Ottawa Photographer: New Blog...

I have decided to change formats for my blog. I will now be posting all of my current work at:

NEW BLOG

Make sure to change your bookmarks!!

Wedding...

When I started my photography business, I always said " I never want to shoot weddings!" Well, I eat my words!! Last season I was given the opportunity to assist on 15 weddings and this season, not only am I assisting - but I also have a few weddings of my own.

This past Saturday I had the extreme pleasure of shooting my nephew's wedding in Morrisburg. The day held out for them and turned out fantastic for their outdoor ceremony by the water. It was gorgeous and the day was filled with love and laughter!! Congratulations to Kevin and Emily - here is a sneak peek from your day - there are many more to come!

On Hiring a Photographer...

I found this on another photographers blog and just thought these sentiments were perfect:

#1: Shop for an artist, not an appliance.
Understanding the price points of dishwashers is relatively easy because all dishwashers wash dishes the same way. Differences in pricing are a matter of special features, brand names, warranties and the like. It’s easy to compare, assess, and choose based on your needs and budget.

It’s tempting to shop for a photographer the same way and compare package pricing. The problem is that no two photographers take pictures the same way or have the same point of view. Complicating matters further, no two studios offer the same kind of albums or extras and there are no baseline standards on pricing. So how do you know what you are really paying for?

It helps to think of photography as a creative service rather than a product. You’re not hiring a photographer but commissioning an artist. People buy art because its something they love and want to live with everyday. They pay no attention to the cost of the canvas, paints, or other materials that went into its physical making. Art pieces have intrinsic value based on the owner’s relationship to the piece and your wedding photography should be the same way. For example, an album that comes in a package is useless unless you love the photos that will go in it.

Look at your budget for photography and eliminate options outside of it (for now). Interview the contenders whose style and work you love. Let go of the “stuff.” Albums, etc. can always come later. In short, start with the art and come back to the price tag.

So what constitutes style? Look carefully at the work you are shown on a photographer’s website or in your first meeting. Do you like one picture, a handful of pictures, or all of what you see? If you love all of what you see (or pretty close to it), it’s likely that you really like that photographer’s style. Do you see yourself in their photos? Would you love to have photos like these of yourself adorning the walls of your home like art? If a particular photo stands out for you, ask the photographer to talk about it…why did he/she take it? You can learn a lot about a photographer’s point of view through conversations like this.

OK, by now you have interviewed a few select photographers whose style you love. While you may never be able to compare apples to apples, the value of each contender’s pricing should become more apparent after interviewing. Remember that a photographer is only worth the extra cost if you can identify what it is that sets them apart from their competition.

#2 You don’t have to be BFFs but you should like the guy/gal
Another relevant thought is that a dishwasher isn’t going to interact with you whereas a photographer will. Ask yourself, are you comfortable around this person? Would you enjoy having him/her/them around on such an important day? Do you know anyone who has worked with this photographer and were they happy with the job he/she/they did? Do you have any concerns that this person will do or say something inappropriate on your wedding day? Are you confident you would have a good experience working with this photographer?

Sometimes I hear a couple say that their friends got better pictures of them than their professional photographer did. When I ask whether or not they liked their photographer as a person, they shrug or say no. This just makes me sad because that photographer didn’t stand a chance: I know from experience how hard it is to get a good picture of someone who isn’t comfortable around you or doesn’t trust you completely. Of course their friends got better pictures!

#3: Don’t ask for the pictures you want, find the guy/gal who already takes them
Here’s a pitfall we have fallen into before. As photographers, we want to please our clients and fulfill special requests. But when asked to work outside of our regular style (i.e. take more close ups or fish eye shots, use a particular effect, recreate another photographer’s picture) our attempt to please may do more harm than good.

For example, a couple described a particular perspective of their ceremony that they saw another in another photographer’s studio and emphasized how important this shot was to them. I spent so much time during the ceremony making it happen despite lighting and physical limitations that I missed the shots I normally get… the ones I am really good at getting. I was trying to wear another photographer’s shoes and, in the process, stepped out of my own.

Love your photographer’s vision and trust it. If you don’t see what you want in the portfolio you are shown, keep looking until you find it.

The original article HERE

15 minutes...

So since the weather didn't want to co-operate today, the engagement session I had planned didn't last as long as I'd hoped. With all the cold, rain and wind - it wasn't much fun to hang out, but it did make for some good cuddling!! We still laughed and I can't wait to shoot their wedding in a couple of weeks!! Hopefully the weather will be better then!

Backyard Fun...

Yes - I made this family, dressed in white, roll around in the grass and dirt! And did they have fun? Of course they did - look at all those smiles!! Thanks so much to the C Family - it was a pleasure to meet you all! Enjoy your sneak peek:

Mr. E...

Isn't he the cutest?!! At 6 days old, when this guy was awake - he was so alert! It was an absolute pleasure to meet Mr. E! Enjoy your sneak peek:

Miss B...

Look how much fun I got to have this morning!! Miss B was wonderful and barely even fussed!!
Thanks so much Mom and Dad for all your patience!! Enjoy your sneak peek:

Storyboards...

I just love storyboards and the stories they create when photos are laid out in a series!! These look fabulous as framed 10x20 prints and can be hung together with other images in a wall display collection. You can check out other wall display idea's here:

Wall Display Collections

Go to the "Wall Display Options" gallery!

Peanut...

What a great way to spending a rainy Wednesday afternoon - with Miss R, or "Peanut" as she's known by her loving parents! She was a such a doll and definitely had her own posing idea's!! Here's a sneak peek:

Family...

I had such fun yesterday morning with a fantastic family! The weather was perfect and these kids were just wonderful - and cute to boot!! Here's a sneak peek:

Mr. T...

I couldn't ask for a better baby on a holiday Monday!! Mr T was so sweet and easy going - I didn't even get to see his eyes open until the end of the session! At just about 6lbs, he was small in size, but had lots of cuteness to spare!

Big Sister...

Look who's a big sister!!! I had such fun today meeting Miss E's new baby sister. It took awhile for some sleepy time - but our patience paid off! Enjoy your sneak peek Mom and Dad, there's more to come...