Spoiler: we're probably going to have a lot of fun.
I’m not a particularly serious person. I’m warm, friendly, Canadian (so naturally, I’ll probably apologise at least once for absolutely no reason), and I’m very happy to make a complete fool of myself if it means getting a real laugh out of you.
I’ll tell you ridiculous things my kids have done. I’ll say things purely because I know they’ll catch you off guard.
Because I’m not looking for the polite “there’s a camera pointing at me” smile.
I want the big one. The crinkly-eye, can’t-hold-it-in, that’s actually you smile.
“Just so you know… my kids are really shy.”
I hear this ALL. THE. TIME.
“They don't like photos.”
“They probably won't cooperate.”
“They're really shy with new people.”
And my answer is usually some version of: I'm a mum. I've got this.
I don't expect your kids to stand still, smile at me or perform for the camera. I'll talk to them, play with them, be ridiculous with them and figure out what makes them tick.
I genuinely can't remember the last time one of these supposedly very shy children was still shy with me five minutes into a session.
Kids are pretty good judges of who feels safe and who's willing to have fun with them. Give me a few minutes. I'll win them over.
You don't have to know how to pose.
That's my job.
I'll give you direction and prompts so you're never standing there thinking, WHAT DO I DO WITH MY HANDS?!
But you'll also hear me say:
“If that doesn't feel like you, don't do it.”
I have loads of prompts. We can try something else.
Because there's absolutely no point creating a technically beautiful photograph if you look at it afterwards and think, that's just not us.
I want your photographs to feel like you.
Have a slightly unhinged idea? PLEASE tell me.
Want to get in the sea fully clothed?
Paint each other?
Bring your dog?
Dance barefoot somewhere?
Get absolutely filthy?
Do something you've never seen anyone else do in a photoshoot?
I'm game!
And if you want to do something a little wild but don't know what…
Don't worry. I've got ideas too.
And if you've booked me for your wedding…
You've technically hired a photographer.
In reality, you may also receive an unofficial maid of honour, emergency-kit carrier, dress fluffer, people wrangler, coordinator, megaphone when nobody is listening, toilet assistant when you suddenly realise just how much fabric you're wearing, and the biggest hype girl you didn't know you needed.
I keep emergency essentials in my waist bag. I'll fix things if I can fix them. I'll find someone who can if I can't. I'll round up Uncle Dave for the family photographs and help keep things moving when nobody seems to know what they're supposed to be doing.
I'm there to photograph your wedding, obviously.
But I'm also there for you.
The only bit I take seriously?
You having a good time. That's it. Because when you stop thinking about the camera, that's when the magic happens.
Your guard comes down. You start messing around. You laugh properly. Your kids go off and do something ridiculous. You look at your partner the way you actually look at them when nobody's watching. And suddenly we're not trying to make beautiful photographs. They're just happening.
So come as you are.
You don't need to practise posing. Your children don't need to be on their best behaviour. Your partner doesn't need to suddenly become someone who loves having their photograph taken.
Bring your personalities. Bring the chaos. Bring the dog.
I'll take care of the rest.
Still not sure I'm the right fit? That's okay! There are lots of photographers BUT before you decide book in your free zero-obligation 15 minute phone call, ask me all your questions, see if we click. Because ultimately you have to feel comfortable, trust me and it's a perk if you don't hate spending time with me since we will be!
