About Ottawa
Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is located in the southeast region of Ontario. The city is located on the south side of the Ottawa River, the provincial border between Ontario and Quebec. The seat of Parliament and the business of government lie firmly in Ottawa. However, on the north side of the Ottawa River lies Gatineau, Quebec, and the Ottawa-Gatineau metro area is known as the National Capital Region. This metro region is the 4th largest in Canada with a population of 1.5 million.
The word Ottawa is a derivative of the Algonquin language meaning “to trade.” Trading was the first commercial activity of Ottawa long before the arrival of the Europeans. The tribes within the First Nations recognized Ottawa as the major trading hub with the Ottawa and the Gatineau Rivers being the main routes. With the arrival of the Europeans, mostly French traders and trappers, the trading expanded between the First Nations, other remote tribes, and the European settlers to the south in the present-day US.
Ottawa remains rooted in its trade history. With the building of the extensive systems of canals and locks, it became possible for trade routes from the Atlantic to reach the Great Lakes region by way of the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Photo Shoot Venue Options in Ottawa
The venue options offered by the host owners range from private residences to specialty and free-span commercial spaces and personal property. Each of these venues, in its own way, can create eclectic themes and sets for a photo shoot. What is not mentioned, however, are outdoor spaces of the cityscape and the conservation and farmland at the periphery.
- Professional Photography
With the advancement of technology, the art of photography came on its own. It is the goal of a professional photographer to capture and communicate through a still picture. This is accomplished by way of framing, color imagery, light, and scenery. The photographer is the producer, director, camera person, and editor in one. In order for the message to be concise and seamless, it is necessary for the photographer to be involved in the planning and the final editing of the shoot.
- Marketing
The success of a photo shoot lies with the connection of the audience with the photo. The vendor designing the marketing plan and the media platforms will need to work with the client and the photographer to get a sense of the objectives and the message. The deliverable will be distributed through different platforms, and the messages crafted for each platform will need to be specific to the users.
- Permitting
A film permit is required in the city of Ottawa, and there is no exception for still photography. In general, there is no fee associated with a permit. Any fee will be associated with the services of other city departments. An example of this would be if a delivery requires the blocking or the closure of a street.
Photo Venue Company Options in Ottawa
Ottawa has a diverse economy in the private and public sectors of business. An important byproduct of these sector operations is social and corporate events, along with product rollout and trade shows. The vendors providing ancillary services to photo shoot venues are local to the region with experience in dealing with clients in the public and private sectors.
- JVL Photo
Justin Van Leeuwen is the professional photographer behind JVL Photo. His specialties lie in corporate and social events, architecture, and product rollouts. Justin will work with each client to get an understanding of the occasion and how the client wants the message portrayed through the still image. The photo images can be natural, staged, or any combination of these.
- Devebyte
Located in Ottawa, Devebyte cultivates clients throughout Canada and the eastern US. Devebyte knows that internet marketing is more than developing and designing a website. Touchpoints need to be identified and incorporated into the website, as well as SEO-scripted content, to reach the surfing public. Devebyte will interface with social media platforms to maximize online traffic. All written content for the website and the social platforms will be specific to each target user group.
- Bree’s Events
Although Bree’s Events is Ottawa’s go-to event planner, this vendor offers furnishing and décor rentals through its web portal. The rental process will prove seamless for the client. The furnishing and the decorating of a photo shoot is an event, and the services of a professional planner with local connections to handle the logistics of rental, delivery, set-up, and breakdown will prove efficient and wise.
Pros and Cons of a Photo Shoot Venue in Ottawa
As with any task, there are advantages and disadvantages to acknowledge and consider. A well-rounded decision is based upon all facets of the project in relation to the whole. In the absence of extenuating circumstances, there is not one item of consideration that should be mutually exclusive.
Advantages
- Nice summers
Summers are fairly cool with temps in the 80s and spring and fall are average. The most extreme time of year is winter, which you will see in the disadvantages section below.
- Lifestyle
Ottawa is ranked 3rd in Canada, and 19th worldwide, for quality of life. The salaries commensurate with the labor base require certain expectations in life. Ottawa meets and supports these expectations.
- Scenery
The Gatineau Canal runs for 126 miles and is known as the world’s largest skating rink during the winter. Ice skates and sleds become the mode of transportation and the favorite recreation activities. In addition to the architecture and the canals, the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau are surrounded by a significant greenbelt providing sport, recreation, and leisure.
Disadvantages
- Permitting
If it is determined that a permit is required for the photo shoot venue, then it will be important to know the official policy of bilingualism of English and French when conducting government business.
- Freezing winters
Winters are ridiculously cold, wet, and snowy in Ottawa so you should not be surprised to see residents on sleds or wearing snowshoes through town. In fact, you may need some yourself.
- Earthquakes
Western Quebec and eastern Ontario lie within a seismic zone. Although mostly dormant, there have been earthquakes within the past decade that have measured an average of 4.8 on the Richter scale.
Famous Locations in Ottawa
- Parliament Hill and Buildings
There are three government buildings on the Ottawa River where the House of Commons, the Senate, and Parliament are located. The gothic-revival architecture of these buildings gives the city its European feel. There are free guided tours through these buildings giving visitors lessons in Canada’s history and an understanding of the workings of government.
- ATV Tours in Calabogie
These tours are guided and will give adventurous participants the experience of hidden lakes, mountain vistas, and wilderness trails. These areas are difficult to reach by hiking and are not accessible by road. Snowmobiles replace ATVs in the winter.
- Rideau Canal Cruise
This 15-hour cruise on the canal travels from the Ottawa River to Dow’s Lake. Historical sites and landmarks will be viewed from the canal side, a very different experience than the street side. The tours are offered at different times for day and night photo ops.
