Wedding & Engagement FAQ

Your Engagement Session

Most engagement session questions are answered here!  Below are a few more you may be wondering about...

Will we get a chance to change locations and clothing for more variety to our photos?

Regular engagement sessions last approximately 1 hour and are generally at one location.  If you'd like to do a clothing or location change during this time, you're more than welcome!  If you're thinking you'd like more photography time to take advantage of various locations and clothing, I offer a "First Class Engagement Session" upgrade.  This session lasts approximately 2 hours, which gives a lot of breathing room.  It also gives more flexibility to take advantage of the "golden hour" (the hour just before the sun sets on a sunny day) to, again, increase the variety of photos through different lighting!

Can we use our engagement photos to create a photo guest book for guests to sign at our reception?

Absolutely!  You will have full printing and online sharing rights to all your photos.  This means if you'd like to create your own photo guest book, that's absolutely fine!  If you'd like a high quality book that will last a lifetime (and looks stunning!), I offer a variety of options for these as well.  If this interests you, ask to see my sample copies!

Can we use our engagement photos on our "Save the Date" cards?

You bet!  Again, you will have full printing and online sharing rights to all your photos.  Feel free to make your own cards, or if you'd like, I have some great quality options as well.

Your Wedding Day

Do you pose us, or help us look comfortable in the photos?

This is where the engagement session is really helpful.  During this session you'll get a sense of how I work, and I'll get a chance to figure out how I can help you best to be comfortable in front of the camera.  I always aim to have an assortment of posed, not-so-posed, and completely candid shots.  I also want to draw out your individual personality as much as possible.  To do this, I'll give general directions ("head over to that shady spot and put your arms around each other"), and if needed, more specific ones ("look into each other's eyes", "give her a kiss on her cheek" or "hold hands while you're walking back to me").  I want you to be as comfortable as possible, so sometimes that means giving lots of direction, and other times just letting you do what you do.  Most of the candid shots happen between poses, moving to different locations, or in moments when I step back and just let you interact!

We would like you to photograph for more than 10 hours.  Is this possible?

Definitely!  Ask me for information on my "No Headache Wedding Day" package.

Do you offer the option of having a second photographer work along side you?

Absolutely!  Let me know if you're interested in this, and I can give you more information.  When I work with a second photographer, the photos from both photographers are combined,  edited with a consistent style, and included in your gallery in the chronological order of the day!  This saves you from having separate collections that you need to jump back and forth between, trying to remember who took which photos.

Is there an ideal time of day to have our formal photos happen at?

Yes!  Noon is the least flattering time of day.  The closer to sunrise/sunset you can get, the more flattering the lighting will be.  That's not to say we can't take photos at noon - we definitely can!  But if you're the kind of person who puts a high priority on photography and you want to schedule the elements of your wedding day around what works best for photos, keep this in mind (and I can certainly help you walk through figuring this out if you'd like).  But if other things are a higher priority for you - such as wanting your guests to have a very short break between your ceremony and reception, or the time limitations on that ceremony location you fell in love with - don't worry!  You can still have fantastic photos of your wedding day!

What if it rains on our wedding day?

If rain is possibly in the forecast, I always have some sort of backup plan in mind (generally a heavily treed area, indoors, or a covered outdoor area).  We can also take some great photos with umbrellas. A heavy downpour can decrease the amount of time we spend taking formal shots, but we'll just roll with it, and have fun regardless!

How long will it take for the photos to be ready after our wedding?

Generally, your photos will be ready for you within a month!  Before then, you will find a teaser photo or two in your inbox so you can relive some of those moments of your wedding day, and post that beautiful shot of the new husband and wife for all your friends and family to see!

How many images will I receive?

I don't guarantee a specific number of images for wedding day photography, but generally for a 10 hour wedding, you can expect at least 500 photos.  I work hard to make every image you receive be one you'll love, and to document your day fully!

How will I receive my image files?

You will receive a link to an online gallery with your image files in both high resolution (for printing) and web sized (for easy sharing online) file sizes which can be downloaded directly onto your computer.  You are more than welcome to pass on the link to as many people as you'd like (parents love this!), and print and post to your heart's content!

Are there any limitations to what I can do with my photos?

You will have full printing and online sharing rights to your photos!  This means you can print them at any photo labs you wish (I recommend London Drugs), make your own photo books, post them on your blog or Facebook, and more!  There are only two limitations: you may not edit the images in any way or make money off of them.  If you'd like to enter a photo into a contest, I just ask that you contact me for permission first!

Do you offer "Thank You" cards?

Yes!  And if we plan a little ahead of time, we can make sure you have the perfect photo(s) for them!

What other keepsakes do you offer?

I offer high quality professional lab prints, beautiful wrapped canvas prints, and stunning wedding photo books that will last a lifetime!  There are an assortment of sizes and styles for these.  Let me know if you'd like more information on any of these options!

How do I book with you and what is the payment schedule?

A signed wedding agreement and $1000 non-reundable deposit (or 50% of your total fee, whichever is less) is required to book your wedding date.  The reminder of your fee is due a month prior to your wedding day.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Cash, Cheque (payable to Tuesday Photography) or Email Money Transfer - sorry, no credit cards or PayPal.

Downloading Your Images

For those of you who look in horror at a link, filling up with dread at the thought of figuring out how to download something onto your computer, don't fear!  It's quick and easy, and I've outlined the steps in detail below with you in mind!

• Once you've received your link, click on it!  A new window on your Internet browser will open.
• On the top left, you'll see a box with some links, two of them being "For Web" (with smaller web sized versions of your photos for emailing and posting online) and "For Printing" (with full sized files for printing your photos).  You can preview all of your photos when you click on these categories!  (Please note: weddings may have different or more categories than this)
• You will download all your images from these two categories as well.  On the bottom right, there is a "Download" icon.  When you click this, there will be a number of options for downloading (download all photos, download category, etc).  Choose the one that you'd like, and it will ask you to create a login account.  This is really quick and easy to do (you'll need to put in your name, email address and a password - that's it!), and your email address only goes to me!  (Please note: you can look at your photos on your smart phone, but can only download them to your computer)
• Take note of where your computer is downloading your photos to (or to make things simpler, tell it to download them to your Desktop)!  Downloading time varies depending on your Internet connection.  If you're one of the lucky neighbourhoods with crazy fast connections available to you, it can take as little as 5 minutes for a portrait session, or 1 hour for a wedding!  But for the rest of us, unfortunately it will take longer.  So  hold in all that excitement to get posting your photos for just a little bit longer… and let technology take it's course.  If there's a lot of photos, beginning the download just before bed works great!
• Make sure to change your computer settings so that it doesn't go to sleep while downloading!!
• Once the download is complete, just open the folder where it was downloaded, and you should be able to see all your photos there!
• The last step... Enjoy your photos!  Hang them up all over your walls, send them to your friends and family, post them on your blogs and social media sites, and take a moment to stop and appreciate the richness the people you love bring to your life!

Want to know some other great things about your gallery?

• Once you've created your login account, you can pick your favourite photos, and download only them.  You can also choose to only download a single photo, or single category, at a time.
• You can share your photos right to facebook, twitter, google, pinterest, and email by clicking the "Share" icon on the bottom right.  Others can download the images from there!
• All of my contact information is in the "Contact" link at the top left.  If you need to get in touch with me for any reason, you'll have all the info you need!
• There is a "Help" icon on the bottom right as well, just in case you need it!
• Your gallery will stay active for one year, and you (and your friends and family) can download images as many times as you'd like in that time!  This also means your photos will be backed up online for the year!

Now make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, sit down and take a look through your photos!

Portrait Session FAQ

I'll begin this FAQ with the most important, and commonly NOT ASKED, question...

My husband (or kids, or father-in-law, or myself!) HATES having their photo taken.  How painful will this be?

I consistently hear from my clients that their session wasn't anything like they thought it would be, that they actually had FUN!  Imagine that  :)  Honestly, do!  I work hard to create an atmosphere that's fun and relaxed.  I love to get you laughing and interacting because I feel that's the best way to get photos that really show your individuality.  And you are totally allowed to shrug off any awkwardness or uncertainty when that camera is up, and ham it up!  Have fun adding those funky accessories to your outfit and put on a bit more makeup than usual, run through the field with your kids, throw your shoulders back and flash me (or your sweetie) that flirty smile... HAVE FUN!  That's what it's all about.  Because who wants to capture memories of awkward moments and stiff smiles for years to come?  NOT ME!

Do you pose us, or help us look comfortable in the photos?

I aim to have an assortment of posed, not-so-posed, and completely candid shots by end of your session.  I also want to draw out your individual personality as much as possible.  To do this, I'll give general directions ("everyone head over to that shady spot and throw your arms around each other"), and if needed, more specific ones ("let's look at the baby" or "squish your heads really close together").  I want you to be as comfortable as possible, so sometimes that means giving lots of direction, and other times just letting you do what you do.  Most of the candid shots happen between poses, moving to different locations, giving the kids a "play" break, or in moments when I step back and just let you all interact!  Just make sure you come prepared to have a little fun, and possibly go home a little dirty and more wind blown looking than when you showed up!

How long will my session last?

Sessions last approximately an hour.  Newborn photography may take longer, depending on the baby's needs.

What is included in a portrait session?

You will receive a link to at least 30 edited image files in both high resolution (for printing) and web sized (for easy sharing online) file sizes which can be downloaded directly onto your computer.  These will be an assortment of colour and black and white images.  You will have full printing and online sharing rights, and are more than welcome to pass on the link to as many people as you'd like, and print and post to your heart's content!

Are there any limitations to what I can do with my photos?

You will have full printing and online sharing rights to your photos!  This means you can print them at any photo labs you wish (I recommend London Drugs), make your own photo books, post them on your blog or Facebook, and more!  There are only two limitations: you may not edit the images in any way or make money off of them.  If you'd like to enter a photo into a contest, I just ask that you contact me for permission first!

How long will it take for my photos to be ready following my session?

You'll have your gallery link sent to you within 1 to 2 weeks!

What should we wear?

Check out my blog post here for how to prepare for a portrait session!

What if it rains?

Being a natural light photographer means I am at the mercy of the weather.  If it's spitting lightly, we can definitely still shoot.  If it's a downpour, we will most likely reschedule for another day (or wait an hour or two to see if the rain lets up).  If there's no way to reschedule, I'll put on my rain coat, find the best cover for you, and happily shoot away!

What time of day do you usually do your sessions at?

There are two times, one in the morning and one in the evening, when the sun gives off it's most flattering light.  These times change as the days grow longer and shorter.

Where will we do the session?

Being a natural light photographer, the outdoors is my studio (with the exception of newborn sessions). The location is your choice, or mine, whichever you'd prefer.  I have an ever growing pocket full of great locations, but if you have a preference, I'm game!

What is the payment schedule?

A $100 non-reundable deposit is needed at the time of booking.  The remainder of the fee should be brought with you to your portrait session.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Cash, Cheque (payable to Tuesday Photography) or Email Money Transfer - sorry, no credit cards or PayPal.

Preparing For a Portrait Session || Portraits : Cowichan Valley Photographer

It's amazing how something as simple as having some photos taken of your family can become stressful or daunting!  I had no idea this was the case until I decided to have some photos taken of our little growing family.  I was so nervous!  Would Rosa (our 11 month old) cooperate?  Would she not nap properly that day and be totally overtired?  Would Conor (my husband) decide to enjoy the day, or be a little annoyed that I was "making" him do this?  Was it really a good idea to bring our dog?  What if she decided it was a perfect time to not listen and run off?  How was I going to do my hair (gotta love all those unruly baby hairs growing back from the "after having a baby" hair loss!)?  And trying to decide what everyone was going to wear... I think I changed my mind 4 times!  And even then I didn't do very well.  Notice Conor's shirt holding me hostage...

A gun on his shirt?  Vintage or not, how did that get the okay?  Well, I don't want to stress you out.  I'll stop now.


So, I thought, what a perfect subject to write some tips about!  Although I was stressing for mine, when it's portrait sessions for other people, and I'm behind the camera, I am generally able to think straight and communicate all the tips I've learned over the years.  So, read on and put your mind at ease!


What to wear:

• Don't be afraid of putting a little extra makeup on!
• It's up to you how "matchy" you dress.  Keep in mind that matching will create more uniform and polished looking photos and dressing differently will give your photos a more creative and casual feel.
• Try to avoid really obvious emblems (such as the guns above).  They can be distracting, or hold your loved one hostage!
• Accessories are always good - scarves, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, hats, headbands, belts, fun shoes, boots, clips or flowers in your hair...
• For more variety in the photos, feel free to bring along a second outfit to change into part way through your session.  It can nice if one outfit is more dressy and the other more casual.
• Is it going to be a tad chilly outside?  Perfect!  Jackets, scarves, mittens, hats, etc. look great in photos!  There's no need to freeze to death trying to make it seem like a random hot spell hit in November!  But do keep in mind what's under those jackets (that was, in fact, what I failed to remember with the guns incident mentioned above...)
• Lastly, if you have a plan in mind for what you want to do with your photos, dress in a way that works for it.

Other thoughts:

• Make sure your kids have full bellies!
• If your child has a special toy, or something that could be fun and show their personality in some photos, bring it along!  This can help kids relax by having something familiar... and something fun to play with!
• Use the loo just before you leave the house
• Most importantly, mom (who's probably reading this), RELAX!  Your family will sense your tension and this will most likely make them tense or annoyed.  Don't worry about how your kids will do or if they'll smile right.  Let whatever is going to happen, happen! (Oh, and bribing can sometimes be very effective!)
• Okay, most most importantly, get ready to have fun!  I promise it won't be as uncomfortable as you think!

BUT, all this being said, if you really want to have fun and make a statement, throw all these "rules" out and do whatever you would like to do!!  (Maybe just remember to use the loo...)  Don't be afraid to express yourself, or maybe even be a little more bold than usual!

Welcome || Weddings & Portraits : Cowichan Valley Photographer

Hello to you who have stumbled upon my blog! It's so nice of you to stop by...

Tuesday Photography is photography by Loni Searl (check out my website here!). I love calling photography my work, although to me, it is also still just something I love to do.

In the past, you could pretty much guarantee that a camera was somewhere close by me at all times (I was thrilled when the teeny tiny digital compact cameras first came out, a perfect fit for my little purse). However, since my husband has entered my life, he's taught me the art of living in the moment, which sometimes means I simply take a picture in my mind's eye. And this is exactly why I love photography. Life is full of moments, little and big, that are just too good to let slip away unnoticed. I love to capture those moments, in my own life, and in others'.

So, that's a little bit about me. Another thing you should know, however, is that Conor (my wise husband I mentioned above) and myself are very proud parents of our first little girl, Rosa. So, yes, I am a photographer (the second best job in the world). But really, I also have the best job in the world, being a mom. And I love it.

I hope you enjoy my photos. I hope you see a little moment, or a family's love, or the excitement of a journey beginning, or a sparkle of personality caught, so it didn't just pass by unnoticed...

(Okay, and since I have your attention, I'll have a little brag moment and show off my Rosa girl)