For photographer Jorian Charlton, Toronto is a city that doesn’t try to impress you – and that’s exactly what makes it special. “Toronto isn’t flashy about what makes it unique,” she says. “It kind of unfolds over time.” That quiet unfolding, the layering of cultures, the mix of histories and the subtle ways people shape the city is something Jorian understands instinctively, and it helps to define her work.
Known for her emotionally rich portraits exploring themes centring around Black identity, Caribbean diasporas and familial intimacy, Jorian’s images are anything but loud. They’re intimate, intentional and deeply rooted in community. Born just outside the city to Jamaican parents, her early life full of routine, but also marked by time spent outside, creating and imagining: “I spent my childhood attending a Christian school. Life was structured, familiar. I wouldn’t say I was sheltered, but there was definitely a strong routine to things,” she says. “What stands out the most is how much time I spent with friends riding bikes and making up games. The memories of my childhood continue to shape how I find peace and spark inspiration in my creative life today.”
After earning her Bachelor of Photography at Toronto’s Sheridan College, Jorian has steadily built a career at the forefront of Canada’s contemporary photo scene, with solo shows at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Gallery TPW and Cooper Cole, as well as being featured internationally in The New Black Vanguard.
Day to day, she balances the realities of freelance life with motherhood: shooting, editing, archiving, planning. “No two days look the same,” she says. “That’s the beauty and the challenge.” In Toronto, where she’s still based, inspiration often comes on foot – walking through neighbourhoods to location scout, or simply to reset. Sometimes she wanders without a plan, letting the city spark something unexpected. A shared meal with friends, a quick exchange on the street, a place she’s passed a hundred times suddenly catching the light differently – it’s in these moments that ideas begin to form.
Like her photography, Jorian’s version of Toronto is not about big statements. It’s lowkey and thoughtful, but full of character. It’s about what reveals itself when you take the time to really look. Here, she shares some of her go-to spots around the city: the places that inspire her, keep her connected and feel like home...
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO STAY... The Annex Hotel , near Seaton Village, is very stylish – and also in one of the best neighbourhoods for walking, coffee and soaking up creative energy. I also love Ode Hotel, on Dundas Street West. A beautifully curated space and Black-owned, which is important to me. It feels both luxurious and personal, like staying in someone’s home.
IF I’M NOT HANGING AT A FRIEND’S HOUSE, YOU’LL FIND ME EATING AT... Manita on Ossington Avenue. It’s my go-to for a fresh, diverse menu that works for almost everyone. It has great energy and is just perfect for a casual bite or brunch. Then I’m craving steak frites, Côte de Bœuf (also on Ossington) has that cosy French bistro vibe and consistently great food.
FOR TRADITIONAL JAMAICAN FOOD, I’LL HEAD TO... Albert’s Real Jamaican Foods on St Claire Avenue. It’s a classic. It’s been a staple in the city for years, full of flavour and always satisfying. It really feels like home-style cooking: warm, comforting, and made with care – my favourite dishes are their oxtail and curry goat. I also love Simone’s Caribbean Restaurant, a smaller, family-run spot with such heart. The food is always fresh, full of soul, and seasoned just right. The vibes are always welcoming. It’s the kind of place where you end up staying a little longer just to soak it all in.
YOU’LL ALWAYS FIND GREAT MUSIC AT... Listening Room – it’s a recurring event series hosted across the city by Davie Studios Inc., where musicians and music lovers gather to listen and vibe around iconic albums or themes, often inspired by the creative ethos of the Soulquarians [the experimental collective of Black music artists active during the late ’90s and early ’00s, with D’Angelo as one of its co-founders]. So if you’re into pure sound, intentional spaces and discovering new artists, this is where you want to be. Sounds Good, on Dundas Street West, is another gem for anyone who loves a good vinyl collection, low-key atmosphere, and community vibe. It’s less about spectacle and more about really experiencing music.
TAKE A WALK THROUGH... High Park – the biggest in the city, in the district of the same name. It’s a classic but also really beautiful in the fall. The Kensington Market area in Downtown is always a fun place to stroll, as there is a really great mix of vintage shops, jewellery stands and plenty of delicious snack options.
MY FAVOURITE CAFE STOPS ARE... Blackbird Baking Co., which is actually in Kensington Market – a staple for fresh sourdough. If you’re in search of good coffee, Office Coffee on Bathurst Street, Carbonic in Baldwin Village and Coffee by Joy on Sterling Road are all excellent.
THEN, FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE HARDER... Parkdale’s Tammy’s Wine Bar, 915 Dupont (that’s the address, too), Bar Bowie on Ossington Avenue and Cry Baby on Dundas Street West all are great drinking spots with a cosy vibe.
FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, HEAD TO...Cooper Cole Gallery on Dupont Street. It’s one of my favourite spots to see contemporary art. Cooper Cole consistently showcases bold, thought-provoking work by both emerging and established artists. It’s a space that captures the energy of Toronto’s art scene and I always leave feeling creatively recharged. Gallery TPW on St Helen’s Avenue is another spot I really love. It’s very community-driven and run by artists. There’s a focus on dialogue, experimentation and care. Very much a space for conversation and connection.
