This page features some of my earlier projects, as well as more recent in-depth ones that reflect my growing dedication to this field.
My start in documentary work began in the fall of 2000, when I worked as a writer-researcher for a Citizenship and Immigration series about multiculturalism in Toronto. The series, known as "Different, Yet the Same" was hosted by late TV journalist Bill Cameron and featured Canadians of nine different cultural backgrounds including Iranian, Jamaican, Polish, and Somali. It was a privilege to be part of it. I worked in the non-profit field for many years following that project, but the experience of calling, meeting and interviewing people from many backgrounds was great preparation for my recent more in-depth documentary projects.
My 2017 "Taxi Drivers of Toronto" project was featured on CBC Radio and CBC Toronto online, and listed as a "must see" by NOW Toronto magazine.
Since late 2017 I have been working on a new documentary project celebrating older shoe stores of Toronto. I plan to show this in the May 2021 Contact Photo Festival.
Please click on the photos below to learn more about any of the documenatry projects listed here.
My start in documentary work began in the fall of 2000, when I worked as a writer-researcher for a Citizenship and Immigration series about multiculturalism in Toronto. The series, known as "Different, Yet the Same" was hosted by late TV journalist Bill Cameron and featured Canadians of nine different cultural backgrounds including Iranian, Jamaican, Polish, and Somali. It was a privilege to be part of it. I worked in the non-profit field for many years following that project, but the experience of calling, meeting and interviewing people from many backgrounds was great preparation for my recent more in-depth documentary projects.
My 2017 "Taxi Drivers of Toronto" project was featured on CBC Radio and CBC Toronto online, and listed as a "must see" by NOW Toronto magazine.
Since late 2017 I have been working on a new documentary project celebrating older shoe stores of Toronto. I plan to show this in the May 2021 Contact Photo Festival.
Please click on the photos below to learn more about any of the documenatry projects listed here.
Old World Shoes - Coming in May 2021
3 photos
Taxi Drivers of Toronto (2013-2017)
14 photos
Raising Voices - Photographers Without Borders Assignment in Uganda (2013)
60 photos
Honest Ed's Final Turkey Giveaway (2015)
66 photos
Doormen of New York City (2012)
20 photos
The Siege of Toronto (2010)
37 photos
Water is Life (2009 - 2011)
17 photos
East Africa (2009 - 2011)
15 photos
© Henry VanderSpek / Culture Snap Photography