Philosophy & Education

Aura is an enthusiastic and precise communicator with both images and language, embracing learning in all areas and striving to facilitate learning in others.
As a photographer, she cherishes the times she is able to shift her viewers’ perspectives about themselves and the world around them. She explores shape, form, negative space, and light while working creatively and responsively with her environment and subjects.  For Aura, one of the most artistic aspects of photography is the image makers’ ability to take something that is banal or mundane in its’ essence and transform it into something unique through the execution of their craft.  The camera and lenses see differently than our eyes and she celebrates that in her images.

Working with others fuels Aura’s passion for celebration, collaboration, and communication.

Making images ‘with’ rather than ‘of’ her subjects.

As an instructor, Aura engages and educates on both the technical and mechanical aspects of photography to empower her students to create their artistic vision – a blend of art and science.  She is a dynamic and entertaining presenter on a variety of photographic subjects; from the foundations of photography and camera handling to the creative aspects of composition, impact, emotion and narrative.

A self-proclaimed life long learner, Aura has worked and studied with some of the finest photographers in North America during her over 10 years in the profession.  Aura’s dedication to excellence in her craft drives her to actively participate in Canada’s national professional association (PPOC).  She recently received her Accreditation in Figure Study Photography and is one of only nine Certified Professional Photographers in Canada, actively working towards setting standards for the photography industry.

Her fine art photographs has hung in many shows and galleries and is featured in the Tattoo Project: Body Art Image book project and documentary film – a creative collaboration with 12 other photographers and more than 125 tattooed subjects over three days in May of 2010.

Certified Professional

Certified Professional Photographer
Nationally Accredited in Figure Study

Active Member of the Professional Community

Professional Photographers of America, Member since 2011
Professional Photographers of Canada, Member since 2002

Award Winning Images

Nude in the Haus, Photo Haus Gallery, 2012 – Honourable Mention
Photographic Artist of The Year, Canada, 2012 Nominee
Best in Class Award, 2012 PPOC-BC Image Salon
Merit Award, 2012 PPOC-BC Image Salon
Merit Award, two images, 2011 PPOC-BC Image Salon
Judges Choice Award and Best in Class (co-created image), 2011 PPOC Image Salon

Gallery Exhibits

2012 Photo Haus Gallery, Vancouver – Eros (group show)

2011 Photo Haus Gallery, Vancouver – Eros (group show)
2010 Performance Works, Vancouver – Tattoo Project: Body. Art. Image (group show)
Solo Show – New Orleans Project

Life-Long Learner

Image Explorations, 2009 and 2011
Image Quest, 2009, 2010, 2011
Italy Workshop, 2010
WPPI, 2009 and 2010

Master Photographers Aura has studied with…

Joe McNally
David Julian
Ralph Gibson
Mary Ellen Mark
Gregory Heisler
Carlan Tapp
Arthur Meyerson
Bambi Cantrell
Jerry Ghionos
Joe Buissink