Dollard swimsuit photographer is no beach bum

The majority of fashion photographers born to a chilly climate fantasize about the moment in their careers when they can feel sand sift through their feet and a salty breeze blowing in the air. Dollard des Ormeaux’s Norm Edwards, a self taught, portrait photographer since 1999, is no stranger to capturing a turquoise landscape in panoramic view, with a sparingly clad supermodel, also in view.

On Aug. 25 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico he will be competing in the internationally recognized Ujena Bikini Jam 2008 contest, an event that unites 75 photographers with over 150 models from around the world.

Regardless of the eye candy factor, working with eight or more supermodels from six a.m. until 11 p.m. in Mexico isn’t just a laid back day at the beach, “You get up at sunrise, you shoot all day, its non-stop,” Edwards said. “Contrary to what a lot of people think, when you’re working all day with them [the models] you don’t see them that way.”

This year, Edwards has the added pressure of being the only Canadian photographer representing his nation at the Ujena jam. “I am a bit disappointed there are not more photographers from Canada. I am proud to print the Canadian flag on all of my shirts.”

But Edwards, established as he is in the realm of photography, is himself a relative newcomer to the industry, as well as to the West Island. His life reads like a racy novel; he ran away from his home in St. Jerome at the age of 16, moved to Vancouver where he joined the army and spent time in the Middle East, owned a business or two before finally settling down in the West Island with his wife for love, marriage, and a lot of picture making. “I’ve always been a fan of photography. Since I was a boy I owned every magazine from National Geographic to Playboy.”

But before you dismiss this late-August Bikini Jam competition as all swimsuit, no substance, take this information into consideration. “The photographers are not allowed to retouch the photos. They have to be spot on the money,” Edwards said.

So while Edwards’ lens may be focused on a provocative paradise that seems too good to be true, every photo submitted is 100 per cent authentic. Edwards, who has attended three other Ujena competitions in his career, is grateful for the opportunity to improve on his technique, as well as be in the midst of other photographers and magazine empires, such as Maxim.

Getting to flex his artistic muscles in Puerto Vallarta is great; its travelling there that is the hard part. Because the competition does not provide transportation allowance to its photographers, they must make their own way to Mexico. That is why sponsorship is key to these types of competitions, and Edwards is hoping that his solo Canadian trek to the Mecca of exotic landscapes and ladies will inspire a few friendly funders. To check out his website, visit www.mondofocus.com.