Henry VanderSpek - Photographer

@culturesnapca

Art & documentary photographer based in Toronto, ON, Canada. Shooting film and digital, documenting people, non-profits and creative street scenes. 🚫AI www.culturesnap.ca www.instagram.com/culturesnap

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Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jul 11

Four more images taken on Lucky Colour Film in Toronto in March 2026. Image #1 is a double exposure. 📷 Nikon FE #believeinfilm #analogue #35mm

A view looking south on Spadina street in Toronto. A scooter and car are passing in the foreground. The CN Tower can be seen in the background. A circle of green and a circle of red are laid overtop of the lower half of the image (the result of this photo being g a double exposure).

A view of some city towers and a construction site. A crane is listing a rectangular object above the construction site.

A bench, seen from above. Written on the bench are the words “new TTC slogan “HURRY UP ‘N WAIT!!!”.

A view looking down a street. A streetcar is approaching. A wide blast of yellow sunlight is emanating from beyond and beside the streetcar. A orange-rec circle of light is seen on the right overtop of a store on the opposite side of the street.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jul 11

Four images taken on Lucky Colour Film here in Toronto in March 2026. Image #3 is a double exposure. 📷 Nikon FE

A Canada flag flutters and sunstars emanate from behind the flag.

A wide scene of people waiting for a Toronto Transit Commission bus. A blue mural and sign runs along the wall in the background.

A double exposure image. The main scene shows a fruit market with a woman walking past holding a cane. Overtop of this is an image of a young man wearing glasses.

A view of a street crossing. A do walker is walking five dogs, all on leashes, away from the camera and across the street. On the far side can be seen a corner store called Bloor Mini Mart.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jun 9

A few double exposures made on my Fuji X Half in early January, 2026.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Apr 15

Thanks to all who attended my talk at the Toronto Digital Photo Club last night! I had a great time. I enjoyed the great discussion and conversations. Thanks to my friend Peter for taking these photos.

A person (me) in a blue short sleeve shirt and glasses holding a microphone. Behind him is a screen with an image projected on it. The image has the words Beauty on it, and a bird fluttering away.

A large room with fluorescent lighting overhead and four rows of chairs facing towards the front. A person is standing and speaking. Beside him is a projection screen.

Three people stand on the far side of a table where a range of photo books and small cameras are displayed. They are talking to each other. One is holding a magazine and looking at the man in the right. The man on the right is smiling and looking across the table at the man on the left (me).

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Apr 7

Next week Tuesday (should we all still be present and healthy on this planet) I will be giving a talk at the Toronto Digital Photography Club. All welcome. $10 fee for non-members. #photography #Toronto

On the left is a black and white photo showing a man with a cowboy hat standing facing an intersection. His long shadow extends towards the foreground. On the right is text describing a talk by photographer Henry VanderSpek happening on Tuesday April 14th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Edithvale Community Centre.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 30

Seen today on Spadina Avenue in Toronto.

A message written in black marker that says “You’re not immune to propaganda “. Below it is a sticker that has the word “MUSK” written in a street style font.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 19

Spadina Shadows A scene on Spadina Avenue, captured with Lucky Black and White 200 film. #believeinfilm #classicmono #Toronto

A man wearing a baseball cap and carrying a shoulder bag walks in front of a building. Shadows of tree branches fall on the building all around the person as he walks by.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 16

Last week I had the privilege of meeting June Clark, an accomplished artist working in photography, sculpture and collage. - at the Collective Visions Symposium organized by @mocart.bsky.social and @agotoronto.bsky.social. juneclark.ca

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 11

Eyes of the Storm is an exhibit featuring photos taken by Paul McCartney from 1963 - 1964. It’s well worth seeing. On now until June 7, 2026 at the @agotoronto.bsky.social. (Double exposure image made by me at the media launch of the new exhibit.)

A double exposure layering a photo of a photo of Paul McCartney overtop of a photo of a large exhibit room at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 10

Attending “Collective Visions: A Symposium on Photography in Toronto” - a two day event. This panel discussion is so full of experience and insight. Thanks to @mocart.bsky.social and @agotoronto.bsky.social for making this happen.

A room full of people looking forward to a stage where eight people are on a panel, discussing the history of photography in Toronto. On screen behind them is a black and white photo showing people outside of Henry’s Camera store on Church Street.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 6

Many thanks to all who attended my talk at the Beach Photo Club last night! I really enjoyed my time meeting and connecting with fellow photographers there.

A room full of people sitting and looking towards a person standing and speaking at the find of the room.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 5

I'm giving a talk tonight at the Beach Photo Club. All welcome! $10 fee for non-members. P.S. I am giving a similar talk at another Toronto area club in mid-April. Will post about that closer to the date.

A photo showing a runner passing an opening. In the foreground is a maple leaf with the words sacrifice in the centre of it. On the right is text inviting people to a talk at the Beach Photo Club titled "A Pilgrimage of the Street: Finding Meaning and Making Art on the Streets of Toronto". The talk happens tomorrow, Thursday March 5th at 7:00, at the Beach United Church.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 4

I'm giving a talk tomorrow night at the Beach Photo Club in Toronto. All welcome! ($10 fee for non-members) Details in the image below.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 4

On the Shoulder of Giants Statue of Dr Sun Yat-sen on Spadina Avenue. #believeinfilm #Toronto #Canada 📷 Black's Attaché II 🎞️ Kodak Tri-X 400

A view from below of a statue of a man - Dr. Sun Yat-sen - in a double-breasted suit with coattails. His right hand is on a cane. His left arm is outstretched and waving a top hat. A pigeon is resting on his left shoulder.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Mar 2

Vusul (@ warriorinpublic on IG), early January 2026. 📷 Nikon FE 🎞️ Optik Old School Opticolour 200 #believeinfilm #Toronto #Canada

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Feb 24

Libydo, a talented Toronto artist and dancer (found on IG: @ libydo_libydo). Taken in Parkdale, Toronto. 📷 Nikon FE 🎞️ Optik Old School Opticolour 200

A tall black man stands on a sidewalk with storefronts receding behind him. He is wearing all white - pants, jacket, shirt and scarf. He is wearing a black hat that is tilted to one side and is looking at the camera.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Feb 18

Be Like Jesus. A fitting message for this Ash Wednesday. 📷 Konica Auto S3 🎞️ Ferrania P30 #ashwednesday #lent #Toronto #bnw #classicmono

A wheeled cart with a sandwich board sign that says “BE LIKE JESUS”. In the background a woman walks past wearing dark clothes and sunglasses.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Feb 13

Dj Erik Flow (IG @itserikflow), working some fresh sounds near Yonge & Dundas, Toronto, January 2026. 📷 Konica Auto S3 🎞️ Ilford XP2 400 #believeinfilm #Toronto

A young black man in a hoodie leans over and mixes music. He has a smile on his face, clearly enjoying what he is doing. Behind him is a street and further away is a building with various signs.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Feb 11

Here are photos that Jian (@fj400 on IG) took of me, and of the person I was photographing when we met. He acknowledged he didn’t quite get the exposure right. I still appreciated him taking these. #believeinfilm #Toronto

A street scene at a busy downtown corner. A person (me!) is taking a photo of a person holding a flag.

A busy downtown corner. In the foreground is a person holding a Palestinian flag. A bit further in is a person (me!) taking a photo of the man with the flag.

A closer up photo of a person smiling while holding his Nikon FE film camera.

A person holds a Palestinian flag high above his head. He is standing at a busy street corner. Behind him is an H&M store.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Feb 11

Of course I also took a colour film photo of Jian, since I had two cameras with me. 📷 Nikon FE 🎞️ Optik Old School Opticolour 200 #believeinfilm #Toronto

Photo of a person holding a Leica camera up to his eyes. Behind him is a major downtown intersection and also a building with many signs on it.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Feb 11

Jian, a local Toronto photographer I met a few weeks ago. Naturally we took each others portraits. :) 📷 Konica Auto S3 🎞️ Adox HR 50 #believeinfilm #Toronto

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Feb 4

Mysterious artifact found in a Toronto snow bank, leaving many local politicians confounded. @tomflood.bsky.social @cycletoronto.bsky.social

A bike almost entirely covered by snow on the side of the road in Toronto. A condo is seen behind the bike, rising above the street.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jan 29

A panorama of Sankofa Square in downtown Toronto. Taken Sunday Jan 25, 2026. @sankofasquare.bsky.social #Toronto #snowstorm

A panoramic view of Sankofa Square in downtown Toronto. The square is covered with snow. People are standing at various distances and a wide digital billboard displays an ad for a gambling company.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jan 28

A panoramic scene of the ice skating rink at Toronto City Hall, taken Sunday Jan 25, 2026. #Toronto #skating #panorama

A wide panoramic photo taken near Toronto City Hall on Sunday Jan 25, 2026. On the left are people standing taking photos of themselves and of the scene. On the right is a skating rink, covered with snow, with arches that cross over the rink.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jan 27

A few more from the snowstorm in Toronto. #Toronto #snowstorm

A woman in a red jacket approaches an ornate door for Union Station.

A sign says “Caution Falling Ice Overhead”. It is in front of the entrance to Roserock Place. Snow is seen blowing sideways.

A view into a dark laneway lit by a series of small lights. It appears a bit foggy and snow is falling and accumulating on the ground.

A view down a long alleyway towards a street. The alley is filled with snow. Two people can be seen walking past at the far end of the alley.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jan 27

I also met this photographer, Anthony Gugliotta, who has a huge following on Instagram. He was capturing video using an anamorphic lens (seen in this photo). www.instagram.com/gugliotta.one

Photo of a man in a parka with orange wrap around sunglasses holding up a camera. Snow is falling and steam is rising up around him.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jan 27

A few people I encountered while on a photo walk during yesterday’s snowstorm. #Toronto #snowstorm

A man smiles as he passes a sign for Union Station.

A photo of Dilraj, a delivery driver. He is on an e-bike with tough winter tires, and is looking towards the camera.

Dawit, a door man at the Royal York Hotel, stands with his snow shovel in front of him and smiles to his right, towards me with my camera.

A group of workers stand with their snow shovels. They were working hard to clear snow at the corner of York and Adelaide.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jan 26

Earlier in the afternoon and evening I went downtown to photograph the snowfall. I will have more/better photos later. Here are a few, the latter taken by one of many friendly souls I met while out and about. #Toronto #snowfall #snowstorm

Reflection of myself with snow flying past. I am bundled up with a faux fur hqt and thick gloves.

A Canada Post mailbox and a garbage and recycling bin are deep in snow.

A view looking south on Yonge Street. The sign for the Elgin and Winter Garden lights up the street. A person stands in the foreground and holds their phone to take a photo of the same view, looking south.

A photo of myself, taken by Weyhu, a person I met while out taking photos of the snowfall. Snow is falling and building up on the streets and on my hat. Above me the sign for the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre can be seen.

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jan 26

What an incredible snow storm! Biggest Toronto has seen since the 1950s, if I’m not mistaken. I spent a lovely morning with my family and neighbours shovelling out our street.

A nighttime scene of a sidewalk and street, along with an SUV, that are covered in deep snow

Henry VanderSpek - Photographer@culturesnapca· Jan 24

A collection of quirkiness. Bumper stickers on a car that is often parked near @ocaduniversity.bsky.social. No connection at all, I’m sure! 😉😊 📷 Konica Auto S3 🎞️ Kodak Tri-X 400 #believeinfilm #Toronto