But this year my view at my job has completely and irreversibly changed. After a recent life tragedy I can't look at wedding and family photography in the same way.
Here is why...
In February 2022 my life changed completely. I found out that my home country Ukraine was under a full scale war.
My beloved parents, siblings, grandmother, niece and nephew and woman who raised me were hiding in the cellar because russians started bombing my home.
My little brother watched the rockets fly over my house.
I was scared if I will ever see them again. I still don't know if I will ever see my grandmother who wasn't able to escape.
In between phone calls in the middle of the night waiting to hear if they are okay, I searched my house for photos of my family.
I had barely any pictures of my grandmother and aunt - woman who was my nanny and practically raised me.
I found a handful of polaroids from my wedding. You know those simple and cheesy instax photos people often use for their guestbook.
I was flipping through images and I didn’t care about photos of me and my groom. I didn’t care about my dress or the cake. I wanted to see people who were at my wedding. Friends and family who I might not see again.
My wedding was about them being there for me.
Photos of grandma, my college friends, my dear aunt, my parents are the most precious thing I own.
In the toughest time of my life I realized something.
Art has no value without meaning. Pretty things with out purpose are just.. pretty things. They wont fill your heart. But people and memories of them will.
Weddings are about people you love.
People you should never take for granted.
A message I wrote to my wedding photographers during the war
" I know you are in agony as much as I am right now - watching our homeland burn like that.
I just wanted to say thank you.
I hope this will cheer you up a bit
I was looking at photos of my wedding and I cried over them.
I was happy I have these memories of my home in Ukraine.
They were simple moments at the time but are most precious things to remember now.
I don’t know if I ever will see my grandmother in person again.
But I have a photo of her hugging me.
I don’t know if my house will remain standing.
But I have a photograph of it through the eyes of a happy wedding memory."
Pre-wedding meeting and consultations - I help you to get organized and always support you.
In-person/facetime/coffee/wine/email – however you like! I put a lot of time and effort to get to know you and your needs. From day one you are my VIP!
Full or partial day coverage – flat fee
Custom coverage - I will calculate to your specific needs. Like elopement and small weddings.
High-resolution photographs – ready for print
Low-resolution photographs – ready for Social Media
Online slideshow and super awesome gallery. You can see how they look like here
Beautiful custom made albums - included in two of my packages
Online print store - support local business while getting greatest quality.
Best way to show off your photos in the digital world
Slideshows is such a simple and beautiful way to showcase your photos. It's super easy to share your wedding day with friends and family without downloading all the photos and scrolling endlessly. You can post a slideshow on social media with one simple link.
I absolutely love making slideshows. There is something magical in putting images with some music. It will make you and your loved ones cry I can promise you that.
Here is a slideshow of a beautiful spring wedding of Jocelyn and Sean at their home just outside of Cobourg.
Albums
Best way to show off your photos at your home
Imagine having some friends over and they want to see your wedding photos. Instead of looking through your hard drive, you have a beautiful custom made photobook on your coffee table. Everyone will pass the book around and " Oh my goodness! Your wedding photos are amazing!".
Don't leave your photos just laying around on your desktop or phone. Print them!
Every time you look at them you will be flooded with your happy memories.
This is your little legacy. Timeless and precious.
