Remember, moments are not just moments at all.
Every week someone asks me “what is it that got you into photography?”
Followed by “why the vintage style?”
Good questions. I think I’ve figured it out.
When I was growing up as a little girl in Kitchener, Ontario, for as long as I can remember, I would regularly sneak into the basement to dust off our family’s old photo albums.
I would spend hours poring over the Polaroids. The 35mm shots. The disposable camera shots. Pictures where the view finder was slightly covered by someone’s finger.
And I was more and more curious.
Look at how young my Mom looked.
Did that green 1950’s car belong to my Dad?
Why did my older sister have a shaved head?
I couldn’t get enough of those old photos. When I go back to visit my parents, I still do the same old ritual. Seriously, I do. Those vintage photos are like magnets to me.
It even affected my choice of wedding dress, which you can see in my photo on the right.
I think most of us get this wrong. We underestimate the value of nostalgia. Nostalgia is important. It reminds us of who we are, and where we came from. It anchors us emotionally. It gives us somewhere safe to retreat to. It fills us with warmth and sinks deep into us.
You need it. I crave it, too. For me, I’m fortunate. All it takes to bring it back is my parents’ old photo albums.
That’s all I care about now, when it comes to taking photographs. My goal as your wedding photographer is to perfectly capture your moments of love, pride, and joy, and save them for you in your very own nostalgia vault.
How do I do it?
The best way I’ve found is to use the authentic stuff. The real deal. Genuine vintage camera’s.
Genuine vintage cameras. Cameras similar to those my parents used back in the day. So that’s what I do. In fact, I’ve carefully amassed a private collection of nine (working) vintage cameras. Each of them capable of capturing a photograph with a different vintage look and feel. I consider them my secret weapons.
Several years later, the results are still exceeding my expectations.
When circumstances require using my amazing (new, non-vintage) digital camera, I fight to incorporate a vintage feel to mimic the style as much as possible, and then rely on mad Photoshop skills to pull off the rest. It’s not always as good (obviously, since all-powerful Photoshop can only do so much), but it’s a great second-best option.
One more thing: too many wedding photographs are inauthentic. Not genuine. Artless.
It’s the happiest day of their lives for the bride and groom. Yet in their pictures, everyone looks stiff and awkward. Which is not how you want to remember your wedding day. You want to remember the candid and special moments. You want to remember the unfiltered emotions that seeped onto your faces. The true stories told by your eyes, your mouth, and your brows.
Of course, every couple is different. That’s true of you, right?
For me to get your pictures right, I start by getting to know what makes you different, and what makes your love special to you. Why do you love him so much? Why is he the one for you? Why do you love her so much? What is it about her that makes you smile every time you think of her?
That stuff is gold.
Because then I can identify those quiet, special moments you share, and snatch them up for your own priceless nostalgia vault. Your knowing glances. Your slightly downturned lips. Your concealed smiles. Your fake frowns. Your alluring eyes. And the big stuff, too, like the uncontrollable laughing of your inside jokes that no one else understands.
Those are the moments that never get old. The ones you treasure in photo albums to remember, reminisce and share.
Just like your parents.
If you’re still reading this, then we might be a good fit to work together. So let’s ask the next logical question:
How much will it cost to hire me?
The truth is, it all depends.
It depends on how long you need me, how many pictures you’d like, and where all this good stuff will be happening.
I offer complete wedding packages as high as $7,800 and as low as $2,800. Or if you prefer, you can hire me on an hourly basis, for $825/hr. I occasionally offer limited-time specials, too, so it might be worth asking about.
Which package is right for you? Let’s talk and find out.
Call or text 647-786-5142 or email dzesika@devicfotos.ca to arrange a free 25-minute in-person consultation, anywhere in the Toronto area. When we meet in person, you’ll be able to flip through my brand-new 160-page. full color book, “Capture Your Day in a Vintage Way” that is available to purchase. This book is available at a discounted price when meeting in person. If you like, I’d be happy to sign it too.
If you are outside Toronto (but not too far), and would like me to come to your home or business for 25 minutes to discuss your options, we can make that happen, too. A modest travel fee of $150 will likely apply.
Since you’re here already (and still reading these words way down at the bottom of this page) why not drop me a line while you think of it? We might be a great fit to work together, or we may not.
It only takes a couple of minutes to find out.
TEXT 647-786-5142 (you can text me 24 hrs/day)
Call 647-786-5142
Email dzesika@devicfotos.ca
If you wish, complete pricing information can be found here.