nik west photography

My Kids

2012-01-24T22:06:00.000-08:00

I'm making a blurb book of my kids. Portraits...mostly black and white images. Love black and white!

Punching Bag

2012-01-04T17:45:00.000-08:00

What do you give an almost 8 year old for Christmas. Every time he walks past it he works it! Energy to burn!

Alex Cuba For Western Living

2011-11-16T12:05:00.000-08:00

I had a fun time shooting Alex Cuba at Baker Studios in Victoria. Alex was a lot of fun and Joby Baker was very accommodating at his studio.

House Shoot

2011-11-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

I shot this cool house built by Econ Group. You can see more of their work here.

Tofino Weekend

2011-10-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

Just another weekend in Tofino. I highly recommend Pacific Sands Beach Resort...great for the kids.

Victoria's Inner Harbour

2011-10-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pages of a story I shot on Victoria's Inner Harbor for BC Business Magazine.

Sannich Organics

2011-10-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

Sannich Organics for BC Business Magazine.

CFBC Video Contest

2011-09-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

I shot and edited this video for Taiji Brand Group and their client at Community Futures Pan West. Al Bergman of Berg Bikes was very gracious in letting me tell a little bit of his story.

Enrico Winery

2011-09-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

Here are some images from a shoot at Enrico Winery. Check them out Enrico Winery.

Eric Friedland for Up Here Business Magazine

2011-07-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

Carnie Knowlege

2011-07-11T14:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some images from a story currently running in BC Business Magazine. It was a fun shoot wandering the Midway. Much thanks to Ben and Cathy.

Bartlett Tree Experts

2011-07-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

I worked with the great crew at Bartlett Tree Experts in Victoria, BC in June to create some lifestyle images for their promo materials. Here are some that I like.

Garry Oaks

2011-06-24T14:36:00.001-07:00

Current UVic Torch Images

2011-06-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

AnimalSense Cover

2011-05-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

BC Business Cover

2011-05-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

I photographed Climatologist Andrew Weaver for BC Business Magazine. I must say he was a super guy to work with...so easy going!

Professor Peredo

2011-05-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

A portrait for UVic knowlEDGE.

Real Estate Story

2011-04-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

A few pages with images I shot for a story on Real Estate for BC Business Magazine.

Habanero Files

2011-03-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

I shot images at Habanero Consulting Group's Vancouver office last year. They had me back this month, so I had fun roaming around looking for interesting vignettes.

Brad Buckham

2011-02-27T21:16:00.000-08:00

Brad Buckham for UVic knowlEDGE. Shot on location in Tofino.

Tofino Trip

2011-02-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

I made a trip to Tofino recently. Shot a job, visited my brother, and then took some snaps for myself.

Peter Ameerali

2011-02-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Lawyer Peter Ameerali for BC Business.

My Kids

2011-01-25T15:24:00.000-08:00

Hipstamatic

2010-12-31T21:02:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit addicted to the Hipstamatic app on my iPhone...here are a few pics.

Dale + Horse

2010-12-13T10:11:00.000-08:00

My good friend Dale Nigel Goble has created this powder coated steel sculpture of a horse (Earl Grey). Here's a look in his studio.

Stephen Quin for Up Here Business

2010-11-30T18:33:00.000-08:00

The Okanagan for Mercedes Magazine

2010-11-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to work on a story for Mercedes Magazine this summer. I roamed from as far north as Vernon and south to Westside. It was really hot but a lot of fun. I stayed at Sparkling Hill Resort which is a little impressive! Thanks to Natasha and Aaron at Spafax for putting me up to this...they were great to work with. You can see more images here.

Torch

2010-11-09T23:05:00.000-08:00

Here is my work in the current Torch Magazine (UVic Alumni Magazine). Having graduated from the University of Victoria I am really excited to be a contributor in the issue. Thanks to Mike McNeney the Editor...a pleasure to work with!

Habanero Consulting Group

2010-10-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

I recently shot candid images around the offices of Habanero Consulting Group in Vancouver. I really like shooting this style...sort of a day in the life. It was fun and the crew in the office were very cool about it.

Cardino Shoes

2010-10-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

I had fun recently shooting images of Jean Cardino and her shoe store. Great store...and great website coming soon!

BC Business Portrait

2010-10-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a story I shot for BC Business. It's running in the current issue...October 2010.

Queen Anne's Lace

2010-09-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

It looks like a weed at this point in time...but it's called Queen Anne's Lace.

Fine Art

2010-09-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

I now have a Fine Art e-commerce site. You can find the link on my site www.nikwest.com. If you know someone who may be interested please pass it on.

Morning View

2010-09-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

This was my view this morning on the job. Up at 5am and on the job by 6am.

Cobble Hill Heritage Dairy

2010-08-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

Cobble Hill Heritage Dairy from nik west on Vimeo.
I produced this video with the help of Caroll Taiji and Claire Matthews at Taiji Brand Group to show who and what this dairy is all about. They are a certified organic dairy that will soon be producing organic cheese and yogurt.

Austin Healey's

2010-08-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

A row of Austin Healey's in front of the Empress Hotel in Victoria.

Steel Pacific Recycling Householder

2010-08-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

I shot this householder a while back with Taiji Brand Group for Steel Pacific Recycling. We are all extremely happy with the results. It was fun to shoot a variety of subjects...including the car crusher!
Taiji also has a new website which you can view here. I think the site looks very cool...such great design, writing, icons, and of course my photos are there. Check it out.

Dave Pavlus

2010-08-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

I shot a story on rehab centers for BC Business Magazine. This is Dave who owns and operates The Last Door Recovery Society. Nice guy...and we had a nice chat.

Another Portrait

2010-08-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

Portrait

2010-08-02T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent portrait that I like. Shot on Yashica 6x6.

Northern Alberta

2010-07-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I made an entry...been busy. I just spent a week traveling around Northern Alberta for the Northern Alberta Development Council with my good friends at Taiji Brand Group. We met many interesting people, and heard great stories. Here are a few of my snaps.

WW II Bomber

2010-06-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

I was in Tofino over the weekend visiting my brother. We did this hike out to an old WW II bomber that had gone down in the bush. Along the way you go through this old bunker...pretty cool.

Skateboard Park

2010-06-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

If you're going to hang out at the skateboard park with your son you either have to ride something...or take pictures.

Hats

2010-06-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

This is a grab shot I took on the weekend. I like the hats...you can only just see mum's...but I think she may have found herself a new one.

Hula Girls

2010-05-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

I thought this was cool.

Dairy Farm

2010-05-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

I was shooting on a dairy farm last week. I photographed lots of cows which was kind of fun even though I was dodging cow sh*t and swatting flies! They are doing some promo and branding work with TBG here on the Vancouver Island so I made some stills and shot video...which I will work on next.

Street Portrait

2010-05-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

When I shoot for a client I'm usually pretty comfortable meeting and chatting with my new subject. I am a people person...I enjoy connecting with new and interesting people. When I'm on the street with a camera I struggle to ask someone if I can take their picture. It's not easy to approach a stranger, and I will break out in a sweat at the thought! About a week ago I saw this guy playing his accordion. I thought he looked cool so I decided to go for it. I asked him if I could take his picture. Of course he was more than happy, and I felt great that I had faced my fear and made some nice images. I had also now met a nice chap by the name of Aaron Watson...a musician here in Victoria.

Tofino

2010-05-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

We had a short family trip to Tofino recently. It's on the far west coast of Vancouver Island for those who don't know. A cool little town with awesome beaches and scenery. We stayed at Pacific Sands Beach Resort...which was awesome. Here are a few pics taken with the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic 20mm 1.7 lens. This is a fun camera and as you can see I quite like the Pin Hole Camera art filter and 6x6 aspect.

Dr. Mark Wexler

2010-04-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

Dr. Mark Wexler is a professor at SFU's Segal Graduate School of Business. Shot here for BC Business Magazine.

New Art Image

2010-04-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

Shot on Dallas Road in Victoria on a stormy and rainy night. I exposed Kodak Portra for about 4 minutes while under my umbrella...fun stuff.

Wonderful Machine Spotlight

2010-03-29T15:56:00.000-07:00

I'm in the spotlight at Wonderful Machine this month.
http://www.wonderfulmachine.com/wm_spotlight/wm_photographer_spotlight_032910_02.html

Sweet Peas

2010-03-20T22:28:00.001-07:00

My sweet pea loves sweet peas!

First Born

2010-03-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of our first born and there was another on the way. Shot on a Hasselblad.

Sportsplex

2010-03-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

Some early morning images at the Cowichan Sportsplex. For Taiji Brand Group and the Cowichan Sportsplex.

Developer of The Falls in Victoria

2010-03-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

Developer David Leung for BC Business Magazine.

Tai Alfred Portrait

2010-03-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

This is a portrait of Tai Alfred for BC Business Magazine.

Vancouver 2010

2010-02-22T19:42:00.000-08:00

I was in Vancouver on Saturday to shoot a portrait for Bloomberg BusinessWeek Magazine (needless to say I was stoked about that!). Later on Mariette and I wandered around downtown to take in the Olympic vibe. It was busy and happening! Then we took the midnight ferry back to the Island. Here are a few snaps I took while walking around.

Community Futures Video

2010-02-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a one minute clip I shot for Community Futures BC along with help from my agency on this Taiji Brand Group. It will be used to promote their Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program.

Untitled from nik west on Vimeo.

Video

2010-02-13T13:44:00.001-08:00

Video is starting to creep into the work flow. I shot and edited a few clips for Gaulhofer Windows along with stills. Here's one of the clips showing how this window operates. Shot on the Canon 5D Mark 11 and edited in iMovie.

Untitled from nik west on Vimeo.

Berg Bikes

2010-02-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

Al Bergman makes custom made bikes. Go to www.bergbikes.com to check out the work.

Bay Film Studios

2010-02-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

Robin Webb at Bay Film Studios in Maple Bay, BC. You can check out their site here.

Reciprocity Failure

2010-01-17T20:51:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to try and explain this one...but due to the long exposure (about 20 mins on film) the colour has shifted to this surreal tone. I wasn't sure at first if I liked it, but have now decided that I do. A failure...I think not!

A Voice

2010-01-12T14:58:00.000-08:00

They say you need to find your voice in photography. I've never thought that I had one, although I've been told my images have a definite style or look or something. But I'm still trying to find that voice. I read on another photographer's blog that you need to feel the image. Feel and shoot. That's my goal for 2010...to feel the image and find a voice.

Meanwhile here's a shot at the breakwater in Victoria. Shot on 6x6 camera with 160 ISO film.

2010

2010-01-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

I was checking out our wild west coast on the weekend. Not so wild on this day...pretty calm in fact. Let's hope 2010 is a bit more wild and woolly! Shot this hand held for 1 sec at f22 in late light. I shot a couple on film also...we'll have to wait for those results.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone from us. The kids actually sat still for a moment for this one...we did bribe them with chocolate!

Levi Sampson

2009-12-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

A portrait for BC Business Magazine of Levi Sampson. An interesting story this young man has...and a gracious subject.

Corporate Profile

2009-12-13T21:46:00.000-08:00

Thought it was time I made an entry...been far too long. This shoot was for Boardwalk Communications corporate profile to run in BC Business Magazine. They had definite ideas of what they wanted, so I did my best to achieve these goals. I like the tin can phone myself...they themselves are quite a bit more high tech...obviously!

Zach

2009-11-22T14:06:00.001-08:00

Wild Blossom Studios

2009-11-16T12:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some portraits of Gillian for her new greeting card site. Looking for some unique cards then check out...www.wildblossomstudios.com.

Still Life

2009-11-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

Shooting still life images is a departure for me...but I like the result.

New Portraits

2009-11-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

The Showroom

2009-10-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

I shot these bands at a venue called The Showroom a while back. I liked the images and had done nothing with them. Danny Mauro was filming the bands for a trailer and show idea he had. Unfortunately nothing came of it, but it was fun. See more on my site.

Green Light

2009-10-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

I shot this portrait of Tzeporah Berman for Vancouver Magazine. If you are keen to help save our planet, then check out the website www.powerupcanada.ca and join in.

Artwork

2009-10-18T09:44:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for some new art for your walls check out this cool work by Dale Nigel Goble.

Advertising Portraits

2009-10-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some portraits I shot this summer for an ad campaign.

Recent Tear

2009-10-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

A recent tear sheet.

2009-10-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

I had an editorial shoot at Gibsons Landing Yesterday. From door to door it took me 4 ferry rides and 15 1/2 hours and I shot for just over an hour. Long day. I used to watch The Beachcomers when I was a kid so I had to check out Molly's Reach...those who also watched it will remember. I was in search of Relic, but no luck. He must be a bit of a relic by now I guess.

Climbing

2009-09-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

Climbing might be fun...then again taking pictures might be more fun. For me anyway.

New Holga Images

2009-09-19T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well I've had the Holga on me while I've been out and about. He are some of the results.

What's up...the socks!

2009-09-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

In the '70s and '80s I did wear my socks like this...we thought it was cool. Nice to see my 5.5 yr old is bringing it back in '09. He thinks it's cool!

Devon

2009-09-04T21:40:00.001-07:00

The Holga

2009-08-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Holga is a plastic camera with a plastic lens. It's very basic and somewhat unpredictable. I haven't used it for a while and feel the need to break it out and play. Here are a few shots I like that I made with my Holga while living in Australia. Time to play.

BMX

2009-08-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

My son Van loves his bike and has an interest in BMX so I took him to watch other kids racing their bikes. I decided to try and get some pics of the action. Here's a few. Maybe Van will be keen to get out there one of these days...when he overcomes his shyness.

Cheese

2009-08-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

I've added a new photo essay to my website called cheese. This is from a story I shot for Granville Magazine last year at The Farm House Natural Cheeses property in Agassiz, BC. Very tasty!

Terry for CFBC

2009-08-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

Wayne for CFBC

2009-08-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

This is part of the series I'm shooting for Community Futures BC.

Emily

2009-08-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

We needed a shot of a model wearing this dress made from recycled fabric (it also creates zero waste). Emily is great to work with and was happy to collaborate with us once more. Shot with a Canon 5D MarkII and 50mm f1.2 lens. Art director was Caroll Taiji of Taiji Brand Group.

Jewellery Shoot

2009-07-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

I had a shoot for a local jewellery maker Marianne Brown not long ago. We rounded up some talent and made a day of it at a local farm...had some great buildings for our backdrops. Marianne does awesome work...you can view at www.mariannebrown.ca

Michael Bortolotto

2009-07-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

I shot another portrait for CFBC yesterday. Michael Bortolotto (The Positive Rebel) was great to work with. We headed down to the Port Theatre in Nanaimo to get a shot outside the building. We went in to check out the inside and just our luck the folks there were very friendly and offered up the stage...perfect. Thanks so much to Bruce Halliday at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo.

CFBC Portraits

2009-07-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

I've been on the road shooting portraits for Community Futures British Columbia. Here's a couple of Wes at Back Country Meats and Sausage in Fernie, BC.

Beautiful British Columbia

2009-07-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

I've been away for a week shooting in the Okanagan and Kootney regions of BC. I was photographing business owners for BC Community Futures. Here is a scenic shot from the road...beautiful British Columbia.

Modern Cafe

2009-06-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

The Modern Cafe in Nanaimo, BC.

Island Spirits Distillery

2009-06-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

I photographed these characters at Island Spirits Distillery (makers of Phrog Gin) on Hornby Island recently. They were very enjoyable to work with and everything went smoothly. After we got the shot...we had a shot...inside at the bar. That went pretty smoothly also.

our babies

2009-05-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

Today the kids (Van and Maya) decided that I could take a picture of them...or maybe three. It's never that easy and usually involves a bribe. The next trick is to get them together. Also here's a clip of Van on his bike I shot about a week ago.

victoria

2009-05-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

I've been out shooting images of Victoria lately. Here are a few from my travels.

wonderful machine

2009-04-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to now be part of the team at Wonderful Machine. They have an exceptional reputation in the business...I feel very lucky that they consider me suitable for their ranks. I look forward to working with them.

still shooting film...sometimes

2009-04-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

I have been making some images on film from time to time...my personal work. There is a different way of shooting with a medium format camera and with long exposures such as these. You slow down and think about things. Here are a few that have yet to be seen.

promo video clip

2009-03-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

I have made a promo video clip for our local coffee shop Moziro.
This was shot with the Canon 5D Mark II and various Canon lenses. It was edited using iMovie on my iMac.

Breakfast with Dale

2009-03-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

Last week I had breakfast with a friend of mine, Dale Nigel Goble. He is a talented illustrator, designer, painter, graphic artist, and on this day, reluctant model.

Van and Nik's images

2009-03-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

Van is adding some of his best pics to date. The leaf one's are very arty especially with the feet left in. Also the shot of his sister Maya with shadows is cool. But the shot of Mum really has fashion written all over it...nice work Van, impressive. All shot with available light on a Canon Powershot A470 7.1 mp. The fashion shot was photoshopped B&W by dad...he's not getting on my Mac just yet!
I have made images of Van and Maya using a simple one light setup. Canon 580 EX 11 speedlight with umbrella and shot on a Canon 5D Mark 11 with 100mm f2.0 lens.