Scouting photoshoot locations our city-wide, I’ve found yet another layer of silver lining weaving through my profession: discovering the beauty of Montreal compounded by the artistry of our local designers.

Like a rainbow after the rainstorm, I’ve found meaning through inspiring scenery and have decided to highlight our city through fashion. You know, I’ve thought this a dozen times this year, I could simply stay home and shoot on my front steps or on my street, but the same old tired backdrop just doesn’t feed my soul and you know what, it’s boring to look at!

Instead, cut to me packing a bag and driving as far as our eye will takes us – we scour the streets for that perfect set and as if that weren’t exciting enough, we chase the rainbow. I’ve been doing this a while now and the truth is, I get so much fulfillment from featuring local designers and restaurants and supporting our incredible talent. Nothing fills me more with gratefulness than to know that people reach out and want my voice to spread the message of their story.

Green Jacket – Zara | Hoodie and hat – Praise Official | Boots – Barbara Bui (at TNT exclusively)

My hope is that my platform inspires people to shop local, support small businesses and re-inject some much needed love into our city’s best. With your engagement and dialogue, we can continue to grow together and keep our stores open so that when this is all behind us, we will be in a better place than when we started off. It’s a promise I made to myself at the beginning of all this and it’s a commitment I’ve made true on by shopping and supporting our local entrepreneurs.

And it doesn’t stop there. By showcasing our city, my hope is that we can draw attention to how beautiful Montreal is, even though, at a time like this, our city is bare. I went over to the casino for a shoot and we felt so alive in the openness of it all. Editorial backdrops offered at every corner of our city, I felt so engaged and excited by the possibilities of water, nature, industry and race tracks. The paddock offered a scene we couldn’t have created ourselves and I truly believe it tells the story of our time to even be able to shoot in the emptiness of it all – and the contrast of sweatsuit-inspired elevated fashion adds another layer to that story.

Pink jacket – Zara | Hat – H & M | Sweater – Praise Official | Sneakers – Nike “Blazer” (exclusive, limited edition at Oak) | Purse – Dior

Between the view and the lighting, we were veritable storm chasers and it was such a fun day! Taking our cues from the weather, we would stop without a hiccup to shoot on that perfect bridge or that insanely lit track. I value that aspect of my job and I hope my photos, fashion, and feed all reflect that. My hope is also that you, my readers and followers feel inspired to continue to invest in me as your go-to for all things Montreal.

Leather skirt – Zara | Jacket – Isabel Marant | Sweater and Jacket – Praise | Boots – Barbara Bui (at TNT exclusively)

As I grow as a content creator, I hope my feed reflects the values I hone: leveraging my platform to do good for our local businesses and providing everyone with an opportunity to participate in the conversation of doing good and paying it forward. It is a cycle after all, and without you, I wouldn’t be able to give visibility our city the way I do. What I’m trying to say is: thank you for giving me the opportunity to spread my message and keep sharing your love because, from the bottom of my heart… I appreciate it.