The creaking of floors and the quiet patter of people thumbing through vinyl records were the only sounds that could be heard. If you were really focusing you might also notice the sound of traffic outside the Calgarian heritage building that holds Hotwax Records. It is a place that I started going as a teenager and a place that I have lovingly returned to many times since. It is also the location where I chose to meet Paty Playa for our bohemian inspired Calgary lifestyle photography.

Paty is an art student studying at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) and I thought, the neighbouring community of Kensington would provide a great backdrop for our lifestyle session. Paty came in and quietly began flipping through the old-skool hip hop records when I approached her, “Paty?” She turned around and greeted me with a friendly smile. Her outfit was perfectly bohemian with a broad brimmed black hat and an amazing wine coloured poncho, which was an awesome compliment to her raven black hair. She also had her sketchbook tucked neatly into her bag.

Whenever I plan a Calgary lifestyle photography session, I try to learn about the people I’ll be photographing and endeavour to inject some of their personality into the photos. Whether it is a couple looking to do their engagement photography or do some simple lifestyle portrait photos, I always try to incorporate some aspect that reflects the people I am taking pictures of.

After bombing around Kensington for a while, Paty suggested that we head to her favourite haunt, the Oolong Tea House. Nothing says urban/bohemian like a girl in a poncho, drinking tea and drawing in her sketchbook. The tea house was the ideal place in Calgary to take some photos of Paty, especially given that they had a psychedelic mural on the patio. All and all we had a great evening of shooting and a lot of fun, which is the way every photo session should be!

To find more info on Paty’s Artwork/Modelling work, please visit her Instagram: @patyplaja