That said, I am probably my own worst critic.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Lots of them. A lot of photographers buy presets and apply them to their work – I find this makes their work all look the same. The standouts always have a strong sense of color, light, composition and a connection with their subjects.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—Connect with the work and the photographer.
Ask for full galleries.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Too much posing, going to "hotspots", shotlists that are formulaic to wedding pinterest boards.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—It's the in between stuff. For instance — this summer I photographed a wedding where I did a giant group photo of all that attended. Once the group dispersed the bride & groom each took a big swig of their drinks in hand (which I took a photo of) and then each realized that it was too big (which I also took a photo of) — this sequence brought a lot of joy to all of us later.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—Emotion, Light, Artistry.

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—I have no answer for that!

—Who do you want to shoot?

—Anyone who wants me to.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—I don't think so?

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Erik Madigan Heck; Annie Liebovitz; Roger Deacon; Joel & Justyna; Samm Blake; Leann Weston; John Dolan; Cinzia Bruschini; Sarah Falugo; Corbin Gurkin; Danijela Gorley; Thierry Joubert; & Jamie Beck

—What do you worry about, and why?

—Equipment functionality – having something breakdown in a wedding is possible and you need backup strategies in place
Data Storage – you need a lot of storage and backups in place when working on photographs, losing something would be horrible
Money – who doesn't worry about this?
Health – it's very important to my wellbeing and my job

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—Giving birth to my babies

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—A lot people liken me to a cross between Tina Fey, Elaine Benes, Winona Ryder and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—That's too hard to define. I am inspired by a lot of things – art, comedy, movies, friends, family, landscapes etc.

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—Good sleep, peace of mind. Someday living by the ocean.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected. Too hard to make everyone like you – and I am not sure I'd want everyone to like me.

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—Underselling myself. Doing a lot of work for too little. Not noticing "red flag" clients — I've learned the signs and avoid these types now. A word of advice: don't go into meetings with photographers assuming we're trying to "rip you off".

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—My camera, my kindle, and a lot of earrings and shoes.

—Is there anything that you wish you hadn't bought among the gadgets that you own? Why?

—That's a constant thing — right now I am considering selling the only zoom lens I have. I never use it. I also have too much lighting equipment I never use.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I have a degree in film photography, but now I take online courses through Creative Live; Masterclass; Youtube and so on — sometimes it's photography or business related, but other times it's just something I am interested in. I'm convinced that external interests influence your work in a lot of beneficial ways.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Showing up everyday to do it.

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—Patience.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I want them to be evocative of the moment.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—My pleasure in taking them.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—Less strict.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—I would not have strapped some lighting equipment with a bungee cord. It's a very long story.

—What about life on other planets?

—It's there probably?

—Who are your heroes?

—My Mom; My husband & kids; and then a lot of other artists, writers, comedians, politicians, scientists and so forth.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—I don't think it's a Who, but rather personality traits: those who feel entitled; who are not open to listening/do no ask questions; choose fear.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Improv; Kitchen Dancing; Reading; Running

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—I can be hyper-focused in a way that's detrimental to life balance; I talk to my cat like he's a real person; I need hugs

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Generally right after shooting and the initial edit. Before my critical brain starts to micro-inspect and take over in the edit.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—No

—Do you make friends easily?

—Yes

—Where would you like to live?

—I'm going to retire someday and live along some rough coastline either in Eastern Canada, Ireland, or the South of France.

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—A coffee drinking challenge one night when I was a waitress in a diner in Banff. There was a snow storm and we were young, stupid and bored. I ended up calling poison control because "I won" the competition and boy did that feel bad.

—Is there life after marriage?

—Yes, it's pretty good too. I won't lie — it's work — but I would take this over a lot of connections without depth.

—Do you have a favorite joke? Tell us.

—Too many. I am a comedy nerd/junkie. My best friend is a standup comedian and in school I used to drop in to the club on Open Mic nights to watch my friends tell jokes.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—I like both, but I have a cat named Steve.

—Who or what do you hate?

—Too complicated to answer.

—The best thing in life is:

—good food, laughter, sleep, the water, sunsets, fresh air, snuggles.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—noises like chewing?

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—I mean, yes. But hey, life is a process.

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—A lot of things, like I said, life is a process — and I have learned recently that accepting myself is just as important to changing.

—What would you like to change in the world?

—Fast fashion; greed; hustle culture; the direction of the climate

—Can you give a few tips for photographers who are just starting out?

—Show up everyday, take a lot of photographs and edit them. Rinse and repeat. And look at other Art, not just other photographs.

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—Hello? I haven't given this much thought.

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Romantic Drama (think The English Patient)

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—Website editing; run; laundry; help my kids with online school