Frequently asked Questions
General
I’ve been a professional wedding photographer since 2011. Photography has always been a passion of mine, I started developing my skills in high school. I mostly shoot with digital cameras but have dabbled in film with my personal work.
I’m currently only taking on destination inquiries within Canada. Travel and accommodation fees will be charged at a flat rate. Please contact me with your wedding details and I will send you a customized quote!
Even though I don’t highlight it in my portfolio, I also shoot lifestyle portraits (family, maternity etc.) and small events. Check out my JOURNAL to see photos from these shoots!
Yes, I’m fully insured. All of my equipment is covered, and I also have liability insurance. A certificate can be provided for any venue/location that requires it.
Absolutely. My second shooters and I always bring at least two camera bodies, flash units, a variety of lenses, and multiple memory cards to every wedding. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, right? Rest assured, we’ll come prepared.
Unfortunately, I do neither. I like to concentrate on what I do best, which is photography! After you secure your booking, I will happily refer you to some awesome videographers or photo booth companies that I know of, or have worked with. They’re all pretty awesome people, but you’re not obligated to hire them.
booking
If you’re planning a wedding that is 6+ hours, I would recommend booking as soon as you’ve secured a venue and a wedding date! This is especially the case, if your date is during peak wedding season (May – October). If you’re planning a micro wedding (2-5 hours) that takes place on a weekend, bookings open 3 months in advance.
To be fair to all potential clients, I do not hold any dates until I receive a signed contract and a 50% retainer.
If you’ve inquired with me within the last 4 weeks, I will send you a quick email to let you know that I’ve received another inquiry with the same wedding date. I operate on a first-come, first served basis, so the date remains available until you or the other couple submits a retainer and signed contract. If it’s been over 4 weeks since you’ve last contacted me, I will assume that you’ve booked another photographer and will not notify you about other inquiries.
Retainers are non-refundable, because it is used to reserve my services for your wedding date. In the event of a cancellation, the retainer covers any losses I incurred by turning potential clients away.
As a responsible and law-abiding business owner, I’m unable to waive the tax for cash payments. I adhere to all applicable tax laws and regulations, which include accurately reporting and remitting the appropriate taxes on all transactions, regardless of the payment method.
planning
Engagement shoots are a great way for you to get to know me and my way of shooting. Think of it as a trial run for your wedding! I will give you tips and prompts so you’re captured in the most flattering way. I also highly recommend having a makeup trial on the same day as your engagement session. It’s a great way to see how your makeup will turn out in photos!
Gladly! I’ve had tons of experience reviewing wedding timelines, so I can definitely provide some recommendations. I also provide sample timelines to help you figure out how much time you really need! I’m more than happy to give you any suggestions that will help your wedding day run as smoothly as possible.
First, you should consider your standpoint on seeing each other before the ceremony. If you don’t mind, then go for it! First looks are a great opportunity for memorable photos! In relation to your timeline, First Looks work well because it allows us to shoot your portraits early on, while your make-up is still freshly applied. It will also allow you to seamlessly transition from the ceremony to the cocktails and reception. This way, you are free to mingle with your guests, instead of leaving them with a few hours of lull time while you are off to shoot your wedding portraits.
If you’re planning on having your portraits taken anywhere outside of your venue, then the answer is most likely yes. You will be responsible for acquiring and paying for any permits you need. Photography permits ensure that we are not interrupted or dismissed from any public or private premises when we’re shooting. The best practice is to always check with the city/venue well in advance to see if you need a permit. Popular locations book quickly and some permits are issued with time slots. Pricing for permits can range anywhere from $100-$500. For more information about permits, check out my post, 5 Things you need to know about Photo Permits
Yes, of course! I totally understand that your guests are eager to capture their own photos. The only concession I ask my clients to make, is to have everyone turn off their flash and stay in their seats during the Ceremony. This is when there are a lot of moments that we cannot redo! If one of your guests unknowingly obstructs my shot, the resulting photo may be irreparable.
travel & mileage
If the location is over 2 hours drive (one-way) from Mississauga, and photography is expected to start early or will end very late, I will require reasonable overnight accommodation that will be charged at a flat rate. Generally speaking, if your wedding takes place within the GTA, I won’t need hotel accommodation. But if these extra fees apply to you, I will notify you well in advance.
All clients have a 120km round-trip mileage allowance, and no location limit. Before your wedding day, I will map out a route from one location to the next, starting with my location in Mississauga and ending with a trip back to my place at the end of the day. If the total route does not exceed 120km, you will not be charged extra. Any travel over the mileage allowance will be charged at $1.00/km.
turnover & deliverables
I do not provide RAWs or unedited photos. All of the photos you receive will be high-resolution, post-processed JPG files.
Yes! Every single one is post-processed and lightly retouched for minor blemishes. I do not give out unedited photos, because I consider that an unfinished product.
Yes, about 5 to 10% of your photos will be in black and white. Generally speaking, I create black and white photos to highlight the subject and remove any distractions. If you do not like black and white photos, please let me know before your shoot or wedding date and I will avoid making black & white edits as much as possible.
None of the photos you receive will be watermarked! You’re more than welcome to make your own prints, or use your photos for any purpose, as long as it’s non-commercial (eg. submitting to a publication, use in advertising etc.). If your vendors or venue(s) ask you to send them photos, please do not send the photos yourself. Tell them to contact me and I will handle it for you!
The complete collection of digital negatives should be available about 8-12 weeks after your wedding date, and about 4-6 weeks after the session date for portraits. All of the photos you receive will be digitally post-processed and colour corrected, so this takes a bit of time!
Clients are responsible for selecting the photos that will be included in the Photobook. Once you have made your selections, I will complete the first draft within 2-4 weeks. Once the Photobook is finalized, production time is 4-6 weeks (depending on the season) plus extra time for delivery from the US.