Tag: Wedding photography

November 26, 2018

How To Get the Most Out of Your Wedding Photographer

When hiring a wedding photographer for your big day there are likely some important shots you have in mind.

Of course you want the important moments like walking down the aisle and the kiss, but there are a lot more things that you can have your photographer capture at a wedding.

If you want to get the most out of your wedding photographer then get them to take individual and group portraits of everyone at the wedding who wants one.

Instead of having to pay for a separate family portrait shoot you can all get it included in the cost of the wedding photography.

That’s hundreds or even thousands of dollars in savings.

Think about how many guests you’ll be helping get a great photograph for free! It’ll make your guests even happier they got invited to your wedding.

Whether you are renewing your vows, getting married young, or are a mature couple, our team has extensive experience working with all groups of people.

We specialize in putting people at ease and capturing them at their expressive, authentic best.

Our team at Trina Koster Photography is highly skilled in both wedding photography and portraits. So no matter which one of us is photographing your wedding you can be confident you’ll get amazing, high-quality images that you can cherish for a lifetime.

See our wedding portfolios and portrait portfolio for examples of our work.

Be sure to check out our recent shoot at an Elora Mill wedding over the summer.

August 13, 2017

Wedding at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre

This was a very creative wedding which made it a lot of fun to shoot. Snow and Greg celebrated their wedding at the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, which is a small and intimate venue with some nice backdrops for photos.

We enjoy this image because it is a candid shot of the moment when confetti fell from the air, with a Van Gogh inspired backdrop.

We admire Snow and Greg because they put a lot of thought into making their wedding creative and fun for their guests. It provided us with some great opportunities to be artistic and tell a story with the photos.

Jeannine Brady took this photo while working as a second photographer at the wedding. It’s very beneficial having a second wedding photographer because it expands the amount of the wedding story that can be covered.

Being able to view the same moment from different angles allows for a different perspective and different emotions to be conveyed.

To see more of our wedding photos, check out our wedding portfolios.

August 8, 2017

Wedding Venues in Guelph, Ontario – The Ultimate List

Choosing wedding venues in Guelph to get married at or hold your reception at can be tricky when you don’t know all of your options. We’ve come up with a comprehensive list of Guelph wedding venues, all of which we’ve photographed at and included images.

To see more of our wedding photos and pricing info, visit our wedding photography page.

Guelph Wedding Venues

Aberfoyle Mill

We like this wedding venue because it’s got a country charm to it. It feels cozy with the warm wood inside the Mill, and it also has nice limestone backdrops which are great for photos.

The grounds have lots of weeping willow trees and there’s also a nice pond. On the pond there’s a peninsula with a white gazebo which provides a stunning view and a great place for ceremonies.

In the summer they have a giant tent for accommodation of up to 200 people.

Arboretum Centre, University of Guelph

arboretum centre guests having dinner at venue guelph

arboretum centre couple in japanese garden

wedding ceremony at the arboretum centre guelph

arboretum centre bride and groom sharing a kiss

You can’t go wrong with a Guelph Arboretum wedding because it is beautiful all year round. It is one of our favourite wedding venues in Guelph to take photos.

There is a broad palette of colours and backdrops for the photos no matter what season you go there. It has an immense range of greenery and trees, and also provides tons of open shade. Open shade prevents you from harsh and contrasty light, which can make you look speckly and unflattering.

The Japanese garden in the Arboretum is one of our favourite places to shoot in Guelph because of the design elements and its very intimate setting.

Artisanale restaurant

One of the less known Guelph wedding venues. It’s a very charming restaurant with a cozy atmosphere.They have a large patio in the back which is great in the spring and summer, and the food there is incredible. It’s a nice place for small to medium sized weddings with accommodations up to 80 people.

City Hall, Downtown Guelph

The City Hall is a great location for a couple of reasons. In the summer it has water fountains which provide a shallow pool for you to dip your feet and in the winter it is turned into a skating rink.

The exterior of the hall has historic limestone and a mix of modern architecture which allows you to get 2 different looks for photos.

Creelman Hall, University of Guelph

Creelman Hall is a fantastic wedding venue. The architecture of the building is very impressive and the space around the staircase is excellent for a cocktail reception.

Johnston Green is located right next to Creelman Hall, which has a portico that is perfect for having a wedding ceremony. You also have the War Memorial Hall a minute away, which is a really good location for photos. Creelman Hall is one of our favourite places to shoot at in Guelph.

Cutten Fields

cutten fields wedding venue ceremony guelph

This wedding venue has a golf course and clubhouse which allows for indoor and outdoor ceremonies. It’s got a nice shaded patio with beautiful greenery behind it, making it perfect for summer weddings.

The reception room is well lit from lots of bright windows. The location also has a spectacular sunset view which overlooks the city of Guelph.

Delta Hotel

This venue is excellent for very large weddings and reception parties. The lobby of the hotel is a nice location for photographs as well.

Goldie Mill

This is a really unique wedding venue to get married at because it’s a treasure in Guelph. Built in the 1800’s and destroyed by a fire in 1953, the Mill has a lot of history. Just next to the Mill is a huge 90 foot brick chimney. The Mill still has its original limestone, and its ruins are where ceremonies take place.

An advantage of Goldie Mill’s location is that its nestled in between a river and a parkland, with the Guelph Youth Music Center right beside it.

Guelph Youth Music Centre

dining room at guelph youth music centre wedding venues

Inside of the centre is a theatre where ceremonies takes place. The theatre has nice modern architecture, with 2 walls of glass. Because of all of the windows and glass it is very bright and airy, allowing for great photos with natural light.

It is also located right next to Goldie Mill Park which is a good location for photos.

Hanlon Convention Centre

Hanlon Convention Centre detailed wedding shots

This is a great wedding venue for any sized wedding. Glamorous and dramatic chandeliers that light up the banquet room contribute to a feeling of celebration.

The foyer acts as a cocktail reception lounge. In the lounge they have a water fountain feature on the wall that is lit with changing colours, making it a great backdrop for unique photographs.

Holiday Inn Guelph

Bridesmaids and bride by pool in holiday inn

They offer different spaces for very large weddings to medium and small weddings.

The lobby has an updated modern interior design, which can make for some interesting backgrounds in photos. There’s a number of staircases around the lobby which are good for group photographs.

Italian Canadian Club

This venue is a traditional banquet hall that was renovated to be fully accessible and fit up to 600 people in 2015. The lounge area has nice leather furniture that is great for photos.

It has big windows bringing in lots of natural light and it’s very close to downtown Guelph. A benefit of this venue is that photos could be taken at the Guelph Courtyard as well since it’s located nearby.

River Run Centre

guelph wedding venues, the River run centre

river run everyone dancing in reception room

The River Run Centre has an incredible bank of windows with a view of the river and its old ruins. The Canada Company Hall is where guests eat dinner, and can accommodate up to 175 people.

The location itself is very light and airy to celebrate your wedding in. There are many picturesque features such as a promenade that stretches over the adjacent river and John Galt Park located nearby.

Science complex, University of Guelph

Science complex at night time wedding photo

This Is a great wedding venue because it has ample space for a very large wedding celebration and is bright and airy. It is located in the center of Guelph at the University, with access to the whole University of Guelph grounds.

There’s a greenhouse nearby which can be used for photos, as well as the nearby War Memorial Hall and Johnston Green. It is also a 10 minute walk from the Arboretum which is amazing for photos.

Springfield Golf and Country Club

The golf course is a stunning place for wedding pictures, located in the south end of Guelph.

It has a wonderful gazebo on the front lawn of the golf course that is perfect for ceremonies. It also has a garden with a variety of lush green textures.

The golf course has solid backups plans in case it’s raining on your wedding day, allowing you to have the wedding inside.

Finding wedding venues in Guelph shouldn’t be a hassle, it should be exciting! We hope this list can assist you in making the right choice for your wedding day.

If you’re planning your wedding and are looking for a photographer, contact Trina Koster Photography or view our wedding rates.

We also do Wedding photography in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Fergus, Toronto, Elora, and more.

August 3, 2017

5 Things To Consider When Planning Your Wedding Photography

Wedding planning can be both exciting and stressful at the same time. Lots of details should be considered, from the colour of napkins to the music being played and the food that is being served.

The photos from your wedding will be your best memories of a very special day in your life, so its important that they’re done right.

To ensure that you get the best photos on your wedding day, we came up with a list of the top 5 things you should consider when planning your wedding photography.

5 Wedding Photography Tips for Brides and Grooms

1) Consider the weather for each season

When deciding on what season to get married in, here are some considerations you should take for the weather (in Ontario):

Spring
Cons: Can be very rainy and possibly rain all day. Can be damp and cool. Usually the leaves have not come out on the trees until the end of May causing there to be less “open shade”.

The lack of leaves can cause the light to be very stark and the backgrounds may have a lot of branches coming out of people’s heads.

Pros: Pretty blooms of Red bud trees and Magnolia- unique to spring time.

Summer
Cons: July can be extremely humid sometimes! Not a great month for people who are really sensitive to extreme heat. It’s especially important to pick a photo location with a lot of shade.

Pros: By far, June- September is usually Ontario’s most pleasant weather.

Fall
Cons: The daylight hours get short quickly! Usually around October 20th onwards the weather can be rainy, cold and damp- but of course not always! Things just get more unpredictable.

Pros: The extraordinary colours of fall in Ontario peak around Thanksgiving.

Winter
Cons: Not every day has a pretty dusting of fresh snow. Usually a bride and groom can get outside for a 20 minute portrait session, but it’s necessary to have a good indoor location to complete all the family photos.

Pros: You can sometimes get a “Winter Wonderland” day that is magical looking.

2) Have a backup plan for bad weather and light conditions

Rain, hail, high winds or snowstorms may cause unexpected problems on your wedding day.

The bottom line is it’s critical to have a Plan B option for photos to account for difficult weather and light conditions.

Have an indoor and outdoor location. If being married outside have a tent as a backdrop.

You can plan everything but you can’t plan the weather.

3) Come up with a photo ‘Shot List’

Think about what photos will be the most valuable to you and your spouse both now and for your future. Write up a “shot list”.

Your wedding day is the joining of families together, and your photos will be the legacy of this unique family celebration that you are creating.

Consider the importance of a mix of posed and candid moments to be captured. Making portraits on your wedding day can be a meaningful part of your day where you are spending time with some of the most important family members and your closest friends. If you get a good photographer they’re gonna make this an enjoyable time for everyone.

Consider using a wedding checklist so you can keep track of all of the shots you want to take along with all of the other important details of the wedding.

4) Make a plan for the day with your wedding photographer

Consult with your wedding photographer before your wedding date to plan out the timing of your day and what location your wedding portraits will be made.

It’s important to choose a location that has “open shade” options where groups of people can be posed together without patches of shadows or bright light on their faces.

Also, locations with architectural features such as staircases, pillars, arches, ivy, stone and a variety of textures will make for more interesting photo backdrops.

5) Find the a professional wedding photographer that you can connect with

Find an experienced, professional photographer who works with a second photographer or assistant and whose portfolio contains many examples of real weddings that they have photographed. Ideally they can show you one wedding that they have photographed from start to finish.

The skill of wedding photography does not rely on just having a good camera. A professional photographer has the ability to communicate well with people, be artistic and creative at posing people, manage timelines, and be able to direct people so that the subjects can enjoy being photographed.

Make sure you choose to work with a professional photographer that you and your spouse connect with and you feel that they understand what will be the most valuable photos to you.

Follow these tips and you can be confident that the photos you get from your wedding will provide memories that you can cherish for a lifetime.

Contact Trina Koster if you are looking for a wedding photographer in the Guelph, Cambridge, Elora or Kitchener-Waterloo area.

July 28, 2017

Tatiana Banquet Hall Wedding

This photo was just recently taken at the Tatiana Banquet Hall in North York, Ontario for a Russian wedding.

The venue has an elegant interior design to it which makes for some unique wedding photos.

We love capturing candid moments of people having fun at weddings. When people are having fun and letting loose it makes for really special photos and great memories.

This shot in particular was taken by one of our wedding photography assistants, Garrett Smith.

We use really great assistants at our weddings. They don’t just carry things around they are great photographers as well.

Garrett is a photographer and videographer from Guelph. You can learn more about him on his website https://www.gsmithfilmandphoto.com/.

July 25, 2017

Three Best Rated Wedding Photographers Guelph

Thanks to Three Best Rated for choosing us as one of their 3 best rated wedding photographers in Guelph.

We’ve been doing wedding photography in and around the Guelph area for more than 20 years and still love doing it.

To see more, visit our wedding photography galleries or check out our wedding photography prices.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer for your next wedding, contact us today!

July 21, 2017

Millcroft Inn Wedding Photography

One of our favourite places to shoot weddings in Ontario is at the Millcroft Inn. Located in the hills of Caledon in Alton, this venue has got almost everything you are looking for when it comes to relaxing and getting great pictures. With tons of experience being Millcroft Inn wedding photographers, we’ve captured many stunning photographs there. You can see some more of them in our wedding portfolios.

The grounds have an amazing waterfall and pond, plenty of forest trails to explore, and the Victorian Manor House Garden is a perfect location for photographs.

The Millcroft Inn also has stunning architecture with tons of old limestone, which is great to photograph against.

The beautiful nature surrounding the inn provides a calming atmosphere and a delightful space to go for a walk. Tons of open shade and plenty of intimate settings provide the opportunity for amazing photographs.

Here’s what one of our clients had to say about their wedding there:

“We knew the Millcroft Inn was the ideal setting for our wedding and when we met Trina we knew she was the perfect person to capture the natural beauty and joy of the occasion.

We both work in the television news business and understand what it takes to tell a story. Trina’s patience with us and understanding of what we wanted was vital in telling the story of our special day.

Her eye for nuance and texture perfectly expressed the intimacy of the ceremony and of the Millcroft and has provided us with so many precious memories of our wedding. Thank you so much Trina!”

-Lama Nicolas / Global News reporter, Mike Boothman / CTV News producer

If you are looking for a fantastic wedding venue in Ontario to get married, Millcroft Inn is highly recommended by us.

Trina doesn’t charge travel fees to shoot weddings at the Millcroft Inn because she loves the place so much, and the drive there from Guelph is easy.

If you are looking for a Millcroft Inn wedding photographer to shoot your wedding, contact Trina Koster and you’ll be sure to have photos you can cherish for a lifetime. If you love the Millcroft in your also love the Elora Mill.

July 18, 2017

Langdon Hall Wedding Photography Review

Langdon Hall of Cambridge, Ontario is a stunning place for wedding photography. We’re delighted every time we shoot a wedding there.

Beautiful no matter what season, when you enter through the gate and drive through the pine forest, it doesn’t feel like you’re in Cambridge anymore, it’s almost like you’re in your own world.

To get an idea of the kind of photos you’ll get from a wedding there, check out our Langdon Hall wedding gallery.

Langdon Hall is perfect for small and large weddings.

We’ve photographed weddings with only 4 people (bride, groom and friends) to large parties of 120 people. No matter what the size it always feels very intimate.

As Langdon Hall’s top referred wedding photographers, we’ve had the pleasure of photographing weddings in every season, with each season bringing its own special look to the wedding photos.

There are so many fantastic locations in Langdon Hall to take wedding photos. The Orchard Garden offers a beautiful backdrop for pictures you’ll never forget, and the croquet lawn is great for photographing groups of friends and family.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer experienced in getting amazing wedding photos at Langdon Hall in Cambridge, Ontario, contact Trina Koster.

You can also view our wedding packages for pricing details.

June 22, 2017

Top 5 Photos Every Wedding Photographer Should Take

If you are new to wedding photography or are interested in becoming a wedding photographer in the future, you need to know the most important moments to capture.

Although there are way more than five important moments you should capture at the wedding, these are the ones you should focus on the most. To see some examples of must-have shots, see Trina’s wedding portfolio.

Top Five Photos to Take At A Wedding

Formal Portraits of the Bride, Groom, and Family/Important Guests
These are a must for the wedding day as they become part of the bride and groom’s family history. Find at least three different areas around the wedding venue to take individual or group portraits so that the family can have options when selecting their favourite wedding shots of the day.
Detail shots of the day:
Details add an interesting perspective to the storytelling of the celebration. Whether it’s cutting the wedding cake, the type of shoes the bride or groom are wearing, or a shot of the bride’s bouquet with the wedding bands overlapping, these detailed moments will add more diversity and will complement the formal wedding photos taken throughout the day.
Ceremony shots:
These are the most important shots of the wedding. You’ll need to make sure you position yourself for the best angle to capture these special moments, as you only get one chance. It can be very useful to have a secondary photographer to ensure you get every detail and angle of this time on camera. The bride walking down the aisle is a moment where the secondary photographer could take shots of them from the side or from behind while you take shots from the front.
First Kiss:
Nothing warms the heart up more when you see newlyweds share a kiss for the first time in the presence of their friends and family! For wedding photography, these important moments are the ones that will remembered and cherished the most, especially if these photographs are going to be in a wedding album. The moment of ‘I Do’ is a photo wedding photographers have one shot at, only one time to capture this precious moment – make it count!
Reception Celebration:
This is where all the celebration begins, and a lot of different events are taking place! Make sure to capture important moments like the newlyweds’ first entrance, first dances, cutting the cake and speeches! This is the time when everyone will be having fun and letting loose, allowing you to capture tons of great candid photos and happy faces.

These tips just scratch the surface of what you need to know to be a successful wedding photographer. If you live in Guelph or South Western Ontario, contact Trina Koster for a wedding photographer you can count on.

To find vendors for anything wedding related, visit http://www.canadasbridaldirectory.com.