By Eva Cai
A lifer at Collingwood, Heather Rattray is known for her talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Heather’s first spark with photo began in the summer of grade nine, when she took some photography courses at Capilano University. When she started modelling during the summer of grade ten, her interest for photography was further broadened.
A lifer at Collingwood, Heather Rattray is known for her talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Heather’s first spark with photo began in the summer of grade nine, when she took some photography courses at Capilano University. When she started modelling during the summer of grade ten, her interest for photography was further broadened.
By constantly interacting with professional photographers in front of the camera, and by expressing her thoughts through the camera, it is no surprise that Heather’s favourite medium is photography. As she explains, “in between homework and life, I’m always doing something photo related.” Heather also thrives in AP Studio Art 12, where she enjoys drawing, painting, and sculpting. One of Heather’s exceptional achievements includes having her photo featured in a show at the West Vancouver Library last year : “This was the first time that I’ve had a photo shown in “public”, outside of Collingwood art shows.”
Heather sees art as a way of expressing herself, and she and I agreed that doing art is particularly relaxing when stressed. “Art conveys so much more than just what’s painted on the canvas, or captured in a photograph.” As she states, “it captures the emotion and feeling of the artist in their work.”
Heather believes that she takes a realistic approach to portraiture. While many people seek for perfection in their work, Heather embraces an extraordinary style. She feels that we are constantly surrounded by the “beauty” portrayed by advertisements of manually altered models; instead, Heather aims to display the beauty of individuality and embraces the so-called “flaws”. She prefers a natural, genuine, and simplistic feel for her subjects. As an observer, I am blown away by and absolutely adore her following viewpoint: “I like to show people the beauty of often overlooked everyday actions.”
As for her inspiration, Heather admires Annie Leibovitz’s simplicity and symmetry in photography; she thought “[Leibovitz’s] fashion shoots for Vogue are dramatic and so inspirational.”
Aside from her passion for photography, Heather enjoys reading dystopian novels and collecting antique objects. As a well-rounded personality, she also plays on the school volleyball team, plays softball on the North Shore Sluggers team and skis.
Aside from her passion for photography, Heather enjoys reading dystopian novels and collecting antique objects. As a well-rounded personality, she also plays on the school volleyball team, plays softball on the North Shore Sluggers team and skis.
So what’s coming up next for this extraordinary artist? Heather hopes to enroll into a Fine Arts program for photography, but also keeps her options open by planning to take some psychology courses. While she is not sure if she would pursue photography professionally, Heather reflects that in her advice to fellow artists: “Everyone has their own unique artistic style and medium, and you should be proud of it. If you love art and you’re thinking about it as a possible career option, don’t let anyone sway you from that decision by telling you it’s not a ‘real job’.”
Rest assured, we can certainly look forward to more unique and uplifting shots from Heather!
Rest assured, we can certainly look forward to more unique and uplifting shots from Heather!