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vendor reviews: photographers
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Reviewing Allison Groulx, Owner and Photographer of Captivating Images
The memories of your wedding day are captured forever in images, and to make sure the story is told just the way it happened on that special day, you need a photographer you can trust. Allison Groulx, Owner of Captivating Images, wants to be that person.
Mixing candid and portrait photography, Allison will shoot wedding memories in just about any location from behind the lens of her digital camera. Having opened her business just two years ago, she’s got big plans for the biz - and for your wedding memories.
This photographer is young and energetic, has loads of fresh ideas and a fun, flexible attitude that Brantford and area brides say they love about her.
Staff at the Ring sat down with Allison to find out what Captivating Images has in store for the next two years of weddings. Let us explain...
Personally speaking... In May 2007 Allison Groulx's ongoing dream to start a photography business came to fruition and without a second thought she dove right in. "I had always wanted to do it," she says. "I knew I would be great at it and that it would be something I would truly love."
With almost two years in business, Allison says she's always eager to "learn, grow, try new things and be creative with her brides and grooms."
Allison took a Photography 101 course through distance education to learn about the technical aspects of photography. The rest of her expertise comes from self-teaching over the years combined with a love of photography and a natural talent.
"I absolutely love weddings," says Allison, "I have been to more than I can count so I have a lot of advice to give my clients if they need it." Aside from attending weddings, Allison has also photographed over twenty per year but never tires of it as "It is something that I truly enjoy doing and I am so blessed to love my 'job'."
"Seeing the love that two people share and catching them sharing a special look from across the room" is what inspires Allison in her 'work'. "I am there to capture those moments and it is something they can cherish. I love knowing they can show their children the photos one day and they can see just how in love their parents were, and still are."
Lisa Kubista Ribout and her now husband chose Allison to photograph their wedding because of this ability to capture emotions on camera. Lisa told The Ring that Allison was able to truly capture the joy and emotion that they (and their wedding party and guests) experienced throughout the day in her photojournalistic approach – which is exactly what Lisa was looking for in a photographer.
Among Allison's portfolio is also portrait and family photos, including those of your engagement, and she was recently part of a show on Slice TV. "I was asked to be a part of the show, Party Mamas. I was considered a 'paparazzi' and will have my name/business listed in the credits!" explains Allison.
Because Allison has photographed a variety of couples, she knows that each couple wants something different from their wedding day photos, which is why she tries to stay flexible. "I am very much a people person and I am very flexible with my packages and payment plans," she says.
Candice Klingenberg, who had Allison capture her wedding day on August 30, 2008, says Allison "was great; she was friendly and was able to tell us what to do when we needed guidance... we might have went over the time limit, but she took the pictures we wanted without hesitation... We were able to go where we wanted and she kept things fun and simple."
Lisa Quinn-LeChasseur could not agree more and says she loved "How relaxed and fun" her rehearsal and wedding day photo shoots were in October of 2008. She adds that she "liked the fact that Allison was young and so enthusiastic. When we received our proofs, you could see all the time and effort she put into correcting and editing them." Lisa Quinn says that Allison's style is very unique and she "was open to any and all suggestions/requests."
Packages&Pricing Though she has three packages, Allison reaffirms that "If you don't like something offered in the package let me know and we will customize it to your needs. If you can't make the payments in three and need to split it up more, no problem."
Each competitively priced package comes with a high resolution disc as well as prints of photos, the number of which vary according to which package you choose. "I focus on both the formal and candid shots. I never limit how many photos I take; everything is done in digital so I take as many photos as possible to capture their day in the allotted time. Couples receive their photos within two weeks of their wedding," says Allison.
"Allison’s prices were uniquely affordable compared to other photographers that I had priced," Lisa told us, who would definitely use Captivating Images again and recommends Allison to other brides.
Package 1 at Captivating Images rings in at a very reasonable $800 and includes three hours of coverage, as well as a free engagement session with a CD of your negatives, no limit on images taken or locations (as long as time permits), a high resolution CD of your negatives, as well as prints and a twenty page glossy laminate photo book. You can also choose Package 2 at $1250 or Package 3 at $1650 for more coverage (up to ten hours), as well as more proofs and prints.
"Captivating Images' prices were within my budget and much lower that most of the competition," Dana told The Ring. She added that she feels she received a great deal for the amount that she paid for her October 2008 wedding photos.
Walking you through the process The best way for a couple to contact Allison is email so she can check the availability of your wedding date; but her business phone is her cell and she says she always has it with her.
Allison usually meets with brides in her home but can also meet you at yours, a coffee shop or anywhere that is the most convenient for you. During the initial consultation, you and Allison get to know each other, discuss packages and your vision for your wedding day photographs. Then you review the contract and pay a deposit of $300 to book the day.
On the wedding day Allison generally spends most of her time with the bride getting ready in the morning. She says she tries to get the bride and the bridesmaids relaxed and laughing to capture great candids.
Such was the case for Lisa, who told us, "I had a fabulous experience working with Allison..." She added that Allison was very attentive to her needs and respectful of her vision for her wedding photographs, which also made her really easy to work with.
Allison photographs a mix of candids and formal shots and tries to leave the bride and groom for the end. She does this so she can capture a more romantic and intimate show. She also sends the couple on a walk by themselves so they have a moment to absorb the wedding and be more relaxed in order to capture a more natural look.
After the wedding, Allison has a viewing with the bride and groom to help them pick out the photos they wish to print. The third payment of your final balance is due upon delivery of the photos, which is about two weeks after the wedding.
Dana told us that she and her husband loved that they were able to pick 150 of their favourite photos to put in their album from Captivating Images, which allowed them to have a variety. Dana adds that working with Allison was a great experience, "She made everyone very comfortable and became part of the group dynamic." Being able to have fun and be natural is what she says she loved best about her wedding photo shoot with Allison.
To book Captivating Images Contact Allison Groulx of Captivating Images at captivatingimages@rogers.com or 519-732-4451. You can also check out her online gallery and more details on packages and prices at www.captivatingimagesphotos.com.
- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca * Prices are all approximate and are subject to change and verification by authorized staff and management of Captivating Images. |
Young
talent dives in with a creative approach and a passion for Brantford area
weddings
Lisa
Quinn says that her experience working with Allison was "Outstanding!" from the first
meeting to the album delivery, she and her husband Denis "were very comfortable
with what she was offering and her attitude towards our event was amazing. She
even kept us on track in terms of planning. She attended our rehearsal as a part
of our package so that she could meet our wedding party/families in advance..."
Lisa Quinn adds that what she loves most about the album they received "is that
Allison put it together in a way that tells the story of our day... The end
result far exceeded what we paid!"