It’s such an honour for me to be asked to capture the most amazing moments in someone’s life. Whether it’s a wedding, the wonder of pregnancy or falling completely, head-over-heals in love with a new baby, being able to freeze moments in time so when there are tougher days ahead in your marriage or battling toddler tantrums, you can look at the images and feel the same wave of love of you felt then and get strength from it – that to me is a priceless gift and the power of amazing photography. I recently had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful mom-to-be and a few weeks later, her beautiful baby girl. Here are some images from both sessions.
After checking out the Wed By Hand event here in Ottawa last Saturday and meeting some great vendors, I was happy to see a wedding show that didn’t try to see overwhelm future brides and grooms with an endless array of choices. I remember planning my own wedding – this was before I became a professional photographer myself but having a background in film and being an avid hobbyist, I knew photography was one the most important things for me. That and having great food and a good dj so people would have the best time (and they did)! I was definitely a little overwhelmed and gave my husband the task of securing those 3 key elements (he did a great job so don’t worry ladies, it’s ok to get your fiancés to do some of the work). The first one was easy, Storey Wilkins happened to be a good family friend with a cottage near my husband’s in the Kawartha Lakes and had become a wedding photographer a few years earlier. She is now considered one of the top wedding photographers in Canada. After seeing and loving her work, she in fact inspired me to launch my business. I was even lucky enough to shoot several weddings along side her so I would be comfortable enough to go out on my own. Thanks Storey!
And now here I am on the other side, listening to brides and grooms who seem to want awesome photography for a rock bottom price AND own all the digital negatives at the end of the day. Trust me, I know how expensive a wedding can be and how desperately you want to cut a few corners to bring the overall cost down but I just don’t think photography is the place to do that. It will be your only lasting visual reminder of your day and frankly, if you are spending a good chunk of change on your wedding, you want professional artwork to remember it by and not just settle for snapshots.
I don’t think many people know what it takes to shoot and edit a wedding and create a beautiful album. I have spent up to 12 hours on the day of a wedding then more than 40 hours editing and laying out an album, making revisions, etc… As a professional, I value my time as an expert and an artist. I want to work with clients who value my work as well and don’t just see me as another line in their budget. Yes there are ‘weekend warriors’ out there who offer their time and all the files for ridiculous prices, but I can almost guarantee they aren’t making any money and the quality is not nearly as good since they are still working other jobs that are allowing them to pursue this as a hobby. Professionals are constantly working to improve their craft through workshops, forums, conferences and competitions, as well as investing in top of the line equipment and software and using professional labs and suppliers that really produce a far superior product than any online or in store photo lab.
I also know so many people who just got the files and didn’t do anything with their images for well over a year! The advantage of having someone else create an album for you is that a) it actually gets done and b) a good photographer is building a story when choosing which moments and details to capture. How is someone else expected to sift through hundreds of images and figure out the best way to tell it? It would be like asking a bakery to give you all the ingredients and you would then have to make your own wedding cake. I can guarantee it won’t be nearly as nice or taste as good as it would be if you let a professional do their job. And if you really, truly cannot afford a professional, find someone who is striving to be one, whether a student or someone looking to build their portfolio. Help them out by showing them the style of photography you love and I’m sure they will do their very best. And you never know, you just might be hiring the next rising star!
I hope this helps educate engaged couples about the value of hiring a professional and doesn’t come across as a rant. I just want brides and grooms to be left with nothing but the best memories from their wedding day. Don’t just take it from me, here is a blog post I came across where a bride DID choose a cheap photographer and regrets it.
Ok, so now that you know WHY it’s better to hire pro, HOW do you choose? Well, a portfolio is a good indication of their skill but the best way would be to meet face to face and see if not just their style but their personality and philosophy fits with yours. The last thing you want is someone you don’t click with because you just won’t get the same results as you would with someone who totally puts you at ease.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Your Ottawa and Kawartha Lakes Wedding Photographer,
Vanessa
Metro News has teamed up with a great new website called GigPark. This is a place where anyone can recommend a business whose services they really like. What great concept – especially for small businesses that rely heavily on word of mouth! I really hope it takes off and Metro is doing a great job of making that happen by allowing readers to vote for their favourite business in a specific trade each week. This week it was for Graphic Designers and I was so pleased to see my name on the list! A special thanks goes out to everyone who recommended me! Next week: caterers! Know a great Ottawa caterer? Help them out by recommending them today!
Love is in the air! Although my husband isn’t the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day, he still got me a card and took me out to dinner because he knows that I like Valentine’s Day and I think it’s important to let your partner know how much they mean to you. I hope there are others who love Valentine’s Day too and some that even turned the holiday into a memorable event by proposing to your loved one. If so, CONGRATULATIONS!
So for all those who recently got engaged either on Valentine’s Day itself or even if your engagement is not so recent but you are now in the planning stages, I want to offer you a great bonus if you choose me to photograph your wedding. I still have dates available in 2010 and am also booking ahead in 2011. If you book your wedding with me before the end of March 2010, you will receive a free 16 x 20 gallery wrap (valued at $390) regardless of which package you choose. A gallery wrap is an image printed on canvas and stretched on a frame the way most paintings are, so you end up with a real work of art ready to hang on your wall. A wonderful way to remember your special day every time you look at it.
I look forward to hearing from you and being a part of the creation of your wedding story.
Last Friday, I talked about some free service for new parents that really helped me out when my son was really young. Today I thought I’d let you know about some fun activities to get you out of the house and out of the malls during the winter. Of course, right now Winterlude is on so that is a MUST. Even if it’s with baby in a backpack to check out the sculptures and have a Beaver Tail. With Family Day weekend coming up it may be a bit crowded but it’s kind of fun to be among crowds again after being couped up all winter either at home or the office.
As a new parent, if you are mourning the loss of your date nights and miss going to the movies, you can go on a date with your baby to either Movies for Mommies or Stars and Strollers. The sound is turned down so as not to upset tender eardrums and the lights are left dimmed so you can still see around you. They have stroller parking and changing supplies and sometimes free baby food samples and other goodies. Best of all, no one will glare at you if your baby start hollering or if you need to breastfeed or walk up and down the aisle if your little one wants to stay on the move.
Want something a little more active? My son loves the water so check out the City of Ottawa’s recreation guide for information on swimming lessons and public swim schedules. Trips to museums and the National Gallery of Canada (free admission for children 12 and under) are great when baby is still happy in the stroller.
When they get a little older they’ll have fun exploring things on their own. The Canadian Children’s Museum is fantastic. Another fun one is the Canadian Museum of Nature. Did you know it’s free on Saturday mornings! Bonus! The Aviation Museum has a play room full of toys for kids and who doesn’t love the crazy kitchen in the Canada Science and Technology Museum. My son also loves all the big steam engines there. Once the weather warms up, bring them to see farm animals at the Canada Agriculture Museum and they can see for themselves what goes Moo.
Finally, I recently took my son to Cosmic Adventures and he was a little scared with the big kids playing tag and practically running on top of him so I’d recommend the upstairs section for ages 3 and under the first time you go. Careful! I heard kids get addicted to this place and it isn’t all that cheap!
Did I miss anything? Please tell me about anything other great activities in the Ottawa area. I’ve never taken my son to Gymboree or Star Gymnastics or some of the music classes I know are out there so I’d love to know what you thought of their programs.
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