We are Christina & Derek!
Placed top 10 internationally (three times)
Ranked top 5 photographers in Canada (twice)
Winner of 25 Fearless Awards
Junebug's Best of Vancouver Island 2017
AS SEEN IN:
People Magazine - World's Best Wedding Photographers - WedLuxe - Style me Pretty - Junebug - Fearless Photographers - Bride's Magazine - National Geographic Traveler
Photo Journal
I CAN SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT, YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!
You have no idea how much joy I get from looking at these photos and all the incredible moments and emotions you were able to capture from that day. I could not have been happier or more impressed with your work and can not thank you enough for capturing our wedding so perfectly.
Five ways we're
Different
FAQs
+ WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO PHOTOGRAPHING WEDDINGS?
We work hard to cater our photography to reflect YOU. And, our relaxed approach means you're going to have a natural smile, not a forced one. We photograph in a variety of styles and we offer a mix of candid photojournalism, fashion, something artsy and funky, or anything in between. We can also create artistic portraits of you that reflect the natural landscape of Victoria and Vancouver Island — the kind of photos you’ll be excited to hang on your wall.
+ DO YOU HAVE OTHER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS ON YOUR TEAM?
Christina & Derek often team up together. However, if you're having a smaller wedding or elopement, and you don't need two photographers that's no problem. Christina has worked as a solo photographer for many years and knows exactly how to capture your awesome wedding day without missing a thing.
+ CAN WE RECEIVE PRINTABLE, DIGITAL IMAGES WITH NO LOGOS?
Our wedding photography coverage always includes retouched, high-resolution, printable images that will blow up beyond poster size. You’ll also receive a sneak peek within a week of the wedding, and when your collection is ready we’ll provide you with an online gallery you can share with your guests. The gallery allows them to order prints directly from a professional photo lab. This will save you the time and cost of making prints and copies for others. Your out of town guests will love it!!
+ DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHING LGBTQ2+ WEDDINGS?
We sure do! Let us know your plans and count us in!
+ DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHING LARGE ASIAN WEDDINGS?
You betcha! We have lots of experience photographing large 500+ guest weddings with Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Catholic, Chinese, Taiwanese, Pakistani, Indian, Sri Lankan, Vietnamese and Filipino communities.
+ Do you photograph elopements or smaller weddings where we only need an hour or two of coverage?
We sure do! We photograph elopements and smaller weddings on lower-demand dates and offer coverage by the half hour!
+ What if you get sick or can't make it to photograph our wedding?
In the over 12 years we've photographed weddings this has never had this happened -- and it would take something pretty life-threateningly serious for us not to make it on a wedding day. That said, we're fortunate to have a large network of photographers in Victoria, Vancouver Island, Costa Rica and Guatemala who could step in if something serious happened. We also have a fellow-photographer (Eunice, our former business partner) as our emergency contact and she has access to our client database.
+ DO YOU RETOUCH OUR PORTRAITS AND WEDDING IMAGES?
Absolutely. Your images will be retouched to the high standards you see on our website. We remove blemishes, and we also help out with double chins!
+ How long will it take to receive my wedding images?
You will receive a sneak peek slideshow featuring about 60 pictures within seven to ten days of the wedding. After that, the images head over to our editor, Emma and she does her magic on the rest. Your full collection will be available within four to six weeks.
+ WE'RE SUPER CAMERA SHY AND WE DON'T WANT TO LOOK AWKWARD. HOW CAN YOU HELP US?
As self-conscious people ourselves, we've got your back. Rather than stiff and formal posing, we believe in providing you directions that will have you and your guests feeling relaxed and having fun -- all while looking like total rock stars! You're going to LOVE your wedding photos!
+ WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED? DO YOU TRAVEL?
We photograph weddings in Victoria, BC on beautiful Vancouver Island and we capture ceremonies throughout Canada and the world. We also used to live part-time in Costa Rica, and we make frequent trips to Central America (including Guatamala) every year.
+ HOW MANY WEDDING PHOTOS CAN WE EXPECT?
Rather than setting a limit of, say, 300 images in six hours... we leave no stone un-turned in ensuring your full wedding day story is captured. The minimum amount you can expect is a photo a minute, but 99.9% of the time it's considerably more.
We only remove photos that are unflattering, those with blinking eyes, or if we've experimented and something didn't turn out. And if we've photographed in a flurry, then you'll receive the best of a sequence so you don't have a million photos that only change by a fraction of a second.
The bottom line: We aren't going to remove a photo of your aunt just because we don't deem it "artistic enough."
+ What is your photography training?
Before becoming a photographer, Christina did her master's degree in broadcast and documentary journalism and got hooked on visual story telling. She then attended the Western Academy of Photography in Victoria, winning the award for Best Overall Student. A couple of years later, Christina joined the faulty as the wedding photography and business instructor. To date, she has also had more than 1,000 photographers take one of her Get Crafty workshops.
In fact, Christina's very handsome and talented husband Derek attended one of those workshops -- and he loved it so much he decided to become a wedding photographer, too!
+ When should I book my wedding date? How do I confirm my booking?
For Vancouver Island and Victoria BC weddings, we are often booked a year and a half to eight months in advance. For destination weddings, people often book wedding photography within a year of the big day. When you're ready to secure us as your wedding photographers we'll send you a contract and you can pay the retainer online with an e-transfer or credit card.
+ WHAT ARE YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PRICES?
In Victoria, BC, half-day weddings (which will allow coverage of your ceremony, portraits and the reception before dinner) begin at $1,950. Get in touch and we're happy to send you a full collection and price guide.
FAQs
+ WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO PHOTOGRAPHING FAMILIES?
If you have little ones we'll organize the session around an activity. Instead of treating your kids to ice cream if they pose for portraits, let's actually go for ice cream and I'll photograph that. If you'd like to have a full family story session, we could also do something fun like visiting Butterfly World, bowling, heading to the museum, or playing at their favourite park.
For older or adult children, I always keep things relaxed and fun, while still ensuring everyone looks amazing!
+ DO I NEED TO VIEW AND ORDER MY PORTRAITS AT A STUDIO?
If you're a parent that means you are a busy person! That's why I set everything up so you can view and order your photos from the comfort of your home. Best of all -- you can share the link to your personal gallery with others so you don't have to spend the time and cost making copies for friends and family. It's super easy and I'm always available to give you help along the way.
+ CAN I KEEP MY PHOTOS PRIVATE?
Absolutely. I always respect your wishes if you don't want photos of your family shared on my blog or social media.
+ DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDREN ON THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM?
Yes, and I customize the session for your child's needs. Let's chat and I'm happy to go over more about my approach.
+ WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
I photograph family portraits in my beautiful home city of Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island - in Canada's rugged west coast. You'll notice a few family portraits in the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, where I used to live part-time. I travel there frequently to visit friends, so please reach out if you're visiting. If I'm there when you are I'd love to take your family portraits at the beach or in the jungle.
+ I WANT CANDID PHOTOS OF MY FAMILY BUT I DON't WANT TO LOOK BAD. DO YOU STILL FIX BLEMISHES?
First of all, you're going to look awesome in your portraits! Blemishes and double chins will definitely be fixed without looking fake.
As a self-conscious person myself, I understand that you want flattering photos, and we can still achieve this without any stiff-and-formal posing.
In my years as a wedding photographer I've photographed thousands of people. I know how to make you look awesome without things feeling forced. Plus, I'm happy to give you some ideas and suggestions to get it all going so it's fun.
+ CAN WE ALSO HAVE TRADITIONAL PHOTOS WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CAMERA?
I am always happy to take a few frame-worthy, traditional look-at-the-camera-and-smile photos during our session. With some families it's better to do the traditional stuff at the beginning, and with other families it's better to do the traditional stuff after your kids have had a chance to have fun. I always go with what is going to work best for your kids.
+ DO YOU OFFER HAIR & MAKEUP?
Absolutely. I work with a fantastic stylist who will come to you.
+ DO YOU OFFER MINI-SESSIONS?
Yes. Mini-sessions are 15-20 minutes and they are offered at select times of the year.
+ WHAT ARE YOUR PRICES?
Prices vary depending on the amount of time you'd like and what you'd like included (digital files, an album, framed prints, etc.). Please get in touch and I'll send you all the info!
let's do
THIS!
Tell us about you!
A FINE ART AND PHOTOJOURNALISM APPROACH TO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IN VICTORIA BC