Labour of love
Berni Wood enjoys taking photographs for Charlottetown Royalty Rotary supplement as much as Islanders enjoy flipping through it
Photographer Berni Wood is stopped almost every day during the spring and asked when the Charlottetown Royalty Rotary Club’s annual advertising supplement is coming out.
“I got asked just about an hour ago, everywhere I go people ask,” said Wood, of Reel Media Studios, who as the publication’s principal photographer has taken the majority of photos during the last three years.
Wood, herself a member of Hillsborough Rotary Club, isn’t surprised by Islanders’ anticipation of the annual publication.
“It’s tradition. People are excited, people are waiting for it,” said Wood, who gets just as much enjoyment from taking the photographs as many Islanders do flipping through the pages of the supplement.
“It’s like Old Home Week, I get to visit everybody and see how everybody is doing and what’s new. I really enjoy it.”
The vivid photography is a highlight of the publication, which will now offer an online edition through The Guardian for its 30th anniversary.
Wood said she enjoys taking some of the more creative shots, noting that sometimes organizations will already have an idea or she may suggest something fun.
For example, one unique photograph that stands out for Wood was taken for Markan Countertops Plus in last year’s edition.
Wood suggested the group pose together in a bathtub and shower to create a memorable photograph.
“How fun is that?” said Wood. “I think people really appreciate knowing who they’re dealing with… and I think you can tell how friendly they are and how personable they are.”
Other memorable photographs can include family members of the business owners.
“People love to go back and look and say, ‘whoah look at these kids they’ve all grown up’,” said Wood, adding that photographs involving pets are also fun to take.
“I know all these animals by name. I travel around with dog and cat treats all the time. I spend more money on dog treats than you could imagine for somebody who doesn’t have a dog.”