Wedding locations?

Downtown Toronto weddings and country weddings each have their own unique characteristics and charm, and the choice ultimately depends on the preferences and priorities of the couple getting married. Here are some key differences to consider:

1. Setting: One of the most obvious differences between downtown Toronto weddings and country weddings is the setting. A downtown wedding takes place in the midst of skyscrapers and bustling city life, while a country wedding is typically set in a more rustic and natural environment, such as a barn or garden.

2. Atmosphere: The atmosphere of a wedding can also differ based on the setting. A downtown wedding may be more formal and sophisticated, while a country wedding can be more relaxed and casual.

3. Guest list: The size and makeup of the guest list may also vary between a downtown Toronto wedding and a country wedding. Downtown weddings may be more suitable for smaller, intimate gatherings, while country weddings may be able to accommodate larger groups of people.

4. Budget: The cost of a wedding can vary depending on the location, and this is certainly true when comparing downtown Toronto weddings and country weddings. Generally, weddings in the city tend to be more expensive due to the higher cost of venues and services, while country weddings may offer more budget-friendly options.

5. Accessibility: A downtown Toronto wedding may be more accessible to guests who live in the city or surrounding areas, while a country wedding may require more travel and planning for those who live farther away.

Ultimately, the decision between a downtown Toronto wedding and a country wedding comes down to personal preference and the vision the couple has for their special day. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and consider what is most important to the couple and their guests.

Word of mouth is a powerful form of advertisement and there’s no better person to ask than your Toronto Wedding photographer. A seasoned wedding photographer will have a huge insight into many unique venues across Ontario and might be what you are looking for and may not be on any search engine lists.

What questions to ask?

Asking the right questions to your Toronto wedding photographer can help you ensure that you'll have a memorable wedding day that's captured perfectly. Here are some questions you might want to ask your wedding photographer:

1. What is your photography style?

2. What is your experience shooting weddings?

3. How many weddings do you shoot per year?

4. Can I see examples of your work?

5. What packages do you offer?

6. How many hours will you be shooting on my wedding day?

7. Do you have a second shooter or assistant?

8. What is your backup plan if something goes wrong?

9. How long after the wedding will we receive the photos?

10. Can we request specific shots or poses?

11. Will you edit the photos?

12. What is your policy on sharing photos on social media or online?

13. Do you require a deposit?

14. What is your cancellation policy?

15. Do you have liability insurance?

16. Can you provide references or reviews from previous clients?

17. What kind of equipment do you use?

18. Will you need a meal during the wedding reception?

19. Do you offer engagement sessions?

20. What is your pricing for additional hours, prints, or albums?

Which photographer?

Choosing the right Toronto wedding photographer is an important decision that will affect the memories you'll have of your special day for years to come. With so many photographers to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide on the perfect one. In this blog, we'll go over some key factors to consider when selecting a wedding photographer.

1. Style and Approach: The first thing to consider is the photographer's style and approach. Do you prefer candid, documentary-style shots, or more posed and traditional portraits? Are you looking for someone who will capture the emotions of the day, or someone who will focus on capturing the details? Look through a photographer's portfolio to see if their style and approach align with your vision for your wedding photos.

2. Experience and Expertise: The next thing to consider is the photographer's experience and expertise. How long have they been shooting weddings, and how many weddings have they photographed? Do they have experience shooting weddings similar in size and style to yours? Look for a photographer who has a proven track record of delivering high-quality photos in a variety of settings and lighting conditions.

3. Personality and Communication: The photographer's personality and communication style are also important. You'll be spending a lot of time with your photographer on your wedding day, so it's essential to choose someone you feel comfortable around. Look for a photographer who is friendly, approachable, and responsive to your questions and concerns.

4. Price and Packages: Wedding photography can be expensive, so it's important to consider your budget when choosing a photographer. Look for a photographer who offers packages that fit your budget and needs. Be sure to ask about what's included in each package, such as the number of hours of coverage, the number of photos you'll receive, and any additional services like prints or albums.

5. Reviews and Recommendations: Finally, it's a good idea to read reviews and ask for recommendations from friends and family. Look for a photographer who has a lot of positive reviews and testimonials from happy clients. Ask your wedding planner or other vendors if they can recommend a photographer they've worked with before and trust.

In conclusion, choosing the right wedding photographer requires careful consideration of their style and approach, experience and expertise, personality and communication, pricing and packages, and reviews and recommendations. By taking the time to research and choose the right photographer, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your wedding day, knowing that your memories will be captured beautifully.

Summer of 2020

2020 has been a great year, and a devastating year at the same time. Despite losing my full-time job, in film production, not being able to fly home to see loved-ones, I’ve spent the time investing in my skills as a Toronto wedding photographer and a wedding videographer or as I like to call it, a wedding filmmaker. Plus, I had one of the best summers in the past 10 years, ever since I left film school, NYFA 2007. I got to do the things I missed from last year, go swimming in the lake, chill-out on the Islands, rent a cottage, go to my favourite place in Ontario, Muskoka, go on road trips, discover new locations that I’m going to go back and visit in the new year when all of this is behind us all, and lastly most importantly, catch up on my Netflix.

Besides sitting on my backside, this past year I have been so lucky to shoot so many engagement photoshoots and on top of that, to have produced a few wedding films for clients as well. I also dabbled in live streaming weddings for the first time and it is something I will definitely look into providing down the road. It can be very overwhelming with the amount of technology needed and the obstacles that are required to overcome for a live stream to be successful. My two live streams took place on a farm in Hamilton and in a church at the University of Toronto during the Pandemic.

Last September I decided to return to school, to better my skills in Photography. I have been attending Seneca college and will be for the next year and a half, where I hope to learn the necessary skills to open and run my own photo and video studio here in Toronto. On top of that I hope to return to film production but as a Unit Photographer. I absolutely love being on set and combining the two will be a match made in heaven. Pun intended.

So, what happens next year? Well that is a question that is on many people’s minds, including my own. Now that we have a cure for Covid-19 and that the Trump dictator(clown)ship is coming to an end, 2021 will be a great year for all. Everything (in due course) will go back to normal. We will be changed forever though, having survived a world-wide catastrophe, but as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill us, will make us stronger. 2021 will be a year to remember. Just as long, as we stay positive and be nice to one-another, with respect, no matter our differences, colour of our skin, our sexuality, or what religion we follow. Let 2021 be a year of reflection. I’m happy to have done my part, be a hermit and catch up on my binge-watching.

Here are some examples from my engagement shoots, as well as some of the weddings I shot during the world-wide pandemic of 2020. Enjoy!

Wedding Videography

It’s truth to be told that no matter what side of the ocean you are on, living in or visiting a different country, you can’t help but feel inspired by the setting of a wedding day. Though Ireland has some really amazing locations to have your wedding at, Canada has some stunning locations too. Toronto, being the city I currently reside in, is where I met the two new found loves of my life. The first you know about, Toronto and the second one, my girlfriend, my partner in crime and well fingers crossed, maybe I’ll go down that route someday, who knows? What makes a great wedding? A fancy castle surrounded by rolling hills or a hipster art house in the down town core? From my experience, nice locations are just backdrops, the couple, their family and friends in one room and the celebration, is what makes a great wedding.

I started my Toronto wedding videographer journey back in 2018, but I never intended to go back into it full-time. One of my goals when I came to Toronto at first was to take a break from it all, especially after being really busy and successful in Ireland, previously. Being isolated in the cutting room after a long wedding day or weekend can take it’s toll, so I needed a break from it all and decided to take a year out, so I went back to my roots in film production. Though working on film sets can be very exciting, it does have it’s negative sides, very long and odd hours, it can be very taxing on your physical and mental health for one, but worst of all, can really put a dampener on your social life. Luckily for me I fell back in to shooting weddings here in Toronto only by chance, a recently engaged couple had found my work through my old Facebook account and one of my posts highlighted that I had moved to Toronto, so they reached out to me with a very heartwarming email of why they wanted me to be the one to film their wedding day. I simply couldn’t say no.

So here we are two years later and I have accumulated a nice number of weddings under my belt under a different moniker, Maple and Clover. One that I’m proud to call my own, to build into the studio that I have dreamed of one day, a name that represents my birth country and a place that I one day will be a citizen of. Canada has been great to me and I have so much more to give back. I look forward to seeing where my work will bring me and meeting the many new clients I will work with down the road.