HOUSE OF COMMON STUDIO BLOG
Renewed Elegance: NAC with Caroline Ohrt
Working with Caroline Ohrt, Executive Producer of NAC Dance, always feels like stepping into the quiet pulse of Ottawa’s creative scene. In past shoots, we've captured her in the wings, backstage, where the unseen effort of dance and leadership lives.
This spring, we turned the camera outward, creating a new visual story that brought Caroline into the light—front of house, with a fresh energy and ease that felt exciting for her and for us. The result is a set of portraits that reflect where she and the NAC Dance program are headed: bold, present, and open to possibility.
Spring Campaign: Playing with Light and Scale at The National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada continues to be a creative playground for our team. With each visit, we discover new ways to appreciate its grand spaces, natural light, and the interplay between architecture and art.
This spring, our focus turned to the small details that make the Gallery feel alive in this season—the quiet pop of colour from a canvas, the soft glow of sun filtering through the Great Hall, and the scale of human presence against monumental design. These contrasts gave the images an almost meditative rhythm, inviting us (and the viewer) to slow down and look.
When a familiar place allows you to see it in a new light, it lends the work a sense of wonder, and this shoot captured exactly that.
WINTER ROUNDUP
DOWNTOWN BIA | CENTRE TOWN, OTTAWA
Bringing Downtown to Life:
A Collaboration with Alphabet Creative
When Alphabet Creative approached us to contribute to the launch Downtown BIA, we were thrilled to be part of the creative process alongside Creative Director Steve Bowker. Their fresh take on the logo set the stage, and we were eager to bring it to life through photography and video.
Working alongside Chris Snow and Kevin Nault for the video, our role was to capture the essence of this vibrant neighbourhood. We met with nearly 25 business owners and local patrons, each with a story and character. Our challenge? To highlight each location's unique branding and personality, ensuring the campaign reflected the diverse spirit of the Downtown BIA.
Every shoot was an opportunity to think on our feet. We found compelling compositions on the spot, brought out authentic expressions (thanks to Remi’s best-class jokes), and injected energy into every frame. We embraced this creative challenge, proving that a neighbourhood’s personality isn’t just in its storefronts—it’s in the people who make it come alive.