Biography

Blair graduated from the Photojournalism program at Loyalist College in 2003 and immediately began an internship at the Ottawa Citizen, followed by a summer placement at the Windsor Star. In the fall of 2003, Blair moved on to a contract position at the Chatham Daily News, which turned into a staff position at the St. Catharines Standard less than a year later. In spring 2005, Blair headed to the nation’s capital after accepting a staff position at the Ottawa Sun. Two and a half years later, Blair left the Sun to continue his career as a freelance photographer in Ottawa, ON.

In 2001, Blair became a part of the Eastern Canadian News Photographers Association's executive as the group’s web developer and remained on the committee until 2007. In 2002, Blair helped to create a photojournalism conference in Canada that became the Great White North Workshop and co-chaired the event in 2007. Also in 2007, Blair sat on the steering committee of a newly formed News Photographers Association of Canada, Canada's first national photojournalism association.

 

Awards and Recognitions

Ontario Newspaper Awards - Portrait Photography, Runner-Up (2007)
ECNPA Photographer of the Year Competition - Top 5 (2007)
NPAC Pictures of the Year - General News Photography, First Place (2006)
Dunlop Awards of Journalistic Excellence - Spot News Photography, First Place (2006)
Dunlop Awards of Journalistic Excellence - Feature Photography, First Place (2006)
ECNPA Photographer of the Year Competition - Top 5 (2006)
ECNPA Pictures of the Year - Spot News Photography, Honourable Mention (2005)
ECNPA Photographer of the Year Competition - Top 10 (2005)
ECNPA Pictures of the Year - General News Photography, Third Place (2004)
ECNPA Photographer of the Year Competition - Top 10 (2004)

 

 

Blair caught chimping with Ottawa Senators forward Dany Heatley during a photo shoot in 2007.
Photo by Christopher Pike