Wedding and Elopement Experience
What will it be like to work together? Will she judge us if we are awkward? Is it weird to kiss in front of a photographer? How do I know what to do with my hands? What if my Great Aunt Karen is a Drama Llama?
Read on to find out.
What You Can Expect from Me:
Knowledgable.
A decade in this industry and I am here to be your guide through the day - photographically and otherwise. I assist in all your choices and detail out what that will mean for your photos so you know exactly what to expect. From locations to timelines to asking poignant questions to help reveal what you truly want from your images, I am here to make it happen.
By Your Side.
I am with you for the most important moments of your day, often from getting ready until your first dance (for elopements that’s often just in a shorter time frame). I am fully focused on you and your day. I’m there for any / all questions, or requests. I can guide you through each phase of the day (photographically) but I am also an extra set of hands for anything that arises.
Unruffled.
I have seen and done a lot in my life. Travel has taught me to be flexible in every possible way, and nothing phases. I’ve been stuck in monsoons, worked in the heat of the desert, gotten lost in big cities, been mugged once, you name it. I cannot be phased. If anything comes up on your big day, I’m ready to roll with it, whether it’s weather, family drama, outfit mishaps, delays, or otherwise!
Funny.
Listen, I’m a funny person. I just am. I take your wedding very seriously but I am also here to take the edge off. It’s momentous but also giddy, joyful, romantic, gushy, cool, hip, and fun. I will crack jokes at appropriate times and regale you with tall tales from the road, my life, or other weddings to put you as ease and laugh away any stiffness.
Cool.
Kind of like unruffled but, well, cooler. I am a cool person. I am passionate and dedicated but easy-going, relaxed, and chill. When I am doing what I love, I am in the zone, and it comes naturally. I roll with changes (but keep you informed) and generally am easy to be around. You probably will want to have a beer with me sometime. And I will say yes.
Invested.
I only take on a dozen weddings a year so that I can be fully invested in each one. It means that your wedding is more than just a calendar date to me. I might have gotten married a while ago but I still recall how deeply the details, the people, & the moments that made it magic. It meant something to me - your day means something to me too.
"I am blown away by the quality and attention to detail that Kate put into our wedding photos. Not only is she a skilled photographer but an awesome hostess during her photoshoots. Kate took us to the most amazing locations that made for some beautiful photographs. Her charm allowed for us to feel comfortable and relaxed, resulting in her stunning artwork. Thank you so much Kate for such a great experience and beautiful works of art that we can reflect on from our wedding day.
"
- David H
What You Can Expect from The Experience:
Planning.
You will be guided through planning your wedding or elopement. You will be advised and coached through deciding timelines, pros and cons to all major decisions, and helping select locations that aren’t just lovely but suit you. When you are on the fence, you’ll be given tools to help decide what you truly want from the day, and images.
Guidance.
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 coached on where to stand, look, and what to do with your hands - but from there you’ll prompted and gently guide into real, authentic moments, reactions, and interactions.
Troubleshooting.
On your big day, you will have a professional to turn to if anything comes up and we work together to adjust. Rain? Late? Road closed? Feet are freezing? Noshed pizza and got a stain? You will have a guide to pivot, adjust, and ensure the day is still as amazing as you hoped no matter what comes your way. I’m not a wedding planner, but I am here to help.
Laughter.
Almost everyone says they’re awkward in photos, so you’ll be surprised to see how quickly I can put you at ease with jokes, stories, questions, and prompts. We will laugh. You will feel cool and I will look ridiculous crawling through trees or striking some pretty extreme lunges to get the best angle. It doesn’t meant we won’t get to some serious, romantic, and intimate moments but you will laugh as we work our way towards that.
Cheerleading.
Your biggest fan will be front and center 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, and it will show in the photos. You’ll be glowing!
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.
Kate repeatedly went above and beyond for us – wading into the ocean for our engagement photos and braving dark and snowy mountain roads for our wedding! We never expected to feel so relaxed and at ease on our wedding day, Kate was so helpful at providing guidance through the planning and then keeping the day moving smoothly, along with being professional and hilarious the whole time. Our friends and families are still talking about how fun and easy to work with Kate was, and of course how beautifully all our photos turned out.
Choosing Kate as our photographer was easily the best decision we could have made for our day, we could not be happier! 😍
Kait H.
What You Can Expect from The Images:
Quality.
Call me old-school but 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 and moment 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 couples - values, hopes, goals, history - 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. Instead I aim for contemporary, cool, and timeless. I am inspired by my favourite analog films but edit with modern taste in mind. I also value originality - I keep an eye on trends for inspiration but don’t just mimic what everyone else is doing.
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 as loudly or subtly as you feel suits you.
True Colours.
I could never undo the beautiful colours mother nature has provided here on Vancouver Island. I work hard on nailing the most beautiful tones that are true to van isle but modern, contemporary, and cool. I am inspired by the tones and depth of analog films and it shows in my style - but never anything trendy, hip, or “filter-y.”
Genuine.
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 give you that easy, nature beauty that you already have.
"My husband and I have had a not so average journey from day one. Despite timezones and pandemics, Kate was extremely knowledgeable, creative, and accommodating. Her willingness to help and her positive attitude made it easy us to be ourselves. Her fun personality allowed us to open up, laugh and truly be in the moment. I cannot wait to collaborate with her again and would recommend her highly to anyone. Thank you so much Kate for capturing our beautiful wedding photos and for giving us something to look back on and cherish together forever!”
- Ashley H.
FAQ
How many photos do I get?
This directly correlates to how many hours you book! I average, for weddings, 50 edited images per hour worked. I do focus more on quality, over quantity, but in general this is a safe estimate. Some couples have asked me to limit this to 25 per hour - they would rather have more quality, less quantity. Just let me know!
Why is it called Lo and Behold?
I named my company after one of my favourite sayings, one which I use when the thing I am looking for is right in front of me or arrives in the knick of time. Lo and behold, you have found what you are looking for.
In a more straightforward sense, lo means look, and behold means have awe, admire. I want people to see themselves in the images and feel awe not only for this beautiful place, but for their beautiful lives too. Lo & behold; look, and have awe.
How many hours do I need?
I can offer honest and experienced thoughts on this over phone, email, or grabbing a coffee in real life. I will let you know the best fitting package, the pros and cons of more or less coverage, but I will always give you space to ultimately decide for yourselves what’s best. I offer packages from 2 hour elopements to 12 hour epics, and quite a few options in between.
How is your travel experience relevant to weddings?
I’ve woken up jet-lagged and fatigued but gotten up and worked dawn to dusk with a smile on my face, through heat and cold and wind and dust, in a culture that’s new to me and a language I don’t know, and I do it all on a deadline and limited time and no re-dos. I don’t know about you but these skills have translated seamlessly into wedding and elopement work.
Where to Next?
