Admiration

Admiration is a “social emotion felt by observing people of competence, talent, or skill exceeding standards. Admiration facilitates social learning in groups. Admiration motivates self-improvement through learning from role-models” (2022).

Two people I admire are Vicky Lam and Liam Mogan. I was first attracted to these photographers because of their food photography. Both of these artists find a way to make food fun and interesting. There is nothing boring or cold about their images. Everything they shoot makes you feel something, whether it's hunger, excitement, or aesthetic pleasure.

Vicky Lam

Vicky is described as bold, graphic, and quirky. She specializes in still life photography.

While I have never met Vicky, her website alone is so fun and welcoming. The small detail of adding that she loves cake, shoes, invisible strings, and shiny things just makes you feel like you know her. She is a Toronto-based photographer and she has worked for many big-name companies such as Google and Hershey’s. She has also been published in The Walrus, Toronto Life Magazine, Globe and Mail, and U of T Magazine.

Her images are fun, bright, and colourful. She shoots a lot of food, clothing, and products. Vicky shoots many close-up images as well as images with a sort of animated or comical approach. Her images motivate me to get my images to her level and really push my creative side.

Liam Mogan

Liam comes off as very friendly very hard working. He describes himself as someone who puts one hundred percent into any and all projects. He states that collaboration and the meeting of other artists is the most rewarding part of his job, aside from the unlimited coffee. Some of the artists he has had the pleasure of working with include John St, Cossette, BBDO, Sid Lee, and McCann. Liam has shot for Canadian, American, and European magazines.

While some of Liams' images are also fun, playful, and bright, many of his images have a cooler tint to them. His images appeal to my enjoyment of pattern and repetition in photography. Liam also appeals to my interest in landscape photography. His images inspire me to enhance my skills as well as to proceed with my other interests.