At the end of May, I did a fashion shoot with dresses from Luxe Bridal Boutique. Well, today they officially opened their doors at 206 & 208 Dalhousie St.! Congratulations to Lisa and Madeleine, the two owners who first dreamed about and then worked tirelessly to bring some exclusive designer gowns to Ottawa in a very swank atmosphere that puts emphasis on the client experience. I can’t wait to hear what brides-to-be think about Ottawa’s newest bridal salon. The buzz is already starting with an appearance on A-Channel to discuss trends in bridal fashion and a feature on Bride Scouts blog that includes my images. Six of those images will be on display in the store – all printed on metallic paper and custom framed (LOVE the results!). It was so much fun and I hope we can do more in the future. I wish them great success and kinda wish I wasn’t married yet so I could try on some of their gorgeous dresses!
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
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.
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