Robin Spencer bio Ottawa photographer

Official Stuff about Robin Click Here Unofficial (Little Known) Stuff Click Here		Links to Robin Info Backpacking Japan *Hitchhiking in Ireland* Our Zen Garden Robin's Awards Testimonials
WARNING: Don't be fooled by this photo, Robin is really a fun guy, this is his "artsy" look (so he can charge more). Robin Spencer, is considered one of the finest photographers in this area. His portraits and photos of local brides have earned him numerous awards at local, national and international competitions. In 1992 he was awarded "Craftsman of Photographic Arts", then in 1996 he was awarded Canada’s highest photographic award "Master of Photographic Arts". He became Ottawa’s fifth master photographer, joining others like Malak and Yousuf Karsh. Then in 1999 he was awarded the prestigious "Master's Gold Bar". Robin’s soft focus style of photography has taken over fifteen years to perfect. He has traveled throughout Canada and USA to study lighting, posing and composition with North America’s leading master photographers. His use of natural lighting and soft focus has given his wedding and portrait photography a special look that people love. He has written a regular humour column for Exposure Ontario Magazine and Texas Professional Photographer Magazine. Hundreds of professional photographers in both Canada and USA have been enjoying and learning from his seminars since 1998. Newspaper Articles about Robin Spencer (Click on any article to make it readable)
Important Stuff You Gotta Know about Robin Favourite Food: Pad Thai (Spicy Noodles) Favourite Dessert: Cake, any kind Education: 1976 Graduated in Law Enforcement (where he got his third degree ☺) 1996 Master of Photographic Arts, 1996 Degree in Marketing (Canadian Institute of Marketing)) Greatest Strength: He can find humour in any situation Most annoying habit according to his wife: He can find humour in any situation Greatest Weakness: Did we mention cake? Robin Confesses: "It was me, I let the dogs out". Oddest Childhood Pet: "Buster" a Piranha (also snakes, raccoons, chameleons and rats) Favourite Pet: "Chico" his 13 year old loveable Black Lab (1991-2004). Most Annoying Habit: His Sarcasm Pet Peeves: Political Correctness, Mixed Metaphors and Weak Coffee. Favourite Book: John Steinbeck's "Tortilla Flats" Favourite Vices: Doesn't drink or smoke but did we mention cake? The Book He Reads Over and Over "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders" Favourite 4:00AM Hang Out: Tim Horton's (But hates their coffee, prefers Starbuck's) Shares a Birthday with: Annie Leibovitz, Famous photographer Also shares a Birthday with: Vladimir Horowitz, Walter Matthau, Jimmy Carter, Tom Bosley, George Peppard, Odd Fact: Robin holds a "Top Secret" security clearance rating (Since 1978). Odd Talent: Can swear in Italian, German and Vietnamese Odd Fact: Hitchhiked across Canada at 17 (Summer of '73, again in '74). Odd Fact: Hitchhiked across Northern Ireland and Ireland at 47 (Winter of 2003). Odd Fact: Robin is Dyslexic Odd Fact: Robin has 34 red ties Odd Fact: He hasn't eaten meat (beef, pork or poultry) for about 25 years Odd Fact: Robin meditates every day Odd Fact: Robin knows the difference between a metaphor and a simile. Odd Fact: He is an excellent and creative cook, but totally inept at baking Odd Fact: "Robin" is his middle name. His first name is Gordon and was named after his father, artist and sculptor, Gordon Spencer (1925-2001). Collections: He has 29 Buddha's ranging from 1" to 31" tall Collections: He has 3 Shakuhachi Flutes, see below. Living on the Edge Activities: Runs with scissors Favourite Singer/Song Writer: Bob Dylan (his real name... Robert Zimmerman) Ancestry: Mother's side Northern Ireland and Wales, Father's side England (Manchester), Ireland and French Claim to Fame: World's Biggest Cynic Oddest Vacation Spot: Harlem, NY (November 1999) Marital Status: Married to Judy since 1977, Two daughters: Kelly and Tina. Most Rewarding Experience: Through World Vision, sponsored a little girl in Africa (1985-2000) then a young boy in Northern China (2000-present) Oddest Vacation Memory: Being removed from the Chrysler Bldg. by security (Manhattan in July 2000) Largest Fish Caught: Bull Shark - 622lbs, 12 feet (Gulf of Mexico August 1983) High School: Fisher Park High School (1970-1974). But didn't attend the graduation ceremony or prom because he graduated a year ahead of his class. Life Long Goal: To go backpacking from Bhutan to Northern China before his 55th birthday Most Ticklish Spot: His Ribs Favourite Popsicle: Banana Flavour His Latest Hobby: Robin has been studying the Shakuhachi (traditional Japanese bamboo flute).
Did You Know... That Robin Spencer is a "Master of the Soft Focus Portrait". People often remark that his soft focus portraits "look almost like a painting". He has studied with his mentors, Tibor Horvath (deceased) and Bruce Hudson (Seattle). Both master photographers are internationally famous for their "Soft Touch" photography. Over the years they have passed on their combination: Hard Light ~ Soft Lens and Soft Light ~ Hard Lens secrets to Robin. For the past twenty years Robin has combined their styles into his own "Soft, Warm and Natural" style. Recently with the help of digital and Photoshop experts, Robin has been able to develop an incredible soft focus technique that gives complete flexibility over the degree of softness, while still being able to keep the eyes sharp. This soft style of portraiture works best with Brides, Children, Couples, Mother and Baby and Women's Portraits. His "Soft, Warm and Natural" portraits have consistently won awards at Provincial, National and International Professional Photography Competitions since 1987.