I moved from Saskatchewan to Vancouver in 1988. I knew I wanted to work in the "visual production world" in some way, whatever that meant. I didn't think of myself as a photographer at the time, but as someone who had strong visual skills. Composition came easily to me.

I left a position in a family business that I was being groomed to take-over. Earlier, during my Commerce studies at the University of Saskatchewan, I discovered an artist in me seeking to be expressed. My corporate experience and marketing degree gave me the confidence to make a move. And swallow my pride. I bussed restaurant tables in Vancouver until I figured out what to do next.

Robert Get's Published!

Coates' First Published Image

In 1989, The Georgia Straight newspaper still printed in black and white and featured Robert's color image, IMAGINATION, on its inside cover. Its caption promoted his first Vancouver photographic exhibition.

Upon arrival to the west coast, my portfolio showed only color 8x10's of prairie landscapes, small-town North Battleford, and various travels. I was naive to students graduating from four-year photography programs in the big cities. But like a bee who anatomically should not be able to fly, but is unaware and flies anyway ... I was that bee!

To promote my first Vancouver show as a photographic artist, and armed only with a manual typewriter, a book of glossy 8x10s, and blind faith, I hit the pavement.

The entertainment weekly, The Georgia Straight, published my "cloud image", paid me $100, and promoted my upcoming exhibition of landscapes and fine art. I felt "big time" now! I recall the opening reception at the restaurant CONCEPT II being packed with friends and strangers, truly making me feel I had arrived. This show led to encouraging sales, exposure, a six-week Oakridge Mall display, and ultimately, COATES PORTRAIT DESIGN in 1990.

"When everyone's eyes are locked on a sunset, most people miss the best show of all ... behind them." ~ Courtney Milne

What's the Story?

IMAGINATION by Robert D. Coates

This image was created during a Courtney Milne workshop in Saskatoon, SK in the 1980s. Used in the Vancouver school system to inspire children's creative writing in the early '90s, the photograph also won awards in its day.

This "cloud image" eventually was titled, "Imagination", and had been created in the '80s during a Courtney Milne photographic workshop in Saskatoon. The image garnered a lot of attention and accolades for its creativity at the time and the idea came to me from a photography coffee-table book years earlier. I took a lot of inspiration from others as I learned. I still do today.

I was approached by a Vancouver teacher in the early '90s and asked if this photo could be used in her Grade 4 creative-writing classroom. I was tickled by the idea. The children embraced the image and each interpreted their own story of what was happening in the picture. Everything from "squeezing needed rain from a cloud" to "God rearranging clouds in the sky." Their stories were imaginative ... and touching.

My photographic story eventually led me to portraiture. Moving into portraiture was a gradual transition. You might say I started first with my own arm.

See My Gallery of Portraiture

At COATES PORTRAIT DESIGN today, my approach to portraiture is to portray all of you. Who you are. Where you live. Your interests. Your loved ones.

Do you have a story to tell ... ?

~ Robert

BOOK A STORY-TELLING SESSION NOW

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Imagine That ... I've Been Published!