“I’ve been interested in photography since working on the yearbook in high school. After graduating from NAIT I went into advertising and product photography, then started my own studio. With my then partner, I ran a full-time wedding and portrait studio for 12 years. Now I am taking a different direction with my work into fine art, travel and stock photography. Photography is my passion and the people that enjoy my work make it worthwhile. If people can relate to something I’ve photographed, or if I can make someone ‘feel’ something through my images, then I’ve achieved my goal.”

Formal Training and Style

Born and raised in Edmonton, Darlene had formal training in photography at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She enjoys portraits, fine art, travel photography and teaching. During over 20 years experience her style has evolved from a more formal style, to one that is more abstract and artistic..

Travel, Photography and Culture

She is a seasoned traveler having spent time in Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, 6 months in the US on an extended RV trip, Turkey and Spain. Darlene loves exotic locales, exotic food and experiencing different countries directly through the local people and the cultural arts. She also enjoys helping others and working with charities in foreign places.

Her Vision, Her View

Her vision is to share her artistic talents through teaching “the art of seeing”. She strives to give viewers a chance to experience far away places in a new way, giving them a better understanding of the world. Darlene’s personal mission is to spread love and understanding in the world, through education using her images. Her images are lively and inviting, adding spice to almost any home or office décor. Through personal consultations, Darlene is able to help Fine Art clients select from literally thousands of images for their specific space. From an old window in the New Orleans French Quarter, to a stunning beach in Thailand, or the mountain people high in the Peruvian Andes, she has a wide range of subjects to please even the most discriminating art collector.

Tutoring, Private Lessons and Workshops

Darlene is now also a photography educator leading workshops through both McBain Camera and Metro Continuing Education, both in Edmonton, AB and offering customized photography tutoring.

Professional Photography Judge

Darlene has been a judge for the Professional Photographers of Canada national and for the Province of Alberta on over 12 different occasions.

Education/degrees/awards

• NAIT – degree in Photographic Arts, 1988
• Awarded “Best Fine Art Image” in Alberta by the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) Alberta 2005
• Awarded “Photographic Artist of the Year” by PPOC Alberta 2006
• Finalist: Feature album of the year in Canada PPOC 2009

Nominations

• PPOC – Nominated for Photographer of the Year, 2009

Solo Exhibits

• August 2005 – Mandolin Books, Edmonton
• June/July 2006 – Stony Plain Cultural Centre, Stony Plain
• October-November 2006 – Glenrose Rehab Center Gallery, Edmonton
• March 2007 – Strathcona Senior’s Centre – Jeff Allen Gallery, Edmonton
• April-June 2007 Jubilee Auditorium Gallery, Edmonton
• November 2007 4th and Vine Wine Bar, Edmonton
• Summer 2008 Misercordia Hospital gallery
• November 2009 Blue Chair Diner
• October 2010 to current Kamakazi Ink Tattoo studio
• September 2010 to August 2011, Remax River City realtor office

Group Exhibits

• November 2005 – Investors Group mixer, with Night of Artists
• March 2006 – Night of Artists weekend of the arts
• June 2006 – The Works Festival, with Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC)
• July 2006 – Taste of Edmonton, with Night of Artists
• September 2006 – Cortex Multimedia Show Red Strap Market, Edmonton
• February 2007 Alberta Art Gallery “Free for All”
• May 2007 Night of Artists, Aviation Museum Edmonton
• August 2007 to February 2008 Strathcona Arts Barn with the Professional Photographers of Canada
• September 2007 – Leonard Cohen festival exhibit – Edmonton City Hall
• September 2007 Cortex multimedia show, Latitude 53 Gallery, Edmonton
• November-December 2007 Strathcona Senior’s Centre – Jeff Allen Gallery, Edmonton
• January 8th 2008, Night of Artists “8” group exhibit and evening event
• May 2008 Night of Artists, Arts Barn, Edmonton
• July 2009 Art Walk Edmonton
• July 2009 Taste of Edmonton
• September 2010 Kaleido Art Festival
• October 2010 Shabam beer art and music festival fundraiser for the Kidney foundation
• November 2010 The Handmade Mafia show and sale
• Deep Freeze Winter Festival, Arts on the Ave January 8-9th, 2011.
• Night of Artists magazine launch and exhibit, Expressionz Cafe May 2011

Teaching experience

• McBain Camera workshop instructor March 2011 to current
• Metro Continuing Education instructor May 2011 to current
• Photography tutor January 2011 to current
• Led two day workshop in Winnipeg to group of professional photographers January, 2000
• Has spoken at various evening events to professional photographers 1996-2009