One of the perks of our business is that I get to meet and work with some great people, usually at happy or memorable times in their lives. Let’s face it, after 40 years, we have worked with A LOT of people, from babies to brides, tykes to tycoons, youngsters to centenarians, pets to politicians…you get the picture!
Over the next few newsletters, we’re going to be featuring some of the portraits we have created over the years of just a few of the fascinating faces that have graced our studio. Enjoy!
Happy Birthday Tom
Tom Foulkes is someone you may not recognize unless you are involved “behind the scenes” in many community projects in Smiths Falls. Tom and his late wife Patricia were instrumental in supporting worthy causes in their adopted “hometown” of Smiths Falls. When Pat passed away several years ago, there was a need for her picture to grace commemorative plaques in two of her favourite projects; The Smiths Falls Public Library and the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre Walking Track.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a really good portrait of her. The best we could do was to take her out of a small photo taken at a wedding a couple of years previous.
I’ve worked closely with Tom in recent years on the Board of the Smiths Falls Station Theatre, another one of Tom and Pat’s beloved arts & culture projects in Smiths Falls. As Tom was approaching a milestone birthday (not saying which one), he decided it would be a good time to do an “official” portrait for his family.
Rather than using the studio, we decided that the theatre would be a perfect location for the session. I decided to put him on the stage with his back to the seats. This gave a subtle background pattern and put him in a setting that had meaning for Tom and his family.
On a personal note, I first met Tom and his family 20 years ago when we photographed his daughters wedding. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to make of him way back then. He came across as strong-willed and a no-nonsense kinda guy. Since then I have come to know him as a man with a passion for life, love and a heart of gold. I think that’s captured in my portrait of Tom.
Got a Tom story? Love to hear about it in the comments below.
3 Responses
I’ve known Tom even longer, probably since I was a teenager. We both have cottages on Otty Lake and over the years have been active with the lake association as well as the Rideau Canal. I admit that I found him a little intimidating, as a young person. He was big and gruff. However, like you, I eventually came to know him as a kind, hard-working man, dedicated to making his community a better place.
Yep. I view him now as a mentor with years of wisdom and experience that I can draw on. There’s nobody better to have on your side. You may not like what he has to say because he will tell it like it is, but you will know that whatever he says, it comes from the right place.
You know what Tom likes best? A hug. Happy birthday Tom from Winston and Wendy. Great picture, Roger. Cheers. W