Friendor Spotlight

Foto Flare Photography: Lucas Shaughnessy

Choosing a Photographer for your wedding can be a stressful task as you want someone that is experienced, knowledgeable and friendly. The photos they capture will be ones you will cherish for the rest of your life.
Lucas is a Friendor of ours. Our Full Wedding Planning package includes referals to professionals in the Wedding Industry often times with discounts offered simply for being a client of The Bride's Butler.

I had the chance to interview Lucas about his services, specifically Engagement Sessions.

How long before the wedding should you have your engagement pictures done?
If you plan on using the images for your wedding invitations or save the date cards, have your engagement session as soon as possible. Otherwise you can leave your engagement session until just a few months (or days) before the wedding.

How do you suggest that couples incorporate their e-session pictures into their special day?
If you schedule your engagement session early enough, you could pick out your favorite photo and use it for your save the date cards – together we’ll design a custom announcement card that incorporates the photos.
Give your guests some eye candy and create a gorgeous guest signing book. That way, your guests will be able to leave their best wishes beside some of your favourite images.
A more traditional option is to have a framed print with a large mat that your guests can sign – that way you can hang it in your home after the wedding.

What do you like about Engagement sessions?
I love it when couples let me into their personal space so I can capture who they really are. When couples are relaxed, we can get some great photos that evoke emotion, passion and show your fun side. Use your engagement session as an opportunity to fall in love all over again and create images that represent you!

How long is a session, and what is your rate for them? Are they included in all of your packages?
Almost all of our collections include a 2hr engagement session. If they’re not included, they can be purchased for $340

What is your most favorite shot to capture on the wedding day? The vows, the first dance, etc....

I don’t really have a particular favorite shot, but I love moments with emotion - whether it is the father's first look at his daughter in the morning or the groom wiping away a tear while his soon to be wife walks down the aisle. Ultimately my favorite photos are when the couple and guests forget that I’m there and I can capture how they really felt at that exact moment.

What sets you apart from other photographers?
Who’s better to ask then some of my past couples. Here's what they have to say:

-“Not only are you very flexible & modern – you’re extremely creative & just different”

-“You had a way of listening to our vision for the wedding and then taking this and making it come alive in artistic and unique photographs”

-“You always manage to exceed my expectations. The final product is always more than I could have expected or imagined! This time proved it yet again”

Halloween Weddings

Have you ever wanted to have a Halloween wedding? The tricks, the treats and dressing up in any costume you wish . Oh, what fun! But, if it's not your thing for how you'd like to say "I do", I bet you'd love to attend as a guest after seeing these photos from Foto Flare. Lucas had the opportunity to photograph this 2009 Halloween wedding, and as you can see the guests got right into the spirit of dressing up.
Which is your favourite costume?

Happy Halloween!!

What's Old is New again.

Vintage inspired weddings are very popular right now. Adding vintage touches and mix-matched items to your wedding make it unique and personal.

There’s also a whimsical element to vintage inspired weddings. They appear to be more relaxed (less stuffy) and also can be friendly on the budget if you can beg, borrow and steal.

Vintage inspired weddings also seem so timeless. I think this may be a trend that stays around a while.

To add the vintage feel to your wedding incorporate some of the following:

- silhouettes

- family heirlooms (brooches, pocket watch, fabric, etc)

- mix-matched china (from your Grandma’s china cabinet, or from a flea market)

- mason jars, and an assortment of vases – milk glass, depression glass, coloured glass (amber, blue, etc)

- wild flowers

- antique furniture and accessories

- black and white photos/ sepia photos

- art deco jewelry, pillbox hats, bow ties, vests and bird cage veils

- stationary can include monogram, letterpress printing or a wax seal

- lace or patterned fabric, and or a mix match of colour & textures

Check out some wedding blogs like Wedding Chicks, the Knot and Green Wedding Shoes and search for ‘vintage’. Just remember though when planning your vintage inspired wedding (or even Engagement session) that less is more.

Ladie's Night @ Rona

Rona is 'Doing it Right' on Thursday, December 3rd for Ladie's Night.

Join me at the Kitchener location (730 Ottawa St S) for a night of special promotions, gift ideas and fun!

Other vendors joining me are Lucas from Foto Flare, Home Outfitters, Zellers, Boston Pizza, Curves and much more!

Visit me at my table and ask me some questions about your wedding, and let me tell you how The Bride's Butler can help you save time and money while planning your wedding.

Sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter while at the show and be entered to win a Bride & a Groom

T-shirt with a fabric pen! These shirts are popular at Stag & Does and can be a fun memento from the night if you get guests to sign them!

I look forward to seeing you on December 3rd from 6pm to 8:30pm in Kitchener at Rona!

Foto Flare Photography

Everyone say cheese!

Taking a picture with a professional on your wedding day isn't like getting your school photo done. There usually isn't too much of the "say cheese", or "smile!"anymore. Most photographers like to take what they call 'photojournalistic' pictures.

Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism that creates images in order to tell a story...like the events of your wedding day. You want your pictures to convey timeliness, objectivity, detail, narrative and emotion.

The Bride's Butler works with a few photographers that all have the ability, experience, knowledge and equipment to capture all of the moments from your special day.

We like to refer Lucas from Foto Flare to our clients. He has his own studio in Hamilton (302A Brucedale Ave E) - and has many packages available to meet the photography and budget needs of every Bride and Groom.

Any clients of The Bride's Butler that are refered to Lucas and decide to use him as their photographer will recieve a discount depending on the photo package you choose. We also have a discounted rate for clients of Foto Flare - so visit the studio to find out how you can save money!

I invite you to visit Lucas' website, blog and studio to see his photojournalistic photos. http://www.fotoflare.ca/

When you're looking for a photographer for your wedding,

do you know what questions to ask him or her?

Here are just a few......


Are you the only photographer in this company? If I hire you, am I guaranteed that you will be the one showing up to shoot my wedding?
Can you show me 3 or more complete weddings you’ve done?

Is color and B/W photography included or is there an extra fee for B/W?
Are you willing to come extra early to get shots of us (the couple) before the ceremony if we choose to do that?
Do you work with an assistant?


How many and what kind of cameras do you use? 


Do you offer a website and CD of my images? 


Ask your photographer plenty of questions, they should always be glad to answer them - it shows your care about their service and the product that they can create for you.



BB Tip #5

When compiling a list of photos that you 'must have' for your wedding, remember to keep it simple.
Immediate family, wedding party shots, and details (dress, shoes, cuff links, etc).
Your photographer will do their very best to capture every moment and emotion...and you as the Bride do your best to relax, enjoy and SMILE! :)