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"I don't always think Canadians see the beauty you have around you," Aitken said. having traveled to Canada to vacation for about nine years before his decision to move to Water- loo in 2002. "Waterloo seemed to be the ideal trade-off between a good commercial sense but also the surroundings and coun- tryside around you is beau- ll, sometimes difficult In Inmiu‘ thc beauty that surrounds you when you find yourself immersed in it everyday. But the beautiful land- scapes and evolving seasons were just some of the rea- sons why Gordon Aitken wanted to move from his home in Glasgow, Scotland to continue his dream of running his own photogra- phy business. And for Aitken, Waterloo was where he chose to set- tle, Aitken, 47, grew up in Dundee. Scotland where he attended the Glasgow Col- lege of Building and Printing to study photography for three years. But it was when he was just eight or nine years old when his passion for cam- eras first began, digging out old cameras to play with. He remembers going outside when he was young and photographing the wilderness. everything from Snapshot of success Waterldo man wins title of Best Wedding Photographer Chmtrneroal/msudentml, 2-storev, "l bedrooms " baths ' By RYAN (ZUNNELL For Hut hmnh'h’ httreomttrr.ctten/26599. 905-819-8‘81 or WATER“) "If I was to do things as a hobby it would be land- scapes, particularly around here because the landscape is absolutely beautiful. Peo- ple in Canada always say there's just two seasons here. summer and winter. but the seasons are a lot better defined here whereas in Scotland it's very rainy or foggy. But the winter here is dependably cold with the nice. white snow. It's just such a lovely landscape to photograph." "It's, not mmeihing that interests uni anymore in photography although I still do love the outdoors," he said, new shifting his phu~ mgraphy interests to people and specializing in portrait and wedding photography. It may seem hard to get a new business started and get noticed for your work in a new country far from home, but it hasn't taken long for Aitken's remarkable talents to receive acclaim. binds and other munruls In the countryside that sur rounded him. Within such a short time since moving to Canada, his I.. I didn't get to do as much of what I enjoy best. - Gordon Aitken Photographer Umrahln Westvale Three bedrooms. "anovated baths. magmiirent runmm uldwn. hardwood floors. now am fur, nmr- and roof 0FEAM0$EsAT.V0N.1" 449 Ashby Court. Waterloo Call 3858 184 or 897-3036 Fenced yard and more! BUSINESS creative capahiliries have already been recognized by the Professional Photogrm phcrs of l )murin. lust a few weeks ago. Aitkcn was the recipient of the Best Wedding Photogra- pher award at their annual awards banquet held in Kingston, among several other accolades throughout the evening. one including a local shot he took at the Elma quarry. While definitely an hon- our for Aitken to be recog- nized for his hard work in his new homeland. it's defi- nitely not the first trophy he has added to his rather impressive shelf of acco- lades. The Scotland native has been prominently awarded the position of Scotland's top wedding photographer of the year on five separate occasions. was awarded Portrait Photographer of the Year for three years in a row from 1995 to 1997. and __ how could one forget -- was proudly offered the job as the professional photogra- pher for a former president of the United States. "They approached me and asked ifl wanted to be Bill Clinton's photographer when he came for a tour of Scotland." Aitken said proudly, smitten by the prestigious honour to follow the president on his four- day excursion in December 2002. The process he had In mum Continued on page 31 Dunk-x Sowrnl upgrade". 7 Mrmms, , 5 baths ttrtt-r_ctrm/263r0 9058198481 or WATERLOO Gordon Aitken of Waterloo was recently named Wedding Photographer of the Year. " mm] Sum- lake new, 3+ 2 hpdrmm View Ihdr show at wwwhammnmkwcnrn, HIS. l EASTERN N-LIW Gummy 21 Home Realty In; Jo” Gingrich Sales Rap. 510-4563 usual {in Irvin Run-r. Wyn-apold ryenrtup,) 2300 sq it. 2 storey brark home h bedrooms. l baths. fimshed basement., Cwe lace. Ipt'glt', In law suit}. 24ml?!“ rim-l: wet hawmvnt walknut. Gen. Thermal farrtarrv'central an 36-ACRE COUNTRY ESTATE, FEMS Quiet and mad close to Fergus. Prim. Salt Cull SIB-8412672. 34160 R. heated shop VIII 1#4t. cairn” and “dim. SUBMI’I’EO W070 "M"