The Simple Knot Photography

Absolutely loving the end of summer weddings! These two were straight out of a magazine! 🔔

Taking a leisurely stroll along the waterfront with L & L. Their energy is so vibrant—can’t wait to see them tie the knot! 🌟

Perfect table set ups 🍃

A beautiful day, followed by a perfect ceremony.

Perfect summer Engagements!

Happy wedding day to these two!

Perfect table setups 🍵

Making magic in the distillery with these two 🍻

A tad overcast with a bit of sun is perfect! 👌

Two gems strolling through the park!

Perfect Sunset Engagements.

| Downtown Wedding Vibes |

Guelph has some incredible hidden gems. We always encourage our couples to explore these unique spots for photos that go beyond the venue, adding a special touch to their day.

| Something New |

This page has been around for two years, and it's time for a refresh.

Over the past two years, we've refined our look, expanded our team, and are now moving in a new direction. We're excited about what's ahead.

As many of you know, this page has focused on our community rather than our individual profiles. This will continue as we dedicate this space to our wonderful couples.

| A + M |

These two weren't made of sugar. The rain held off just in time for Mitch & Alicia's perfect engagement shoot.

I love these spring engagement sessions 👌.

| Photog Gear |

When it comes to my photography gear, I tend to keep things pretty minimalistic. Typically, I'll have two camera bodies paired with two lenses.

At the beginning of my journey, I was drawn to the idea of owning every lens imaginable. However, over time, I came to realize that what I truly needed was far simpler than what I initially desired, and sh*t is expensive.

There's this common misconception that the larger your gear appears, the more professional you seem. It's amusing how many times I've heard remarks like "wow, that's a hefty camera" or "that looks really professional" simply based on the size of my equipment.

In retrospect, it's funny to think that I used to attach a battery pack to my camera to make it look bulkier, yet back then, those comments were absent. I know use a giant diffuser on my flash because it slaps.

In truth, I find myself primarily utilizing just three lenses:

35mm
85mm
24-70mm

Gear preferences vary greatly from one photographer to another. While some of my peers swear by a 70-200 mm or a 105mm, I've found that my compact setup more than meets my needs. Quality certainly matters, but for me, it's quality over quantity.

For most of my shoots, I rely on the versatility of an 85 mm and a 24-70 mm. However, having the 35mm lens comes in handy for capturing wider shots, especially in tight spaces.

| Shooting Harsh Sun |

When shooting in harsh sunlight, the intense brightness can create unflattering shadows and cause overexposure in certain areas of the photo. This occurs because the strong light from the sun creates sharp contrasts between light and shadow, leading to harsh shadows, particularly under the eyes, resulting in what is often referred to as the "raccoon effect" 🦝.

To mitigate these challenges and achieve balanced exposure in your photographs, there are several techniques you can employ:

Find Shade: Look for shaded areas or create your own shade using reflectors, umbrellas, or even nearby structures like buildings or trees. Shooting in the shade helps diffuse the harsh sunlight, resulting in softer, more evenly lit subjects.

Use a Reflector: Reflectors bounce light back onto your subject, filling in shadows and reducing the contrast between light and dark areas. Silver or white reflectors work well for brightening shadows, while gold reflectors add warmth to the scene. These are not always practical.

Adjust Your Angle: Position yourself or your subject in such a way that the harsh sunlight is not directly hitting the face or causing deep shadows. Experiment with different angles until you find the most flattering lighting.

Use a Lens Hood: A lens hood can help minimize lens flare and reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the lens, which can cause overexposure and loss of detail in highlights.

Consider the Time of Day: Shooting during the golden hours, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, can provide softer, more flattering light with warmer tones. Alternatively, if shooting during midday is unavoidable, try to schedule your shoot for overcast days when the clouds act as a natural diffuser, softening the sunlight.

Balance the highlights: When exposing in camera, it's easy to blow out the highlights, especially in the sky. I find it's usually easier to underexpose my subjects, so my background stays even. In post, I then can bring back the exposure in my subject.

Happy shooting!

Two of the most fun and loving couples I have ever met.

| Location Scouting |

Here's a short one for today. How do you find your locations to shoot at? When scouting locations for photoshoots, striking a balance between visual appeal and practicality is key. Efficiency and structure play vital roles in the process, making scouting indispensable.

For unfamiliar locations, personal visits or virtual exploration via Google Earth are effective strategies. Online tours and input from venue coordinators can also provide valuable insights into optimal shooting spots.

Additionally, considering factors like lighting, accessibility, and potential challenges such as noise or crowds helps streamline the process and ensures a successful shoot.

| When's the best time to shoot? |

It's all about seizing the moment when the client sets the time. While many photographers prefer the soft, diffused light of overcast or golden hour, that's not always an option.

Jessica and Danny's engagement shoot started off with perfect weather, but then it suddenly changed.

At first, things seemed fine for about five minutes. But then, it started pouring rain. Instead of giving up, Jessica and Danny decided to keep going.

Sometimes you just have to go for it!

| What to Wear for Your Engagement Shoot |

One of the most common questions I receive from couples is about what they should wear for their engagement shoot. My advice is always centered around choosing attire that not only reflects their personal style but also makes them feel comfortable and confident.

To achieve a desired aesthetic, I recommend selecting clothing that aligns with the vibe you're aiming for. For instance, if you're going for a more dramatic or moody look, opting for darker shades in neutral solid colors can help set the tone.

Colors like black, navy, maroon, white, grey, and dark green are excellent choices for creating that desired atmosphere. Coordinating your outfits with your partner can also enhance the overall visual appeal of the photoshoot, giving it a cohesive and polished appearance.

| What About Hats? |

When it comes to hats, personal preferences vary. While some individuals may feel inclined to wear a hat throughout the shoot, others may prefer not to. I always prioritize my clients' comfort and confidence, so if someone feels more at ease wearing a hat, I fully support their decision.

In cases where a hat is worn, I make sure to check in with the individual to ensure they're comfortable with potentially removing it for certain shots. However, if they prefer to keep it on, I adapt to accommodate their choice and work with it creatively.

Ultimately, the key is to wear attire that allows you to feel at ease and be yourself during the engagement shoot. After all, the primary goal is for you to feel comfortable and confident, resulting in authentic and memorable photographs.

| Changing it up |

If you have found our other photography account, it's probably more educational, so why not throw that into this too.

These two killed their engagement session! I am so happy I caught some golden-hour as well!

| Skin Tones |

How do you achieve accurate, natural skin tones? Ensure your white balance is correctly adjusted. I typically opt for auto white balance, but on colder days, I adjust it to around 5300 - 6000 Kelvin.

However, does white balance really make a difference? The answer is both yes and no. For weddings, I stick with auto mode due to unpredictable venue lighting. Yet, when shooting outdoors for an engagement session, especially on grass where green color cast is prevalent, I custom set the white balance.

Ultimately, the goal is to capture skin tones as true to life as possible. While it's easy to make mistakes, proper white balance saves you time during editing.

Pro tip for Sony shooters. Your grey sensor cap is true grey and can be used to set W/B without the hassle 🎉

Megan & Devon covered some serious miles for their engagement shoot – Ontario to the west and back! Talk about a whirlwind adventure.

I can't wait to see them tie the knot later this year!

Look at THIS! Enough said.

I spent a solid half an hour crushing ice off the patio yesterday. Definitely miss warmer days.

One of my favourite colour pallets 👌. Create the look you want through colour.

At weddings, the first looks are some of my favorite moments for me.

I tell couples to take their time and soak in the moment. I will typically not prompt or pose and let those genuine moments happen organically.

I will often use an 85mm lens or more. These candid shots often become the highlights of the day for me.

| Brian & Olivia |

From worlds apart. Brian & Olivia's 2023 story was straight out of a movie. Despite passport hurdles, love found a way. Elopement over postponement, and the adventure continues! I can't wait to celebrate with them at their reception later this year! 🎉

Venue:
Floral:

Winter weddings are some of my favourites!