Frequently Asked Questions
General
Weddings
Where are you located?
I am based out of Newmarket, Ontario, however I do travel all over Southern Ontario for wedding commissions.
Do you have any clothing suggestions?
Clothing is very important in a photograph. I recommend wearing layers as much as possible to add interest and texture. I also recommend clothing with texture, such as chunky sweaters, clothing with ruffles, buttons, ribbon, embroidery, anything that has a grit to it.
Feel free to bring a couple changes of clothing to the session. If you and/or your child is up for it, we can change as many times as you like. Accessories are my favorite accent to a photograph. Hats, scarves, fun necklaces, funky boots, tights, etc. really can make a photograph more interesting.
Choosing clothing for a family session can be really stressful. Try picking a few colors and sticking to them for the entire family. Jeans are always a good choice and you can pair them with coordinating colors. Sometimes matching too much can look cheesy, so try to keep each person a little unique but staying within the color scheme.
Very Important!! Bring chapstick! No one wants chapped lips in their pictures!
High School Seniors: Please bring clothing that fits your personality and that you feel comfortable in. As I said above, I recommend layering clothing to add interest. Anything with lots of colour and texture photographs really well. I usually ask to stay away from pastels and white, as they don't photograph as well outdoors.
How long will it be until I can view my proofs?
For a 1-hour session, your private online gallery will be available within 2 weeks. Processing times can vary depending on the season.
Times for events vary depending on the length of event. Weddings usually are anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the time of year.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, cheques, email money transfers and Paypal. Paypal payments are subject to a 4% handling fee.
Why hire a professional photographer?
Your wedding is the most important day of your life, and your images are the only
memory you will have that will live on forever. The dress will go into the closet,
the flowers will die, and the food will get eaten, but you will have photos of
all these things to help you remember all the little details for years to come.
While digital cameras are everywhere, and everyone seems to dabble a bit in photography
these days (some people call themselves “photographers” well before they should)
, you want to make sure you can trust the person you hire to not miss all those
important details. There are no "do-overs" when it comes to wedding
photos. A professional photographer will have the experience to help you plan
your timeline for the day, and will know how long it takes to photograph everything
from the bride getting ready, all the way through to the dinner and speeches.
Professionals know how to work with all lighting and weather conditions and will
make your day go smoothly. Professionals also have back-up equipment in case something
malfunctions. While your friend or uncle may have a great camera and love to take
photos, the most common regret I hear from people is they “wished they had hired
a professional photographer”.
How do we know if you’re the right photographer for us?
It is definitely important to do your research! Every photographer has a different
style, and you need to find one that you not only LOVE, but also one that you
feel comfortable with. You will spend more time with your wedding photographer
than any other vendor, so you want to make sure that you not only love their work
and style of photography, but also get along with their personality. I would recommend
narrowing your selections down to 3 photographers whose style you just adore,
and meet with them in person. Talk to them about your wedding day, ask any questions
you have, ask for their suggestions on how to make your wedding day flow as smooth
as possible, and ask about their experience.
How many years of experience do you have?
I started photographing people professionally in 2007, and started doing weddings in 2009.
How many weddings to you photograph per year?
Generally, I photograph about 10 weddings per year. I limit the number of weddings
I do per year, so that I can give each couple my undivided attention.
What would you say are the most important wedding photos to have?
See my blog post about that here!
Do you recommend we have an engagement session?
I always recommend having an engagement session (with the same photographer who
will be photographing your wedding), for several reasons. First, this time allows
you both to get comfortable in front of the camera. You can also figure out how
you and your wedding photographer work best together. (It's almost like a trial-run
before the big day!). Next, you can create some fun photos in a casual setting,
which you can use for your save the date cards, wedding guest book, and some people
even use these images on their wedding invitations. Engagement portraits also add another dimension to your wedding albums, chronicling your story from being engaged to becoming husband and wife. Best of all, you can remember the special time when it was just the two of you together.
Can we meet with you to talk about our wedding and see if we’re a good fit?
Absolutely, I would love to! Use the contact page and we will arrange a day and time! I like to meet with couples at a nearby coffeeshop to go over their plans for the big day, and also to show some product samples.
We do not live locally. Can we book you without meeting up in-person? Can we talk over Skype/Phone?
I have had many couples book me after only emailing back and forth, or chatting
on the phone. I have no problem with this! While I would love to meet all my couples
beforehand, I understand that sometimes that just isn't possible. If you would
like to chat over the phone or via Skype, I would be happy to arrange a day and
time with you.
How much do you charge for weddings?
Every wedding is different, and every couple have different needs/wants. I have
a few packages available (starting at $1,600), but if none of those are suitable,
you also have the option of building your own wedding package from the A La Carte
menu. Please contact me via the wedding
inquiry page for more information!
We are ready to book! What's the next step?
I only require two things to book your date: a $1,000 non-refundable retainer,
along with a signed contract. The contract can be signed online digitally, or
by actually putting pen-to-paper ;)
I only want digital files. Is this possible?
Sure! All of my wedding packages come with a USB drive of full-resolution JPG files that you can print at any lab, and share with family and friends.
What if I want two photographers at my wedding?
You can add a second photographer to any wedding package at a rate of $100/hr. (1 hour minimum)
Do you offer “full day" or "unlimited coverage”?
My "unlimited" coverage starts with the bride getting ready, and ends 1 hour after the bride and groom are announced into the reception. Hourly reception coverage can be added on.
How long will it be until we will get our photos?
Depending on my workload, couples usually have their photos anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks.
Do you photograph destination weddings?
Once or twice a year, I will take on a destination wedding. I would especially love to photograph a wedding in the mountains in Alberta or British Columbia!
Tell me about your travel fees. When do they apply, and how much are they?
Travel fees apply when the wedding venue is over an hour's drive from Newmarket. Travel fees are $0.58/km.
Do you offer a photobooth rental?
At the present time I do not offer any photobooth services. However, I can recommend a fantastic photobooth company that I have worked with in the past! (Just ask!)
Do you do video as well?
At the present time I do not offer any video services. However, I can recommend a few incredible videographers that I know! (Just ask!)
Do you do offer discounts of winter/off-season weddings?
I do not, for the simple reason that the same amount of time, effort, creativity
and talent goes into photographing and editing every wedding, regardless of what
day of the week, or time of year it is.
Do you have vendors that you can recommend to me?
Yes, I have worked with many talented people over the years, and I would be happy to recomend any vendors you are looking for.
How much time do we need for photos after the ceremony?
If you decide not to do a First
Look, I would recommend planning for about at least 2 hours of photos after the ceremony. This will allow time to for your important family photos, images with your wedding party and, of course, the newly married couple! The more time we have, the more photos we can create, and the more time we have to be creative.
If you are planning on doing a First
Look, we can complete most, if not all, of the photos before the ceremony, allowing the newlyweds to immediately socialize with guests, and go straight to the party!
Should we do a "First Look"?
The decision to do a "First Look" before the ceremony is completely up to you! There are pros and cons to both decisions. Click here to see my blog post about First Looks.
Do you have any tips on how to prepare for our wedding day and/or photos?
I definitely do! Once you have booked with me, I will follow up with a little package of tips and lists to help you plan for your wedding day.