By Jennifer Lo
Most Collingwood students know him as our new Headmaster. Others know him as the new coach for the Senior Boys Soccer Team. Still, others know him for his astonishing background in independent school education. But few know him as a passionate photographer who creates stunning works of art. It can be said that, without a doubt, Rob Lake is indeed someone who is gifted with the talent of photography.
Mr. Lake, who was born in Toronto in 1968, moved to the United States at a young age when his parents began teaching at a boarding school in New England. Being the son of two independent school educators, Mr. Lake grew up around people who were constantly interested in learning, thus helping to shape him as a charismatic leader who is passionate about his work as an educator. After his graduation from Milton Academy in Massachusetts, Mr. Lake went on to earn an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Williams College, and later received his master’s degree in English and History from Dartmouth College. Prior to his position as our new Headmaster, Mr. Lake served as the Head of School of Head-Royce, a top-ranked US preparatory school in Oakland, CA.
Most Collingwood students know him as our new Headmaster. Others know him as the new coach for the Senior Boys Soccer Team. Still, others know him for his astonishing background in independent school education. But few know him as a passionate photographer who creates stunning works of art. It can be said that, without a doubt, Rob Lake is indeed someone who is gifted with the talent of photography.
Mr. Lake, who was born in Toronto in 1968, moved to the United States at a young age when his parents began teaching at a boarding school in New England. Being the son of two independent school educators, Mr. Lake grew up around people who were constantly interested in learning, thus helping to shape him as a charismatic leader who is passionate about his work as an educator. After his graduation from Milton Academy in Massachusetts, Mr. Lake went on to earn an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Williams College, and later received his master’s degree in English and History from Dartmouth College. Prior to his position as our new Headmaster, Mr. Lake served as the Head of School of Head-Royce, a top-ranked US preparatory school in Oakland, CA.
From the very beginning, Mr. Lake has had an eye for beauty and an eye for capturing images that tell a story. “I never really had a plan [for photography],” says Mr. Lake. “I’m very in tune with nature and the natural world; I’m very in tune with human beings; and I’m always visualizing things that are beautiful. When I see something [beautiful] – it could be in the middle of a city or it could be right outside the doors of Collingwood – I just need to capture that image. My photography captures things that I see that other people might not see.”
In terms of preferences in style, Mr. Lake loves taking pictures of – in his words – anything and everything. “There will be times when I take pictures of people, or landscapes, or animals. There will be other times when I walk through cities, and take pictures of the shapes of buildings and their shadows that sun – or the lack of sun – creates.”
In terms of preferences in style, Mr. Lake loves taking pictures of – in his words – anything and everything. “There will be times when I take pictures of people, or landscapes, or animals. There will be other times when I walk through cities, and take pictures of the shapes of buildings and their shadows that sun – or the lack of sun – creates.”
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When asked about his philosophy on art, Mr. Lake expresses, “Art is one of the most important things in life. Art – broadly as in paintings and films and music – helps to do two things at the same time. On one hand, it can define a culture in a very distinctive way. Art from one culture is different from art from another culture. At the exact same time, art is a complete connector. The things that make music in one culture are the same fundamental things that are used in another culture. Artists from all over the world share a bond and completely understand each other. Unfortunately, art is seen as secondary nowadays. It is seen as not as important as core-academics. It is valued less in society. It is a real shame that we have gotten to this place where art is just at a different level than other things.”
On top of his love for photography, Mr. Lake is also extremely passionate about sports and loves listening to music. He says, “Sports are probably the biggest thing that I do that grounds me, every single day.” Mr. Lake admits. “I’m always either playing soccer or playing tennis, or skiing or snowboarding or working out or running or doing something, and that’s my sort of meditative state. The other thing that I do a lot is listen to music. I listen when I’m working out, when I’m reading an article or scientific journal, when I’m writing an email, when I’m having a meeting or discussion, etc. I’m constantly learning about new musicians, listening to new songs, and creating different playlists. I’m always learning new things about music, and it’s very important to me.”
Mr. Lake has been influenced by a variety of great artists. His favorite photographer is Leibovitz, a great artist who focuses on taking photos of celebrated people and humanizing them. Other than photographers, Mr. Lake also admires Mile Davis, Bob Marley, and other very talented musicians.
In the future, Mr. Lake expresses that he wants to learn how to play the drums. “It breaks my heart. I love music, but I don’t play instruments. However, Bella in Grade 12 is going to teach me how to play the drums!”, he says with a laugh. “If I learn how to play the drums within the next year, I will be thrilled!”
In the future, Mr. Lake expresses that he wants to learn how to play the drums. “It breaks my heart. I love music, but I don’t play instruments. However, Bella in Grade 12 is going to teach me how to play the drums!”, he says with a laugh. “If I learn how to play the drums within the next year, I will be thrilled!”
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