For decades, the career of Hyla Wults Fox has been driven by the whimsical world of antiques and collectibles as a broadcaster, consultant, dealer, journalist and author of two acclaimed books published by Methuen, Canada and Dundurn Press.

Hyla had a weekly antique column in the Saturday Toronto Star for a decade, another in the Fashion and Design section of The Globe and Mail for five years and later, her articles appeared regularly in The National Post. At the same time, she reported on, commented about and discussed antiques, for such periodicals as Canadian Living, Homemakers, Chatelaine, The Financial Post, The Maine Antique Digest and the Upper Canadian Magazine, to name just a few.

Although she continues to be involved in the antique world as a writer, it is photography that has become the focus of her career and propels her muse into overdrive. Hyla is an eclectic shooter but there are two genres that continuously capture her attention: the human landscape and portraiture.

The Human Landscape

Still life images that capture the places our ancestors once lived and worked, the things they used, created, treasured and ultimately left behind, have been the focus of her writing career and photography. To Hyla, it is the rich, multi-layered patina, along with the signs of use such as cracks, worn marks and peeling paint that is the attraction.

Says Hyla: "I think Susan Sontag explains my feelings best when she writes that: ‘fewer and fewer Americans possess objects that have patina – old furniture, grandparents pots and pans – used things, warm with generations of human touch that Rike felt was essential to a human landscape.'"

Capturing Hyla's feelings and further explaining her decades long obsession with this topic, she again refers back, to another poignant Sontag quote: "Bleak factory buildings and billboard-cluttered avenues look as beautiful, through the camera's eye, as churches and pastoral landscapes...The Surrealist ragpicker's acuity was directed to finding beautiful what other people found ugly or without interest and relevance—bric-a-brac, naïve or pop objects, urban debris."

To see some images in this category, please return to the main Gallery page on this web site and click on Eroded Elegance and Vintage Wheels.

Maternity, Newborn, Infant, Baby & Children's Portraiture

Hyla brings to this specialized area of portraiture all of her fine art training, artistic and creative talent, as well as her experiences as a mother and as a primary specialist and Certified Elementary School Teacher.

"In shooting maternity portraits," says Hyla, "I have several goals in mind. While I focus on the unique personalities of each woman, I want to show how they celebrate this stage in their lives and the anticipation they feel as they transition into motherhood." For Hyla, documenting the range of emotions moms-to-be experience – from mellow and pensive to absolute joy – is a fascinating aspect of this form of portraiture.

Clearly, these images are unique works of personal art that will become a spectacular gift to the as yet unborn child as they eventually see how eagerly awaited and lovingly welcomed they were. As one client recently stated, "together, we have just made an instant family heirloom."

Children & Infant Portraits

Hyla's images are simple, strong and tight with the focus on the wonderful faces of the children. "I love catching their expressions – surprise, cheeky, serious, silly and smiley," she explains. "In our sessions you can expect your child to have fun. They are encouraged to laugh, play, sing and just be themselves. My goal is to capture your child's sense of joy, spontaneity and childhood wonder," she says.

Her style is contemporary, meaning that her images are journalist and candid, not posed or forced. Colour images are vibrant while dramatic monochrome shots show a strong range of tonal qualities.

To see her work in these categories, please go to the gallery page on this website and click on BEGINNINGS. Further information regarding this genre is available on the DETAILS page, inside BEGINNINGS.

Hyla's award winning art has been purchased by television and movie set designers, corporations, home decorators and private collectors. They have been featured in newspapers and magazines. As well, Hyla has participated in art fairs, multiple group and solo shows. An extensive line of greeting cards and magnets is available in select stores and on line. A listing of upcoming events, new photographs and news can be seen on her Blog. Please check the News & Events page, located at the bottom of every page on her web site. Studio visits are by appointment only.

 

Affiliations Include:

• Member of ACCESS, the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency
• Founding member of the Canadian Freelance Union
• Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario
• The Toronto Camera Club
• The Canadian Association of Photographic Art
• National Association of Photoshop Professionals