Turn down a deserted, dusty dirt road or hurry along a heavily used highway. No matter where you are travelling,there are many missed moments, missed objects.
Thanks to photographer Julie Cassavoy, those moments can be committed to canvas. Moments By Julie is a new photographic gallery in Tiny Township. The sideroads of Simcoe County are scattered with such hidden treasures, unique stops and fascinating finds along the highways and byways of the area. Beside the rolling green fairways of Balm Beach Golf Course on Concession 11 stands a small, sharp white cottage, close to the road, half-hidden from view and shaded under the swaying boughs of a willow tree. Don’t be fooled by its small size, the images inside pack a punch. Push open the door and find dozens of delightful photographs, memories and moments captured in time – a curious kitten catching his reflection; a toddler’s tiny toes; almost audible water rushing over rocks; bright clouds brushed with streaks of colour ; a great grey owl, his piercing eyes seeming to follow viewers around the room.
Cassavoy is finally home. A selfdescribed ‘base brat’ after years of nomadic life – first as the daughter of a military dad, then the wife of a military husband – Cassavoy loves their new location. “We were house hunting and fell in love with it,” she said, her arm sweeping to indicate the 187-year-old original farmhouse standing behind her small gallery. “I’m very partial to Canada. I’m Canadian through and through. Germany and many other places are beautiful, but this is home.”
It was merely by chance the Cassavoy couple found their home. “I’d never made it up this far while living at Borden and knew nothing about the area. It was solely the house that brought us here.” Unaware of the area’s siren call for artists like the Group of Seven Cassavoy is delighted to discover its rich resources for a photographer. “This area is so beautiful. There’s a lot of nature in the Georgian Bay area, the scenery, the animals, the flowers. It’s so inspiring.”
Cassavoy’s camera is her constant companion and family field trips can quickly evolve into all-day expeditions. “I bring my camera everywhere we go. My husband is very patient and will wait while I stop to take pictures. The kids are already quite patient with me taking their pictures.” Although she may set off with an image in mind, it’s often a chance encounter that provides the best photograph and luck plays a par t in the equation. “Since we live in Georgian Bay, I wanted to capture some of those images, but usually it’s just something I see when I’m out walking. Most of the time, it’s something we’ve happened upon.”
Although Cassavoy is skilled in digital computer manipulation, she prefers to leave her photographs as the eye saw it. “I try to find what I want to capture inside the camera. When I take a photograph, I’m thinking, that’s exactly what I want to capture. I want people to see the world as I see it.” Besides, it’s easy to go delirious with digital, taking multiple images and experimenting with exposure, light and framing. “My daughter was dancing in the bedroom, and within 10 minutes, I took 60 pictures. If it’s something specific, I’ll probably take 10 photos, but it depends on the subject. A butterfly or bird is so fast you might miss them or might catch them so it depends.”
Her favourite subjects are close at hand. Cassavoy prefers a perspective that zooms right in. “I often go back to the birds and flowers. The birds are so plentiful around the area and there are so many varieties. One of my themes is close up shots of butterflies, flowers, birds. We see these flowers and birds every day, I like to get in so close you can see details. It’s like stopping for a moment and taking a close look at them.” It’s a technicolour world and Cassavoy is par tial to colour, although she will shoot in black and white for select images where repetition or depth of field is the focus and colour would serve merely as a distraction. “Our world is colourful. I like to shoot what I see and let people see what I see.”
Moments By Julie photographic gallery is open daily by chance or by appointment. It is located at 230 Concession 11 in Tiny Township, east of County Road 6. Images are available framed or unframed in virtually any size, including postcard and art cards. Cassavoy also accepts commissions to complete art photographs of private homes and gardens. Visit her images on the web at www.momentsbyjulie.com or call 528-1367 for details.