Buylocalxyx

Dumplings...but make it fashion.

One of our favourite things about working with small business owners is getting to know the people behind the businesses we all frequent.

We first met Anne through her work at Solvest (a northern based solar company) a few years ago, but recently got to know that before moving to the Yukon, she actually worked in Fashion both in England,Toronto, then remotely from Yukon, right up until Covid when she decided to follow her other passion…food!

So now we’ve witnessed her grow her newest venture, Anne’s Dumplings, over the past year into the bustling and ever growing company that it is today! (If you haven’t tried them yet, please get on it…you are missing out!)

So when we were asked to do an editorial shoot of Anne, we knew we wanted to try to bring in some elements of fashion (because you KNOW she showed up with some gorgeous shoes to show off) and make this ‘foodie’ shoot elegant.

We wanted to ensure we had a minimalist set (her pristine commercial kitchen was perfect-we got in early before the dumpling making begins!) , and used a bit darker of lighting to set a more glamorous mood to the shoot. We were so happy with how they worked out and as always, Anne was amazing to work with. We absolutely can’t wait to see where she takes this venture next…

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A great place to Gather

We’re not gonna lie…we have a soft spot in our hearts for family run businesses…As one ourselves, we understand the full family commitment it takes to keep these trains a runnin’.

Whether that’s trading off who works late, impromptu ‘bring your kid to work’ days (Mabel was on her first set at 6 weeks old!) or doing business planning over dinner…it takes the whole crew working together and loving what you do.

So needless to say, when we got asked to create some imagery for Gather Cafe and Taphouse recently, we were stoked. Gather is a self-described “eclectic restaurant” located in the Lumel Studios building here in Whitehorse.

Owners John and Shanta Ferguson, have created an incredibly unique space, that is filled with colours and textures from floor to ceiling. The ambience fits in perfectly to the attached Lumel Studios, which just so happens to be the Grandparent’s place-Lu and Mel!

So, the day we were there to photograph, Grandma and Grandpa watched the kids, so that we could get our shots done with John and Shanta. Like any family run business, it takes a team to make it all come together…Combing their loves of good coffee, good beer, and good food, adding in a health dash of cozy atmosphere, Gather is a place you just want to spend time in!

From meals made with as many locals ingredients as possible, to drinks served in hand made glassware created right next store at Lumel, you can tell thought was put into every detail of the place.

We can’t wait to go back to enjoy the space again and definitely suggest if you haven’t had a chance, to go check it out!

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Twisted Gourmet and the bountiful forest...

When I was prepping for one of our latest shoots a few weeks back, I didn’t expect i’d be getting a full body workout in before the day was over…but that’s what you get when you shoot on location with Twisted Gourmet….

We started the day by winding our way through a moss covered forest, excitedly yelling out every time we found a mushroom, to get to a lookout with one of the best views in town…and by the afternoon, I found myself holding a light stand high up over my head, as I attempted to tip toe through another forest, dodging the patches of giant red cranberries with each step…

For those who don’t know Deborah, she’s the powerhouse behind Twisted Gourmet, a Yukon based spice company that creates small batch seasoning and spice blends. Her delicious products feature local Yukon harvested ingredients like low bush cranberries, wild rose and sage. (Just to name a few)


With the support of the Yukon University’s Pivot Program, we were able to work with Deborah this fall to create some new imagery for her website and marketing. Just like many other businesses, when COVID hit, Twisted Gourmet needed to ensure online sales were easily available, all the while continuing to stock local grocery stores and vendors.

We wanted to ensure that we stayed true to her wild, Yukon foraging roots with the look and feel, so we took her products to their natural habitat-out to the forest where she gathers some of the very ingredients you can find in her product!

We couldn’t have asked for a better fall day to do the shoot-the sun and the eagles came out to ensure everything looked it’s best, including our wonderful models (and real life Twisted Gourmet customers!) It was one of those shoots that was varied, and playful, and all around enjoyable and we were just so stoked to be able to team up with such a great local company.

Thanks for being so lovely Deborah, and we promise not to reveal the location of the bountiful cranberry patch…your secret is safe with us! ;)