Frequently Asked Questions
I’m based in Ottawa, Canada, but my camera and I are frequent flyers. I photograph weddings all across Canada and around the world, wherever love takes you.
Absolutely! Wherever your love story unfolds, I’m there. I’ve captured celebrations everywhere from Barbados and Iceland to Tuscany and France. I’ve also photographed all across Canada, from Vancouver Island to Cape Breton and everything in between. I’m no stranger to road trips, flight layovers, or spontaneous adventures. Whether you’re planning something in a quiet corner of Ontario or halfway across the globe, I’ll happily meet you there.
For weddings in the Ottawa area, there are no travel fees.
For weddings within Ontario or Quebec, I simply charge for mileage (at the CRA kilometre rate) plus two nights of accommodation if it’s more than 1.5 hours from Ottawa.
For anything beyond those provinces, travel fees include a return flight, three nights of accommodation, and a rental car for three days.
I wish it worked that way! My time and artistry are equally valuable no matter where in the world I’m shooting. My pricing stays consistent in CAD $ for every wedding, near or far. For anything more than 1.5 hours from Ottawa, I simply add standard travel fees. Keeping pricing consistent is the fairest way to honour every couple I work with.
People often don’t realize this until after they’re married. But your photographer is the one person you spend the most time with on your wedding day. So it’s pretty important you choose a photographer you trust. Someone who you can feel 100% comfortable with. The best way to figure out if we’re a great fit is to reach out to me. Write me an email, and let’s set up a time to chat. This can either be in person, or over video chat if I’m out of the country.
If you decide you want to book me as your wedding photographer, I’ll need two things.
- a $1000 non-refundable retainer
- a signed contract from you (more info on that below). And then: we celebrate!
From that point forward, I am with you every step of the way. I’ll offer my guidance and support in any way I can. I can help you find other vendors who will help bring your dream day to life. And I most definitely will get over-the-moon excited when you send me photos of your dress!! Why? Because that is the type of relationship I love having with my couples! The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can be friends!
Absolutely! I want to work with couples who value photography and who trust me to tell their story, regardless of budget. Let’s chat about what you’re dreaming of and we’ll figure out how to make it work. Maybe we simplify your coverage, tweak your timeline, or find creative options that still deliver great images and an awesome experience.
If you’re excited about what I do and believe in my vision, it means we might be a perfect match! So drop me a line and let’s start the conversation.
I totally get why you might ask, and here’s why I include two photographers in every package: it means more moments captured, less risk of missing important details, and a smoother experience for you.
At the start of my career I shot all my weddings solo. But over time, I learned that when things don’t go exactly to plan (and let’s face it, weddings are full of surprises!) the extra pair of hands really makes the difference. Having two photographers means your timeline still flows, both of you get attention, and all your favourite people get captured in the best light.
Bottom line: You’ll get the full story of your day, no compromise. And yes, I promise it’s worth it.
Great question! I do things a little differently. I pour a lot of time into getting to know each of my couples, so I don’t rely on an engagement session to build that connection. Instead, we’ll have lots of touchpoints leading up to your day (calls, questionnaires, timeline planning, etc) all designed to help me understand you two and your vibe authentically.
Engagement sessions and wedding days also have very different energies. During an engagement session, it can feel like the camera is right there the whole time. But on your wedding day, my goal is to blend in and document things naturally as they unfold.
That said, I love engagement sessions when they’re done for the right reasons! Like celebrating this special season of your lives or getting spectacular photos in a place that means something to you. I just don’t think they’re a must-have for connection or “practice” :)
Since I know (from personal experience) just how hard it is to wait for photos, I work double time to get them to you ASAP. You can expect a highlight gallery within one week of your wedding, and the final gallery less than two months later. These will be delivered to you in high resolution via an online gallery. You can share the link with your family and friends so they can view and download them all too. Easy peasy!
To officially lock in your date, I just need two things:
A $1,000 non-refundable retainer, and
A signed wedding contract.
I book on a first-come, first-served basis, so once those two things are in, the date is yours and I’m celebrating right along with you 🥂
The earlier the better! I typically book about 15 months out, but don’t hesitate to reach out even if your date is soon. Sometimes I have last-minute openings. If you’re flexible with your date or planning a non-Saturday celebration, there’s a good chance we can make it work!
Your $1,000 retainer secures your date. The remaining balance is split into two equal payments: one 4 months before the wedding, and the final one month before. You can pay by credit card, e-transfer, or direct bank deposit (whatever’s easiest for you).
My business is built on the belief that everyone’s love story deserves to be celebrated and captured beautifully. No matter who you are, who you love, or how you choose to celebrate: you’re welcome here.
I work to create a safe, affirming space by being mindful of language, representation, and your unique experience from start to finish. I also work with a diverse network of vendors who share these values, so your entire day feels inclusive and supportive.
Your wedding should feel like you, and my job is to make sure that shines through in every photo.
100% yes. I believe wedding days are a team sport, and that every vendor plays a huge part in creating an amazing experience for you. Ottawa has some incredible videographers, and I’ve been lucky to work alongside many of them. Collaboration and communication are everything. And when that synergy clicks, the results are pure magic for our couples!
Here’s what a couple of my favourite videographers in the industry have said:
“If you’re in search of a wedding photographer, I would highly recommend booking Lauren! She is so talented and such a wonderful human. I can’t wait to work with you again!” – Jinbon Lau from Films by Jinbon
“Lauren is sunshine in human form: she’s warm, incredibly kind, and makes you feel like the most important person in the room. The collaboration and communication skills she and her team bring are next-level. She also leads with inclusivity, creating a safe, welcoming space for every couple. I recommend her to all my clients.” – Natasha Cloutier from Dear Darling Films
Hire. 👏 Professional. 👏 Vendors. 👏
You only get one wedding day, and you deserve a dream team who knows their stuff. Seasoned pros keep things running smoothly so you can actually enjoy your day.
If you’d like recommendations, I’ve got a solid list of vendors I know and trust. People who are not only incredible at what they do, but also wonderful humans. You can check it out here.
Oh heck yes. We already are, boo. 💕
