Wedding photography in the snow.
Living in Vancouver I occasionally I get this question about doing wedding photography in the snow. Most people wonder if it is possible and how it will turn out to have a white dress in all that white snow. Honestly, photographing in snowy conditions is actually easier than photographing on a bright sunny day. The reason for this is that snow acts as a big bounce card reflecting light back up creating a beautiful even light. There are a few challenges about photographing weddings in the snow, but they are all relatively obvious such as; it is slippery, so you have to have proper footwear, it looks best if we can find an area where the snow is not trampled down or melted and showing dirt, and it can be cold.
Choosing a wedding photographer to work with you in the snow is also important because if the images are a little overexposed, then the images will be ruined. Choosing someone with several year of experience and someone who has worked with people and snow in the past will be your best bet.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call or email.
What if it rains?
Vancouver is known for its rain and as a vancouver wedding photographer, I get this question all the time. Vancouver is lush and green because of it's rain, so first of all, lets not get all upset about the rain. First and foremost, as a vancouver wedding photographer have never photographed a wedding in Vancouver where it poured rain all day. Usually the rain in Vancouver lets up as some point in the day so we can get out there. But what happens if the rain is pouring in the few hours you have planned for your wedding photography? Well if you are really concerned about this, then hire a photographer who has a lot of experience with professional photography lighting gear and book back up locations. Some locations that allow you to book wedding photography ahead of time are the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Vancouver Library. If your wedding is in a Downtown hotel, you might also consider shooting your photographs in the lobby or stairwell, but check ahead of time as these places often have to be coordinated with the hotel. Also, when choosing a vancouver wedding photographer you might also want to ask if they have liability insurance. This insurance not only protects your vancouver wedding photographer, but also protects you in the unlikely event that something happens.
For myself, it you are hiring me for your vancouver wedding, I have a studio along with a few special places in Vancouver that i like to shoot in. But sorry, I like to keep those to myself as there is a lot of competition out there looking for a dry place on a rainy day.
Wedding in the park?
Vancouver has a lot of parks and outdoor locations that are excellent for weddings, however, the Vancouver Parks board does not allow couples to set up chairs in park locations. This is actually a good idea being that if they did let people set up wedding wherever, you can only imagine the number of weddings there would be on the weekend in Vancouver. However, the parks board is very lenient with regards to allowing couples to use parks for their Vancouver wedding photography. Couples are allowed to use parks within reason anywhere in the city for your Vancouver wedding photography. And Vancouver wedding photographers sure take advantage of this, but remember when doing Vancouver wedding photography in a park, visitors are allowed to use the parks at the same time and have the same rights as you. In my experience, 99% of people are willing to go the extra mile to make sure you get great photos that don't have a random stranger in them. But when choosing a Vancouver wedding photographer, think about this and their personality as if asked the wrong way or pushed to get out of the way, people can get upset and this does not help your wedding photography.
Street photography
Urban wedding photography in Vancouver is simply amazing. We have such a diversity of looks in this city from Historic Gastown to Modern Yaletown and everything in between. This is paradise for vancouver wedding photographers. The beauty of photographing weddings in Vancouver's downtown is that the shadows thrown by buildings creates beautiful even lighting that is easy and quick to work with. Photographing weddings in parks can be a bit more challenging to get that same even lighting. Either way, if you hire a good Vancouver wedding photographer you should they should be able to get great Vancouver wedding photographs.
Wedding Albums
As a Vancouver wedding photographer, I carry several types of albums but my two favorites are Graphi from Italy and Renaissance from New York. Both are great albums of excellent quality and showcase vancouver wedding photography amazingly well. All Vancouver wedding photographers have access to the same albums, so really the difference is in the photographs themselves and the design of the album. I always suggest you be allowed to choose the photos that go in your wedding album as this is a keepsake that will be handed down from generation to generation and become and heirloom, so it is an important purchase. So no matter which Vancouver wedding photographer you choose, I strongly suggest that you choose one that will work with you to create your own unique heirloom.
Vancouver Weddings - You've said yes, now what?
First of all congratulations! We are so very excited for what lies ahead for you both and know that you likely have so many thoughts, ideas and questions running through your head. What we do want you to know is that when planning your big day, whether it is a Vancouver Wedding or somewhere else near and dear to your hearts Dean Sanderson Weddings is here to capture all of your special moments.
A wedding is now easier than ever to plan thanks to all of the local internet resources. You have likely already been conducting Google searches looking for that perfect Vancouver Wedding venue but we want to strongly suggest that right after you say yes you find the perfect Vancouver wedding photographer to capture your big day and let everything else flow from there.
There are lots of choices on the Vancouver wedding photography menu, but not all equal. Think about what you are looking for in your pictures. Do you like posed images or candid shots? Do you like soft romantic images or perhaps it is a more edgy urban record of your day that you would like to see for years to come. Go through many websites, sample what is available and see what you like and what you dislike, even making a list now of the types of shots you would like to see will assist you as you interview photographers.
Ask your family, friends and colleagues for references, create your shortlist, and start calling your list of photographers to set up some consultations.
When talking to your list of Vancouver wedding photographers – have a list of questions written out that you want answered, this will save you time and energy. Some things to ask are:
- are you available on our wedding date/dates we are thinking of?
- how long have you been doing photography?
- how would you describe your style of wedding photography?
- what price do your packages start at and what is included?
- do you offer any other special resources that others do not?
- do you shoot digital or film (for many this isn't important as both mediums are great – however it does determine how quickly you see your images as those who shoot digital can blog quickly and create slideshows for clients to see within days.)
- will you have an entire wedding day for me to see? (this is important as anyone can show you a few great shots from a number of weddings.)
- how do you keep creating fresh new images when you shoot so many weddings
- will you be the photographer on the day of our wedding
With some many choice out there, don't choose too quickly. Take the time to meet with the photographers who are on the top of your list. Great chemistry between you and your wedding photographer will ensure not only an amazing collection of images but will also ensure that the time you are spending together will also be another really great memory of your wedding day! The perfect dress, hair, makeup, flowers and venue deserve the perfect wedding photographer to preserve the memories, make the right choice!
Photographing your Wedding in and around Vancouver
Beaches, parks, our amazing city skyline, your incredible romance, what else does a wedding photographer need to make great shots? You already know that Vancouver is Canada’s most stunning cities and a great Vancouver wedding photographer can help you bring some of this beauty in to you wedding images while creating uniquely "you" photographs.
Think about "your" Vancouver places, the spots where you often go, perhaps the place where you had your first date, your first long walk, your first kiss or even where you got engaged. You have your own amazing and special Vancouver spots and it is our job to help incorporate these special places in to your wedding photography.
It is my job as a Vancouver wedding photographer to always be creative and to offer my clients something new and unique. This is what separates us from everyone else in Vancouver, keeps the work fresh and fun and ensures that your wedding album is truly unique and original.
When deciding on the great locations we will use during your portrait session we need to think about what sort of images you want, all the while considering vibrant colour, unique architecture, interesting elements like brick walls and old warehouse arch ways, unique light sources, graphic lines and texture. Vancouver’s wedding photographers see the city in a whole new way; that old run down building is not seen as an eyesore but rather an amazingly interesting and candid backdrop for you and your wedding party.
When you are prepared to try something a little outside of the box, we know that you will be thrilled with the results. Vancouver offers no shortage of inspiration and we are willing to try whatever it takes to get that perfect shot for you.
What To Look For in a Portrait Photographer in Vancouver
Children grow and change so quickly and as a parent you want to remember each and every stage. That's why most families get portraits done at least once a year. The question is – who do you choose as a photographer?
There are lots of things to consider when deciding on a professional portrait photographer…
1. What is your budget? For everyone this is personal but important when finding out what costs are and what you get for what you pay. Some photographers draw people in with very low sitting fees and then charge high amounts for reprints. Some charge one flat fee and include everything – even the original negatives or digital files. Do your homework and know what you are getting.
2. Style – What is the style of the portrait photographer you are considering? Are they very traditional or do they do things that are modern and innovative? Do these images speak to you? Can you see yourself in their photographs?
3. Creative – does the portrait photographer you are considering have a lot of images for you to see in their portfolio or website? Do the images vary and are they interesting? Do the subjects look like they are having fun?
Whether you are looking for photography for your children, a family group, or a single headshot – it's important to be thorough before you choose. Vancouver has a lot of photographers to pick from and all offer their own unique style.