14-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, January 6, 2004 L_ IL I i Shutterbug captures images of people and pets By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion Photographer Grant Rushton had no idea a photo he took of his brother-in-law would all-too-soont become an image permanently ingrained ini many minds. 1I waa doing a (family wedding), and my brother-in-law was senting up the location studio," Me. Rushton recalled. "I aaked hum to sit in and I took a couple of shots. They were casual - hie was relaxed, and hie looked like his everyday self." The negatives for these 'practice' shots were ftled away with those of the wedding pictures and forgotten. A few years later, Me. Rushton's brother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died at the age of 40. It was then that Mr. Rushton remembered the photos hie had taken and knew hie needed to fmnd tbem. He did, and one of the photos was used as a portrait at the funer- al and for the newspaper obituary. 'There were lots of positive commnents," hie said of the portrait. Incidents like this constantly remind M. Rushton of the impor- tance of his job, as he takes photos that are often around long after loved ones. Mr. Rushton is no newcomer to the photography business. In 1991, hie started Grant Rushton Photography. But when hie moved to town eight months ago, thse busi- ness changed naines and becaine Front Porch Photography, which is mun out of bis home. "Everyone in my neigbbourbood has a front porch," M. Rushton said, explaining the naine change. "It sigifies a simpler turne." Me. Ruabton specializes in por- traits - of people and pets - and takes pictures in bis at-home studio as well as going out on location. As a stay-at-homne dad of three kids aged 7, 10 and 13, Mr. Rushton said hie appreciates the flexibility bis business offert. "It's nice to have a business where I can work around them." T1here's nothing like a photo shoot to make people feel special, he said, remembering when bis grandînother came to visit fromn Nova Scotia. Mr. Rusbton had pur- chased a new lens and wanted to try it out by taking a picture of the elderly womnan. With fise help of Me. Rushton's parents, bis grandnsa was soon sit- ting pretty with bier haie and make- up donc and new clothes put on. "It was a waem, natural photo," M. Rushton said of the result. After his geandinother died, Me. Rusbton made copies of the por- trait for ail nine of bis grandnsa's children. 'Me ides of pbotograpbing pets first came at a fair when Me. Rusbton saw a booth set up with large pet photos on display. It's a whole new bail gaine work- ing with furry critters who can't understand directions, Me. Rushton said. But bie prides binsself on bis ingenuity to, bring the best out of every animal. "You deflnitely bave to use tricks," hie said. Altbough bie said bie does lots of dogt and cats, M. Rushton alto, gets the occasional untique job. He recalled the limne a girl and ber famnily brougbt a much-loved hamster for a photo session. They brought fise hainster's prized pos- session - a pint-sized race car - and watched Me. Rusbton work bis magie. -We popped the hamster down (into the car) and for a split second hie was holding the wbeel, 50 I snapped the picture." Mission accomplished, as usuai. For more information on Front Porcb Photograpby, visit www.frontporchpboto.ca or caîl (905) 693-9331. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncana- dianchampion.com. Milton-based cosmetic and laser centre offers new IPL treatment If trying to pusb back the hands of time secins like a fuil-time job, a new treatinent offered in Milton might be just the thing. Recently, Images International Cosmetic and Laser Centre, at 13 Charles St., began offering IPL (Intensive Pulsed Light) laser treatmnent. I WL treatinent is ideat for sunt damnaged skin that bas resulted in brown spots and wrinklet, said Images president Robert Harris. It alto works on spider veina. Once women move into their forties and flfties, Me. Harris said sltin isn't as elastic and doesn't rejuvenate the way il previousîy did. That's when they often flnd theinselves looking at WPL treatinent, hie said. Tecbnicai director Judith Finn said WPL is alto, the firat treatmnent that can get rid of permanent splotches fromn rosaces. "There's neyer been anything that can treat it fli WL," Ms Finn said. Me. Harris said WPL is lest drastic than a face-lift to achieve a younger looking face. "Plastic surgery is radical, whereas what we do is superficial," hie said, adding bie decided to open an Images centre in Milton because of fise town's bue- geoning population. "It's gone fromn a sîeepy fanning town to a dynainic suburban town." Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Grant Rushton shows off somne of his handiwork through Front Porch Photography. Are you connected to your community Get ail the news from Milton, Oakville, Burlington and surrounding areas quickly and conveniently online and on your schedule. wvww.haltonsearch.com 24/7