|
vendor reviews: photographers
|
Interviewing Paul Griffin & Anita Stefanovic, Owners & Photographers of Images With Attitude
From iWed albums to huge photography packages at competitive prices, Paul Griffin and Anita Stefanovic of Images With Attitude focuses on offering brides a fresh, fun perspective to shooting their wedding memories. Since the day they opened their doors to weddings, this company's popularity has watched their calendar get busier - and it doesn't look poised to slow down any time soon.
So with the Images With Attitude portfolio showing obvious talent and visible evidence of the graphic design and wedding backgrounds Paul and Anita share, it's easy to see how a bride could be drawn to their fun and romantic, posed and candid memories. Let us explain... Personally speaking...
Paul
and Anita feel
that it was only a matter of time before they put their focuses on
wedding photography. Paul's uncle, Nelson Simard, for whom he
used to assist, is a wedding photographer in Woodstock, while Anita's
grandfather was a wedding photographer as well. Anita says, "A love for wedding
photography runs in my family."
Paul graduated with a diploma in Graphic Design
from Georgian College in 1992 and has eight years experience in studio
photography and image work. He worked
primarily in the commercial area before refocusing his talents on the wedding market.
Anita owned and operated
Kristina Boutique,
a shop specializing in wedding gown design, and then went on to spend the last
ten years working in
the graphic design field. Together, Paul and Anita opened the doors of Images
With Attitude. It's a company fueled almost entirely by the combined design,
art, and wedding expertise of this talented couple. "The first wedding we did was for a friend of a friend. The couple decided at the last minute that they wanted to have a professional photographer so we stepped in to help. We were very nervous going into that first wedding. But we were so excited on the way home. We loved it! We loved everything about it. The romance, the smiles, the tears, it was amazing to be a part of such a wonderful day."
Taking the next step Turning down a bride for her wedding day photography isn't an easy thing to do for any wedding professional. "They really want you and they've set their wedding date, but you're booked..." That's why, after their company took off with leaps and bounds, Paul and Anita decided to bring on two additional photographers, Lisa and Melanie. By expanding their team, Images With Attitude will be able to say 'yes' more, and shoot a lot more wedding memories for the brides who love their style.
Paul and Anita chose Lisa and Melanie for their shooting styles and personalities. Lisa has spent the past four years assisting and growing within another photography company. She has a very strong technical background and Paul and Anita say that she has a natural eye for wedding photography. She now does weddings on her own within Images With Attitude. Melanie has been shooting weddings for many years as well and also takes on weddings of her own for the company. To show off the talents of their new photographers, Images With Attitude has posted Lisa and Melanie's work online at www.imageswithattitude.ca.
Out of character Paul and Anita hesitate to label themselves as shooting in one photography style or another. "We know we don't want to do cookie cutter photography," said Paul right away. "What we can say is that we always look for the out of the ordinary shot – something new and unusual, something that is out of character for the bride and groom, a shot that inspires that ‘wow' response." Spring 2008 bride, Antonella, was wow'd by images Paul and Anita had taken of her friend's wedding. "They were beautiful; they captured some great natural moments like a picture of the bride during her sister’s speech, a picture of the guests taking pictures..." Antonella also admitted that getting two photographers on her wedding day didn't hurt either!
August 2007 bride, Carrie Munn, liked that both Paul and Anita have their individual ideas and unique styles of photography that meant she got a wide variety of professional photos. "They are familiar with the K-W region and they see unlimited potential in spots you would not even think twice about. Our engagement photos were fantastic as we have garden shots, pictures that look like we were in New York City, stairwell shots, and fire escape shots. I was impressed with the knowledge and diversity and on a few occasions people would stop and ask for a business card because they saw the artistic flare they have..."
Paul and Anita say they just want every couple to love their photos as much as they love shooting them. Carrie says that as a bride, she can sum them up in one word, "Flexible. They are open to ideas and suggestions and they make themselves available at your convenience. They are an easy going, very enthusiast, and creative team... They made me feel like a princess...." For her wedding photos, Carrie found herself riding a lawn mower, in a corn field, and eating ice cream on a caboose, "...all things they knew I would get a kick out of. It was a lot of fun."
More than anything else, the focus of Images With Attitude seems to be on capturing the wedding day as it happens. You can see shots that are posed and candid, couples smiling, laughing and sharing those quirky inside-joke glances. Paul and Anita also make it a point to get those detail shots - close-ups of flowers, the cake, wedding favours... Krista Dobbs and her fiancé were wed in June 2008, and it was the spur-of-the-moment engagement shots that ranked among their favourites. "We like the fact that the photos are natural and real. They have new and fresh ideas, but most of the best photos are the ones that weren't set up. Paul seems to be able to catch all those moments that are hard to capture, but are so special." Krista found her wedding day photography to be fun and relaxing. "We never felt rushed and by the end of the shoot, I was confident that the photos were all there and were going to be great."
Rachel and Nick Weber, married August 15 2008, described their wedding day photo shoot with Images With Attitude for us; "While taking the photos there were some candid shots that captured what others were doing that day perfectly. My brother who was MC for the reception was working on his speech during the photo shoot. I really wanted to get a shot of him working and all I had to do was point to him and Paul caught it. It is one of my favourite shots. They were very flexible but efficient. I never felt like we were standing around doing nothing. Every movement had a reason and the cameras were always snapping away... They were also willing to listen to any suggestions and input we had, which made it really fun"
With both
backgrounds in graphic design, Paul and Anita take great pride in the quality of
the finished photos. Shooting in digital, they're able to apply some of their
design talents in Photoshop to help create the best finished product they can.
Leading by example Paul and Anita work with a shot list provided by the bride and groom as a general guideline. The list details the must-have shots and Paul and Anita will use it to capture your day as it unfolds the way you want it. They want you to be thrilled with your photos and will do whatever it takes to make it happen. They will give as much direction as you need or will let you do your own thing and just shoot it. "We've even led by example," laughs Anita. "I was working with a couple during an engagement shoot and was trying to explain how I wanted them to kiss. It was just easier to show them, so I planted one on Paul." It doesn't stop there. Anita will also organize people, fix the bride's dress (using her wedding gown expertise), and generally keep things running smoothly.
A better perspective One thing Images With Attitude offers that many companies don't is two photographers at your wedding, which ultimately leads to a more impressive number and range of images captured throughout the day. Anita's the one who sees the situation possibilities that include poses and personalities that will give your pictures a soft, romantic touch, with an emphasis on emotions and close-ups. "I can look at a location and a couple and just see the possible shots," she explains. "So I give them a bit of direction and let them be themselves."
Paul, on the other hand, likes the cool, fun, half-posed, candid shots that show the couple enjoying their day. "There is an openness and naturalness to them that is wonderful to capture," he admits. The end result is a wonderful array of wedding pictures that compliment each other. "With two people we never miss a detail or an important moment," they say. "In fact, we even get the small details like the flower girl and ring bearer playing or grandma and grandpa holding hands." With two photographers you'll end up with twice the memories.
An all-day affair One of our favourite things about Images With Attitude is their no-limits policy, which means they have no time limit to their packages and there is no limit to the number of photos they'll shoot. "We'll stay with the couple until they feel we have covered all of the wedding day memories they want to capture."
Your wedding with Images With Attitude A meeting with Paul and Anita starts off your wedding photography. Images With Attitude has plenty of 2009 dates still available, but they say dates are booking up quickly. "All first meetings are with Anita and myself," explains Paul. "We show them samples of the work of everyone on the team, including Lisa and Melanie." He says that once a bride chooses their photographer and books their wedding date with Images with Attitude, they set up a second meeting - closer to the big day - where everyone is able to go over final details and timelines.
Their prices are competitive, geared to the fact that they're relatively new and they realize couples are putting their trust in Images With Attitude. All-inclusive packages range from $1600 for the Silver Package with Lisa or Melanie, or $3000 for the Diamond Package with Paul and Anita (and a Modern Album). For off-season brides, they also offer a special Winter Package for $999 which is valid from November 1 through March 31. "We've actually had two past clients give our photography to friends as a wedding present. We were extremely flattered."
Paul and Anita say that within one week of your wedding day, you'll have your own online gallery for viewing.
They like to take care of reproducing your images for you. They say this is the best way they can ensure top quality and they print their photos in-house. Each photo printed in-house comes with its own 200-year guarantee (if kept under glass).
Images With Attitude recommends starting with an engagement shoot. "It gives us a chance to see you in front of the camera. How you react, how you respond, if you're comfortable..." When doing an engagement shoot, Paul and Anita like to get you out of your element or comfort zone. Their couples have gone to a farm and rode a tractor, to a school playing on the playground, blowing bubbles, but most importantly, having fun. "It's more than just smiling for the camera. You should be enjoying yourself and each other." Antonella said her engagement session was fun, "Paul and Anita spent a whole afternoon with us. They had neat ideas for shots, and took lots of them. They made us feel at ease and relaxed... We looked natural and ourselves in our pictures."
• Make sure to book 6 or more months ahead to ensure Images With Attitude is available for your wedding date. • Their 2009 dates are starting to fill up, but they are still able to accommodate last minute calls. • A deposit of $500 is required to book your day. • The balance is due a week prior to the wedding.
To reach them by email, write to paul@imageswithattitude.ca to set up an appointment. If you'd rather call, their phone number is 519-496-4822. If you don't reach them directly, they encourage you to leave a message and say they'll be sure to get back to you as soon as they can. You can check out their new online portfolio at www.imageswithattitude.ca.
- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca |
Fresh company offers brides "Images With
Attitude" and some serious fun on the wedding day
