Internship | Week Three

Amazingly (but not surprisingly) my third and final week at The Barrie Examiner went by faster than I expected. I’ll try my best to keep this post short and sweet as to not take up too much of your time (and also so I have time to go and apply for more jobs).
Not too much to report on in terms of how it went, I loved every minute of it and really wish I could’ve stayed longer. Everyone was super helpful when it came to my assignments and were even willing to let me try something a little different to get a better photo.
As for the future, I’m currently not sure where I’ll end up. I’ve been applying to jobs like a mad man and making calls whenever I hear of an opening. Hopefully the next update will be about my new placement and how awesome it’s going.

Khaled Khatib, whose brothers organs were donated after being accidently shot and killed, and liver transplant recipient Ashley Logan pose for a quick photo while sharing the Torch of Life on Dunlop St. Tuesday. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Five-year-old Ashley Logan – Seen here hugging her mom, Sherri – Was the recipient of a liver transplant, coutesy of her aunt, Cheryl Brandon. The little girl carried the Torch of Life to Barrie City Hall, Tuesday. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Jason Pawlowski (right) and Andrew Sutton swab their inner cheeks, collecting DNA samples for potential bone marrow and stem cell donations at Nouvelle Alliance secondary school Wednesday April 18 in Barrie. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Daren Smith gets his finger pricked by Kim Oxley, Volunteer with the Canadian Blood Services, and learns about the types of people his donated blood could possibly help aswell as what blood types are in the highest demand. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

A student sits and waits in the gymnasium at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School with approximately 1000 other schoolmates Wednesday morning in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people wearing a paper hat in one contained area. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

A student sits and waits in the gymnasium at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School with approximately 1000 other schoolmates Wednesday morning in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people wearing a paper hat in one contained area. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Approximately 1000 students from St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School crammed into their gymnasium Wednesday morning in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people wearing a paper hat in one contained area. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Sheldon Farr throws his paper hat in the air after completing the 10 minute Guinness World Record requirement at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School with approximately 1000 other schoolmates Wednesday morning. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Ann Green demonstrates the yoga pose ‘Up Dog’ Thursday afternoon at Bliss Studio in Barrie, Ont. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

I shot a couple of things that wont be published for a few weeks:

Leslie Arden rehearses a piece of music she composed for the King Edward Choir at the Westminister Presbyterian Church on Monday evening in Barrie, Ont. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Sergiu Biris is a student currently enrolled in the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian college. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Instructor Dorothy Spillman directs Allandale Hights students as they “Zumba’d” along to the beat Thursday afternoon. Grades 5 to 7 were welcomed to take part in the Zumba program, a dance exercise that incorporates both Latin and international music. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Instructor Dorothy Spillman directs Allandale Hights students as they cool down after an intense Zumba workout Thursday afternoon. Grades 5 to 7 were welcomed to take part in the Zumba program, a dance exercise that incorporates both Latin and international music. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

And finally, I freelanced a few assignments for the Oakville Beaver. The first was an MS walk, and the second was a tree planting in celebration of Earth Week:

Margaret Harrie (R) and Matsse Pala stretch their muscles just before starting the annual Walk for MS Topher Seguin, special to the Oakville Beaver

Members of the community gather for the annual Walk for MS 2012, at 53 Bond Street in Oakville, Ont. Sunday morning. The walk is taking place all across Canada to raise funds for people in the community that have been affected by MS. Photo by Topher Seguin, Special to the Oakville Beaver

Members of the community gather for the annual Walk for MS 2012, at 53 Bond Street in Oakville, Ont. Sunday morning. The walk is taking place all across Canada to raise funds for people in the community that have been affected by MS. Photo by Topher Seguin, Special to the Oakville Beaver

Judy Gane holds a sign that reads "I will end MS" proudly above her head as she walks with her team, Di Battista, for the annual Walk for MS 2012 in Oakville, Ont. Sunday morning. The walk is taking place all across Canada to raise funds for people in the community that have been affected by MS. Photo by Topher Seguin, Special to the Oakville Beaver

Stephanie gives a smile while at the annual Walk for MS 2012 in Oakville, Ont. Sunday morning. The walk is taking place all across Canada to raise funds for people in the community that have been affected by MS. Photo by Topher Seguin, Special to the Oakville Beaver

The full gallery for the MS walk can be seen by clicking HERE

Tree planting:

Kevin Flinn, MPP of Oakville, speaks to a crowd about the importance of planting trees as well as introduces guest speakers at the Bronte Creek Provincial Park Campground in celebration of Earth Week. Photo by Topher Seguin, Special to the Oakville Beaver

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton speaks to a crowd about the importance of planting trees at the Bronte Creek Provincial Park Campground prior to helping plant the 10,000th tree in celebration of Earth Week. Photo by Topher Seguin, Special to the Oakville Beaver

Robert H. Keen and members of the community help plant the 10,000th tree in celebration of Earth Week at the Bronte Creek Provincial Park Campground. Photo by Topher Seguin, Special to the Oakville Beaver

Robert H. Keen and members of the community help plant the 10,000th tree in celebration of Earth Week at the Bronte Creek Provincial Park Campground. Photo by Topher Seguin, Special to the Oakville Beaver

Internship | Week Two

So, the second week came to an end and the third week began quicker than the last. Once again, I’ve been busy. Lots of late nights and early mornings, most of which can be attributed to the expectation that multimedia pieces will be complete and ready to post before the end of an event actually happens… we can thank deadlines for that, though.
As stated above, a lot of what I’ve worked on revolved around multimedia. I’ll only post a few clippings and videos since most of them were just quick hits for the site or boring press releases. That being said, I was able to run out and do a few portraits while waiting for videos to load/render, which actually turned out pretty decent.
By the way, you folks should feel privileged that I’m updating you along the way, and not just bombing you with a huge post at the end of this experience.

This piece is about the rising gas prices and how they effect business in the Barrie area. I went at it from a different angle, and looked at how it affected local flyers. It worked well... Plus I got to go flying.

This is about a group of kids cycling for cancer research.

Grade 12 Innisdale Secondary School students, from left, Cam Lacey, Kealey Clarke and Stephen Welsh will participate in the Inside Ride event May 1 at Georgian BMW and May 2 at their school. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

This video is a good example of my every-day assignment. I didn't get to go flying, but instead went to a local soup kitchen and put together a short piece about the easter lunch/dinner they put on annually.

Ed Kennedy sits down with his lovely girlfriend and enjoys a warm Easter meal put together by Rose Romita and her dedicated volunteers at the Central United Church Monday in Barrie. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

I was also lucky enough to go shoot a hockey game with the regular sports photographer, but thanks to deadlines, we only watched the Barrie Colts take on the Ottawa 67's for a single period. I got a few good frames off though, and actually got published in the Ottawa Sun.

Tyler Toffoli of the Ottawa 67’s attempts to score early on in the first period against the Barrie Colts goaltender Mathis Niederberger at the Barrie Molson Centre Thursday night. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Local fans cheer on the Barrie Colts and the Ottawa 67’s at the Barrie Molson Centre Thursday night. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Here's another good example of some of the everyday assignments I get. Local college students donating time to picking up trash around the neighbourhood. Not as many volunteers came out as they expected which made it difficult to shoot video and stills, but I think it worked out okay.

Luc Rivet picks up some trash around Georgian College’s campus. Students assembled in an effort to beautify the area, picking up debris left behind in winters wake. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

I also got the front page of sports with a portrait I shot of Dave Reckzin, who has recently run the Boston Marathon.

Former couch potato Dave Reckzin throws down some last minute training for the Boston marathon he’ll be running on Monday. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Former couch potato Dave Reckzin takes a seat in the couch he’s distanced himself from ever since he began running three years ago. Reckzin is currently training for the Boston marathon he’ll be running on Monday. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

This was the last video I put together, and probably one of my favorites. It's about a local couple named Joe and Anne Lescan who had their house retrofitted with the help of dozens of members of the community. After finding out that 72-year-old Joe suffered a back-breaking fall last October which left him a quadriplegic, they spend a total of 50 hours flipping a bungalow into a fully accessible dream home that gave the couple their home life back.

Volunteers move quick as they work on Joseph and Anne Lescan’s house at seven a.m.  Friday morning. Various companies and individuals within the community have donated the time and materials for the build. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Volunteers move quick as they work on Joseph and Anne Lescan’s house at seven a.m.  Friday morning. Various companies and individuals within the community have donated the time and materials for the build. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Volunteers move quick as they work on Joseph and Anne Lescan’s house at seven a.m.  Friday morning. Various companies and individuals within the community have donated the time and materials for the build. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

The very last thing I had to shoot was a portrait of three individuals that wanted to stop houses being built just north of Barrie in Midhurst.

From left, David Strachan, Connie Spek, and Gary Green sit amongst 1400 signatures on a petition to halt development in Midhurst, Ont. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Hopefully next weeks update isn't half as long as this one. Thanks for stickin' through it, though.

Internship | Week One

So my first week as an intern at the Barrie Examiner went by pretty smooth.

I'm proud to say that I have yet to get coffee for everyone in the office, and that I've done much more then sit around at a desk all day.
Although I have had stuff published in the paper, most of my time thus far has been put towards producing content for the online side of things - i.e. producing multimedia pieces and shooting/writing about small events around town that get uploaded to the website ASAP.
I still have two more weeks to go here, and if the first weeks taught me anything, they'll fly by.

Margaret Lasota stocks the shelves with canned foods donated to Barrie’s Food Bank by various members of the community. Volunteering her time there for the past 7 months, Lasota appreciates all the help the community gives, but believes that there will always be room for improvement. TOPHER SEGUIN/BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Cita Silla watches as her granddaughter, Dadna Mones, plays in the sand and chases seagulls along the waterfront at Centennial Beach Tuesday afternoon. TOPHER SEGUIN/BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Casey, Karen Winter’s Basset Hound, relaxes after demolishing several eggs containing dog treats at Sunnidale Park Friday afternoon. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Volunteers for the National Service Dogs pack and distribute bags containing various dog toys and treats to participants of the annual Easter egg hunt at Sunnidale Park Friday afternoon. The annual event saw approximately 200 families and is estimated to have raised well over $100,000 across all eight venues. The money raised will be put towards training service dogs for children with autism. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Wyatt sniffs out the competition while Dusty sits back and relaxes at Sunnidale Park Friday afternoon. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Leanna Van Loenen, grade 11 student at Unity Christian High School, has her hair and makeup done by a fellow student as they prepare for the first dress rehearsal of their upcoming Musical, Pippi Longstocking. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Emily Antonides, Grade 12 student at Unity Christian High School, helps with fellow students makeup at their first dress rehearsal of the upcoming Musical, Pippi Longstocking. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY

Pippi Longstocking, played by grade 11 student Joedyn Tisi, shoots audiences a smile from the set of Unity Christian High Schools musical rendition of Pippi Longstocking. TOPHER SEGUIN/THE BARRIE EXAMINER/QMI AGENCY