the support small business initiative was created out of a desire to help small businesses that are suffering financial hardships due to pandemic related closures of their brick-and-mortar stores, whether temporarily or permanent.
this initiative provides a one day shoot of styling and photography servicesº, at not cost, for small businesses (direct-to-consumer small businesses included) in the toronto area, creating images to be used for their e-commerce platforms in hopes that it will help online sales.
styling (and photography) services include both off figureºº (jewelry, bags, shoes, cosmetics, etc) as well as fashion stylingººº. if you are not familiar with off figure styling (also known as still life) have take a look here for examples. if you don’t see examples of what you’re looking for please don’t hesitate to inquire as we maybe able to provide photography services not listed here.
though we are focusing on small businesses that have little-to-no e-commerce images, small businesses in need of supplementary images, like lifestyle photos for content as well as headshots, may also be provided according to scheduling availability.
if you are a toronto area small business in need of e-commerce (or lifestyle) photography for your online or instagram shop please email tricia_hall.at.me.com using the subject heading “(your business name), support small business initiative”. in your email please include:
a little info about your business
type of product offerings and number of variations
your website
your instagram handle
what city/area you reside
what type of photography you require
please allow up to 48 hrs for a reply.
ºone day is an 8 hour shoot
ººany props or additional materials that may be required (including rental of surfaces for product to be photographed on) are the responsibility of the small business client.
ºººcost of model(s), hair & makeup (if no team members are available) are the responsibility of the small business client. cost of additional requests that would require (a) photographer assistant(s), additional retouching, etc. will be the responsibility of the small business client. the support small business initiative team can assist in castings and bookings of model(s), hair & makeup
-updated june 19, 2021-
if you are a photographer, stylist, makeup or hair artist, technical writer or web designer and would like to be a part of this initiative, in any capacity, please email tricia_hall.at.me.com using the the subject heading “(your profession), support small business initiative”
THE PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM
shih-i liu is a professional fashion and advertisement photographer. born in taiwan with a background in art and design, his passion in visual communications manifested through photography. shih has worked and published in advertising, editorial, documentary, portrait photography and motion picture productions. shih is offering fashion and off-figure photography for the support small business initiative.
mckenzie james is an african-canadian photographer based in toronto, canada. primarily focused on portraiture, mckenzie also works producing editorial and fine art content for a wide variety of commissioned projects. for the support small business initiative mckenzie is offering fashion, product and portrait photography with a focus on black-owned businesses.
iohnny tang is a toronto-based photographer. he works with brands to tell a visual story that aligns with their mission. his approach to the craft is backed with experience and focus in off-figure, beauty & fashion. he is currently offering off-figure product photography for the support small business initiative.
sumi siddiqa is a photographer and cinematographer whose works have been featured in VSCO, GMARO and elegant magazine. with her graphic design education from george brown college, her fashion industry education from parsons school of design, and her passion for colour theory, sumi joins the support small business initiative offering her visual story telling talents in fashion and off figure photography.
HAIR & MAKEUP TEAM
lori-ann lazary has shared her passion and expertise in makeup and hair with some of the top photographers in toronto, new york, london and paris for more than 30 years. her work has appeared in fashion publications such as flare, british elle, italian vogue and glamour. her advertising and commercial clients include sony, hudson’s bay, harlequin publishing, mcdonalds, bell canada, sporting life and revlon. for the support small business initiative lori-ann is offering her talents in both hair & makeup.
miranda xue is an accomplished makeup & hair artist offering her talents for the support small business initiative. a graduate of the college of makeup art & design, tony studio (china), lin makeup (beijing) and mpro academy (beijing), miranda has worked with vogue italia, marie claire (china), bulgari, huawei, ye’s by yesir as well as celebrities from china and canada.
kim timbol has an extensive career as a makeup & hair artist working on tv, award and fashion shows, seminars and galas as well as working alongside musical artists for videos and tours, and commercials featuring special guests. some of kim’s clients include margaret atwood, the weekend, chantal kreviazuk, walk off the earth, toronto fashion week, TIFF and the MMVAs. a graduate of the makeup artistry program at george brown college and a certified makeup artist, kim is offering her talents to the support small business initiative with a focus on BIPOC-owned businesses.
celeste russouw has joined the support small business initiative to offer her expertise as a makeup & hair artist. with over 18 years of experience, celeste works in tv, editorial, commercial and fashion weeks, and has worked with celebrities and personalities at TIFF and bell media. having studied creative business at mastered in london, celeste has done beauty campaigns in france and england. some of her clients include majid jordan, lamar johnson and hannah georgas.
liz robertson is a senior level makeup artist & hair stylist with more than 20 years experience in advertising and editorial makeup; she’s an exceptional educator who is offering her expertise in the support small business initiative. liz is a diploma recipient, with honours, in makeup art for photography and commercial clients from the school of makeup art
ivy lam is one of toronto’s top talents in makeup and hair. hong kong born and canada raised, ivy has a bachelor of fine arts in image arts – new media from ryerson university. with her knowledge of photography, film, video, and digital imaging as well as her understanding of lighting, and technical comprehension, ivy motivates a seamless flow amongst the team on set. ivy’s editorial work has appeared nationally and internationally in magazines such as flare, chatelaine, toronto life, wedding bells & martha stewart weddings. we are happy to have ivy lending her experience and talents to the support small business initiative team.
PROP STYLING TEAM
krystin leigh smith has built a multi-focused career as a prop stylist, set designer, interior stylist, maker and all-around creative entrepreneur. she has worked with some of toronto’s most experienced photographers and art directors, honing her understanding of creative business. krystin is working with the support small business initiative team to lend her talents, knowledge and assistance to clients that may need additional prop elements for their shoots.
MARKETING & PUBLICITY SUPPORT
gail mcinnes of magnet creative management is offering complimentary virtual business consultations to clients of the support small business initiative to discuss marketing, social media strategy, customer retention, buyer relations, and/or public relations. gail brings over 20 years of managing and promoting brands and small businesses within the fashion and lifestyle industries.
LOCATIONS
bar mignonette is chef craig wong’s latest spot on dundas west. mignonette sits atop of sister restaurant, patois. a hidden gem with a roof top patio looking over trinity bellwoods. adorned with shells and tropical plants, mignonette feels like a warm oasis, offering a variety of seafood dishes, seasonal vegetables and a focus on natural wines. ivy lam and craig wong are generously making their space available to the support small business initiative for photoshoots.
strangelove studio is located in toronto’s east end with 750 sq/ft of photography space with a large south facing window making it an ideal space for natural light and studio strobe shooters alike. they’ve been working with photographers and videographers for years, offering unbeatable rates on their professional studio space. mark binks, owner of strangelove studio, has graciously made his space available to the support small business initiative for photoshoot needs.
this initiative provides a one day shoot of styling and photography servicesº, at not cost, for small businesses (direct-to-consumer small businesses included) in the toronto area, creating images to be used for their e-commerce platforms in hopes that it will help online sales.
styling (and photography) services include both off figureºº (jewelry, bags, shoes, cosmetics, etc) as well as fashion stylingººº. if you are not familiar with off figure styling (also known as still life) have take a look here for examples. if you don’t see examples of what you’re looking for please don’t hesitate to inquire as we maybe able to provide photography services not listed here.
though we are focusing on small businesses that have little-to-no e-commerce images, small businesses in need of supplementary images, like lifestyle photos for content as well as headshots, may also be provided according to scheduling availability.
if you are a toronto area small business in need of e-commerce (or lifestyle) photography for your online or instagram shop please email tricia_hall.at.me.com using the subject heading “(your business name), support small business initiative”. in your email please include:
a little info about your business
type of product offerings and number of variations
your website
your instagram handle
what city/area you reside
what type of photography you require
please allow up to 48 hrs for a reply.
ºone day is an 8 hour shoot
ººany props or additional materials that may be required (including rental of surfaces for product to be photographed on) are the responsibility of the small business client.
ºººcost of model(s), hair & makeup (if no team members are available) are the responsibility of the small business client. cost of additional requests that would require (a) photographer assistant(s), additional retouching, etc. will be the responsibility of the small business client. the support small business initiative team can assist in castings and bookings of model(s), hair & makeup
-updated june 19, 2021-
if you are a photographer, stylist, makeup or hair artist, technical writer or web designer and would like to be a part of this initiative, in any capacity, please email tricia_hall.at.me.com using the the subject heading “(your profession), support small business initiative”
THE PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM
shih-i liu is a professional fashion and advertisement photographer. born in taiwan with a background in art and design, his passion in visual communications manifested through photography. shih has worked and published in advertising, editorial, documentary, portrait photography and motion picture productions. shih is offering fashion and off-figure photography for the support small business initiative.
mckenzie james is an african-canadian photographer based in toronto, canada. primarily focused on portraiture, mckenzie also works producing editorial and fine art content for a wide variety of commissioned projects. for the support small business initiative mckenzie is offering fashion, product and portrait photography with a focus on black-owned businesses.
iohnny tang is a toronto-based photographer. he works with brands to tell a visual story that aligns with their mission. his approach to the craft is backed with experience and focus in off-figure, beauty & fashion. he is currently offering off-figure product photography for the support small business initiative.
sumi siddiqa is a photographer and cinematographer whose works have been featured in VSCO, GMARO and elegant magazine. with her graphic design education from george brown college, her fashion industry education from parsons school of design, and her passion for colour theory, sumi joins the support small business initiative offering her visual story telling talents in fashion and off figure photography.
HAIR & MAKEUP TEAM
lori-ann lazary has shared her passion and expertise in makeup and hair with some of the top photographers in toronto, new york, london and paris for more than 30 years. her work has appeared in fashion publications such as flare, british elle, italian vogue and glamour. her advertising and commercial clients include sony, hudson’s bay, harlequin publishing, mcdonalds, bell canada, sporting life and revlon. for the support small business initiative lori-ann is offering her talents in both hair & makeup.
miranda xue is an accomplished makeup & hair artist offering her talents for the support small business initiative. a graduate of the college of makeup art & design, tony studio (china), lin makeup (beijing) and mpro academy (beijing), miranda has worked with vogue italia, marie claire (china), bulgari, huawei, ye’s by yesir as well as celebrities from china and canada.
kim timbol has an extensive career as a makeup & hair artist working on tv, award and fashion shows, seminars and galas as well as working alongside musical artists for videos and tours, and commercials featuring special guests. some of kim’s clients include margaret atwood, the weekend, chantal kreviazuk, walk off the earth, toronto fashion week, TIFF and the MMVAs. a graduate of the makeup artistry program at george brown college and a certified makeup artist, kim is offering her talents to the support small business initiative with a focus on BIPOC-owned businesses.
celeste russouw has joined the support small business initiative to offer her expertise as a makeup & hair artist. with over 18 years of experience, celeste works in tv, editorial, commercial and fashion weeks, and has worked with celebrities and personalities at TIFF and bell media. having studied creative business at mastered in london, celeste has done beauty campaigns in france and england. some of her clients include majid jordan, lamar johnson and hannah georgas.
liz robertson is a senior level makeup artist & hair stylist with more than 20 years experience in advertising and editorial makeup; she’s an exceptional educator who is offering her expertise in the support small business initiative. liz is a diploma recipient, with honours, in makeup art for photography and commercial clients from the school of makeup art
ivy lam is one of toronto’s top talents in makeup and hair. hong kong born and canada raised, ivy has a bachelor of fine arts in image arts – new media from ryerson university. with her knowledge of photography, film, video, and digital imaging as well as her understanding of lighting, and technical comprehension, ivy motivates a seamless flow amongst the team on set. ivy’s editorial work has appeared nationally and internationally in magazines such as flare, chatelaine, toronto life, wedding bells & martha stewart weddings. we are happy to have ivy lending her experience and talents to the support small business initiative team.
PROP STYLING TEAM
krystin leigh smith has built a multi-focused career as a prop stylist, set designer, interior stylist, maker and all-around creative entrepreneur. she has worked with some of toronto’s most experienced photographers and art directors, honing her understanding of creative business. krystin is working with the support small business initiative team to lend her talents, knowledge and assistance to clients that may need additional prop elements for their shoots.
MARKETING & PUBLICITY SUPPORT
gail mcinnes of magnet creative management is offering complimentary virtual business consultations to clients of the support small business initiative to discuss marketing, social media strategy, customer retention, buyer relations, and/or public relations. gail brings over 20 years of managing and promoting brands and small businesses within the fashion and lifestyle industries.
LOCATIONS
bar mignonette is chef craig wong’s latest spot on dundas west. mignonette sits atop of sister restaurant, patois. a hidden gem with a roof top patio looking over trinity bellwoods. adorned with shells and tropical plants, mignonette feels like a warm oasis, offering a variety of seafood dishes, seasonal vegetables and a focus on natural wines. ivy lam and craig wong are generously making their space available to the support small business initiative for photoshoots.
strangelove studio is located in toronto’s east end with 750 sq/ft of photography space with a large south facing window making it an ideal space for natural light and studio strobe shooters alike. they’ve been working with photographers and videographers for years, offering unbeatable rates on their professional studio space. mark binks, owner of strangelove studio, has graciously made his space available to the support small business initiative for photoshoot needs.