Montse Alvarado

Blades of Glory at BIA Bloor-Yorkville Icefest, Toronto 2018. LtoR Harry Xrofer Heydon, Harry Heydon, Shawn Trueman, Montse, Austin Dymond

Montse Alvarado is a very busy woman who dons many hats through the course of a week. One of them is the crown she wears for her role as Queen of the Realm at Blades of Glory, a medieval education/entertainment company founded in 1994 by her partner, Harry Heydon. As well as a consistently sold out medieval theme park just outside of Hastings hosting primary school field trips, the company provides in-school curriculum and offers warrior weekends. The Blades of Glory knights appear regularly at fundraisers and events throughout the region and beyond. Their third annual medieval festival took place in Hastings on Labour Day weekend, drawing large and enthusiastic crowds to Trent Hills, many of the attendees sporting medieval garb despite the extreme heat of the day.

Montse handles the company’s bookings and has been instrumental in developing program content. She is also their official photographer, but that’s to be expected in view of this Campbellford resident’s passion for the medium. She recounts that her grandmother, a talented painter, instilled creativity in all of her grandchildren by teaching them to paint. “As time went by,” she says, “I stopped painting with oil, pastel and charcoal and started painting with light.”

Beautiful Images by Montserrat was born in 2012. Initially, her efforts were concentrated on portraiture, landscape and nature shots which she began to share widely on social media as her prowess as a photographer grew. A few years ago, she posted a message to the universe on her social media page. “I wish to be a commercial photographer”, it said. The universe must have been paying attention.

Campbellford Fair

Since then, Beautiful Images by Montserrat has been in demand for private photo sessions as well as major undertakings in and around Trent Hills. Her camera has documented the Hastings swing bridge reconstruction, the Campbellford Memorial Hospital, Canada Day celebrations, Curle’s Maple Weekend, Chrome on the Canal and, most recently, the triumph of Dooher’s Bakery on its contest win as “The Sweetest Bakery in Canada”. A born promoter, she shares her passion for the Trent Hills landscape and community through her photographs on a daily basis. Many local businesses benefit from her allegiance including SOS Lounge, Campbellford Stand Up Paddle and the award-winners, Centre & Main Chocolate and True Saffron. She photographs events held by local organizations and service clubs as well as major community happenings like fairs, parades and festivals. Montse regularly shares evocative portraits of “her beautiful Trent Hills” on social media in an ongoing campaign to instill positivity, pride and appreciation throughout the community.

The past year has been an amazing one for Montse Alvarado. Recognizing her tireless efforts to promote the community within and without, the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce awarded Beautiful Images by Montserrat the prestigious Community Impact award in its 2018 Celebration of Business Excellence. Blades of Glory was also nominated for the Customer Experience award. Her photographs took top honours in several contests. One of her works was proudly displayed at the Colborne Art Gallery as part of Nuestra Historia, Northumberland County’s first Hispanic festival in October 2018.

Thelma Dillon, Multicultural Dance Troupe

Born in Mexico, Montse moved to Campbellford in 1990. A great believer in ethnic diversity, she maintains a regular presence in multicultural affairs by supporting Northumberland County’s multicultural festival as well as its multicultural radio station and dance troupe run by friends and Cobourg residents Terry and Thelma Dillon respectively. Montse’s story was also featured in Northumberland County’s sesquicentennial project, “150 Stories and Images of Arrival” celebrating the contribution that immigrants have made to the county.

Being dyslexic herself, Montse has a particular interest in learning methodologies for kids with special needs, a passion that finds a natural outlet with the tactile, hands-on teaching formats offered by Blades of Glory. Perhaps that is part of the appeal of photography as well. As the old adage says, a picture is worth a thousand words and she has certainly become a master of wordless communication through her soulful images.

Her personal life is a rich one. Montse and Harry have a close blended family of five grown children and one granddaughter, Mia. Needless to say, three-year-old Mia is growing up to be quite comfortable in front of the lens. Daughter Summer Alvarado is a successful photographer and graphic designer in her own right who often collaborates with Montse on photo shoots. Son Harry Heydon follows in his father’s armoured footsteps as Sir Xrofer in Blades of Glory. The family cat, Mighty Sam, has a starring role in so many photographs that he has his own facebook page.

You can enjoy Montse’s photographs on facebook:
Beautiful images by Montserrat @beautifulimagesbymontserrat
Images by Montserrat @montsespictures
Mighty Sam @iammightysam
Learn more about Blades of Glory at www.bladesofglory.ca

Beautiful Images by Montserrat