When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. Ansel Adams
My name is Violet Aubertin. I am privileged to be the descendant of immigrant settlers to Turtle Island. I make my home on Robinson Huron Treaty Land which was lovingly nurtured and respected by the Anishenabek nations of the Ojibway, Potawanami and Odawa peoples. Sault Ste. Marie, ON is where I hang my hat. More about me
I am a photography student, hobbyist and freelance photographer/writer for SooToday and my latest designation is – Accredited with The Professional Photographers of Canada.
I was born, raised and still live in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada. I left Sault Ste. Marie for just one year while attending trade school in North Bay, ON.
I was raised the second youngest of six children – one boy and five girls, in a single parent home headed by my mother. From a young age I worked in order to pursue some of the things I enjoyed doing. Things were not easy but I believe that gave me the skills necessary to survive today.
My working career saw many changes until settling in to health care where I served just under 25 years in a clerical position at Sault Area Hospital. Retirement came for me July 1, 2018 at an age still young enough to enjoy and be effective in my new chapter.
Early in my teens I was fascinated by the old point and shoot film cameras we had. I enjoyed taking photos of anything I could. After high school I transitioned to a film SLR that went with me pretty much everywhere and especially in the woods while out hunting and fishing. I still own that camera today.
After the passing of my mother in 1999, and learning at that time of the existence of a sibling who had been given up for adoption at birth, I began researching my genealogy with the intention of locating that sibling. One must be very strong to process the ramifications of each stone unturned along the journey. I’m happy to report that we were reunited with our sibling in 2011.
While working on genealogy I transitioned to my first digital point and shoot. It was much easier and economical to carry while traveling. At that time I was photographing relatives, documents and family events mainly for my file. Once I hit digital I have not gone back. I often toy with the idea of pulling that film SLR out and loading it up. I may still do it some day.
Since childhood I was heavily into the arts. One could suggest that they were therapeutic. Every opportunity I had I took classes in sewing, quilting, photography, painting, needlework and even pottery. As time went on I began to teach specialty sewing classes which became very rewarding. Today I still create items from my sewing room mainly for gifts or photography props.
In 1995 I saw a need for a resource and outlet for quilters here in Sault Ste. Marie. This was at a time when quilting was making a resurgence and moving into the big business it is today. I gathered up five other local ladies who together we formed Stitches From The Heart Quilt Guild, a group that has grown tremendously since and is still very much active in the community today. Although time, work and responsibilities have kept me from participating in the guild for a while, I still quilt today and support the group.
For many years I moderated two Facebook photography groups. One; “Photographic Platform” which I co-moderated – aimed at mentoring and growing photographers worldwide. I recently stepped back from that role to build on my own skills. The second; I still participate in today together with one other moderator. It is called “Photographers Of Northern Ontario” which is a photo sharing sight for North Eastern Ontario participants.
With retirement in sight and a little more time on my hands in December of 2017 I created “Sault Photography Club”. Still in existence today and is a group of individual photographers working on their skills behind the scenes. It’s been very rewarding mentoring some of the newer photographers and watching their skills grow.
My husband of 40 years – Pat and I both retired officially on July 1, 2018. Both of us have been returning slowly to the things we love to do. This in itself was a life changing event.
Before my first year of retirement had ended I had enrolled in a one year photography course with “The Photography Institute of Canada”. After graduating I have moved on to the advanced studies of which the build of my website is a part.
In July of 2019 I was given the opportunity to freelance photograph for “SooToday” – a local online news agency. This has since progressed to doing a small amount of writing about local outdoors, eco-tourism and food. I’ve learned so much and am very appreciative for the opportunity and the guidance given by the staff.
I’d be remiss to say I specialize in any one genre. It’s my belief that if you specialize you must know everything there is to know about that genre which is ever evolving. I choose to have favorites – with some of those being Landscape and Urban Exploration. For the purposes of my course they are my specialties and contained within my portfolio. As you can see by browsing I have a proficiency for many genres. Personal tastes, interests and needs change; over time so often do specialties.
Since joining the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) in October 2020 my first accreditation came in April 2021 in Ornithology/Bird Photography.
At retirement I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my time. The only given was I knew I would let my photography guide me. I don’t know where this journey is going to take me. I’ve seen where I’ve been, and I’m sure enjoying the ride.
You can follow more of my work at:
http://violetaubertin.viewbug.com
