Vancouver Wedding Photographer || Ophelia Photography

In the wedding photography business there lies a push to attract the high end bride.  The wedding photographer appears to be driven by this focus of attracting a bride with a particular budget.   You can attend workshops, buy books and read articles on how to land high end weddings with a ‘skies the limit’ budget.  Why is this seen as the ultimate goal?  Are these truly the people who will love and treasure your style of photography?

In the process of becoming a wedding photographer I have had to counter argue and suggest that what I want most is to work with clients who share my love for photography and art.   I would much rather be working with someone who is emotionally invested in my work and who appreciates and loves my style.   I would happily spend my Saturday and weeks of follow up post work for couples who are as into photography and their wedding as I am.

When I book a wedding I spend 1-2 hours in the initial consult and I authentically enjoy meeting all couples, regardless if the booking occurs.  I love asking questions about the up coming nuptials and specifically what the most important thing is to the couple about their wedding photos. From the initial meeting and preliminary engagement photo session I get to know my couples fairly intimately.  From how they first met, the song that they first danced to, even the name of their pet (who may or may not be included in the wedding ceremony!) I get truly inspired by my couples and I want to provide them with amazing photos that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.    

When I work with a couple that truly appreciates my work and gives me free reign (as my couples do), I do my best work!  That’s when I go full flight into my right brain and my creativity soars.   I love unique and creative weddings that portray your character. I want you to feel encouraged into discovering your personality and allowing that to reflect in your wedding.  I realize that I am not the wedding photographer for everyone.  Not everyone will be drawn to my style of photography and I am alright with that.   I am not your traditional photographer.   After one year of wedding photography, I hope my style conveys truth, beauty and the love.   Much of my completed work combines a strong fine arts style with a strong documentary style.   I want my clients to be modern, chic with a penchant for the melodramatic.  Essentially, I want continue on working and developing my own unique style by offering unique couples something different.   

My ideal clients trust me and get ‘into’ their sessions with me. They trust in my vision of documenting their wedding day. They are making wedding photography an investment for their lifetime and I am an important priority on their list.  Most importantly, they like me and connect with me as their photographer.   Photos don’t lie.  I have been asked before on why the couples look so relaxed in the photos or how I get them to lie in grass or muddy fields in their wedding attire.  I believe it is an answer of trust and communication and simply put, my clients feel relaxed.   In my personal opinion, wedding photos are reflective of the wedding itself.  From laughter to tears, I want to capture it all and in truth I feel it all.  My past clients can all attest to me laughing a lot during our sessions.   If you are laughing, I am laughing along with you.  When you walk down the aisle, say your vows or give a speech at your reception I shed tears with you and your guests.  I am invested and I am here to truly capture who you are. 

 In the end I want to be perfectly clear, if you have a rocking, awesome. unique and offbeat wedding, I would love to photograph your wedding, regardless of your photography budget. No lies about that! I would much rather be working with couples who are unique and want to showcase their wedding in a way that reflects them as individuals.    So before you choose your wedding photographer, please sit down and discuss the overall vision of the completed photos you want. 

 Of-course, I understand that times are tough economically and weddings are expensive, but in wedding photography it is vital that you put the time and financial commitment into choosing someone you connect with and trust. Not just someone with the best price.   When you look back on your wedding photos, you want to see yourself and have the emotion of connection portrayed in each photo.   Claude Adams wrote, “Having and camera makes you no more a photographer than having a hammer and some nails makes you a carpenter.”   I know photography and I want to be there to capture your special and unique day.  I want to make your wedding photos into art that when you look back on will evoke the emotions of the moment depicted.

 XOXO Lisa

Vancouver Wedding Photographer

Vancouver Island Wedding Photographer