Photographic Artist of the Year

DANIELLE BARABÉ-BUSSIÈRES: MINDFULNESS, DETAILS, AND FOLLOWING PASSION

By Chelsea Jones, MPA

DANIELLE BARABÉ-BUSSIÈRE’S REACTION TO BEING THE 2020 RECIPIENT OF THE PPOC PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD WAS INITIALLY ONE OF SHOCK AND DISBELIEF. VIEWING HER IMAGES, IT IS APPARENT THAT SHE IS DESERVING OF THIS TITLE AND EXHIBITS THE VERSATILITY AND STORYTELLING ABILITY THAT MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS CAN ONLY ASPIRE TO. DESPITE HER NUMEROUS ACCOLADES, DANIELLE’S PHOTOGRAPHY JOURNEY IS DEFINED BY MINDFULNESS, PATIENCE, PASSION, AND DETERMINATION.

Danielle was born in a small village in the countryside of Trois-Rivières, Québec. She later moved throughout Canada, eventually ending up in her current residence in Ottawa, ON. While a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Danielle picked up an old camera for the first time and realized she was interested in photography. With the demands of an intense career and motherhood, this interest was put on a temporary hold until it could be fully embraced after her children had grown and moved out. In June 2014, Danielle became a member of Professional Photographers of Canada and started her business, Danielle Bussières Photography, shortly thereafter. Danielle creates prints that are sold at art exhibitions as well as online. Her favourite genres to photograph include landscapes, nature, wildlife, and macro photography. She also has memberships to other local artist collectives and associations. Joining the PPOC fulfilled Danielle’s need for goal-setting by providing milestones to work towards such as designations, accreditations, and awards. Danielle loves a challenge and saw the PPOC as a venue to facilitate inspiration, creativity, and personal growth. When asked what inspires Danielle in her photography, she replied, “Life. I am inspired by everything around me. Life is about having passion (and) photography is my biggest passion...nature, wildlife, landscapes... life is not about work. I want to keep it a passion.” Danielle has always been attracted to nature and enjoys activities such as hiking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. Despite having a full-time profession aside from photography, she practices her art daily. Danielle has a number of favourite conservation sites, backroads, and areas where she can watch and wait for wildlife; even if just from a vehicle on cold winter days. This mindful, patient, and deliberate approach while embracing

nature is enjoyable for Danielle; however, she also enjoys the post-production process which allows her to take her images to the next level. Having a technically sound image straight out of the camera is important, but basic Photoshop techniques are what Danielle utilizes to bring the imagery to a competition level. Danielle states she, “treats every image like it is for competition.” Attention to detail and a vision of perfection are what guide the editing process that she has developed over the years. She has a patient approach to editing and may work on an image, leave the image for a few days, and then return to it and see if her vision has changed. Danielle credits her detail-oriented process and technical proficiency to engaging in the PPOC and greater photography community. She never misses an opportunity to view PPOC judging, either in person or online, and takes the feedback to heart and to her workflow immediately after. She also acknowledges the subjective nature of art, and that it is easy to become attached to your images. This is why she reaches out to her friends in the PPOC for their advice, and critiques of her images before entering them in competition. Entering Accreditation, unofficial branch competitions, and regional salons are also ways Danielle “tests” the images to see how the judges receive the images. Rosé Petals and Eyes of the Night were previously entered in the Saskatchewan and Ontario Regional Image Competitions receiving accolades which also

contributed to Danielle being named the PPOC Ontario Photographic Artist of the Year in 2019. Danielle states, Sleepy Heads, was a “risk” she took when she entered in the 2020 National Image Competition as she had not entered it in regional competitions in the past. This was a risk that paid off. Danielle has earned 5 Accreditations as a professional photographer in the categories of Nature, Ornithology, Entomology, Fine Art/Photo Decor, and Wildlife. Remaining goal-oriented in photography is important to Danielle and future goals include Accreditations in food and product photography. She is looking forward to potentially opening a studio in the future where she can further her passion for photographing animals by offering professional pet portraits. She also hopes to have a designated gallery to display her accolades and artwork to the public. As well as being the recipient of the coveted PPOC Photographic Artist of the Year award, Danielle was also awarded Best in Class-Animals for Eyes of the Night with her other image, Sleepy Heads, as the runner up in the same category. Both these images are in the 2020 Loan Collection and Sleepy Heads also received a Judge’s Choice nod. The juxtaposition of these two wildlife images, with one being intensely high-key and other quite low-key, demonstrates the skill and versatility Danielle has as a wildlife and nature photographer. She is also very proud to have achieved her Craftsman of Photographic Arts (CPA) designation after only 3.5 years of being an Accredited PPOC member. Danielle takes great pride in being a PPOC member and formal mentor within the Association. She advises newer PPOC members to attend and listen to every judging opportunity possible whether this is via regional or national salons, accreditation, or more informal branch level opportunities. Whether positive or negative, listen to what the judges are looking for and change your workflow accordingly. Getting involved as a volunteer also assists with learning about a myriad of photography related topics as well as being inspired by other photographers. Many opportunities for informal mentorship take place through these interactions and friendships. Most importantly, Danielle advises:

If you are passionate about something, you have to do it. Keep photography a passion and do it every single day. If you put in the time and effort, and value feedback and mentorship, you will get there. Do not give up or get discouraged. Danielle already has two images selected for the 2021 PPOC Image Competition, however, she notes that when you go out to photograph daily, something better can always come around. Danielle’s mindful, meticulous, patient, and determined approach to photography is what allowed her to capture the viewer’s imagination through her beautiful imagery.

Congratulations Danielle on your 2020 PPOC Photographic Artist of the Year award!

Danielle Barabé-Bussière, CPA

Since her childhood, Danielle has been a lover of nature and uses it fully to recharge her batteries and to meditate when life goes too fast. She is involved on the committee of her branch of PPOC, Eastern Region and is a mentor for three new PPOC members. Danielle is the proud mother of two and soon to be the grandmother of a third granddaughter. She can’t wait to teach them how to fish and introduce them to the wonderful world of insects!