Portrait Experience
What if I am awkward? What if my partner is hesitant? Will she judge us if my kids misbehave? (No way!) Will she be silently judging us if we wear matching outfits? (Yes.)
Guess what? Everyone is awkward! Being photographed is vulnerable - but can also be empowering, fun, and easy.
What You Can Expect from Me:
Prepared.
I will help you pick a great location, best time, and what to wear. I won’t pressure you into any outfits you can’t afford or don’t feel like you - i will just help curate what you already have. If you have kids, I’ll send suggestions for what to bring along and how to keep the mood up!
Tailored.
When deciding where and when, I dig into what makes you, you. what locations speak to you, what light or mood? We work together to tailor the experience so it reflect how you feel about each other and this place. I also help you find the words to sort out your “why” for this shoot.
Funny.
Listen, I’m a funny person. I just am. I take my work very seriously but I am also here to take the edge off. I’m here to put your and your partner at ease, and goof around with your kids too (or a pup!). I work hard to keep everyone enjoying themselves, as it leads to more natural moments.
Cool.
I am a cool person. I am easy-going, relaxed, and chill. while I am fully invested in you and these portraits, I don’t get ruffled easily. Kids melting down? Whateves. Rain? no biggie. Your dog just chewed my camera bag? It happens. I have too much experience to get bothered - I’ve seen it all!
“I couldn't be happier with the product and the process. Kate is very experienced with children and was able to bring out the best in my kids, making the entire process enjoyable. The photos are beautiful and captured the feel and style I was looking for. Her attention to detail and customer experience is excellent, bar none.”
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- Kelly C.
What You Can Expect from The Experience:
Fun.
I want you to enjoy yourselves. I want this to not just be a photoshoot but a form of self-care. This story matters. you are worthy of being seen. Your love story - whatever it is - is worth telling. My sessions are relaxed, fun, and yet still very meaningful and connected. You will enjoy the process and love the results.
Guided.
When it’s time to shoot, I am your hostess with the mostess. You will be guided through the scenes and moments that we have decided suit your personalities and journey. You will be guided on the awkward part - where to stand, look, and what to do with your hands - but from there you’ll prompted and gently guided into real, authentic moments, reactions, and interactions.
Genuine.
While I help with starting poses, my work is moment driven. I don’t aim for stiff, rigid poses that don’t feel right. I guide you into a starting place and then hustle to help you unwind and relax into the experience. I work to get you into connected moments and genuine interactions. And if you don’t want a starting pose, cool! We can just do activities naturally and my journalistic side will kick in.
Troubleshooting.
Rain. Tantrums. Tumbles in the mud. Forgotten outfits. Hanger. Location issues. Clothing malfunctions. More tantrums (kids and parents alike). I’m here for it. All of it. And I will work, in real time, to navigate the problem and right the ship. You won’t be left hanging, feeling judgey eyes on you while your child is facedown in the sand. I got you.
Cheerleading.
Your biggest fan will be front and centre cheering you on the whole time - me! You will feel gorgeous and seen and admired by me, receiving constant encouragement that you are doing amazing, look amazing, and the photos are therefore also amazing. You will be hyped up and your confidence should be through the roof.
At Ease.
When you combine all these things, the experience is meant to simultaneously make you feel on top of the world and then completely at ease. You are worthy. You deserve to be seen. Your love story is valuable and unique and deserving. It’s not just about looking pretty in the woods, it’s about you feeling confident and romantic and relaxed so that you can truly be yourself in the best light possible.
“Just an amazing person all around. Kate made our whole family feel comfortable throughout the entire experience! The photos we received were beautiful and we will cherish those memories forever. Is there a 6 star option 😂?”
Pearce M.
What You Can Expect from The Images:
Quality.
While some photographers aim for quantity, I aim for quality. Call me old-school. I want to get the best pictures, not just the most pictures. I’d rather you have 10 images you actually print, hold, cherish, and pass along as an heirloom than 1000 photos that die a digitally dusty death on your desktop. While I do still aim for variety, I hold quality of the image above all else.
Vision.
I get a vision of a couple and I have the skills and knowledge to execute that vision. I get to know my clients and get a feel for what their journey would look like in an image, and I strive to bring that vision to life. I don’t just ‘snap’ photos aimlessly. I am focused, intentional, and deliberate in what I am aiming for.
Contemporary.
I strive to provide images that will stand the test of time, but I do not want them to be generic. I aim for contemporary, cool, and original. I am inspired by my favourite analog films but edit with modern taste in mind. I have worked hard for ten years to hone by style, tones, colours, and moods. If you like what you see, you’re in for a treat.
Westcoast Vibes.
Vancouver Island is the third wheel on our adventure, in the best way. She makes for a brilliant backdrop. Let’s embrace the ocean, the forest, the mountain tops and bring this place into your story.
True Colours.
I could never undo the beautiful colours mother nature has provided here on Vancouver Island. I keep my blues, greens, and browns as true as the forest and ocean around us. I do, however, work hard on nailing the most beautiful tones that are true to Van Isle but modern, contemporary, and cool.
Genuinely You.
I will work hard to capture the best version of you - in beautiful light, from beautiful angles, and guiding you into genuinely beautiful moments. I don’t do intense photoshop on bodies because I believe all bodies are valid and worthy - but I will touch up your skin, eyes, and clothes to highlight that easy, natural beauty that you already have.
“Kate is an absolute joy to work with and she takes the most stunning photos. She goes above and beyond the basic photography service and offers so much to her clients in terms of consultation, preparation and product. Somehow she manages to capture beauty in the chaos of everyday life. My little family is busy and photo shoots are always a blur but Kate turns that blur into a collection of photos that look like they belong in a magazine! Kate has taken our family photos for the past few years now and she will be taking them for years to come. I cannot recommend her enough.”
- Rachel
Common Questions
How far ahead should I book?
Depends if it’s high or low season and if you need that coveted Saturday evening time slot. High season is the peak of spring, end of summer, and peak autumn. In these key times of beautiful weather, 3-4 weeks or more is advisable, especially for weekend slots. If you’re flexible on the day of the week, or shoulder seasons, then email literally anytime and I will find a spot for you!
What’s the best time to shoot?
The hour before sunset. It’s is golden hour, though you do need clear skies to get that hazy golden light - but it’s still beautiful even without that factor.
If it’s overcast, that is more forgiving, and we can work earlier. If you have kids, we can factor in naps and bedtime to find the sweet spot.
What do we wear?
I send preparing emails to help you figure out what to wear. The bottom line is whatever a) feels comfortable, clean, and fits well and b) falls into whatever colour palette you pick for your session (I can help with that!). If you want to buy a new item, great. If you want your well worn favourites, awesome. I ask for no logos, and no children’s characters. It adds a distracting element to the frame! At the end of the day, the images aren’t about your clothes - they’re about you!
Why is a session “up to” 90 minutes?
Melt downs, blow outs, poorly timed scraped knees, missed naps, hanger pains… kids have all kinds of hiccups and rarely at a good time - adults, too if we’re honest (though hopefully not a blow out). Children (and partners) can often sense when they’re on the clock, so my sessions are structured to allow for a relaxing pace. If you prefer a faster session, or everything goes smoothly, don’t feel like you’re losing out - some couples and families just click faster with the lens and the process and we are able to capture everything we need swiftly. That’s great!