What is place? And how do we find belonging in that place? 

Multi-talented artist Heather Nolan searches for meaning in Land of The Rock: Talamh and Carraig, a poetic exploration of place and belonging that took the dexterous author, musician and photographer (among other skills) across Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland. 

This is Agatha Falling

“It was an intense project,” Nolan shared of her collection. “Especially taking this on before I really had any kind of validation. I wrote this around the same time as I was writing Agatha (This is Agatha Falling, her now celebrated and award-winning novel). Agatha hadn’t been accepted or published yet. So it was kind of like I had no idea if I’m writing publishable work, or if I’m just going to invest like five years of my life and all of my spare income into traveling through these places and writing this book with no external validation happening.”

With the critical adoration of This is Agatha Falling, which was long-listed for the BMO Winterset Award and ReLit Award, Nolan now had the clout to tackle her ambitious, globe-trotting collection of poetry, though the method and scope did not begin to form until her maiden voyage to the Emerald Isle. 

“The first time I went to Ireland was when I started writing this. I didn’t intend to. Fun fact; at the time I was like I’m probably never going to write anything of any value to anyone. So maybe I’ll just write a kid’s book or something. At least then I can say I’ve written something. So I was going to go to Ireland and write a kid’s book about Irish myths, just because I wanted to write something. Then I at least would get the impulse out of my system and I could move on with my life. 

‘Tick of Validation’

“When I was there I wrote two or three poems, kind of with no real purpose or intention. It just kind of happened as I was walking around looking at stuff. I got home and a lot of the ideas I’ve been thinking about and wrote in those poems about just kept circulating. And it was largely like the broad ideas of what does it mean to be connected to a place that you’re not really from? A place you don’t actually have any connection to? And what do you expect when you go to somewhere like this versus what you actually find? Those kinds of ideas. Probably like three poems in I sat down and mapped out the whole project and exactly what I wanted it to be. 

“When Agatha was accepted, it was just kind of like that was all I needed. That one little tick of validation, I’m just never going to shut up now (laughs). Like, I have so many things to say. Just let me roam free.”

A celebrated photographer and musician, the pandemic allowed Nolan time, real time for perhaps the first time, to dive head on into her literary ambitions.

“I kind of made this decision where I was like if this year is the year that I go bankrupt or something, so be it. There’s nothing I can do about that right now. But what I do have right now is time and I’m going to pretend to be a full time writer. I’m just going to pretend. I’m going to put myself in there as hard as I can and work hard, see what I can make happen,” she shared, explaining that she wrote her first novel when she was 15, one she joked was “ridiculous” and “terrible,” but not without merit. 

“It made no sense. It was a bad book, but that’s something I set out to do when I was 15-years-old. And that need to do that has never not been with me,” she shared. 

‘Dabble in all the arts’

“I was 15. I had no taste. I had no idea what the f**k I was at. It took a really long time to kind of develop those skills. And I’m also not the world’s most patient person. So sometime around the age of like 20 I was like, ‘well, I’m 20- years-old and I still haven’t published a book so it’s not for me, I guess,’ which is ridiculous. In the back of my mind that was always the actual dream, but I just didn’t think I was capable of it for a long time. And so I continued to dabble in all the arts because that’s just fun for me.”

With This is Agatha Falling a celebrated hit, and her ambitious collection of poetry published, Nolan sets to work on multiple projects that yet again stretch her abilities and creativity. 

There’s the upcoming How to Be Alone on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, a fictional  combination of two novellas tentatively due next year, and yet another book already on deck. Her creative drive, needless to say, is kicked into high gear.

“From that one tick of validation of ‘this has been accepted for publication,’ (This is Agatha Falling), that was like a gateway for me of what I needed in order to feel confident in going forward with this work and I’m going to keep creating these things,” Nolan shared proudly. 

“I think the most satisfaction I can get out of a piece of work is when I feel like I’ve done the best thing that I could do, or I feel like I made some kind of breakthrough in my own methods of communication or creating … I’m currently at the point where I just get to dig in and see what happens. And that’s the most exciting thing in the world. It’s very daunting, but so exciting.”

For more on the works of Heather Nolan visit heathernolan.ca 

By: Jason Sheppard

• Originally published January 30th, 2022

Lindsay Anne Delaney’s passion for photography has long been a part of her identity. In high school, she was that young woman who constantly carried a disposable camera, taking pictures of everybody. Much of her inspiration, she says, developed from leafing through fashion and pop-culture magazines. 

“When I was a kid, I was obsessed with those,” Delaney tells The Herald. “I was a huge fan of New Kids on the Block. Looking at the different stylistic things they would wear during a shoot sparked my interest into what went into a photo.”

Delaney lived in Stephenville until her father moved the family to Alberta, where he obtained his PhD in educational leadership. In Edmonton, she was exposed to big city life at a young age. 

“I knew I wanted more,” Delaney said, setting her sights on bigger cities with bigger opportunities. After a stint working on George Street, Delaney moved to Boston, enrolling in the New England School of Photography.

Gaining experience 

“My mother had an interesting reaction to that, because my sister moved to England a week later,” shared Delaney. “She had two different children in two different countries in a matter of a week.” 

When she completed her studies in Boston she returned home to Stephenville, enrolling in College of the North Atlantic’s now dissolved Visual Arts program. From there Delaney was awarded a scholarship to Halifax’s Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in photography. Her experience in this program helped evolve Delaney’s influences, as well as her art. “I’ve been a huge Warhol and Basquiat fan for a long time,” she said. “I’ve always been obsessed with their work and their relationship. The aesthetics, colour, vibrancy and contrast have no doubt influenced my work.”

Delaney, a self-described “hustler,” has worked hard to find success in the Canadian fashion scene, valuing respect among colleagues as particularly important. She strives for a high standard of work and believes in encouraging individuals to be their best, sharing that, “If someone says something can’t be done, I say, ‘hey, I’ll make it happen.’”

Good vibes & energy

Delaney has shot a myriad of celebrities including Private Eyes stars Cyndi Sampson and Jason Priestley of Beverly Hills 90210 fame. A force to be reckoned with behind the camera and the editorial desk, Delaney is also luxury publication Preferred Magazine’s fashion editor. 

When asked what helps make a strong collaborator, Delaney suggests “Good vibes and good energy. Trust in the work’s process and you can’t force anything. And if you let that go, sometimes things will come up more beautiful than what you intended.”

With her position cemented in the industry, Delaney aims to ensure inclusivity and diversity play key roles. 

“When I was first sent out photo assisting, there was a stylist who told me I should be a producer because of my personality and because you don’t see very many thick fashion photographers in Canada. From then on, it was important for me to showcase inclusivity, in front of and behind the camera. You can do other things outside of what you should do and the box that people put you in.”

Delaney cites a recent documentary, The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion, as being enlightening as well as inspiring. 

“It’s been a long time coming in terms of acknowledging the history of black culture and the influence they’ve had in fashion and in the music industry. As good as it has been to see increased diversity in campaigns, I personally believe that in order to elevate the fashion community we also need to ensure that diverse representation is found in all aspects of the industry, including positions of power. George Sully’s creation of Black Designers of Canada is a great example and it’s the beginning of what needs to be done moving forward to amplify BIPOC voices.”

‘A bucket list moment’

Some of Delaney’s recent projects include British Vogue, Vanity Fair, Living Luxe Magazine, Marquis Magazine and ET Canada. Her recent work in Vanity Fair and British Vogue was with RVNG, a vibrant new Canadian fashion brand. This year she also shot for New York Fashion Week. “If you look at every project I do, I organize everything, especially with editorials. I did a cover shoot for Vitalize Magazine featuring Kim Cloutier dressed in Mikhael Kale. Shooting in the lower bay station in the Toronto subway system is an experience I will never forget. Clearly, working with Brandon Walsh from 90210 (aka Jason Priestley) was a bucket list moment.”

Despite her hectic work and travel schedule, Delaney insists home is never far from her thoughts. 

“I bring Newfoundland everywhere in my heart and I bring it to every set. It’s my spirit and my energy. Newfoundlanders are known for making others feel welcome and being from there is one of the reasons why I’m successful. It’s a compass that’s set with me every single day.”

There’s nothing more beautiful than rural Newfoundland, and Dildo is one of the most spectacular spots on the planet. In his latest picture-perfect offering, K. Bruce Lane presents Dildo, Newfoundland, a book filled with photographs taken in and around the famous community.

HISTORIC LATE-NIGHT RUN

Jimmy Kimmel said he would be coming to Dildo, but NTV’s Amanda Mews visited him in Hollywood first, and then there was COVID which put plans on hold. The fun all started in the summer of 2019 when Mews did a feature for NTV on Dildo. The talk show host picked it up and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. A run for mayor and a summer to remember, there was a Dildo daze few could forget.

CAPTURING THE BEAUTY

K. Bruce Lane has captured the buzz and the beauty of Dildo in a new book, Dildo, Newfoundland, offering those who pick it up a photographic tour of the charming, vibrant town in the heart of Trinity Bay.

Of course, Dildo’s unique name brought it fame, but the fortune is in the breathtaking views and the town’s extraordinary people. While late-night television brought the small community to the limelight, what really makes this place special is the scenery and people.

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Lane, a gifted photographer who was born and raised in Grand Falls but now calls Holyrood home, shared that Dildo, Newfoundland was his second photographic release. His first, Eye of the Beholder, was released in 1984.

When Lane isn’t touring this beautiful province snapping photographs to add to his collection, sharing the world’s beauty capturing moments in time, the retired teacher-librarian offered he enjoys hanging with his grandkids, Sam and Anna. This is a perfect gift for anyone who has been to — or anyone who wants to visit — the beautiful town with the interesting name.

To purchase a copy of Dildo, visit flankerpress.com

When The Herald spoke to Paul Hamilton it was a Saturday morning and there was a pot of jiggs bubbling on the stove. Company was coming and Hamilton and fam were ready to feed the poppers-by before they headed back around the bay. Par for the course for someone like Hamilton. 

Born and raised on Bell Island, he’s no stranger to offering a mug up or having a tune or two at the ready when company drops in. 

The first time this writer saw Hamilton perform, he was playing accordion on stage with Bud Davidge. 

THE BIG STAGE

The first tune he hove out of him? What else? The Mummers Song. That all started in 2018, Hamilton explained. 

“I was really excited because I never, ever played on the big stage before. I’d done gigs in a club or something, but we played at Holy Heart and Eddie Coffey was there. It was the thrill of a lifetime for me,” he said of being asked to play with Davidge.

Then there was a tribute to Harry Hibbs. It was fitting that Hamilton participates in that. 

“I wrote a song for ‘His Nibs’ because Harry used to come to my house growing up. He and Dad were good buddies and I used to sit there and watch them playing the accordion. They’d pass it back and forth.”

Leo Hamilton, Hamilton’s Dad, would never pass the accordion over to his young son, but one day they let the young gaffer have a go. 

“I was five years old. I was sat on the floor and I was watching Dad and Harry play and I was there and Harry said to let me have a go and they passed it over and I played Wild Colonial Boy. I had learned just from watching them.” 

After that, he never put the accordion down.

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SOME GOOD FINGERS

“I never stopped playing,” he said. 

Hamilton makes sure others who want to learn the craft are able to. He’s been teaching accordion at Musically Inclined in CBS for 12 years. 

Full disclosure: This writer’s 12-year-old daughter takes button accordion lessons from Hamilton, and it’s thrilling to hear the talented player and teacher say; “she has some fingers on ‘er.” 

“Back when I knew Harry Hibbs, while I was into the accordion, it wasn’t the norm. Who would have thought that 12 year-olds these days would be lining up to take lessons? It is amazing how the young ones are still interested in accordion today. And (this writer’s daughter) Elia is one of them. She’s got really good fingers (for the buttons). And she also has a passion for accordion. I love teaching the young ones.”

OUR LEGEND, HARRY HIBBS

We ask if he has any favourite songs to perform. There’s a few. Classics like Grey Foggy Day and Rose in her Hair are but two favs. Mummers Song and Music and Friends with Davidge are up there too. 

Hamilton will be performing at the CLB Armory in St. John’s on May 15th and 16th. It’s a tribute to Harry Hibbs. Another tribute back in January at The Rooms sold out. 

Hamilton thinks back on his career. While he plays with his band, Hamilton Sound, he’s had many incredible experiences. Back when he was 14 he used to play for tours on a tuna boat called Miss Molson. He performed on All Around the Circle too.  

Hamilton’s song, Our Legend, Harry Hibbs, is one tune he wrote and recorded in honour of Harry Hibbs. Hamilton owns a debt of gratitude to Hibbs. 

“I’ll never forget my first tune. I was sat on the floor watching and Dad would play and Harry would get up and dance, then Harry would play and Dad would get up and dance, and then I asked for a turn. Dad thought I’d break it, but Harry said, ‘let him try.’ I can’t thank him enough for that.”

For more follow Paul Hamilton on Facebook via Hamilton Sound or visit our new Instagram page for story updates as they happen.

A special thanks to The Herald’s #ScenesofNL contest winner Alick Tsui for providing the photos used in this piece. To see more of Tsui’s work, check out his Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, or alicktsuiphotography.com.

Before his recent retirement, Alick Tsui was a busy medical professional, but he’s long held a passion for photography. His love of the art began while growing up in Hong Kong.

“When I was in middle school back in Hong Kong, I was fascinated by the camera used by my father, and so I learned the technique,” he began.

His favourite picture is one he shot on a trail in Stiles Cove. “The weather phenomenon was exceptionally interesting. It had been cold and windy continuously for 72 hours and the downpour didn’t go down to the ocean. Instead, it backtracked and blew up into the sky, into the air, and spread all across the forest. And the whole forest was covered with thick ice and it was transparent.”

Finding the beauty

What captivated him the most was that things were not as they appeared.   

“It’s not freezing rain. People thought it was freezing rain, but it was the water from the river or from the stream. And it went up and then came down and the whole place was frozen in solid ice slowly, like a stalactite slowly forming, covering the tree branches and every leaf. And it was like four inches thick. As I stood there taking a picture, it was very surreal, very magical,” Tsui continued.

Besides nature, Tsui captures people as well. From the action at concerts to people carrying on with their day, he finds beauty in it all, he explained. 

“When I go out hiking I see wildlife and nature and people. Whatever I come across, I just take pictures.” 

He does have a strategy, however, when it comes to photography. 

“My favourite thing is something that you don’t see very often. It’s like the dream is to see something and say, ‘wow, this is something really special that I can remember with a photograph.’ Like that eagle picture. It’s so difficult to get, but it just happened. And a lot of these things are by chance. And I find that I may be lucky or I just go a lot more often maybe and try to find things and have my camera with me so I cannot miss the chance of taking a good photo.”

Tsui has a gift. He has the ability to bring joy to those who view his work. The secret to that, he added, is to love what you do. 

“I love taking pictures. People are so interesting, and people at events are most interesting. I love capturing festivities and how the crowd reacts and how someone on stage is bringing joy and happiness to the crowd.”

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Greenland gentle giants

It’s an exciting time of the year for anyone who loves taking pictures. Iceberg season is almost here, and that’s always a magical time for anyone behind the lens. “Icebergs. You cannot get a better picture than seeing those gentle giants coming down from Greenland.”  

Married to Patricia Nash for almost five years now, Tsui says he loves his Newfoundland life and home.  

“When I first came here, like everybody else, you find the people are so friendly. Before I came, I was imagining this place was so small. I actually learned about Newfoundland when I was in middle school. I learned of this place called Newfoundland, but never imagined that I would one day settle down here.”

He quickly fell in love with the island.  

“It was such a beautiful place. I used to walk into the woods and the trails and just look for the first 10 years. I was very involved in my work and used that time to relax.”

Then came fatherhood and life became even busier.

Provincial beauties

“Now, as an empty nester, I spend my own time doing photography and hiking. I met my wife and together we’ve seen a lot more places and traveled a lot around Newfoundland. There’s so many beauties of this province.” 

Tsui is also community-minded, using his passion for the benefit of others when he can. He’s a dedicated volunteer and loves to help when he can. “I help with community events when I can, so people may think that I get all these freebies and stuff for going and taking pictures, but no. I support communities. I don’t just go and do pictures. I buy a ticket and support the people and while I’m there, I take pictures. It helps my photography and helps the community.”

For more visit Tsui’s Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, or at alicktsuiphotography.com

Amanda Roberts of Amanda Roberts Photography opens by saying she’s always had a keen eye when it comes to seeing the beauty in almost everything. 

From her cats to her kids, to almost anyone willing to pause and pose for her camera, Roberts honed her photography skills the old-fashioned way – one click at a time.

“I’ve always had an interest in photography, then back about nine years ago, I did an online course and I got myself a nice camera, and I started playing around with it a little bit and just took pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.”

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TRYING SOMETHING NEW

Roberts went back to school again a few years ago for more photography training, and since then she hasn’t stopped snapping.

That just might be an understatement for this very busy mom of three.
“Everyone has a busy schedule, but the kids help me too, when they can. Especially my daughter, Leah. She’s a model for me. I also use my friends’ kids just to change it up if I’m trying something new,” she explains.  

But then Roberts will capture just about anything when the mood strikes. From food photography for businesses, to family portraits, to babies and pets, anything goes, she says. 

“My cats are sometimes my victims,” she says with a laugh. 

We ask if she has a favourite session style, and while she loves them all, she does enjoy ones that can get a little messy.

“I enjoy the cake smashes. They’re really fun. I take a lot of time and plan that with the parents and we pick a theme and just have fun. Sometimes we’ll stick the baby in a little tub of water after and let them splash around a little.” 

‘TRIGGER HAPPY’

Capturing that perfect moment isn’t hard, Roberts shares, because she just ‘keeps clicking.’ 

“I’m always clicking the camera. I say I’m trigger happy, but sometimes the best image is one you didn’t plan for. You get those shots sometimes of someone and they’re not even looking or they’re just staring out into space, the candid stuff, and it turns out really well.”

Roberts has an image of her daughter she treasures like that. In it, her daughter is holding a rose.

“It just captures her, and that’s what I love about my job. I see that picture, and I’m drawn to it. To be able to give that gift to others is what this business is all about.”

For more, follow Amanda Roberts Photography on Facebook

Everyone’s wedding is different and unique to their personalities and style. However, when it comes to planning a wedding, there are certain factors that everybody looks for one and the same. Great caterers with tasty food, impressive wedding attire, and of course, a talented photographer.

Subsequent to your wedding, your flowers will wilt, your cake will be eaten, but photographs are timeless. They will capture the memories, and tell a story that you can share and look back on forever.

BEHIND THE LENS

The Newfoundland Herald caught up with Aamie Gillam, longtime member of the Stirling Communications family, and a photography professional for over eight years specializing in weddings near and far.

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“In the beginning, I took pictures of friends, which turned into photographs of their friends and before I knew it, complete strangers were in front of my camera paying me to take their photographs,” Gillam explained. 

Gillam has had the honour of photographing former colleagues, and very familiar named weddings including Toni-Marie Wiseman, Eddie Sheerr, and Stephanie O’Brien. In 2013, her husband Jim joined in on the business, creating an awesome husband and wife photography duo.

‘STORYTELLERS AT HEART’

“We’re storytellers at heart, whether we capture your story on the rocky shores of Newfoundland or the sandy beaches down south. Each wedding we photograph has a little piece of us in it and because we get so involved in their big days, there’s a good chance our clients become lasting friends.”

“We reached nearly 10,000 followers on our Facebook page, I was nominated for NLOWE’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and AGP was named the first Newfoundland Fearless Photographer. I strongly believe the harder you work for something today, the more you gain tomorrow, professionally and personally,” Gillam asserts.

“Jim and I are looking forward to launching the AGP YouTube Channel. We’re excited to bring followers along to our 2nd visit to WPPI. I’m thrilled to be back on television this year, as expert Canadian Wedding Photographers for a new wedding show.”

Gillam admits that it’s simply amazing to be part of a magical moments like weddings, “It gives me goosebumps, I might need a tissue just thinking about it.”