A Portrait of Canada's Parliament: An architectural photographer's tribute
When he was 23 years old, William McElligott was given a camera. It was a going away present from his brother.
McElligott would use this gift to capture the world.
“That started it all because I ended up spending two years travelling around the globe before I came back,” said McElligott.
During a visit to the Taj Mahal, McElligott shared a brief encounter with a seasoned photographer that would change his life.
“He told me that he made his living from being a photographer and I couldn’t believe that,” he said.
“I had no idea that people could travel the world and make a living doing it. That sort of hooked me.”
Since that time, photography has been McElligott’s living and his life.
“That’s all I’ve done.”
At 71 years old, McElligott is one of our country’s celebrated architectural photographers.
William McElligott was commissioned to capture Parliament in 2016. He describes the project as an assignment of a lifetime. (Joel Haslam / CTV News Ottawa)
“I think architects are the artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries,” said McElligott.
His most recent photographic subject is Parliament, a building familiar to all Canadians.
“There are a lot of beautiful buildings, but this building has one of the most breathtaking views from the building looking out and from where we are looking in.”
For the last four and a half years, McElligott has snapped more than 6,000 photos of Parliament; 170 of those images are showcased in his new book, “A Portrait of Canada’s Parliament”.
A Portrait of Canada's Parliament by William McElligott. (Supplied)
McElligott was commissioned to capture Parliament in 2016. He describes the project as an assignment of a lifetime.
“They said, ‘Would you like to be the photographer?’ And it didn’t take me long to say, ‘Yeah, I would be honoured. ’”
“I had years to complete the book, so I could take my time. If I didn’t get the shot I wanted, I’d just go back until I got it. It was a privilege to be able to do that,” said the photographer.
“It’s a humbling experience to be able to photograph that building in all types of light.”
Accompanying McElligott’s photos is a series of thoughtfully written chapters authored by respected architects, conservationists, historians, House of Commons experts, and dignitaries.
Moments of awe were a daily occurrence for McElligott on Parliament Hill where he had privileged access.
Photo by William McElligott.
Photo by William McElligott.
Photo by William McElligott.
“I actually got to go right to the bottom of the mast, right up to the top and open the trap door. I couldn’t get out because there’s nowhere to stand. But I’m at the very top and my wife Norma Lu Brown was with me, and we did it on Canada Day. It was an unbelievable experience. I get goosebumps thinking about it,” recollects McElligott.
Given the ongoing restoration of Parliament Hill, McElligott’s book may be one of the few ways for Canadians to view this architectural wonder in this light.
“I’m very proud of this book. I hope a lot of people, especially Canada’s youth, get to see it. I think it should be in all of the schools and libraries.”
A Portrait of Canada’s Parliament is published by ECW Press and is available at http://www.wpmcelligott.com and fine bookstores everywhere.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.