It was quite surprising back in 1999 when my parents opened up this idea that we are moving to Canada. It was certainly a lot of mixed emotions for me, excitement to see a new place...and to see snow. Sadness because I would be leaving the life I knew and also a lot of questions in what is there for me in this new place. It would be an understatement that life wasn't such a fairy tale when we started our lives here in Winnipeg. A lot of hardships but the key to it all is perseverance. A strong will to achieve great things. Great faith in God that He would be there guiding you each step of the way. As months and years rolled on, Canada became such a dream. There's a lot of opportunities here even though it wasn't so easy to start, what came from all the hardwork sure is worth the journey.
Winnipeg has been an amazing place for me and my family. It's truly a new beginning. I've worked so many different jobs that I get to truly live life. My life experience is truly humbling, my life in the Philippines might sound a perfect life for my Canadian friends. It sure was easy but not that much rewarding. For me, life in Canada specially my early years gave me a different outlook in life.
Winnipeg opened a lot of doors for me but not each one was a good one. I worked as a grocery bagger, janitor, door to door salesman, telemarketer...a few other jobs. In my journey I ended up in jewellery sales
until I got my break to get into jewellery designing. I accomplished a lot as a designer, winning various awards and accolades and a lot of clients that became really close friends. I started photography as a hobby back in 2006 and Winnipeg was such a place to showcase my new passion. On my second year in photography I managed to have my photograph published in some tourism materials. I was a runner-up in Destination Winnipeg's "Picture Winnipeg" photo contest. The next year a lot of my images was submitted for final judging, some winning runner up places and one as a category winner. In 2008, I won the top price for their photo contest with a lot of my images also submitted for their Winnipeg portfolio for future publications. For 3 consecutive years my photography was recognized and my images constantly published along with other Winnipeg professionals. In May 2009 I opened Dodgie Dator Photography, at this time I am confident that I can offer my clients exceptional work. In my years as an amatuer, I was covering charity events for my parent's religious organization and did a few portrait sessions for family and friends.
In June 2009, I secured 2 representations in 2 of Winnipeg's finest art galleries, Birchwood Art Gallery and Wayne Arthur Gallery. Much to my surprise a bulk of my gallery pieces are from my 2006 archives. The galleries picked approximately 70 images out of my Winnipeg collection to be part of their regular inventory. I also sell my work direct to some private collectors and other organizations. In 2011 Jan Shotton of Tapestry in Glass also started representing my work.
I pursued fashion and glamour photography later in 2009, towards the fall I had the opportunity to photograph various models and clients. They love my style of very natural portrait work, working on various Winnipeg locations. A lot of opportunities poured in that year, I met new friends from Colombia through their delegates for Folklorama. I met my good friend Erica Castaneda, a Magazine publisher that I currently work with. I was one of very few official photographers for Folklorama. In September 2009 I received an invitation to be the official photographer for Canadian Breast Cancer Society's "Martini Mingle with Matt Dusk". I love that experience since not only that Matt is such an amazing artist but also an amazing guy. To be selected from literally hundreds of photographers that can possibly be their official photographer... is very humbling. Year 2009 was such a wonderful year ending with 2 overseas wedding photography bookings. 2010 was also such a fantastic year, various wedding bookings and lots of fashion and glamour sessions. My Philippines projects was really amazing too, 4 weddings I covered in the Philippines and I worked with various clients for commercial work. I also headed a fashion portfolio update for 3 Davao City designers, 9 models and 2 makeup artists, thanks to all the amazing talents I had the honor to work with. I also thank my workshop and mentorship participants for making 2010 even more fun, for trusting me to learn some of my concepts for your own work. 2011 has also been super fun for me, with a trip to the Philippines for another fantastic wedding to cover and all my Canadian projects.
I am enjoying every bit of blessings that God and the city of Winnipeg has given me. I am looking forward to all my projects in 2012 and all the years ahead.
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