Empowering the Portrait

Annette Gerard

May 18, 2026

My passion for the lens began at nine years old with lessons from my father. From those early days to learning the alchemy of the darkroom at age twelve, I have spent my life exploring the power of the image. After graduating from Sheridan College’s Illustration program, I spent several decades in the advertising world as an Art Director and Creative Director, helping build powerful national brands.

Throughout my career, I have always been a student and an educator—whether teaching college students the principles of design or refining my own technical craft at night school. My recent appointment as a photography judge for the Ontario Council of Camera Clubs (O3C) allows me to give back to the community that has fueled my growth.

In my portrait work, I am driven by the desire to empower. Having been a shy child who found her voice through sports and creative arts, I now seek to help others find their own strength in front of my camera. I study my subjects deeply before we meet, creating a bespoke look designed to highlight their absolute uniqueness.

My aesthetic is informed by my advertising background: I believe an image has only seconds to make an impact. Using the Canon R5C, I create clean, minimalist, and striking visuals—both in video and stills—that treat every subject with the prestige of a magazine cover. I don’t just take a photo; I try to capture the “sparkle” that reveals a person’s true spirit.

https://annettegerardb528.myportfolio.com

A Lesson that You need to have Time to Play

My goal with this portrait was to study the technical nuances of lighting deeper skin tones to achieve a luminous, high-end glow. The creative process was one of experimentation. When untraditional cellophane on the light didn’t produce the desired effect, I pivoted, using this iridescent cellophane as a physical prop rather than a filter. By pairing this with real cyan and red gels, I captured a vibrant, multi-tonal radiance. This piece was recognized by judges for its technical execution and creative vision, earning a high score in competition.

Overcoming New Challenges

Great images often emerge from overcoming unexpected challenges. For this session, I curated a sophisticated look using my collection of vintage props, selecting a specific hat and gloves to add a layer of timeless elegance to the composition. However, the shoot served as a rigorous test of my technical adaptability. Working with a brand-new camera system and limited to a 15-35mm wide-angle lens—an unconventional choice for portraiture—I had to rethink my entire approach to framing and perspective. Furthermore, navigating factory settings that affected the viewfinder’s functionality required immediate, on-the-fly troubleshooting. Rather than compromising the vision, I utilized a “photomerge” technique, capturing multiple frames and stitching them together in post-production to create the final, seamless image. This project stands as a reminder that a professional’s greatest tool is the ability to be able to work with technical obstacles on set and make the best of it.

From Sketch to Studio

Success in portraiture is often a shared vision. Days before this session, I provided my team with a detailed sketch and mood board to set the creative direction. The model and makeup artist elevated the concept further, surprising me with a vibrant yellow wardrobe and subtle eye accents that unified the palette. To achieve this perfectly symmetrical lighting, I utilized a stand-in for initial positioning, followed by meticulous fine-tuning to complement this model’s facial structure.

Persistence in Pink

Some creative visions demand a second chance. After a previous attempt at this concept was unfruitful, I revisited the “Pink Balloon” series with renewed energy with wonderful model Karly. We explored the interplay of light across two environments: the controlled precision of studio strobes and the soft, organic feel of natural outdoor light.

Capturing this sense of whimsical motion was a true team effort, supported by two assistants who meticulously timed the balloon releases for each frame. To ensure a perfectly balanced composition, I utilized advanced post-processing techniques to fill afew empty spots, creating a seamless and immersive field of colour. This project is a celebration of both technical persistence and the joy of creative “quality time.”

Capturing the Superpower of Motion

When working with an international model during her North American tour, my pre-production focus was on identifying her unique “superpower”: an extraordinary ability to communicate through expressive body motion. To complement her stature and movement, I curated a wardrobe featuring a thrifted floor-length black gown, blending it with select props from my collection to create a high-fashion aesthetic. The session was an exercise in versatility. We experimented with high-contrast backlighting and classic front-lit configurations against both deep noir and stark white backdrops. This variety allowed us to explore the full spectrum of her kinetic energy, resulting in a series that is as sophisticated as it is dynamic.

The Evolution of the Gaze: A Historical Gaze

Created during an academic study of the “History of Photography,” this diptych explores the evolving role of women in portraiture. The first image adheres to the visual conventions of the early 1900s—a period where women were often portrayed with a submissive, averted gaze, reflecting the social trends of the era. In contrast, the second portrait breaks this historical mold, capturing the model as she looks directly into the lens with a contemporary sense of presence. To add a layer of narrative depth, I superimposed a floral study of a yellow rose into the background, creating a textured, surrealist environment that bridges the gap between traditional assignment work and modern digital artistry.