Directors

Richard Bell MPA APPO, Cr. Photog. F. PPSC
Executive Director

Rick has come to realize that whether you are a seasoned PRO or Aspiring Professional, the most important gift that the Niagara School offers to its participants is the opportunity to slow down and explore the importance of being creative. By creating beautiful images during your week at Niagara School, you renew the importance that photography plays in all our lives.

Rick's high level of involvement in the photographic community comes from his firm belief that enjoyment in the field of Photography comes from the continual education process. In building a successful business, Rick is convinced that education is the key. Photography is a unique career because of its ever-changing nature. You must ensure that you are kept fully up to date on the meteoric advances with the digital imaging technology. According to Rick “The Photography business is such a unique career because it is always changing, it doesn't get stagnant. Current photographic education is critical to your success. The only way to get ahead and prosper is to continue to learn and study what the new technology has to offer” This is the most exciting time our industry has ever seen. I started the Niagara School as much for me as I have for hundreds of our past students.”

Rick is respected by the entire industry as a leader in the education field. He finds that with today's rapid pace of change and advanced technology in the industry, education is a necessity in order to keep up in the industry. Niagara School plays a vital role in helping photographers grow and evolve with the industry. He also contributes his success to other photographers he has networked with in all his professional Association relationships.

Rick came into the commercial photography business from the back door, so to speak. He originally was to be trained as a motion picture photographer, but the college he was in couldn’t afford a motion picture camera, so the whole class was shipped into the still photography program. He has never looked back or regretted that decision. The “creative” changes in my college career inspired me to live a creative life, one in which I might explore who I am and expand my understanding of the world making images. That was an amazing gift to offer any young man or woman.

Rick Bell is a Toronto born photographer; his imagery and his infectious personality have gained him international respect for his unique ability to capture the photographic world for his clients’ worldwide. He has been a professional commercial, industrial photographer for over 30 years and is President of Richard Bell & Associates. His studio in downtown Toronto manages a wide spectrum of assignments ranging from advertising, commercial, industrial, public relations and aerial photography. His studio was one of the first studios to go 100% digital and has learned a lot about what makes digital work in the real world and how it can improve your bottom line.

Having a conversation with Rick is like chasing a subway. His genuine charm, high energy and contagious enthusiasm as well as his relentless approach to the photographic profession will inspire even the most seasoned pro. He will definitely help you take your business and photography skills to the next level.

Rick doesn't waste any time once he sets his mind to something - especially when it comes to photography.
His singular approach to professionalism in photography has won him world wide acclaim and admiration from the many celebrities he has photographed including Shania Twain, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, The Tragically Hip, John Candy, Keifer Sutherland, Wayne Gretzky, Ronnie Hawkins, The Guess Who, Martin Short, Celine Dion, Mario Lemieux plus over 100 other international stars from all formats of entertainment.

Shooting almost everyday for more than 30 years, Rick has used his creative problem solving techniques to compile a client list comprised of Warner Bros, Canada’s Walk of Fame, Ontario Power Generation, Toronto International Film Festival, IBM, Fidelity Investments, Rand Technologies, Christie’s Auctioneers, Petro Canada, Ontario Hospital Association, Doppelmayer Ski Lifts, Pillsbury, General Motors, Mesphito Shoes, McCain Foods, Home Depot, Gucci, Remington Razors, McDonnell Douglas Aircraft (San Deigo), Ericson Marketing (Nashville), Crucible Services (Detroit) Grainger Racing (Chicago), Ripley’s Aquarium (Myrtle Beach) Art Gallery of New South Wales (Australia), Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto), Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (N.Y.) etc...

Rick has his Master of Photographic Arts (MPA) with the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC), his Craftsman of Photographic Arts Degree (Cr.Photog.) with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and is currently one of the associations’ national salon judges. Rick has also recently been awarded the Fellowship of the Professional Photographic Society of China (F. PPSC).

Rick has received both national and international recognition for his work in the photographic field. A number of his images have been retained by the National Archives of Canada in their permanent loan collection. He is also accredited by the PPOC in ten different categories of professional photography.

Rick’s organizational, management and inter-personal skills are evident through his personal and professional association involvement, he is Past President of the Professional Photographers of Ontario (PPO), Past Ontario Delegate to PPA, former PPOC National Accreditation Chairman, Advisory Board member to various colleges in Ontario, National and Provincial Professional Photographic Convention Chairman, PPO Print Show Chairman and a guest lecturer / speaker in Canada, the USA and China.

Join us in the beautiful Niagara Region this August and you will discover the creative genes within you.

Ian Ransberry MPA, APPO – Registration Director

If you’ve ever wondered who coordinates the students to their desired instructors, residence rooms, dietary needs as well as fielding questions from how to get to NSI, to what clothes to pack, it is Ian Ransberry. His organizational skills enable him to defeat any task. Beyond photography Ian has become quite involved in computer data management and thus is a vital recourse to all the registration and speaker need details for the Niagara School. There are numerous details to take care of at NSI, and Ian rises to the occasion with his own unique sense of humour and caring.

For over 30 years, Ian has run a successful portrait studio in St. Catharines, Ontario. His studio specializes in family portraits and weddings. His creative and artistic talents have earned him the exclusive designation of Master of Photographic Arts from The Professional Photographers of Canada.

Ian’s pursuit of photography began with graduating from the three-year still photographic studies program at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. Continuing education led Ian to study with the internationally acclaimed photographer Jay Stock for five years. In addition to his studio work, he teaches traditional and digital photography through in-studio seminars and at the district school board of Niagara.

Ian’s involvement with professional photographic associations such as the Professional Photographers of Ontario (PPO) and Canada (PPOC) assures his clients of the latest techniques in the fine art of portrait photography. His creative and artistic talents have earned him numerous awards including the Craftsman of Photographic Arts and the Master of Photographic Arts Awards as well as two Master Bars from the Professional Photographers of Canada. He was also the President of the Professional Photographers of Ontario in 1988, the largest PPOC affiliate in the Canada. Ian is also a nationally accredited salon judge for the Professional Photographers of Canada.

Ian specializes in photographing using North Light Windows as a light source, especially with children. This gives a very natural and journalistic fell to his images. While his work ranges from corporate executives to families, Ian is best known for his imaginative and touching children's photography. Through photographing children, Ian has learned how to relate and succeed through difficult situations to capture the feelings and emotion within each subject.

In addition to serving the area as a talented photographer, Ian also contributes to the community with numerous fundraisers and events. His service is not limited to the photographic community but extends to the whole Niagara region were he is an active member and Past President of the Kiwanis Club of St. Catharines where he lends a hand in many of the associations events.

Eva Bell HLM, MPA, APPO - Director

Eva’s philosophy is “Photographic education is paramount to success in our ever-changing industry, and the only way to prosper is to continue to learn and practice what the new technology has to offer. This is the most exciting time our industry has seen since it switched from glass plates to film.”

“We are living in an exciting time, where women are proud of their accomplishments and eager to use their photography as powers of positive change in the world.”

Eva was born in Budapest, Hungary. In 1956, the ravages of a war torn Communist Hungary forced her family to leave in the dark of night. She rode on her fathers’ shoulders as her family escaped through the swamps of Hungary to freedom. After several months in European refugee camps her family immigrated to Canada where she resides today.

Eva graduated with honours from the professional photography course at Humber College of Technology and Advanced Learning. From her first job right out of school, she was perceived as being to weak to be a photographer because she was “a girl”. Not our Eva. She has spent 25 years of her working life as a Commercial Industrial photographer, creating images that include photographing such dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth II and the Pope John Paul II. It is not unusual to see Eva shooting from rooftops, crawling through ditches or hanging outside of an aircraft to get that perfect shot for her clients.

For 25 years, Eva has been an active member of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) becoming National President in 1995, and in 1999 she was the first woman National Print Exhibition Chairman. Having been involved at the leadership level of the PPOC, Eva maintains that the every changing technical nature of photography isn’t the only skill that photographers need to keep up with but the business end is also paramount to an individual’s success.

Eva was awarded her Masters of Photographic Arts in 1990 and has an Honorary Life Membership with the Professional Photographers of Canada.
As a professional photographer, Eva is respected as a leader in the education field. She is a sensitive and gifted instructor who has helped facilitate the personal and creative growth of many photographers over the years. She taught for 11 years in the continuing education department at Humber College, sharing knowledge with devoted photographic students whose passion is aligned with making beautiful images.

Regardless of the many personal and creative challenges involved with working in the photographic profession, Eva cherishes her career as a photographer. Her own approach to photography is to “have Fun with Photography”

What she finds most rewarding is the freedom to create images that people will enjoy their whole lives.”

While her passion is photography other areas of her life may be found in her other special interests, such as jogging, swimming, skiing, in-line skating and flying.

Charles van den Ouden SPA MPA APPO - Director

Charles’ never ending quest for knowledge and improvement in the photographic industry has led to his involvement with the Niagara School of Imaging.

His passion for his craft has enabled him to believe education gives photographers the opportunity to ask the right questions. He’s seen many changes over the years and believes technology, specifically the digital photography and the Internet have transformed the industry radically and he wants to be at the forefront of it.

Charles is a Dutch born photographer trained at the Vancouver School of Art in Fine Arts, Film Animation and Photography. After graduation Charles taught at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo Ontario and Capilano College, North Vancouver.
He has received the Masters of Photographic Arts and the Service of the Photographic Arts from the Professional Photographers of Canada.

Through out his career, Charles has been an active in local, provincial and national organizations. He is a nationally accredited salon judge for the Professional Photographers of Canada as well as Past President of the Professional Photographers of Ontario and a Constituent Council Member for the Professional Photographers of America.

Charles operated Charles van den Ouden photography in Owen Sound Ontario for 24 years. Since the beginning he made a name for himself as a commercial photographer who specializes in working with people. Charles’ quality of workmanship, high energy and infectious sense of humour kept his clients coming back and will keep you coming back for more too.

He is currently a full time Professor of Creative Photography at Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning Toronto, Ontario. People who create new images daily surround Charles.

His philosophy is “Being surrounded by photographers who create every day is a fresh with adventure and they inspire me in the creative process of my daily life.”

"Photography is a very exciting and ever- changing industry” " The other Directors of the Niagara School have always been at the forefront of education for photographers”.

"It is the reason I have kept such a strong affiliation with them over the years and why I am honoured to be working with them at the Niagara School".

Ian Sinclair - Director - Imaging

Every school for photographers needs its own photographer.  At the Niagara School, photo opportunities abound: the trade show, BBQ, masquerade, awards, classes, draws, locations.  There’s never a dull moment and Ian documents it all.  

Ian grew up in the Niagara region so he’s right at home at the Niagara School. His uncle was an award winning photographer with the St. Catharines Standard and Ian developed an interest in photo journalism at an early age. While still in high school he was selling his photos and writing a column carried by several local newspapers.

Ian studied photogaphy at Ryerson University, Humber College, and the Ontario College of Art.  After brief stints as a press photographer, wedding photographer, portrait photograper, and lab manager, Ian decided to specialize in commercial photography.  He spent several years mastering large format at TDF Artists and then opened his own studio in downtown Toronto.  Over the past 25 years he has shot print ads, catalogues, and corporate events for clients including Shoppers Drug Mart, Xerox, Celestica, Today’s Business Products, and IBM. He’s photographed annual reports for the Ford Motor Company, Cara Foods, & George Weston’s. For Ian it’s variety that keeps it interesting. Whether he’s sitting in on a backroom deal with the prime minister, hanging out in the operating room watching a skilled surgeon at work, or checking out the latest concept car, each day is different and each assignment brings its own set of challenges and rewards.

Ian is hounoured to be associated with the Niagara School where students of all ages come from around the world to share their own unique vision with others who feel the same passion for photography. Each year brings opportunities not only to learn new techniques, but to make new and lasting friendships in the photographic community. 

Ian is past president of the Toronto chaper of CAPIC.  

At the Niagara School Ian is simply “the photographers’ photographer.”