Often, without knowing, subconscious memories embedded from our earliest childhood moments form the passions we re-discover as adults. So is the case with Brant Slomovic. The aroma of freshly opened canisters of film combined with the rich smell of the basement ceder in his mother's home may seem unlikely beginnings for the work you see before you. But for Brant, powerful memories from youth moved him from an eight-year-old full of wonder to the artist of today. Brant carried his early fascination with the singular image forward, and at the 'mature' age of 15, began to explore his personal photographic frontiers. Soon after picking up his first camera, he found inspiration in the images of National Geographic, through which rich and moving stories could be chronicled. He became enthralled by the work of Staff Photographer Jodi Cobb, whose work would later influence his own. He continued to expand his pool of influence with Magnum photographer Steve McCurry and the work of Annie Leibovitz. By 17 years of age a life passion had formed, to capture the world through his heart and allow to us to experience our own feelings through his lens. His first taste of public recognition came upon graduating from high school in the form of the Departmental Prize in Art. As with any true artist, this taste of recognition was simply encouragement to move forward. And like any journey toward enlightenment, Brant's was not without setbacks. Intensity is not quelled however, only redirected. Brant left photography behind and turned his focus towards a career in medicine, becoming an emergency room physician, while his need for a creative outlet continued to evolve through his love of music. Like all things one is born to do, Brant again picked up a lens. On a trip to Nepal in 2001 he returned to a need to express himself through imagery. With the advent of digital imaging and encouragement from friends and acquaintances in the photoblog community, there was no stopping him. So often, it's impossible to fight one's own destiny and for all of us who view his work, we can be thankful. Brant currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. When not practicing emergency medicine he continues to hone his photography skills and is interested in expanding his repertoire into music photography and small magazine features. - Mark Kitaoka, Photographer. November, 2008