Studio Iris Photography

Another Trip to the Far North

I just returned from another trip to the far north with Quebec Roots. This time, I was with author Carolyn Souaid, and we visited Kiluutaq School in Umiujaq, Quebec... wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy up north on Hudson's Bay.

View from the airplane window, en-route to Umiujaq, Quebec

Young boy contemplating the vast, empty landscape

Jason Etok, an Inuit pilot with Air Inuit

Ecole Kiluutaq School

Students participating in Quebec Roots Program

One of the kids took this photo of me during one of the the photo workshops-- love it!

I didn't have much time to take photos, but here are a few snaps from around the village:

The Tumic Twins, snuggling up in the back of their mother's parka

Dinah Sala, the Oldest resident of Umiujaq

Umiujaq grocery store

Cases of Pepsi in back room of Umiujaq grocery store. People drink a lot of Pepsi here. One students confessed to drinking 8-12 cans per day!

Markossie Sala preparing for a hunting trip, wearing a wolf hide parka.

Sunset over Hudson's Bay

Quebec Roots 2007: Wemidji, Quebec

I was in Wemidji, Quebec last week with author Monique Polak and filmmaker Louise Abbot for Quebec Roots, an educational program sponsored by Blue Metropolis Literary Festival.

Quebec Roots: The Place Where I Live asks students in different classrooms across Quebec to comment on their community and work in photographs and words to make a photo-essay or book.

Below are people and places in Wemidji, Quebec.

Rob and Lisa's Wedding: September 8

Except for Rob getting ready at home, Robert and Lisa had everything else-- the ceremony, cocktails, photos and reception-- at the magnificient Saint Suplice hotel in Old Montreal.

For getting ready, Lisa chose a room where she could watch the hotel staff prepare the hotel patio for the outdoor ceremony.

First kiss as man and wife.

Lisa crushing her sister in a hug just after the ceremony.

Congratulation Lisa and Robert! You two are completely adorable, and it really was the lovliest wedding.

Sylvie and Peter's Wedding: August 18

Peter and Sylvie currently live in Iqualuit, Nunavuit, where Peter is an RCMP officer and Sylvie is a nurse. While a long way from home, their hearts are definitely in Quebec. Sylvie grew up in Quebec City, while Peter was raised in Montreal's Greek area, Park Extension.

Peter and Sylvie were married at the Eglise Koimisis Tis Theotokou, where some of the ladies who live across the street keep a pretty close eye on what's going on at the church.

The reception was at the Lowes Hotel Vogue in downtown Montreal.

Weddings at the Loews are overseen by Helene Gaston Khoury, who makes sure everything from the waitors white gloves to the angle of the Calla lillies on the head table are... just... perfect.

Despite being such a perfectionist, Helene is a wonderfully warm person who takes personal interest in each and every wedding she organises. She can be reached at (514) 849-9818.

Congratulations Peter and Sylvie! I LOVED the ceremony at the Greek church (my first Greek Orthadox wedding!), and really enjoyed sharing your day with you.