Photographers in Winnipeg: wedding photography portfolios

—The secret we all want to reveal – who is the best wedding photographer in Winnipeg?

—Soooooooooooooooo subjective. That answer will differ drastically from person to person. Thankfully Winnipeg is full of an incredible amount of world class photographers. Thankfully there is someone to fit everyone's palette.

—What should future newlyweds pay attention to when looking for a wedding photographer?

—Theres really only three things that need to be considered:
1. Do you connect with the photographer? Remember, you are spending a huge amount of time with them on your wedding day.
2. Do you love their style? Remember, you can only do your wedding photos once. Make sure to do them right the first time.
3. Can you afford them? The range of photography prices is MASSIVE!

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—Absolutely! With the powers of social media and having things "trend", a lot of us try to copy/replicate the newest crazy techniques and ideas. This is a double edged sword. The negative piece is that this accessibility to the new and exciting means that the diversity starts to dwindle as people try to replicate what we are seeing. The positive piece is that photographers have an immense amount of resources to up the general quality of the industry.

—What are the key elements that make a photo attractive?

—It has to portray something that the viewer loves, or something the viewer hasn't seen. A photo can fail in all technical qualities and still have immense visual power. There are no key elements that do this. Sure, some beauty can be mathematically equated; But an artist speaks from the heart as much as from the head. And often times what the heart wants, the mind can't quantify.

—What devices that you own you regret you bought and why?

—None. Typically when I want to try something new, I buy used. Then if I end up not needing it, I can sell it for very much the same price that I bought it for. And I am proud to say that I have officially kicked my case of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome).

—Is there anything in your work that you don't like or even hate?

—Yes! Having to charge money. The wedding industry is massively expensive. It sucks having to pick and choose jobs based on who has the money for it. Everyone deserves to have excellent photos of their life stories. However, my family and I need to eat!

—What moment in your life you treat as the most significant one?

—They are all significant. The moments of the past led me to the moments of the present. The moments of the present are the only ones I can truly experience. The moments of the future are all I have left to live in this life.

—What is there in your work that brings you joy?

—There are two things that make my job the greatest job in the world. Part one is getting invited in close to witness the raw emotions that love extracts from my couples. Part two is getting to show them photos of that.

—Can you imagine what wedding photography will be like in future?

—The wedding industry is changing drastically. The fundamentals of photography will stay the same, but will adapt to what the industry turns into. It's no secret that a lot of what is involved in weddings today is based on a really old value system. I'm really curious and excited to see how the people of the future will choose to celebrate love.

—What makes a photo valuable? What are the key features of a great photo?

—The story in the photo needs to be something that is not easily created. That story needs to be captured beautifully/artistically.
So ultimately the photo needs to be genuine and properly captured.

—Whose works made an impact on you as a wedding photographer?

—Most recently I have been most impacted by the writings of Tim Ferris (Tools of the Titans) and the chefs on the Netflix series "Chef's Table". Your inspiration doesn't have to come from other photographers. In fact I strongly recommend people look outside of their art/genre for inspiration. It's amazing!

—What mistake in your professional experience you treat as the biggest one?

—Thankfully all of my mistakes where learnable, and ultimately the positives outweighed the negatives. However, the mistake that caused the longest delay was not believing in myself enough early on.

—How did you start working in the wedding photography field?

—Happenstance. In reality, I fell in love with photography equipment. And then I fell in love with photography. And then I had to justify why I needed to spend so much money on gear. I picked up some side jobs shooting weddings and almost instantly fell in love with it.

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—No. Wedding photography is what I branched into for a career. I love landscape photography, family photography and travel photography. I'm hoping to get into street photography this year as well.

—What is success to you? How can one measure it?

—Success is not related to desire and acquisition. Success is being happy with where you are and what you have. If you are content with where you are in life, you are successful.

—Is it easy for you to make friends?

—Yes and no. I very easily make good rapport with most people that I meet, but ultimately I'm an introvert who has not found a way to make time for large amounts of friends.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—I love it! I love it soooooo much! Its scary at first. But once you learn how to harness its power, it's like miracle grow for the curios photographer.

—What side of you do you never show to the public?

—I'm an open book. I am thankful to have learned in the last few years to: "be willing to fail or succeed on who you really are." – Glenn Beck

—Do you look good in pictures?

—I really do! Like really do. In real life I look a bit like a Mr. Potato Head that a kid put in the oven for a few minutes. But in pictures.....wow!

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—LOL....What? A wedding is the celebration and starting point of life after the wedding. It's literally why we have weddings.

—Imagine that you can travel back in time. What would you do differently?

—I have zero interest in time travel......but if you are forcing my arm here, I'll spend money on the winning lottery numbers.

—What key message are you trying to convey with your pictures?

—All I want to do is to properly capture the story of my couples. Their story/message is what I want to properly convey.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a wedding photographer capture?

—That's the problem; this Pinterest-y focus on details. Forget details! Get that connection, and tell that story!

—Is there anything that worries you? What & why?

—Yes. Mostly relating to my kids and wanting to make sure they live a happy, healthy and kind life.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Practice.....which is a fancy way of saying that I would take terrible photos and learn from them.

—What person in your life is your muse & source of inspiration?

—So many, I don't know where to start. Each mentor has their own set of strengths and weaknesses.

—What's better – when you are liked or are respected?

—I dont know......both can be good or bad in their own right. Yikes....this interview is tough!

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—I wish I could reach the middle part of my back with my hands for when that spot gets itchy.

—Where would you prefer to live?

—I love Winnipeg! I see this as being my home base for life, provided I can travel a lot.

—Give some advice to a wedding photographer who is a beginner.

—I'd share that video of Shia Labouf yelling "JUST DO IT" over and over again.

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—My wife is currently a week overdue with our third child. My plan is to have a baby!

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—I believe society pushes them. But I also believe that the future is non-binary.

—Have a best-loved joke? Share it with us!

—Dang! I can't think of one that's appropriate enough for this interview. Sorry.

—Imagine aliens come to our planet. You are the first human they meet. What would you tell them?

—Probably a knock knock joke. And then tell them NOT to try the arugula.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—Photography can be exhilarating and cathartic. Both keep me shooting.

—What thing is the silliest one you've ever agreed to do?

—LOL! I plead the fifth.....the Canadian version of the fifth....

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—Filling out unnecessarily long interview questionnaires....

—Cats or dogs?

—I guess that depends on what animal their parents were.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—I'm literally in the universe typing this right now!

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—Stepping on a duck. Don't you ever step on a duck.

—When are you totally satisfied with the results of your work?

—When I'm proud, and my couples are happy-crying.

—Whom can you name as a person/people not deserving respect?

—People who's agendas are only self serving.

—Is there anything in your work that you treat as prohibited "tricks"?

—Yes! But I'll keep this answer to myself.

—What cartoon, film or book character would you become if you had a chance?

—I'll stick to my current life, thanks!

—When travelling, what do you usually take with you & why?

—My wife. She'd kill me if I didn't...

—What would you have preferred to learn before becoming a photographer?

—Tools for healthy self-assessment.

—Life is great thanks to:

—Coffee, beer and back scratches.

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—Getting tree sap on your hands.

—Do you like travelling?

—Well ya......who doesn't???

—In your opinion, should your parents have been more or less strict to you as a child?

—The same. My parents rock!

—Do you hate anyone or anything? Who or what?

—Arugula! I hate Arugula.

—Whom can you name as people you respect and admire most?

—The Silence Breakers

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—Too many things...

—If you have a chance to shoot a movie, what genre will you choose?

—A silent film.

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—My clothes.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—Weddings!

—Who is the 21st century symbol to your mind?

—Huh?

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—You!

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—You!