Henrieta's portraits of Elvis impersonators are personal, outrageous and very entertaining. Beyond getting an up close look at these eccentric individuals, we are forced to think about and question the cult following that still maintains vibrancy and growth despite having been more than thirty years since the death of this iconic pop culture king.

1. What subject matter do you primarily choose to photograph, and why are you drawn to this subject matter?

People and everything they do. And if it's not people, it is something they have created, destroyed or left behind. Even in my travel photographs I look for human element, as it is the people that make up the place and it's culture.
There is beauty in everyone and face is a map of peoples lives, their experiences and emotions.

2. What do you hope to communicate to an audience through your work?

The connection between all of us. Regardless of background, race, age, wealth and many other things, we are all creatures with memories, hopes, desires, dreams, opinions. And there are more similarities than differences between us. I like finding groups of people with common interests and capturing their faces for posterity, for those uninvolved to get a little insight.

3. What are the biggest challenges youface in your work?

To gain enough trust from those I photograph within the short amount of time I have to get them at their best and to give them the sense of comfort that will allow them to let down their guard and let me capture their personality in an image. But at the same time this is one of the most enjoyable parts of doing this work.

4. What is it about the photographicmedium that you love?

I love the challenges it offers. Creative and technical are joined into one. Originally part of the process was chemistry as well, but now with digital photography the skills have shifted from darkroom to the computer. I love the immediacy of the creative process, it is an effort capture a moment. But the other really fun thing is the unpredictability and spontaneity that has to be expected when other people are involved.

5. What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Hearing positive response. It is very difficult for most of us to feel comfortable in front of the camera and just as difficult to look at photographs of ourselves and find anything we would like in them. To hear people say that they love a portrait I took of them is great to hear!

6. If you could choose three words to describe your work, what would they be?

Intimate, revealing and fun

7. What part of your portfolio are you most proud of and why?

At the moment my series of portraits of Elvis Tribute Artists I photographed last Summer at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. I am showing them this year in the Contact Festival and I am especially excited about the fact that Contact is featuring my work this year and it is my first solo show.

I don't know of another performer that has had the same kind of following as Elvis and whose life and car eer created this kind of phenomena. The number of Elvis impersonators and Tribute Artists is growing , even 30 years after the man's tragic death. I think the dedication and efforts of these people are admirable. The competition is fierce and demands preparation, costumes and a lot of time and resources. And the spectacle of Elvises of all shapes and sizes walking around the same strip of street at the same time is such a fun experience! I used the advantages of my profession to give others an intimate peak into their faces.
On Thursday May 1st at the Gladstone hotel we will open the show with live performances by five Elvis Tribute Artist, the youngest of them is only 12 years old!

I AM ELVIS exhibit opening May 1, 7-10 PM @ The Gladstone Hotel
Expect five different Elvis impersonators, the youngest being twelve years old!
Exhibit runs May 1st - 31st
Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W