Absolutely! I am open to travel quite literally anywhere in the world and happy to come up with a package that suits your destination wedding. You can expect that I will be requesting flights, board and food covered for all travel and coverage days.

Unfortunately, I do not provide videography services. Videography demands a unique skill set focused on capturing and sequencing events to tell a narrative story. Still photography, on the other hand, is about creating a compelling story within a single frame—a technique I've honed over years. Moreover, video requires different equipment for cameras, lighting, sound, and editing. I'm happy to connect you with some excellent videographers in the area with whom I have a great working relationship.

First you need to determine if you are going to do a "first look". If you are willing to see one another for the first time before your actual ceremony, than you have more flexibility in terms of photo time.

I often structure a day like this more or less:

-1hr getting ready shots (each partner)

- 15 min "first look"

- 1hr of couple photos

- 30 min of bridal party

- 30 min ceremony

- 30 min family shots

- 30 min cocktail hour

- reception begins

You can also decide on the most important part of the evening you want captured and count backwards from there. This will help you determine how many hours you need vs your budget. I can help you navigate this and strategize on how to best utilize your package.

Yes! I always have a second camera on hand, with a multitude of lenses and flashes. In addition to this, my cameras both have two card slots where I can simultaneously shoot to 2 cards. This ensures a back-up while shooting to prevent image loss in the case of a corrupt card. Lastly, I back up all of the raw images when I get home to an external hard drive for safe keeping and keep that organized and safe for a guarantee of up to 3 years!

Yes! I went to Sheridan College for photography and have been working in the field ever since. I started out shooting documentary work for Getty and Lonely Planet and then came home after years of travel and started Olive Studio in 2008. I have shot various realms in the photo world like fashion and commercial work, but documenting real people is where my heart lies.

In some cases, yes. This really depends on the timing and distance from the next location. I can help you determine this, so please don't write it off before discussing it with me first.

Most certainly! I have all insurance necessary to cover myself, my gear and your guests in the case that my gear causes fire, or if someone trips over it! If your photographer does not have insurance, you might consider that they are not quite in a professional level yet and should be avoided. You cannot redo your wedding day. Make sure your vendors have all their ducks in a row.

Yes! Shooting in raw format ensures the maximum in file quality and detail. These raw files are then edited, lightly retouched and exported to smaller, and more usable files which you will have access to downloading on your online gallery.

Can you purchase raw files? That answer is no. These files are equivalent to a film negative which holds my copyright to my creative property. Please make sure you love my editing style as this is what to expect in your final images. Remember that this does differ depending on the lighting and venue but overall, you should love my style. That's how you know I am the right look for you!

Feel free to request more b+w editing or more colour if you have a preference.

Most of my couples love a good video chat to get aquianted and ensure that we are a great match personality wise. I want you to feel comfortable with me, especially since I will be one of the main people with you all day! If I feel like a good fit, then I ask for you to look over the quote and contract. A $1000 non refundable deposit is required in conjunction with a digital signing of the contract in order for me to confirm your wedding date. Once I receive those, that date is all yours! You can then toggle your start and end time as you wish.

Trust me. You are never as awkward as you feel you are! It is my job to get you to feel comfortable, calm and having fun. I pick up on energies very quickly, so my first go-to is to respond to your energy by selecting direction that works for both of you. I might start off a session by getting you to walk away from the camera, play a game of chase or play a little guessing game. Whatever prompt it is that I give you, will loosen up the session and initiate real, authentic responses. This is what we really want to achieve for emotive, natural photographs.

Ontario certainly has its fair share of rain weekends and I am prepared! While it might not be your favourite option, we can make the most of it. I have clear umbrellas that I can bring. Sometimes couples are willing to do some shots in the rain. Other times, the rain is too heavy and we go indoors. It is always helpful to prepare an indoor location a week in advance if the forecast is predicting rain. Better to be prepared than out of luck!

A wedding couple session is a session that I shoot before or after your real wedding day. Some couple's opt to do this because the timing of their day is too rushed for couple photos, or they want to shoot at a special location or time of day. I love this option as it is much less stress than cramming it all in on your wedding day. I did this for my own wedding and loved it!

A first look is a planned moment when you and your partner first see on another on your wedding day. This is a set time before the ceremony which can be private or public. It only takes a few minutes to get that first reaction but can be very intimate and sweet. This new tradition allows you to be more flexible for your wedding day and allocate more photography time towards the couple session and bridal party session. This is great for couples who want to be a part of their cocktail hour or have a late ceremony start time.

Helping prep before your photographer arrives is much appreciated! Please have your bridal party help you clean the space of garbage, items that are not pretty like Kleenex boxes, food, coffee cups etc. Make the bed, and hang all bridesmaids dresses and suits on wooden hangers. Pull out bridal accessories, shoes and bouquets so that your photographer doesn't have to waste time doing all this first! These tasks take longer than you think, so being organized helps.

While your makeup and hair artist want window light, keep in mind that window light is the main source of light for your photography as well. If it is the most beautiful room or window, you may want to keep that area clear of vendors and save it for your getting ready photos.

This certainly depends on the season you are getting married, but my contract stipulates no longer than 8 weeks. Most clients however get their images at the 4 week mark. Remember, that I have generally 6000 images to sort through and edit for one wedding so this takes approximately 20 hours of work.

Selecting outfits for a family portrait can be daunting and harder than you think. Here are some tips for choosing outfits that will compliment your environment and not compete for attention from your face.

TIPS:

- Aim for 5-7 colours or shades of a colour scheme that compliments your environment. If you are shooting at the beach for example, choose cool or neutral palettes. You don't want to compete for the attention. Generally avoid bright colours that cast into your skin like green, red, fuscia or anything to bright. Opt for whites, beige, tan, mauve, pink, maroon, sage and muted tones like this.

- Make sure that not every person has the same top and same bottom like all in white shirts and jeans. This is outdated and it's hard to decipher who is who. Choose different textures and patterns for each person. Make sure that people have 1 of the 5 colours from your palette and don't be afraid to add a plaid, floral or pattern in the mix. Just make sure that these are only limited to one or two people.

- AVOID any clothes with logos, letters, characters or bright colours. If you want your baby in a dress, make sure to cover the diaper with shorts or a cover. Accessories can add to a shoot, but ensure that they don't cover too much.

- Make sure that each person is comfy in what they wear and they are not fussing about their outfit. If it is too tight, too short or too floppy; it will become a problem.

I do not have a studio, but I do rent studios across the GTA. These studios change the decor often depending on the season and trend, so they are excellent sources to get the most out of your shoot. They generally cost about $85-$125 per hour depending on the studio and they are charged additionally to my package.

I also offer many shoots outdoors or at your home.

YES!!! I shoot generally 4 a year and announce these most often on @olivestudiocanada Instagram stories and posts. You can also join my email list so you never miss a launch! I shoot across the GTA and Hamilton and generally have a spring, summer, fall and winter mini. If you are on the email list, you get first access to book, and I often offer special discounts!

YES! I offer gift cards at any value that you wish. Just email me with your request and I can send you a digital card of your session or value for that special someone. Gift Cards last 1 year.