Let the egg nog glow

Every year, millions, and quite possibly billions of people create a shift. A shift so great the whole world seems to benefit from it. Turn on the radio or the television and its there. Walk downtown or through the mall and you can just sense it coming. That’s right, it’s Christmas, and the best thing about Christmas is the Christmas Spirit. The time of year when a good portion of Earths population seems to forget its wrongs and troubles while exchanging them for good company and a cheery atmosphere. Don’t get me wrong, there are still things in this world that aren’t right, even on Christmas, but all in all, Christmas fever takes over.

Some people feel it from December and even into November, while some don’t feel it until the gifts are all under the tree or unwrapped. Some people can’t help but feel the Christmas cheer and spread it right from the get go. While some lose the meaning of Christmas while stressing about Christmas presents. Yet, when the calendar hits the 25^th even the stressful shopper can’t help but feel the spirit. After all, they’re weeks of stress probably paid off in what was a great act of giving. And that’s what it’s all about. In a world of take take take, Christmas seems to bring out the ‘give’ in people. This might just be the only time of the year when people worry and stress about what they’re going to get for someone.  Rarely do we ever stress about what we’re receiving for Christmas. Of course we still look forward to what has our name on it when it’s under the tree, but there’s nothing like seeing the smile on your families face when they get what they hoped for.

Anyways just a few thoughts I figured I’d share. Merry Christmas everyone and I hope you enjoy your egg nog, turkeys, baked goods, and Boney M.!

Reflections, When

It's my Birthday today, I'm 23 now.
I have a half beard, half moustache and I could probably use a haircut. Today I got to thinking, I'm only seven years away from being thirty. Now those of you who are older than me, I bet your thinking "your still young, stop complaining." Meanwhile anyone in their 20's probably just did the math to see how long until they turn 30.

Just a Young'n

I'm not sure why but usually I can't help but feel at least a little down on my birthday. Maybe it's because I'm to old to get excited about the new toys and birthday presents I'd get from birthday parties. More likely it's because I'm counting down the years until I'm thirty, or even worse I think about the things I haven't accomplished in my life to date.
Well to tell you the truth sometimes I feel like I haven't done much, I haven't seen enough and it gets me down and makes me want to make my life more exciting.

There's been something nagging at me today, sure it's my birthday but I couldn't help think about the haircuts I've had over my life.
My mom sent me some photos for my last post and I remember thinking about how many different looks I've had. Today it  I looked back on life as if it were one big blur that got me to be the person I am today, just a guy who could probably use a haircut.

That's me on the far left...

Then I started looking a little deeper, I started recounting the past 12 months or so.
I figured since I've been in school not a lot could have happened. In the last year, I've traveled the distance between Ontario and B.C. a total of 4 times. I lived in Squamish for 3 months, photographed the Canadian National Kiteboard races, which included a number of top racers in the world. I got to photograph Weezer, Metric and a few personal favorite musicians/bands. I interviewed and wrote an article on Shad who is probably my favorite hip hop artist. I witnessed the Canucks Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Finals in downtown Vancouver and photographed and recorded the riots that followed that Game 7 loss. At one point I've been at my lowest and thought theres no way I can be a photographer, at another point I've been at my highest and thought I could start a business on the spot. I've even built my own website from scratch.
Then I started looking further back.

So far in my life I've been to Mexico, West/SouthWest U.S.A, Hawaii, and I've seen most of Canada. I've worked for three different landscaping/lawn care companies and I've worked collecting soil samples to test it for minerals. I've worked at Walmart (although very briefly) and I was a tech support for Windows Vista when it first came out. I've been an electrician, a forest fire fighter, and I've worked in a hostel. I've even worked at a newspaper.
I can't recount the exact details that got me to where I am, nor can I count how many times I've changed hair styles.

I'm 23 now, I'm a photojournalist.
I look back on my life and I can see how much I've accomplished and how much I've grown.
I don't know what I'll be next year or the year after that, but I'm not worried about it.
Our birthdays happen every year just like Christmas happens every year. Nothings going to stop us from getting older, and nothings going to stop us from growing.


Feel like you haven't done much?

What have you learnt in the past year?
Have you grown?
How old are you?
Whether it's three, nine, 16, 23, 30, or 60... thats a lot of years, and a lot of growth.

I've reflected on my "when" maybe it's time to reflect on yours.

Cheers ;)
Andre

Oh and check out my new website, andrelodder.com




Some more photo progression with my various choices of haircuts:

My Oma and Me

Grade 12... what was I thinking.

 

A few Christmases ago

the most recent photo of me, (my beard has grown in since then)

Advisory Board

Twice a year professionals from the photojournalism industry come to the school to critique our current portfolios and look at the work we've done so far.
This happened Monday November 7. It was a great opportunity for us to meet with the people who could end up hiring us after we graduate.
We met with photo editors and photographers from major News outlets as well as accomplished Freelancers and Retirees.

Let me start off by saying Last years Critiques were good, I feel like I gained a lot by them at a time when I was still just starting out.
This year went equally as good. For reasons I'm unsure of, my motivation has been more than lacking and my production value since I've gotten back to school has been below par. Meanwhile I feel students from first year are far out-shooting me so far this year.
The photo's I showed were from when I spent my time in B.C. over the summer and are what I feel are a true indication of my potential. They were reasonably well received which in a sense gave me a renewed confidence in myself.
Further more I realized that I need to start working harder here, focus more on the shooting aspect of things and try some new ideas. Basically change my whole outlook on shooting in Belleville because it's quite obviously not working out at the moment.
I've shown these people all my work from the summer and I'm going to have to show them something new when they return in the fall so that's something that is going to help keep me focused, these are the people who can potentially hire me in the future, if I don't show them what I can do, even here in Belleville then I fear a working in the industry will be further away then I would like.

For my current portfolio visit andrelodder.carbonmade.com
Also check out my Photoblog, andrelodder.tumblr.com

Follow me on Twitter @AndreLodder

I'd also like to take this opportunity to give you some blogs from others who are also currently experiencing the Loyalist College Photojournalism journey.

stephennorman.tumblr.com
tkongphotography.tumblr.com
kellymichellegagnephotography.tumblr.com
liamkb.tumblr.com
charmainecollinsphotography.tumblr.com/ 
michellecochranephotojournalist.blogspot.com
devaaning.blogspot.com/
leeimages.blogspot.com/ 
wynterphotography.tumblr.com/ 
iamrachelcohen.tumblr.com/ 
sanfordphoto.wordpress.com/ 
www.pearced.com/
meganvossphotojournalism.blogspot.com/
colebreiland.com/ 
lindahornphotography.tumblr.com/
tkongphotography.tumblr.com/
samanthacantelonphotography.tumblr.com/

Note: Theres more people in the course, I'm just not familiar with their blogs...

Thanks,
Andre

Up Next: Reflections Conitnued...

Reflections, Who? Friends!

Every person has a unique character that differs from everyone else. Yet we're all influenced by the people around us. Think of your best friends at this point in time. Are there certain tendencies or traits that the two of you share?
The People around us influence our character more than we know. For me it all started back in my childhood.

I'm on the far left, Wendy is just to my right. Her sister Kim, My sister Daylinn
and my brother Collin (I think) complete the picture

My first best friend was a girl named Wendy Doesburg. She was a part of the church I belonged to at the time and from what I can remember, we were inseparable. When I watch old family videos we were always seen together. I remember one time we even had a fake wedding, and eventually she became my first kiss. You know, that first kiss when you were something like four years old that you did because you seen older people doing it which meant that it's okay even though you get cooties.
Anyways, the two of us had the makings for that cliche Hollywood love story where the couple grows up together since birth and eventually that cute fake wedding turns into a real one quite a bit later in life. But no, that wasn't our fate. I think I was about nine when her family moved away, I was devastated, I'd lost my best friend during the pre-facebook era. Suffice to say, it wasn't until facebook came out that we were able to get in touch again.
I don't remember exactly how it was because it was a long time ago and I was young. From what I gather via family videos, photos and the memories that I do have, Wendy and I were two pees in a pod. It's kind of hard not to be influence by someone when you spend so much time together.

(from left to right) Andre Lodder, Ravi Kler, Kris Korol, Noah Koens,
Erik Christenson, Shawn Wagantall, Shawn Simpson and Parm Atwall.
Some of my greatest friends from highschool.

Things moved along in my life. Friends came, went and stayed. It wasn't until high school that I once again was blessed with a really good group of friends. Of course, this was when things changed drastically in my life. It was understandable though, coming from a small private school of 28 kids total and being home schooled for grade seven. It was overwhelming going to a public high school and things were bound to change.
That's when I was accepted into group of friends that I kept for most of my highschool years. Who have shaped the better part of my teen life. Meanwhile, I also had friends from the church, it was almost as if I was living a double life via my friends. (of course it's not as extreme as the whole church friends vs public school friends/Church vs devil)

Shawn Hoskins and myself posing seriously for fun.

Then grade ten hit, it was a sleepy french class and the new guy Shawn Hoskins was sitting in front of me. I don't entirely remember what it was, but I think Shawn was picking on me and my large nose. kind of a weird way to start a friendship but it developed and once again I had a best friend.
Though admittedly we were pretty immature, I developed a lot of tendencies and a lot of character from Shawn. He actually taught me the beginnings of a lot of the social skills I have today. We skipped class together, we did homework together (so it would take half the time). He helped me start to get in touch with my creative side (working on school projects) and my active side (playing ultimate, and rugby if only for one year).

After high school we even moved in together along with another good friend in Elias. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. Our interests started to differentiate, and with that came a move. That's when the time came to move out. Are friendship was all but over. We started to distance ourselves over the years, hanging out less and less.
Meanwhile I started hanging out with a few other friends that I only knew a little of from highschool but have become some of the biggest influencee in my life to date.

After moving out of the old house, I moved in with Drew Nylen and Ryan Haak two of the friends from this new group of friends. The contrast between houses was substantial, I knew this was a good thing. I remained in contact with Shawn but our friendship slowly deteriated although its still great to see him whenever I'm back in Vernon.

My new found group of friends were exactly what I needed. They played sports, read books, and were absolutely hilarious to hang out with. The only T.V. in the house was in Ry's room and we never really used it. Quite a comparison to the house with Shawn and Elias where videogames and movies were a major part of our lives.

Drew Nylen and myself laughing at the beach, one of the frequently
visited locations when we lived together.

When I lived with Drew and Ry, I was in what was quite possibly the best shape of my life, I was more active then I had ever been and I had been introduced to rock climbing, one of my growing passions.

Eventually I again moved out, I went to Hawaii for a month and half and couldn't afford the cost of rent on top of living in Hawaii.
Drew and I still kept in touch as both of us were going through similar trauma (though admittedly his was far greater than mine). When I got back to Canada, Drew and I were already in the midst of planning a larger trip for January and we bonded more than I think I have with anyone else in my life. Drew not only became a big part of my life, he became an inspiration and still remains one.

I've named a number of people who might have had the most influences on me at certain times, but of course I can't forget the people who have been there consistently. Such as my good friend Kris, who along with Drew are probably two of the more important people in my life.

Though there are hundreds of people who come into our lives and may have some influence, the ones we admire the most and usually the ones who influence us the most are the ones we can call our greatest friends. It's with our best friends in life that we decide on who we are. We share experiences with them, we share memories, all of which help shape us into who we are as a person.

Though I may have gained some friends, I have most certainly lost some. Its unfortunate that it happens. To all my fallen friends and also the ones not mentioned here, I hope you know that you've helped shape who I am today, if I'm ever in the area, maybe a coffee or a beer is in order.

Thanks,
Andre

Reflections, 5 W's, an H, and an A.N.D.R.E

What makes us who we are?
There are a number of answers to that question. I think we are who we are because of the experiences of our past.
All of these experiences can likely be summed up in the six most popular questions out there.
Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

How?
 

Photos are important. If it wasn't for photos,
I wouldn't have been able to show you this one.

Look at that cute lil' guy... (It's me)
For those of you who may not know the person behind this blog, my name is Andre Lodder.
There are so many different things that have made me the way I am, which is why I've chosen to do this in multiple posts on my blog. I'm continuing the title "Reflections" from my last post because it sums up best what I'm doing. For most, these few posts will sort of be my introduction, but for me, it will be a reflection. A reflection of who I am and how I got to where I am today.
At some point in the next few blog posts I hope to reflect on each of the six questions, Who, What, When, Where, Why and How in no particular order. I'm choosing 'How' for my first post because it'll really just be a summary of what you can hope to see in these posts.All of the five W's are important, but in answering 'how' you are getting the gist of all the other questions. After all, these posts will be  explanations of how I got to where I am today.

As you can see this photo may be few years old, and though a few things have changed since then (such as my preferred brand of beer) there's a lot that has remained the same. For instance, I still prefer eating with my hands. Up until just a few days ago I had a very similar hair cut. I'm still just as cute (if not cuter?) and yes, I probably should still be wearing a bib while I eat. Throw some peanut butter and jam on that sandwich and throw me in a Van and you'd think the picture was taken yesterday.
However, this photo alone doesn't do justice for who I am or how I got here.
There are so many different things that have gotten me to this point. I have my family and my friends; they are the 'who'.
The things I have come to learn which have grown into hobbies or activities and become as much a part of me as the hair on my head; they are the 'what'.
I've lived on this earth for nearly 23 years, in that time I have learnt so much.  In the future, I hope to keep learning about others and more importantly about myself; this is the 'when'.
Home, is where you make it, whether it be in Vernon, Squamish, Belleville, Canada, or the moon. That is the 'where'.
'Why'? Well that's how life goes.

My story isn't about how I was destined to be a photographer or a journalist ever since I was a kid.
You know when you were younger, and you were asked that cliche question, "what do you want to be when you grow up? "Pretty sure I've never said I wanted to be a photojournalist. In fact I didn't even know there was such thing until six months before I entered the program.
I came to the school without an ounce of knowledge on photojournalism. Well... I guess that isn't entirely true, I knew how to turn the dial to the green square (auto setting) and press the shutter. I also knew how to form words with a pen, yet I was never much of a story teller. So how did I end up here?
I didn't know any photographers by name until I came to this program, so I don't know who could have inspired me to come. I don't think I've done any activities in particular that would have helped me to know what I'm doing here. I bought my first camera only a few years ago but I still didn't use it much. So I don't even know when it first interested me. I didn't know where to start, or why I even wanted to in the first place...

Yet I'm still here. If you put the question 'How?' into a multiple choice answer, with the choices Who, What, When, Where, and Why. I'd have to answer both None of the above, but at the same time All of the above. There isn't one single event from my past that has led me to want to be here, yet absolutely every experience has molded me into the person I am. Since I'm here, and this is something I'm interested in, that means every one of my experiences has led to photojournalism.

How I got here, is the reason I'm here.


-Andre