Wedding photographers in Canada

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best wedding photographer in Winnipeg? :)

—There are plenty of good photographers with their own personal styles so that question will be different for everyone you ask. We have a great community of photographers here in Winnipeg and everyone is talented in their own way.

—What should be the criteria for a bride and a groom to choose their wedding photographer?

—First, it has to be the body of work. Dig deep and see if your photographer captures everything, ask to see galleries and don't just go on his/her greatest hits on the website. Second, you have to feel comfortable with them as they'll be with you the whole day. A wedding day can be stressful so you want someone you like and has the experience to help your day go smoother.

—Are there any trends in wedding photography?

—Yes, I'd say so. Sometimes when there is new toys or ideas then everyone wants to see if they can do the same shot or do it better so you'll see the same photographs pop up on social media. Personally, I photographed a couple popping champagne which turned out great and the couple really enjoyed it, so there's nothing wrong with it. At the end of the day, we're creating photographs for our clients and trying to make them happy.

—Is there anything that you wish you hadn't bought among the gadgets that you own? Why?

—I thought you'd never ask! I probably spent $7000+ on stuff I don't need or ever use. The list is long which includes lenses, bags, light modifiers, cameras and on and on.. This usually happens when you start out and I'm happy with where I am now and my gear. Except for that new Sony camera which is on my list.. and maybe a few more lenses for that. : )

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I've traveled across the world and met with professionals who put on workshops and teach a small group of people hands on. I've spent countless hours and money over the last 7 years studying and practicing and failing. I don't think learning is ever done so I look forward to more mentoring and growth in the future. My work keeps evolving.

—Do you believe that you replicate the soul of the person you are shooting?

—No. A photograph can have a different meaning to each person that looks at it and only shows what the photographer wants you to see. It's not the complete picture and can't replicate the soul of a person.

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—Left my cell phone on during my second wedding ceremony ever 7 years ago. Also left my flash out in the rain near a creek and left a $2000 lens in a church. I'm sure there's more.. Live and learn.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Rarely ever am I satisfied. I always have room to grow. I might be satisfied with little things but the bigger picture or my work as a whole always needs to grow. I can always get better.

—What will be the future of wedding photography?

—I don't think it will be any different than today. Equipment changes frequently but the same rules apply to make good photographs. It's not complicated, we're capturing moments, photographing interesting things and making art.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—In photography it's Lanny and Erika from Twomann studios. They're amazing photographers and have built a great business while raising two kids and travelling the world. That's awesome!

—How did you get into wedding photography?

—Almost 10 years ago I took my camera to a friends wedding and I was instantly hooked. It was a country wedding with lots of love and celebration and my photography had a meaning to the people I photographed which I loved.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—The people. I have met so many incredible people and have made long-lasting friendships with the people I photograph that I will be forever great full that I chose this as my career.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected. I don't care if someone doesn't like me, that's their problem and I don't think about it. But everyone should be respected regardless if you don't like them.

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—Success is how happy you are and that's how I measure it. If I'm happy with what I'm doing and not stressed about life or the future then I feel like I'm successful.

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—How expensive it was going to be and how long it would take to be good at it. It's been more of a journey then I expected but I'm okay with it because I love it.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Hurricanes.. nobody wants hurricanes while shooting. Well besides that just bad backgrounds and water bottles. I hate water bottles lol

—Where would you like to live?

—I love Canada but it gets pretty cold. Ideally it would be 6 months in Canada and 6 months down south in Central America.

—Is there life after marriage?

—Of course, life continues and people never stop growing so it's up to us to make it what we want and grow together

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Spend time with my girlfriend, play hockey, train, learn how to cook and maybe read when I can.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a wedding photographer?

—That's tough. I would say Lanny and Erika from Twomann. James Natcheway from Magnum.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I want to share what it felt like to be there. I want the viewers to feel something.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—Listen to my parents lol – I would have started wedding photography a lot sooner.

—Who are your heroes?

—My mom, she's accomplished so much in raising a family all basically on her own.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—My life. If I don't shoot weddings then I don't eat or have a place to stay.

—Are you photogenic?

—I'd say so, but I don't spend a lot of time in front of the camera : )

—The best thing in life is:

—Having a purpose. The people you love. Food. Vacations and laughter.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—Right now I suppose. I'm doing what I love and living my dream.

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—I'll finally cook that recipe I said I would make months ago.

—Are you fond of travelling?

—Absolutely, I travel 4-6 months out of the year if not more.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—The moment first and foremost, light and then composition.

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—I'm pretty open but I guess I work hard behind the scenes.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—It didn't matter. I didn't listen to them either way.

—Do you take nothing but wedding photos?

—I like to take photos when I travel or of loved ones.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Editing lol.. I hate sitting in front of a computer.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—I'll respect everyone even thou I don't like them.

—Who or what do you hate?

—No one. Hate is bad energy to keep so I let it go.

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—Kindle, Camera, swim trunks and a beer opener.

—What would you like to alter in the world?

—I would like people to be more compassionate.

—Can you give a few tips for wedding photographers who are just starting out?

—Be patient and never give up if you love it.

—How do you handle criticism?

—Love it. It motivates me and helps me grow.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—I won't photoshop things into photos.

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—Probably put a cobra around my neck.

—What things that common people don't usually see can a wedding photographer notice?

—Light in all its shapes and form.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—James Natcheway, Steve Mcmurry

—Do you develop friendships easily?

—Yes, I'm very easy to approach

—What do you worry about, and why?

—Time and how fast it's going.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Moment, Light, Composition

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—Currently Collin Kapernick

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—Batman.. He has cool stuff

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—Have more patience.

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Ooooooh Spy Movie.

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—Climate maybe.

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—We have pizza.

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Barack Obama

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Dogs more.

—What is special in wedding photography?

—Love.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—Nope.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Bugs.

—What about life on other planets?

—Yes!

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best wedding photographer in Montreal? :)

—Davina + Daniel

—What should be the criteria for a bride and a groom to choose their wedding photographer?

—I think the most important thing for the couple, is to love & appreciate the style of the photographer. Even more important is feeling at ease with the photographer. Having respect & good social skills is very important as well.
Having great quality equipment & beautiful albums also helps to sell a photographer in my opinion.

—What will be the future of wedding photography?

—The cameras are getting more & more light sensitive, better quality every year & there will come a point where we will look back & say wow we have come a long way...The use of flash will be a question of choice in my humble opinion because the cameras will be so good that we will be able to shoot with zero noise at very high ISO. The lenses will also become far better than they are presently.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—There are a fe people that inspire me to be quite honest but the one who stands out would be Steve Jobs again. And the reason being is that he has changed the world by introducing revolutionary technological products. Apple has become the worlds biggest company in very little time. It is quite an advancement in technology & people like Steve Jobs are few and far between.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—The rule of thirds is very important for me. I love pushing the limits of this rule by really framing my subjects far out into the corners of my lens creating a where is Waldo effect...
I use a technique called CHIAROSCURO which is basically the use of strong contrasts between light & dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—You should never force or push too much on the day of the wedding.
If people don't want to be photographed or if they are getting tired you as the photographer must read the situation and understand that its a long day for everyone & you can always switch to candid mode where you become unobtrusive.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—I think that a picture that has a good composition with a good timing where the moment was captured is in my opinion a great picture.The effects that you create afterwords are just an embellishment but the base has to be what I mentioned first. COMPOSITION & TIMING.

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—In the beginning I was still learning and I missed some important moments at a wedding & the couple did not appreciate it very much and as of that day I programmed myself to capture everything around me & I never missed another moment again in my entire career.

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—I define success as achievements. In the sense that if you achieve what you set as a goal in a given time frame. Then you are successful.
I do not measure success with financial achievements but I realize that it can be a form of success for some people.

—How did you get into wedding photography?

—I picked up my dads old camera at the time & started playing around with it until my dad noticed I had the eye for photography so I decided to take his classes at Concordia University in Montreal.
I later graduated in Photoshop & Photography. Soon after started my first wedding photography studio in Montreal, Canada.

—What things that common people don't usually see can a wedding photographer notice?

—Photographers have to have the eye for moments that the non photographer does not have.
eg. people hugging, laughing , crying, children playing, couple kissing, dancing etc.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—I wouldn't change a single thing because i think everything that happens is the way it had to happen & sure you can change the course of destiny a little bit but in the end everyone finds their path & I definitely found mine...

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I don't really worry per say but I do think of what could go wrong during an event and it bothers me sometimes. So far so good I come prepared for emergency situations like extra cards back up cameras and lenses...

—What about life on other planets?

—I think there could be. Why would we be alone in a universe so big.
it wouldn't make any sense at all.
But this is a topic on its own which i will not get into right now...

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—I still haven't reached the sublime. In Spain they call it EL DUENDE.
I will one day but I am far far away because Im still learning on the way bit by bit every day.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—I have respect for everyone. It is the most important thing on earth.
If you do not have respect you are not human.
It is the base of everything.

—Can you give a few tips for wedding photographers who are just starting out?

—Yes keep it simple, deliver a quality product & be straight up with your client from the beginning. Never hide always show your true self.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—In all honesty I love every aspect of this profession & I would never consider doing anything else with my time...

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—I take everything i own because i do not want to be in a situation where i am in danger. So i pack extra everything.

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—I would be superman because as a child I grew up watching him.
AND HE IS FROM KRYPTON come on...

—What is special in wedding photography?

—The moments that would be lost if we wedding photographers would not be hired to capture them...

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—Steve Jobs for me... He has done so much for the world it is scary.
A master point final.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Not really I wouldn't do anything that would disrespect the client but I don't have taboos.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—That I get to meet very interesting people all the time.
Very different everytime.

—Are there any trends in wedding photography?

—Yes but I don't follow them as I have my own distinct style & way of working.

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—I don't really hide my emotions so i think i reveal my true colours in public.

—What would you like to alter in the world?

—I would like to eliminate political issues and conflicts to avoid war

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I look at my mentors work & I always practice on my free time.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—The day I bought a camera & shot my first wedding with it...

—What do you do in your spare time?

—swim play soccer meditate surf cycle sing cook play music

—Do you take nothing but wedding photos?

—I can take photos of anything but i specialize in weddings

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—All the techniques that I use now like Chiaroscuro

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Couples & friends a swellas family members.

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—PICTURES AT A WEDDING IN MY HOME TOWN MONTREAL.

—Is there anything that you wish you hadn't bought among the gadgets that you own? Why?

—no because everything I own i use frequently.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I want to say ART moments joy LIFE...

—Who are your heroes?

—There is 2 SUPERMAN & GANDALF LOL

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—Can i take a picture of you hahaha

—How do you handle criticism?

—Very well as ART is subjective.

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Fellini style I love him...

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—I am happy the way I am

—Where would you like to live?

—Punta de Mita, Mexico

—Are you fond of travelling?

—Yes I am indeed.

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—SHAVE MY LEGS

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Ben Chrisman

—Whose work has influenced you most as a wedding photographer?

—Ben Chrisman

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—More strict.

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—Not really

—Who or what do you hate?

—I hate war

—Do you believe that you replicate the soul of the person you are shooting?

—Yes I do.

—Are you photogenic?

—I guess

—Is there life after marriage?

—depends

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Liked

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Never

—The best thing in life is:

—Love

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—hate

—Do you develop friendships easily?

—YES

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Yes

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—No

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—No