Ottawa Wedding Photography.

While I am on the subject of photography, it seems to me that a large number of couples make big mistakes in that decision. Why would I say that, well its the thing I hear the second most complaints about when the day is over. The first----Ottawa wedding dress boutiques.
Its funny, because if you Google "Ottawa Wedding Dresses" the bad reviews are all there on the map pages, just take your pick. Photogs, however get generally pretty rave reviews and this city has some of the best in Canada at very competitive prices.
Why then do folks insist on finding the cheapest package with someone who works part time from home, has no real customer service system and wants to burn you a DVD so you can go make your own album. A good dozen of these newbies vanish a year, yet people still want to trust the memories of a 25K day to a studio that might be a few hundred dollars less if you compare apples to apples.
These same couples would never think of buying their wedding dress online from Korea or
having their hair done by Supercuts on the wedding day, yet they somehow believe there is a magical deal to be had in both photography and video. It ain`t so.
Look to the majors like Mediaball or Cesoir, Photolux, Martin, Geddes and Couvrette.

Fun photo of the week.

Funny photo of the week.

Ok, I know they were big fans of Shrek, but maybe they saw it one too many times. LOL

Getting the real scoop on Ottawa Hotels and Wedding Venues.

Here is a great trick for checking out Ottawa hotels and wedding venues.
Its really simple. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels

Just type in a hotel and check the rating. In particular, read the bottom few
bad reviews just to see what things guests encountered. Now this doesn`t
get you lots of exact info on weddings, but it sure gives you a pretty good idea.

Some of the feedback is really surprising. Have fun.

Ottawa Wedding Photographers

Choosing a wedding photographer is a tough call. There seem to be hundreds in Ottawa, yet those who offer both an artistic eye AND good business practices are few and far between. My advice, stick to the studios who have a good ten year or more rep and book early.

Recently I have read that Eventi Productions and Josh Brown Photography are the latest victims of a competitive marketplace. Both seem to have disappeared and the forums and Facebook pages have some angry brides looking for blood. It seems that a number of chat groups make a habit of talking up the latest, greatest, newest (read cheapest) photographers only to discover shortly afterwards that their super deal vaporized.

Here is some recent discussion from the Wedding Bells forum-----------yikes.


Anyone having troubles contacting Mark Cooper? #4217452 - 10/05/09 11:55 AM

I had my wedding back in May and it has been hell trying to get my pictures from Mark Cooper. He messed up my order and still hasn't sent me the CD of the digital files – which I already paid for. It has been 4 months now and I'm getting a little annoyed. Last I heard from his was in August. He hasn't returned any of my messages? Does anyone know what's up?

Re: Anyone having troubles contacting Mark Cooper? [Re: Emjay] #4219235 - 10/05/09 07:01 PM

surprise surprise, I had pretty much the same problem a year and a half ago.Warning, this thread will get deleted very soon to keep future potential clients from knowing about these problems.

Maybe try going to a wedding show? He always seems to show up at those...
Reged: 09/10/09 Posts: 10 Loc: Ottawa
Re: Anyone having troubles contacting Mark Cooper? [Re: RBM] #4220294 - 10/06/09 12:03 AM

Wow! If he's had bad reviews deleted there are still lots of them here anyways. I was just looking at one by SuperExcited060609 on this thread http://forums.weddingbells.ca/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=3145242&an=0&page=9 She says he is "Very cocky, with a huge ego. Makes you feel so small and insignificant." Who needs that from someone that you've paid a couple thousand dollars to flykem I really hope you get your pictures.
Post Extras:

Posts: 12

Thanks for all the info. I had a funny feeling I wasn't the first and unfortunately won't be the last. I am still trying to get ahold of him by e-mail and phone - guess the next is a home visit!!
Post Extras:

Re: Anyone having troubles contacting Mark Cooper? [Re: Sun_Bride] #4225343 - 10/07/09 11:55 AM

He didn't show up for our engagement shoot last night, so something might be wrong. I hope everything is okay because this is very out of character for him.
Re: Anyone having troubles contacting Mark Cooper? [Re: stassy] #4225810 - 10/07/09 01:37 PM
how do you know it's very out of character? Do you know him personally? Or do you just mean based on your experience with him so far?It doesn't seem all that out of character based on the various (now deleted) comments I've seen on this board before.

stassy, it looks like you're now having the same problems that flykem has been having for months and that many others have also had in dealing with himThere are lots of other excellent photographers in Ottawa, none of them have as many negative comments as Mark Cooper.
lilmrsd WB Devotee Reged: 04/06/08 Posts: 1423 Loc: Ottawa, ON
Re: Anyone having troubles contacting Mark Cooper? [Re: barb0918] #4228622 - 10/08/09 09:44 AM

Posts: 1200 Loc: Ottawa
Re: Anyone having troubles contacting Mark Cooper? [Re: stassy] #4229405 - 10/08/09 01:06 PM
I have trouble believing there was a "family emergency" each time a bride has had similar complaints in the past. When it was my own personal experience, he offered an apology but no explanation as to why I was ignored for 3 months. --------------------Loc: Ottawa, ON

Video Video Video

It seems that Videographers in Ottawa are an endangered species. Every few years, someone is "hot" and then they are gone. I scoured a couple of forums and here are some comments. For some reason, Ottawa Videographers seem to have some of the ugliest sites on the planet. It seems like they are largely folks who shoot weddings as a small part of some other biz. Frankly, I would only book one of the major ones. Looking in the phone book from three years ago, most of the entries are no longer in business. Who knew.?????

So far the best looking Ottawa site seems to be Mediabox, but even that is a little thin for folks
who claim to be digital image whiz kids. Again, they also look new, so caveat emptor.


HERE ARE SOME COMMENTS FROM OTHER BLOGS AND FORUMS>

Ron Cogan...................................conservative, but dependable. Ron does a lot of Jewish weddings, so he kn0ws what events are key and can be trusted to get the shots.



We went with Memento and we are SOOOOOO happy with their work! When we went with them, I really wasn't sure what we'd get but our ceremony video took our breath away! The owner edits tv shows so he's a professional and his editting really shows that.He also tapes in HD and the DVDs that he gave us were HD and a blueray. We just wanted our ceremony to be taped: 1 hour. His prices were really good and we are just beyond happy with their work! Post

Hi, At my wedding a few weeks ago we got Robert Cato - http://ioanfilms.com/ (his blog, for samples of his video's - http://blog.ioanfilms.com/ You would have to contact him directly for prices. He is honestly one of the most talented videographers I have seen in a VERY long time. I haven't see what he has done for our wedding yet, but it should be ready in about month or two. He was very professional, filmed in HD and incredibly creative.His Contactse-mail: Robert.Cato@gmail.comPhone: 514-895-6209He films for Montreal, Ottawa, & Toronto.
For those that are interested in the above videographer, I asked and have received a general price for his wedding day service, and also a list of 'add-ons'. I am copy and pasting from his msg. If you contact him, please mention Sabrina referred you from this website. Local Commission - Ambition Package (aprox. 80 hours of production and post production) : Unlimited Coverage 2 Shooters Multiple HD Cameras, Live Audio Wireless Mics, Glidecam, Glide-track and 2 X 5D Mark II DSLR Cinema Option Opening Sequence with Animated Headings and Titles Cinematic Wedding Highlights Segment Bride and Groom's Preparation Religious Ceremony Photo Session Coverage Reception Final Edit - up to 40 minutes delivered on fully chaptered SD DVDs (4 Copies) Online HD Trailer (2-4 weeks after the wedding). Investment: $2500 + taxes*the Complete HD Movie Feature for Apple TV, Xbox360 and PS3 or Blu-ray disk (see the extras):Additionally, we offer the following extra features:Love Story: Your unique love-tale showcased on video. We either cover your engagement photo session or arrange a particular shooting séance. $600Save the Date: Announce your wedding day with style. We craft for you an exclusive online video-invitation months before your wedding day. $500The Dailies/Same Day Edit : A beautiful montage - shown at your reception - highlighting the preparation and wedding ceremony. $600Sunday Edit: The highlights of you wedding day edited the next day. $500Behind the Scenes: Coverage of the Bridal Party and Dinner Rehearsal. $300Photo Fusion Montage: Not the ordinary slideshow, but something unique that includes motion, music and still photography. We provide the photographer. Prints available. $800Blu-ray Authoring: Since we film your wedding with HD Cameras, why not having your main feature delivered on Blu-ray. $500_________________ETA: He informed me that his prices will increase by about 50% after his website is complete and after all his current edits are delivered (I am guessing he means once his current job-list of customers is fulfilled). So if you book him now, you book him in at these rates. --------------------

Indoor Wedding Locations in Ottawa

With all the rain this summer I thought I might make some suggestions for 2010.

Here are some snippets from blogs I have read.


Museum of Civilisation, which is both pretty on the outside and you can get great shots on the inside. It was cloudy, but no rain, so we didn't have to go in, but I heard something that's it's only $25 for a group . I think that the Bank of Canada building downtown has a lobby that people have used for photos...

National Gallery of Canada - you have to call IN ADVANCE and reserve. You can't just show up.
Costs seem to hover around $200, but thats a small price to pay for the security of knowing you
are safe from a repeat of this summer.
- Chateau Laurier - will only let couples having their reception there take photos.

- Museum of Civilization - $25 fee to take photos, but no reservations required.-

Aviation Museum - free after 4pm, but only open until five-

Bank of Canada lobby - free, no reservations required, open until 5

That said, it's pretty rare that it pours rain for an entire day, so even if it's raining a bit, maybe pick up some umbrellas and you should be fine. .Last, what you can consider is doing the family photos inside (because the background/backdrop is not really important for these photos...it's more about the people in them) and then equip your wedding party with umbrellas and do some outside shots.There are a few covered/sheltered places too - right by the canal locks is a favourite spot.

One more thing is to consider a photographer with an indoor studio. There are only a couple of
studios among the hundred of photogs in Ottawa so that might be a good question to add to the list of "what ifs."

Down Boy, Down.

Laugh of the day.

Ok, here is the first of many fun photos to come.

Gotta love these candids, they write their own headlines.