JFY Photography&#039;s Blog

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Just For You Photography Wedding Photographer Workshop | canmore wedding photographers |

1 comment

Shandy Wasylciw - May 3, 2012 - 9:27 pm

I am booked in for your workshop, I just have a couple questions.
Do you know the times yet? What time you start the first morning, and how late does it go the next night?
Also I am wondering about hotels…reccomendations??

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

avery | edmonton wedding photographers |

When Avery first contacted me asking to do a shoot I would have bet my entire bank account on the fact that she was at least 18-21. The girl has mad skills, so when she told me she was UNDER 16 my jaw nearly dropped. It’s the first time I have called and spoken with the parents before shooting together. It was awesome that Avery’s Mom and Dad are pretty much the coolest parents ever. If I was a teen again, I’d move into their house and set up shop. Avery is young, but man can this girl model. She is fluid with her movements, and she can speak with her eyes. She is so professional and is all business. This girl doesn’t care how you’re feeling today, her biggest goal is getting you the most awesome and stellar photos she can. You can feel the passion to succeed in her, and I am so happy I got to work with this girl, since I know some day I’ll be flipping through Italian VOGUE going ‘Oh hey I did a photo shoot with her!’. Avery…Don’t forget us little people!!
Most of my work is very bright, sunny, happy, rainbows and sunshine all the time – but I find my attitude towards my work will sometimes change with the season or my personal mood. This shoot was inspired by the Gothic architecture of New York City when I visited it. This dress was purchased there as a reminder of what I saw strolling through Central Park. Edmonton was also going through the period of ‘It’s not nice winter, and no don’t you dare think it’s spring yet’, so everything was dead, rotting, or melting away. I created my little own Wednesday Adams. Avery may have missed the whole “Adam’s Family” period but she managed to portray so much emotion for this look – I don’t think I could have asked for a better model, which makes me so happy to say I get to work with this incredibly talented girl again.

5 comments

White Ivory Photography - May 16, 2012 - 9:58 am

Becky,
This is gorgeous! I love your work. You inspire me

Jaime - May 1, 2012 - 7:58 pm

What’s someone to say to that kind of statement. Thank-you seems puny in comparison. Every picture you take is epic! You wonder how you became so big? Because besides being an uber talented photographer your an amazing individual who makes everyone you work with feel like they are the most special person on the planet and that can not be bought. You will continue to be super successful as an individual and an artist. Avery will NEVER forget you no matter what the future holds for her.

Just For You Photography - May 1, 2012 - 9:36 am

I was shooting with the 85 1.2 when I got the rainbow.

Maria - May 1, 2012 - 9:32 am

These are beautiful! Can I ask what lens you were using for the picture with the rainbow effect in it?

Susan - May 1, 2012 - 9:27 am

Oooh, these are gorgeous! The second last and the last set are my favourite! They look stunning!! Love the lighting, and the posing is killer!

Monday, April 23, 2012

destinations abroad | edmonton destination wedding photographer |

So you’ve made the decision – you’re out of here, you’re leaving the cold behind and you’re getting married somewhere hot and sandy. Well this blog is for you – because being a destination wedding photographer – I want to be able to help you as much as I can!

The dress. Despite popular belief, if you are getting married abroad you can get married in whatever kind of dress you want! Don’t feel that you are restricted to just the simple, loose gown. There are TONS of dresses out there now that are made from light-weight fabric, which are wrinkle resistant and are just as beautiful.

The look. Don’t feel that you have to compromise on your jewellery, hair or accessories in general just because you are being married somewhere warm. Wear your hair down, go for loose curls, wear the BIG veil (I am a HUGE advocate for these!). Wear a ton of accessories – they are beautiful. Buy shoes even if you ONLY wear them for a few photos – don’t feel you get less when going away – you can still have it all.

The venue. I can not stress this enough – make sure you do your research on venues, go beyond what a travel agent is telling you. Looking for an incredible wedding planner AND travel agent? Check out Jolyn at Wander Love (www.wanderloveweddings.com) – she is incredible. Find the destination that doesn’t charge you an additional $500 to have your photographs taken on the beach, or outrageous prices for chair ties. Begin to look into involving local vendors – getting married in Cabo? Want the MOST amazing videographer on this planet, check out Angel at www.cinematictouch.com . The use of local vendors in the area can add so much to your day, and also help you cut down on the price of your date. Look beyond the ‘normal’ and be creative. Maybe your centre pieces will have pineapple bottoms, your place mats could be palm tree leaves – the options and ideas are ENDLESS. You are leaving behind the ‘normal’ in Edmonton, indulge in all that is around you.

The location. Think outside of Mexico! Dreaming of Italy? Go there! What about Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala? Look into places that will be as unique to your day as you are. Make your wedding more than the standard ‘Package 1 2 or 3′. Goto a country that will be a once in a life time experience for you AND your guests. The difference between Costa Rica and Cancun Mexico could be smaller than you imagined. For example, my guests, for my vow renewal going to Hawaii, staying on the island of Lanai it is only $1100 for a WEEK inclusive! Hawaii is supposed to be outrageous expensive – have a great planner? Trust me – they will make it work!

Be prepared to do something wild. I have had clients up at sunrise to climb water falls, day long car rides to experience cenotes, or even sunset deserted private beaches. Don’t be afraid to do something a little selfish and just for you – the photos will be worth it. Trust your photographer and give it your all. Don’t regret not taking that extra few hours to venture for amazing pictures, when you are home there will be plenty of time to sleep – you may never get back to the beach with your wedding dress.

Make a schedule for your guests. Let them know where you will be – and tell them to meet you there. Don’t try to play bride and groom, organizer, tour guide and entertainment group. You will burn out and miss time with one another. If possible, book an extra 3 days – just for the two of you. It makes everything that much sweeter.

Bring a photographer you love, connect with and trust. As a photographer who has traveled to over 10 different destination weddings, ask yourself why you would compromise on photographs simply because you are going away? Why give all the trust to a photographer at a destination resort who will snap 50 photos for you to take home. There are some very good destination wedding photographers out there, but do your research – look at their work just like you would locally. Make sure these photographers are good enough and meet your expectations. Find the photographer with experience.

Be prepared that it’s going to be HOT when you are in a destination climate. POWER THROUGH. GET THE PHOTOS. Remember that you ONLY get one shot at this. Make it worth every penny. Remember it is your wedding day and you deserve every moment of that sunshine.

A quick blog for all brides who are considering going abroad for their destination wedding – hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful!

1 comment

Jolyn @ Wander Love Destination Weddings - April 23, 2012 - 5:42 pm

Thanks Becky for the shout out!! Fabulous article – a destination wedding can be anything you dreamed a local wedding can be…and the world is full of fantastic destinations beyond Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic!! The world is at your finger tips, and a great photographer can capture the emotion & the destination, and a great destination wedding planner/travel agent can help navigate all the details for your group to get there!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

silent+inspirational | edmonton wedding photographer |

This small group of photos was from the first day of my workshop photo sessions with Three Nails Photography. It was a beautiful session, and I felt inspired and challenged again. It was a small area to work with, little control and made me truly test the elements. Each photo spoke to me individually, and I found it hard to process them all similar, as I found each stood on it’s own. I found each individually powerful, meaningful and strong. So I did what felt right, and processed each image a little bit different. For the purpose of the blog I have paired them with what I felt was their ‘match’.

As I shot the session I had my own story unfolding in my head, and tried to photograph the couple as if they were truly in a dream. From horse back, to using an Aboriginal head dress the story line seemed to have an air of magic involved. I loved that the photos came through my camera as if you truly were dreaming one night, in some images searching for the face that belongs to the familiarity, or just the hint of a smile or the slight glance. It felt like I was photographing shape shifters. The mood changed with ever new piece of the story.

Again these sessions were absolutely inspirational – and I loved them.

One thing however, was that I did receive a bit of feed back about the use of the Aboriginal head dress…I want to apologize to anyone in advance, and place a small disclaimer that it was in now way intended to cause hurt or harm, and was used purely as a prop. However, I learnt in the process of what a head dress truly means to the Aboriginal culture. So although this particular head dress is just a replica, I wanted to share what I found to be the definition of a head dress, and hopefully more people, like myself, who maybe were unaware now know.

Aboriginal Headdress: The Native American headdress can be many colors at once, or can consist of several feathers of one singular color. This often depends on what birds were indigenous to the area in which the tribe lived. For example, those living in the desert may only have feathers of one or two particular species of bird, while those living in the forests would have several colors. The strap that held the Native American headdress stationary on the head was usually made of leather or deer sinew. Sometimes cloth would be used to improvise, but typically leather was the material of choice.
When many of us picture Native Americans, we see a stately chief, standing tall wearing a large feathered headdress. The headdress is a very important part of Native American culture. Typically made of beautiful bird feathers, it is more symbolic than anything else. The Sioux were thought to be one of the first Native American tribes to use these head pieces. Not everyone among the tribe could wear one, however. The Native American headdress was reserved for the most powerful and influential among the tribe.

Perhaps there is meaning then as to why we usually picture the chief wearing one. It is a little known fact that Native American headdresses were not made completely in one sitting. In fact, each time the chief, warrior, or other important tribe member committed a brave act, a feather was added. Therefore, the more feathers in the headdress, the braver…the wearer was. In certain tribes, the brave act itself was not enough. The warrior would have to provide [prepare] himself by fasting for several days and meditating the entire time to show his steadfastness. This fact alone makes the significance of the Native American headdress very important.

Credits:
Three Nails Workshop – Louisiana, USA
Bride – Brytny Marquez
Groom – Kiley Grant
Dress - Miss Tashina
Hair & Makeup – Ashleigh Runge at Total Changes Hair Salon
Photo Styling – Three Nails Workshop

2 comments