West Island photographer aims to build back after devastating fire
Taylor Halperin is just 22 years old, yet for more than four years, she's been a professional photographer.
"I actually studied nursing, and I started this kind of on the side for fun," Halperin told CTV News. "It turned into a passion that turned into a full-time job."
In 2021, she moved BEEhind The Lens Photography into a new home: a studio on St-Charles Boulevard in Pierrefonds-Roxboro.
Early Wednesday morning, her studio and several businesses next door caught fire.
"I didn't believe it at first. I made sure it was my address," Halperin said. "Now I'm here and I see that my door is blocked off by debris. It's burned down, lights on the ground. It's starting to sink in a bit."
She lost everything, including her camera, props and backdrops for photo shoots.
West Island photographer Taylor Halperin. (Courtesy image)
The most important items were a photo of her grandfather and the camera he gave her.
"In my studio in the back corner, I had a big picture of him framed, a picture of him with his first camera when he was 18 years old," Halperin said. "That picture was burned in the fire. Not only that, but the camera he gave me. It's kind of like losing him all over again. It's something I'll never get back."
Montreal police are investigating the cause of the fire.
A police spokesperson told CTV News firefighters they suspect it was arson because the flames spread very fast.
Despite a major setback, Halperin still has big plans for BEEhind The Lens.
"The goal is to still be a photographer," Halperin said. "The goal is to still be a studio photographer and have my own studio."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Adviser on unmarked graves says some landowners are refusing access for searches
Some private landowners are refusing access to residential school survivors who are looking to perform ceremony or search their properties for possible unmarked graves, a Senate committee heard Tuesday.
These foods cost more in Canada, despite inflation rate slowdown
Overall inflation in Canada is cooling, according to just-released data, but the trend is not being reflected at grocery stores, where prices for some items continue to grow.
Gould says passport application backlog 'completely eliminated', announces online status checker
Canada's passport application backlog has been 'completely eliminated,' according to the minister responsible for the file.
Plastics at all stages detrimental to human health, analysis finds
A collaborative new report has detailed the wide-ranging health impacts of plastics, right from their production all the way to their use and eventual disposal.
Trudeau's top aide Telford to testify, amid Hill drama over foreign interference
After weeks of resistance, and ahead of a vote that could have compelled it to happen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office announced Tuesday that his chief of staff Katie Telford will testify about foreign election interference, before a committee that has been studying the issue for months.
Johnston's mandate as special rapporteur on foreign interference has been released
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has released foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston's mandate, which instructs the former governor general to determine by May 23 whether a public inquiry is necessary.
Kitchen renovation unearths paintings nearly 400 years old
Murals believed to be nearly 400 years old have been discovered at an apartment in northern England following a kitchen renovation.
Where to watch live coverage of U.S. President Joe Biden's trip to Canada
As Joe Biden prepares to make his first trip to Canada as president of the United States, CTVNews.ca will offer live coverage of the leader's visit. Follow our live blog on CTVNews.ca and the CTV News app for the latest updates.
Strong magnitude 6.5 quake rattles Afghanistan, Pakistan
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake rattled much of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Tuesday, sending panicked residents fleeing from their homes and frightening people even in remote villages.
Toronto
-
Ontario's summer forecast has been revealed. What to expect from June to September
The Farmers' Almanac has released its 2023 summer forecast, and, according to the long-range forecaster, Ontario could be in for some 'hot and soggy' summer months.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO | Doug Ford sports new look after miscommunication with barber at Walmart
Doug Ford said a misunderstanding with a barber led to the shortest haircut he's ever had.
-
Worst place in Canada for bed bugs has been revealed
A Canadian city has just been named the worst in the country for bed bugs for the third year in a row.
Atlantic
-
Student charged with attempted murder in stabbings at Halifax-area high school
A 15-year-old is facing a number of charges, including attempted murder, after two staff members were stabbed at a high school in Bedford, N.S., Monday morning.
-
Bedford high school needs support, 'time to heal' following stabbing: NSTU president
The president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) is weighing in after two staff members and a student, who is also the suspect, were injured in a stabbing at Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, N.S., Monday morning.
-
New Brunswick's $12.2B budget tackles challenges that come with growth
The New Brunswick government has tabled a $12.2-billion budget that forecasts a small surplus and promises a funding boost to help stabilize the ailing health-care sector.
London
-
Man charged in dangerous driving investigation, second suspect remains unidentified
One of the suspects wanted for alleged dangerous driving involving dirt bikes in February has been arrested and charged, London police said on Tuesday.
-
$3-million lotto prize for London man
A 56-year-old man is London’s newest millionaire. Peter Baxted won $3 million with INSTANT PRESTIGE.
-
Over half a million dollars in damages caused by Bayham house fire
A house fire in Bayham has caused an estimated $600 thousand dollars in damage.
Northern Ontario
-
Worst place in Canada for bed bugs has been revealed
A Canadian city has just been named the worst in the country for bed bugs for the third year in a row.
-
Gwyneth Paltrow's lawyer calls Utah ski collision story 'BS' at trial
Gwyneth Paltrow's lawyer called the story of a retired optometrist who is suing her over a 2016 ski collision 'utter B.S.' on Tuesday during the trial's opening day in Utah, where the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer appeared in court, and tried to shield herself from photographers' view with a notebook.
-
Sudbury police looking for transport truck hit by SUV in MR80 crash
Sudbury police are looking for a transport truck and its driver believed to have been hit by an SUV in Monday's crash on MR80, originally believed to be a single-vehicle collision.
Calgary
-
'They've had years': Renewed calls to change name of Calgary's Sir John A. Macdonald School
Students and community members will gather in protest outside the Calgary Board of Education Centre Tuesday morning, calling for the removal of the Sir John A. Macdonald name from a northwest junior high school.
-
'New and upgraded': Calgary students, staff enjoy new southeast school
Families in the southeast Calgary community of Auburn Bay now have a new school for their children to attend.
-
Alberta support for arriving Ukrainians to top $30M
More than 26,000 Ukrainians have now resettled in Alberta since the Russian invasion began last year and on Tuesday Premier Danielle Smith announced more money to help them.
Kitchener
-
Officer who fatally shot Beau Baker expected to testify at inquest today
The second day of the inquest into the fatal police shooting of a Kitchener man is underway.
-
Two officers injured, 232 charges laid by WRPS during Waterloo St. Patrick’s Day
The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) says its officers laid 232 charges and arrested 18 people in connection to the large St. Patrick’s Day street party in Waterloo’s university district.
-
Two arrested after stand off at Kitchener motel
Two people have been arrested after a stand off at a Kitchener motel.
Vancouver
-
Sask. First Nation launches Bill C-92 consultations in Vancouver while demanding justice for Noelle O’Soup
A Saskatchewan First Nation is taking the first steps towards self-governing child and family services within its own community, while demanding justice for one of its young members who died while in the care of B.C.’s government.
-
Hate crimes unit joins probe of Sikh international student's assault in Kelowna, B.C.
RCMP in Kelowna, B.C., confirm the BC Hate Crimes Team has joined an investigation into an attack on an international student in the city.
-
Vancouver park board offers tips on how to 'respect' city's coyotes
Now that coyote denning season is in full swing, the Vancouver park board is offering some tips for “peaceful coexistence” between the animals and humans.
Edmonton
-
Fallen Edmonton police officers moved to funeral home in procession
A procession took constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan from the medical examiner's office to Serenity Funeral Home at around noon.
-
Body found on Whitemud Drive, EPS investigating
Police are investigating after a body was found at the side of Whitemud Drive on Tuesday morning.
-
Illegal right turns have led to 5 crashes involving vehicles and Valley Line Southeast LRT trains: TransEd
Officials say drivers illegally turning right has led to five crashes with Valley Line Southeast LRT trains.
Windsor
-
Property owners protest Windsor’s rental licencing pilot project
About 100 people were outside city hall Tuesday, protesting the city’s new residential rental licencing by-law.
-
Windsor to accept more asylum seekers, but renews calls for federal support
As asylum seekers pour across the border between New York and Quebec at near-record numbers, the city is being asked to accommodate even more at area hotels.
-
Windsor’s bed bug ranking improves slightly: Orkin Canada
Windsor has dropped to 13th place on Orkin Canada’s list of the Top 25 bed bug cities in Canada in 2022.
Regina
-
Experience Regina admits aspects of tourism campaign were 'offensive or inappropriate'
Regina's city-funded tourism organization says it will be "stringent" when planning future campaigns after its latest effort prompted a backlash online.
-
Emergency crews respond to crash along Highway 6 south of Regina
Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) said police and STARS Air Ambulance were on the scene of a crash along Highway 6 south of Regina Tuesday morning.
-
Man who allegedly shot fireworks at Ontario police, arrested in Canora: Sask. RCMP
A man wanted by Peel Regional Police in Ontario for shooting fireworks at officers was tracked down and arrested by Saskatchewan RCMP.
Ottawa
-
Via Rail apologizes after Muslim man told not to pray at Ottawa train station
Via Rail is apologizing after a Muslim man was told he couldn't pray at the Ottawa train station.
-
Federal government pledges $1.4 billion to revitalize Dwyer Hill Training Centre
The federal government will spend $1.4 billion to revitalize Ottawa's Dwyer Hill Training Centre, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced Tuesday.
-
Ottawa shoppers flock to Nordstrom as liquidation sale begins
Ottawa shoppers lined up outside the city's two Nordstrom locations Tuesday morning ahead of the start of a liquidation sale.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police euthanize 2 coyotes that were 'acting strange'
Saskatoon police are urging caution after two coyotes were euthanized over the weekend.
-
Man seriously injured by 'unknown male' in robbery, Saskatoon police say
A man was seriously injured in a stabbing and robbery in the City Park neighbourhood, according to police.
-
Saskatoon police will assign 2 new alternative response officers to area around emergency shelter
A one-time, $305,000 grant from the Saskatchewan government will help cover the cost of assigning two new alternative response officers (AROs) to the area around the Saskatoon Tribal Council's Emergency Wellness Centre.