Beautiful Jackson Park was the setting for this very active family photo shoot. With a touch of fall in the air, the family nicely coordinated their outfits and brought along some yellow flowers making a great accent to their photos. While we did get some posed photos, the majority were candids - those of the kids having fun, playing and interacting together. I love how this family was so relaxed and laid back. 

This is one of the most common questions every couple has when choosing a wedding package.  There are so many options - 4 hours, 8 hours, 10 hours, 1/2 day coverage, full day coverage, all day coverage, etc.  But, what does it all mean?  What's the difference between full day and all day coverage?  This seemingly simple question can quickly become complicated and is impossible to answer with a cookie cutter approach because every every couple and every wedding has unique needs.

​When it comes to photography coverage, we must first understand that it's "continuous" coverage.  Unless special arrangements have been made with your photographer, they aren't going to photograph your wedding in stages.  For example, if you choose an 8 hour package, they aren't going to provide photography from 12pm - 4pm, break from 4pm - 7pm, and then resume coverage from 7pm - 11pm.  
If your photographer's packages specifically indicate the hours of coverage, it's easy to see exactly what you're getting.  An 8 hour package will provide 8 hour of coverage.  However, what does it mean when your photographer uses terms like "1/2 day coverage" or "full day coverage?"  The best piece of advice I can give you is don't assume anything!  These terms usually differ between photographers.  Some consider full day coverage to be 8 hours, while others consider it to be 12.  It's very vague, but "all day" coverage makes you feel like you're getting more, right?  

When it comes the wedding day, there are a lot of moving parts and many elements that need to be photographed.  

Getting Ready
Obviously, this is the part of the day when hair and makeup is being done.  Generally speaking, you're hanging out with your bridal party and a few family members.  You might even enjoy a couple cocktails.  This is usually a fairly relaxed part of the day as you enjoy some quality time with people you deeply care about.  
I would recommend your photographer arrives early enough to capture some photos of hair and makeup (especially the bride), details (dress, rings, shoes, etc.), post-ceremony first look (if applicable), and bridal portraits.  This will likely require approx 2 hours depending on your specific timeline. 
Photographers's Perspective:  The getting ready part of the wedding day results in photographs that many couples really appreciate.  It's common for gifts to be exchanged during this part of the day and the photos often capture some truly heartfelt moments. This is also the part of the day where we capture those creative photographs of your details (wedding dress, rings, shoes, etc.).  After you've finished getting ready, it also includes time for those beautiful bridal portraits.  All of these images combine to add another layer to the storytelling value of your wedding celebration.

The First Look and Bride/Groom Formals
The first look is when you and your partner see each other for the first time on your wedding day.  Traditionally speaking, this happens at the ceremony.  However, many couples now elect to have a pre-ceremony first look because it offers several unique advantages compared to the traditional setting.  One benefit that most couples love, is gaining additional time at their wedding reception to be engaging with their guests.  After the first look photos, we usually steal you away for some unique shots of just the two of you.  Allow for at least an hour.
Photographer's Perspective:  Unless you absolutely insist on sticking with a traditional first look, I strongly recommend you consider having a pre-ceremony first look.  

The Ceremony
The ceremony is pretty self explanatory - this is what your wedding is all about.  The moment you and your partner vow to share the rest of your lives as one.  
Photographer's Perspective: Your ceremony is the main event and the moments that come with the ceremony are very unique.  One recommendation every couple should consider is having an "unplugged wedding."  An unplugged wedding does not allow guests to take pictures or video during the ceremony.  I can't tell you how many wedding photographs have been destroyed by a flash from a camera phone or a guest jumping in front of a photographer to take a blurry cell phone picture.  Even if everyone remains seated, your ceremony photos will be filled with arms and hands raised in the air trying to capture that award winning photo and it really degrades the images from this special moment.  ​

Post-Ceremony Photographs
Again, traditionally speaking, following the wedding ceremony is when the photographs of the wedding party, families, and the creative portrait session of you and your partner are captured.  These photos usually taken between 2-3 hours depending on the size of your families and wedding party.
Photographer's Perspective: If you elect the traditional first look (at the ceremony), you will want to allocate at least 2 hours for post-ceremony photographs.  If you do a pre-ceremony first look, you can allocate 1 - 1 1/2 hours. ​

The Reception
Now it's time to celebrate your marriage and party!  Typically, your wedding reception with include various events that you'll want photographed - wedding party introductions, first dances, toasts, cake cutting, and those fun dance photos of guests whooping it up on the dance floor.  
Your reception will be a set amount of time - usually 5 hours.  However, like the getting ready part of the day, you don't need to have your photographer there for all 5 hours.  You can generally stop coverage 30-60 minutes before your reception end time and capture all of the important moments including images of guests dancing.  ​
Photographer's Perspective:  When creating your wedding day timeline, don't forget to include 20-30 minutes in your reception for your "sneak away" mini-session.  This is the time we go outside to capture some of those dramatic night images such as sparklers!  ​

ADDING IT ALL UP
​Getting Ready:  2 hours
First Look:  1 hour
Ceremony: 1/2 to 3/4 hour
Post-Ceremony:  1-3 hours (depending on when you have your first look)
Reception:  4-5 hours
TOTAL TIME:  8 - 12 HOURS
WHAT OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCE THE TIME YOU'LL NEED FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
As we just discovered, it's going to generally take between 8-12 hours to photograph a wedding.  However, there are some other factors that can influence the amount of time you'll need as well.

• How big is your wedding party? 
• How large are your families?
• How many locations will be required for photos?  (i.e. is ceremony at church or reception site?)
• Do you need to allocate time for driving?  (ceremony site to reception site?)

Obviously, the size of your wedding party and families will significantly impact how much time is needed to complete the photos.  The time frames provided in this article account for the "average" wedding party size (3 bridal party members for each side) and average sized families (parents, 1-2 siblings, and grandparents).  

I was so privileged to photograph this wedding at the beautiful location of Ken Reid Conservation area just north of Lindsay, Ontario. The weather was hot and sunny. Lindsay and Matt tied the knot under the shade of a picnic shelter with a select few of their family and closest friends. Afterwards, we went into the cool shade of the "enchanted" forest of Ken Reid Conservation area. Afterwards the wedding party met up with their friends and family at the Pie Eyed Monk in Lindsay. Such a beautiful venue. 

1. Set the Scene for your Engagement Photos
Location, location, location. Before you go to your neighborhood park for your engagement photos, consider what really inspires the two of you and look for a place that reflects that. If you’re into camping, you could drive up north for some awesome hiking pics. If exploring new trendy restaurants in town is more your thing, you could book a table for two at a newly opened bar and have me take sweet, candid photos in that space.
The key here is to set the scene for your engagement photos. I really loved how Erin and Jesse opted for an engagement session at the place they met - a local pub in Peterborough, Ontario. Don’t be afraid to do something out of the ordinary. 

​ 2. Wear Something you’re Comfortable In
It’s true that what you wear has great influence on your mood, and in the way you walk and feel. While it’s only natural for you to want to look fantastic in photos, wearing something you’re actually comfortable is key. The last thing you want to worry about is trying to cover up your clothes or adjusting them if they are too tight or too clingy. Choose something that makes you feel like YOU! Something that goes with your personalities, it will certainly come across in photos! For this session, Maxine and Dale wanted their engagement photos to show their favourite thing to do together - biking. They dressed comfortably and brought along their motorcycle jackets for a quick wardrobe change and a new look. 

​ 4. Come Up with an Activity
It’s easier to forget that there’s a camera around when you have something to do. Go for a walk around the neighborhood, play your favorite table games, prepare breakfast or even go apple picking! I love it when engagement photos are full of natural movement, spontaneous laughter, and genuine emotions. Nothing makes it easier to achieve that kind of candidness when you come up with some sort of activity! It also helps to bring out the best in you: your sincere laughter, loving gazes, and playfulness, everything you do that shows off the connection between the two of you. Cass and Don had their session at the old Roseneath Carousel near Peterborough. Such and fun shoot. 

5. Bring a Prop to Change Things Up
Whether it’s a picnic basket or a cozy blanket, bringing props along to your engagement shoot instantly adds an element of storytelling to your photos. Consider including props that complement your shoot’s color scheme. Here the brown picnic basket adds to the fall theme of Aaron and Elizabeth's engagement shoot.

6. When in Doubt, Kiss!
Where do we put our hands? Which way do we look? These are some of the most frequently asked questions I hear during the engagement shoot. My tried and true tip to help you loosen up in front of the camera is to go in for a kiss! It’s a great way to help you connect with your partner and bring your focus back to each other. After all, this is what your engagement photos are all about, right?

Beautiful Ken Reid Park just north of Lindsay, Ontario was the location for this engagement session. We chose a later afternoon session so we could take advantage of the lower sun angles. This beautiful couple will be getting married there very soon!  It's such a spectacular spot that we can't wait to shoot their wedding. 

This backyard wedding nestled in the beautiful hills of Millbrook, Ontario was gorgeous. Matt and Holly had put alot of time and effort into their intimate ceremony and reception. They looked stunning and the love from their family and friends was evident. I was honoured to be a part of their celebration. 

Although you might think it’s a good idea, I and many other professional photographers recommend that brides don’t spray tan before your wedding or engagement session! As a photographer, I see so many orange or overly tan brides in wedding photos. It looks way more flattering if the bride either embraces her natural skin tone or has just a hint of a tan from the sun. Given that we spend much more time analyzing images and editing them, we often know better than spray tan artists how the tans look on camera. ​

Cameras pick up red and orange more than the eye does in-person, so when a bride has a spray tan, she rarely has a pleasing skin tone in the final images. Even if the tan looks nice in-person, without fail it will always be very obvious in photos that it isn’t a natural skin tone. While I always do my best to correct for this in editing within the hired scope of my work, the end result can still be that the bride is more orange than everyone else in the wedding party. Whether my bride used a professional or DIY tan, it almost always looks very apparent in the final images. Natural skin tones photograph most beautifully. 

If your bridesmaids have not been tanning, you getting a spray tan creates a huge difference between the natural and orange skin tones in your photos: the bride will tend to look very tan (and often brown or orange) and, as a result, the bridesmaids will look much paler than they truly are. The same applies to a groom who has not been tanning. It is a very harsh difference between the spray tanned and not spray tanned group of people. ​

When we have professional photos taken, there’s usually a driving cause behind it…an engagement, a wedding, a family reunion, etc.
But there is one milestone that is such an incredibly special time in our lives that calls for a professional photo session to commemorate you. This is your university or college graduation. Right after finishing College or University, we are at such a unique time in our lives, emotionally and physically. In a way we are at one of our peaks in life, having just completed years of education, navigated our young adolescence, and just begun to get a sense of who we are and where we fit in the world. We’ve changed drastically since the last time we were photographed, which was likely high school graduation, and there’s some time until the next large life event which is usually getting married.

 It's important to capture this beautiful time in your life. You’ve grown into yourself tremendously since high school and will continue to change so much. You are just on the cusp of adulthood, which is a small window of time that will be so fun to look back on in 10, 20, and 30 plus years. This is an opportunity to document who you’ve become and the idea of who you will be. We will custom design your session to fit you, and capture you in a way you’ll love. These images will serve you not only professionally, but personally. Our photography session will be at either Fleming College or Trent University, depending where you are graduating. We use the natural environment to capture you in. Friends and family are more than welcome in your photos. After all, they are celebrating with you!

Every couple imagines the weather on their wedding day will be perfect: 25 degrees, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. But what if it isn’t? It’s best to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way, be it rain, sleet, snow or shine. After all, you can’t control the weather no matter how hard you try. So, if you’re confronted with an off-weather day, don’t let it make you feel, well, off. Here are some tips and tricks to help make sure your backup plan is just as good as the original!

​Talk to your venue.  Before you book a venue, find out what their Plan B offerings are. Do they have an indoor space available? Do they provide tents or some other type of temporary structure? While you were probably drawn to the venue for its primary spaces, you want to understand what you’ll get if the weather doesn’t cooperate. If the backup options are not what you want (or there isn’t one), you may want to consider another venue or figure out if you can bring your own backup.

Secure a tent. If you’ve fallen in love with an outdoor venue that doesn’t have an adequate contingency plan, find a solution for yourself. Some venues won’t provide you with tents, cooling units, or heaters themselves but will allow you to bring those items in through properly vetted outside vendors. Ask your venue what the rules are and if they have any recommendations of places to contact. Research local tent companies and put a hold on a tent just in case; it will be worth EVERY penny if you wake up on your wedding day to bad weather. Even if you don’t end up using the tent, if it relieved any of your weather-related worries, it’s money well spent.

Give yourself time. Don’t wait until the week of the wedding to figure out what you’re going to do if bad weather strikes. Even contingency plans take time to pull together. You’ll want several weeks (if not months) to be able to think things through and make sure you’re covering all your bases, whether you end up putting the plan into action or not. Make sure to get your backup plan in place well before your wedding date shows up on that ten-day forecast on the weather app on your phone to avoid any unnecessary last-minute stress. Hopefully you won’t have to implement the contingency plan, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
​
Write it down. To be able to pull off your backup plan without a hitch, everyone involved needs to be on the same page. Sit down and write out a step-by-step call to action for your big day backup plan. Get your venue and your wedding planner (if you have one) in on the brainstorming session so that you don’t overlook any little detail. Once the contingency plan is set, pass it out to all your vendors and any guests of honor that need to be prepared for last-minute changes in travel time and setup arrangements. Include alternative directions and timelines.

Be prepared for all kinds of weather. While rain is typically what couples are worried about, it isn’t the only weather condition that should be on your radar. Think through every scenario, from an extreme heat wave to an unexpected snow storm, and ask your venue what options are available to you. Will they supply fans or cooling units if there’s a heat wave? Do they have a generator to counteract any power outages? Will they clear the snow around the venue so your guests can make their way inside? All of these questions are important to have an answer to before you sign a contract. Don’t leave anything to chance!
​
Prepare your guests. If you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, make sure you let your guests know what they’re up against. Consider including a note on your wedding website (or include a “rain card” in your invitation suite) that tells your guests that you’re hoping to be able to have your ceremony, cocktail hour or reception (or maybe all three!) outside. Remind them to dress appropriately for the weather so they can pack their bags accordingly. The more your guests know ahead of time, the happier they’ll be. And if your guests are happy, you’ll probably feel better about taking the alternative course of action on the big day.

Some photos from the first day of our Easter Mini Photo Sessions!  In the weeks leading up to our sessions, I was busy brainstorming ideas for our two day event and creating our sets. Oh! The FUN we had planning these sessions!! Our set is decorated with a real rustic picket fence, lots of flowers and Easter themed props to match.  We found some really cute signs and accessories from one of our favourite stores, Michaels.  But our mini sessions would not have been complete without a real, live baby chicks. The chicks are on loan from Woolley Wonderland's Critter Visits.  I picked up the chicks at their farm in Lakehurst, just north of Peterborough. They had just been hatched!  We keep them in a warm location with a heat lamp, and the children love looking at them. After the children have had their Easter photos taken, we allow them to hold one or two chicks. If the kids are really little, then we put the chicks in a small basket. We have never had any of our chicks hurt and we watch the children carefully, making sure they are comfortable and gentle with the chicks. We provide hand sanitizer and a bathroom to wash up in afterwards. With a few pooping accidents here and there, I was lucky to have my gentle animal handler, and partner, Jenn, close by to assist in clean up while I photographed our adorable little clients.  My favourite moments were capturing each child interact with these beautiful creatures.  I was just thrilled to have been able to include them. I will be honest though, it will be hard to return our little chicks to their farm home next weekend, after our sessions are over.  Thank you to all the families who visited us this past weekend. Some even travelled to Peterborough from Lindsay and Cobourg. We are looking forward to our second sessions next weekend and meeting some awesome people as well as welcoming back friends who have visited in the past! I’m truly honoured you’ve chosen Jenn and myself (Cathy) to capture these special moments of your children.

Every once in a while I have a couples ask if I can make them a custom collection, without a 2nd shooter. I understand where they are coming from – many couples are opting for more simplistic weddings and don’t feel they really need to pay for TWO professional photographers to cover everything. And while I understand, I strongly emphasize that they should consider two (at least for part of the time) for the reasons listed below.
​
1. I can capture more real moments when I’m working with a 2nd shooter. For example – during your ceremony I’ll likely have our second shooter stay in the back...meanwhile, I will sneak quietly around the sides, zooming in on your faces while you say your vows, your family’s faces to catch any of their emotion, etc.  

 5. A fresh set of eyes means you’ll have more photos AND more creative photos. Every photographer captures things from their unique perspective. I also ask the second shooters I work with to purposely use different lenses and angles when shooting. Having two photographers is the best way to ensure we’re providing complete coverage of your wedding day!

6. Having a second shooter allows me the flexibility to take a breather and drink of water when I need to. And yes, this affects the quality of your photos! There is so much going on during a wedding day, that having somebody to back me up really becomes a game changer. I’m definitely more creative when I’m hydrated and have someone to help with my gear, ideas, and staying on schedule. Just sayin’ : )
​

Wow...seems like we just did our Christmas Sessions and now we are planning our EASTER Sessions! We are so excited to have 6 BABY CHICKS this year! Last year the ducklings proved very popular, and we anticipate the baby chicks will as well. They are so cute and cuddly! We are so excited to see how all the kids react! Our sessions usually last for 20-25 minutes and we offer 10-12 (sometimes more if kids are great and keep giving us those precious poses) downloadable images. Parents are welcome too! Last year we booked up fast as these sessions are so popular. We encourage our clients to book soon, to avoid disappointment.  We try to fit everyone in, but there are limited time spots available each day. If there are inquiries for other days, we will open up some additional spots on other days.  We wish everyone a very Happy Easter this year! 

This little girl took her time arriving into the world. Who can blame her? We've had a really cold and snowy winter. She kept us all waiting and waiting but we were so happy to finally get to meet her. She slept through most of her newborn photo session. Welcome to the world little Noah. Here she is with her big sister Sophia. 

Who says that weddings have to be in warmer weather? This lovely couple opted for a unique winter wedding. The day was crisp, with the sun shining brightly.  Just a perfect winter day to spend with your family and friends as they tied the knot. The ceremony was held at a beautiful church in Keene, Ontario. There was lots of natural light flowing into the church and the balcony offered a great perspective of the ceremony.

​The groom's gift to his groomsmen were personalized axes - a unique idea. Sprigs of fern and pine cones made up the bouquet and corsages. 

The grandmother's of both the bride and groom were the flower girls. Such a lovely and touching gesture.

After a lovely meal the bride and groom had their first dance. And, before the evening ended, we made time for some great sparkler photos on the bridge of the Peterborough Navy Association. We love this bridge. It lends a unique setting for sparklers.

It’s cold. I know. But clean, white snow is actually quite perfect for portraits! But the big question I often get is: “What should we wear?!”.
Here are some ideas I recommend to clients when it comes to wardrobe:

1. Avoid too much white, gray, or beige. These neutrals might be lovely for summer, but in the winter neutrals might make you blend into the surroundings a bit. If you have a white sweater you love, pair it with a bright scarf, bold necklace, colored jeans.
2. Layer it up! When you have your basic outfit picked out that makes you feel pretty and comfortable in, layer it up! The more layers you add the better. Throw on a scarf, wear a cute hat and mitts. Tall boots, legwarmers? Add some jewelry and you'll look really really good. Try and go for one bold and colourful item (i.e. your scarf) and use that colour to match an item your partner will wear.  
3. Don’t wear heels. This seems obvious, but unless we are shooting in a downtown setting with really clean sidewalks, heels + snow/ice is not a good combo. Boots with a slightly thick heel might work, but stay away from the stilettos!
4. It’s okay to dress warm! Mittens, scarves, bomber hats, Bean boots… they aren’t frumpy, they are CUTE! Bring at least one “warm” outfit – this will be the outfit I photograph you in last (because by the end of the session, you will be cold).
5. What about your partner? OK, so now you are looking your best, but what about your partner? What is he going to wear? Take one of the colours from your outfit (like I suggested above) and incorporate it into his. The key is to coordinate, not match. 
6. Relax and have fun! The last and most important thing you can do to get ready for ANY photo session is just to try and be relaxed. Bring your beautiful smiles, great attitudes, and everything else really will just fall into place naturally.

Below are some ideas I've gleaned from Pinterest.

Be prepared for all kinds of weather. While rain is typically what couples are worried about, it isn’t the only weather condition that should be on your radar. Think through every scenario, from an extreme heat wave to an unexpected snow storm, and ask your venue what options are available to you. Will they supply fans or cooling units if there’s a heat wave? Do they have a generator to counteract any power outages? Will they clear the snow around the venue so your guests can make their way inside? All of these questions are important to have an answer to before you sign a contract. Don’t leave anything to chance!
Prepare your guests. If you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, make sure you let your guests know what they’re up against. Consider including a note on your wedding website (or include a “rain card” in your invitation suite) that tells your guests that you’re hoping to be able to have your ceremony, cocktail hour or reception (or maybe all three!) outside. Remind them to dress appropriately for the weather so they can pack their bags accordingly. The more your guests know ahead of time, the happier they’ll be. And if your guests are happy, you’ll probably feel better about taking the alternative course of action on the big day.
Design the space. There’s nothing worse than being surprised (in a bad way) on your wedding day, so don’t forget to plan out how you want your backup space to look. Avoid any decor disasters or locale letdowns by designing your backup space as you’re pulling together your vision for your dream space. Figure out where your flowers will go, where your wedding party will stand during the ceremony, and what the backdrop for your first dance will be. The more effort you put into designing the space from the get-go, the better you’ll feel if you have to throw out your original plan at the last minute. Just because it’s your backup plan doesn’t make it any less important—you want to be happy with it if you have to implement it.
Embrace it! As we said, you just can’t control the weather. So, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em! Remind yourself how romantic rainy day pictures can be and how sweet a wedding in the snow can look. Make the most of a bad situation with extra-special touches, like bright umbrellas to keep you dry during your bridal portraits, cozy cover-ups to warm up your girls, or pretty fans to cool down your guests. Also, ask your makeup artist/hair stylist to stay a little late just in case you need a few touch-ups!

 Every wedding is different and every family is different, but I always try and get across the importance of slowing down, taking things in, not wishing for things to be over. Immerse yourself in every part of the day and don’t put pressure on it all (easier said than done, I know) but it’ll be over before you know it!
What are the sorts of extras that it's ok to ask for from a photographer? You should feel totally confident to ask anything. I’m sure most photographers will do their best to accommodate you, as long as they’re realistic requests. 
The in-between moments, the candid moments after moments, and the moments that’ll stand the test of time, that the couple and their friends and family will relate to and talk about for years to come.

Sometimes you have a couple with a different and unique personality that you know you must photograph in a different type of setting. This couple was perfect for the beautiful street art under the Hunter Street Bridge in Peterborough, Ontario. The bridge joins Peterborough's East City with the downtown core, and the Otonabee River runs under the bridge. We used a portion of the side of the river, with some old trees. The backdrop was perfect. In the background is the historic Quaker Oats building built in the 1890's and then reconstructed after a fire in 1916. led to a distinct feel of our home town. 

How can you tell whether someone is a good photographer? What makes a 'good' wedding photographer is quite subjective, so I’d just say do your research. Take time to look through a selection of photographers' websites, including their branding, social media, full galleries and if everything is cohesive, then you’re onto a winner. Also, communicate - email, speak, meet with your photographer wherever possible, it’s just as important to get a good vibe from your photographer as it is to appreciate their portfolio. ​

Do different styles suit different types of event? Personally, I don’t think they do. Trust in your photographer’s vision and aesthetic and they will deliver. As a wedding photographer, we are there to document a couple's day, and it’s their day, so upon delivering a wedding we want to be able take the couple back to the moment and the way they felt. Just be mindful of all the different variables of the day which can affect the photos, anything from changeable weather, different locations and even ceremony times that will all bring about changes in light. If you book a wedding in winter, when the skies are likely to be overcast, don't expect lots of sunbursts or light leaks. Your photos may end up with a moodier or more dramatic feel to them, as reflects the day's atmosphere. A 4:00 p.m. ceremony in peak winter will inevitably shoot differently to midday in July.