Passion
to
Profession
I’m Cedric Swaneck, a Toronto-based photographer and visual storyteller with more than 20 years of experience.
My path into photography began in the darkroom and continued through the industry’s shift into digital capture, workflow, and image systems. Over time, the work grew from fascination into craft, and from craft into a career built on both seeing and structure.
Photography has taken me from remote northern communities to the Andes, and from the boardrooms of Toronto’s financial district to the soundstages of film and television production. Across those very different worlds, the through-line has remained the same: an interest in people, place, and the tension between presence and perception.
What began as passion became profession, but the deeper drive has always been the same: to make images that feel clear, grounded, and human.
“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” - Ansel Adams
A Snapshot of My Career
The Early Years
(2002 - 2006)
Embarked on my photography journey, teaching myself the fundamentals of film and developing a profound passion for capturing life’s moments.
Northern Heights
(2007 - 2011)
Ventured into the northern wilderness, cutting my teeth as a portrait photographer and capturing the essence of remote communities.
The Big City
(2012 - 2014)
Returned to Toronto determined to expand my professional portfolio and network, focusing on corporate and commercial photography.
Climbing the Corporate Ladder
(2015 - 2020)
Advanced in the corporate world, working with high-profile clients, and refining my expertise in digital workflows and photo asset management.
Hollywood North
(2021 - 2025)
Pivoted into the film industry, contributing to major productions and elevating my craft through innovative techniques and cutting-edge technology.
The Next Chapter
(2026 … and beyond)
Lots of exciting projects coming up!
Some of the amazing photographers & companies I’ve worked with:
Matthew Plexman - Commercial/Corporate
Christopher Gentile - Food/Product/Commercial
Daniel Harrison - Commercial/Canadian Tire
Josh Separzadeh - Gallery/YouTube Red
Margaret Mulligan - Editorial/Commercial
Rob Kinghorn - Food/McDonald’s
Christopher Ross - CBS Watch! Magazine
Nick Simhoni - Commercial/Scotiabank
Jonathan Chapman - Commercial
Rita Leistner - Art
Peter Tamlin - Fashion
Andrej Kopac - Commercial/WestJet
Finlay Mackay - Editorial/NYT Magazine
Lloyd Wakefield - Editorial/ TIFF
Jasper Savage - Amazon Prime Video/Netflix
Jan Thijs - Amazon Prime Video/Netflix
Gregg Segal - Art Project/Union Station
Michael Furman - Automobile/Coach Publishing
Steven Elphick - Commercial
James Brittain - Architectural
Matthew Liteplo - Commercial/Corporate
Robert Hanashiro - Editorial/USA Today
Nation Wong - Commercial/Corporate
Luis Albuquerque - Commercial/Sportchek
Tjalling Halbertsma - Art
Glenn MacKay - Commercial/Powerade
Bryan McBurney - Editorial/Corporate
Pana Panpazidis - Unit/Amazon Prime Video
Trusted to work with:
On assignment.