Choosing the right professionals for your wedding is a personal decision and tends to lean on far more than just their portfolios alone. On a wedding day you spend so much time with your vendors, so having a connection with them makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable. We want you to have a chance to get to know your vendors a little better before you make that tough decision on who to choose. We reached out to our wedding professionals on your behalf so you can become better acquainted with them.

Meet Jess - A Georgian Bay Wedding Photographer

Jess is a wedding and portrait photographer raised in small town Ontario and no stranger to Collingwood. She has been immersed in the Collingwood community for much of her life and is beloved by all who meet her. Jess is full of energy, curiosity and playfulness. She will not shy away from climbing a tree to get a better angle on your wedding day, or laugh along with you during some of your happiest moments. Being photographed by her is a true joy, and it feels far more like you’re hanging out with a friend than with a vendor. In truth, you’ll probably end up friends by the time the shoot is over, if you weren’t already to begin with. Are you ready for a new friend and some of the best, most authentic photos of yourself?

www.withlightandshadow.com
@lightandshadowphoto

What's a wedding trend you would like to see?

Smaller intimate gatherings, elopements. Less stuff, all the feelings.

What is your wind down ritual after a wedding day?

Have a quick look through the images so I can sleep, glass of wine, and probably wash my very dirty feet ;)

If we were to come into your office, what would we see? (be honest)

You would see that my office is in my bedroom. There would be a collection of hard drives, small stacks of SD cards. A calendar and a notebook, notes to self scattered around the table, and several coffee mugs in various states.

What would your theme song be?

I feel it all by Feist

What is your current obsession?

I’m not someone who has single obsessions. I do fall in love easily and deeply, there are so many things I do not know enough about. Currently, I can’t get enough trees in my house, I want a jungle in here! I really want to learn to surf this year, I’ve been staying active lately with Primitive Patterns training me two days a week, pole class with Leah, and Silks with with the Collingwood Circus Company. I have always had a desire for big muscular arms. My collection of Cooks Illustrated is not getting smaller. I love all aspects of food. I love to learn about it, cook, bake, and always photograph it. I work (or do when it’s not a pandemic) part time in a restaurant, I love the energy that surrounds the industry, it’s constantly feeding my curiosity.

What is your current favourite local business in Georgian Bay?

Gibson and Company ;) Hey a big sister has to do her big sistering where ever she can.

What is the best present you have ever received? Why?

A handmade book of the story of us from my kids, with the help of their dad, and lots of pages to keep adding.

Tell us about a creative piece you worked on that you're extremely proud of.

I have been working for the last few years on a series for art crawl. It is very close to my heart. They are a series of nudes shot in a couple of forested locations around Georgian Bay. The theme is an exploration of beauty and a retrieval of the notion of beauty by the individual as opposed to the beholder. In my images I wanted to portray a relationship with the earth, with each other, but I also wanted to play with evoking emotional response without using an individual’s face.

Favourite ice cream flavour?

Passion fruit gelato

What is your superhero power?

Hugs

What is something strange or interesting people would never know just by looking at you?

I have a bit of addiction to climbing things ...trees, walls, poles...mostly things not necessarily intended for climbing.

Tell us about your all time favourite wedding

It took place in Simcoe at a small family cottage. There were relatives from all over (the groom is Australian). As people arrived they set up camp all around 3 cottages. Through the day everyone helped with wedding preparations like cooking, cleaning, making garlands, and picking flowers at the local flower farm. All the meals were shared together and there was a campfire and singing every night for the week leading up to the wedding. It was incredibly special and created a unity on the wedding day like no other I have ever experienced.

What was the biggest blooper you've ever experienced at a wedding?

The sound wasn’t working. It was an outdoor wedding in a park. I was close to the stage and so focused I didn’t notice but the audience heard nothing of the ceremony!

Favourite snack on a wedding day?

Dates

What is the most common compliment you get from your couples after working with you?

We have never seen anyone move the way you do, we can’t wait to see what comes from it.

Who would win in a fight - Taco or Pizza?

Taco

Pineapple on pizza - OMG Yes or EW?

omg YES

The Office - British or American?

British

What is currently inspiring you?

People finding ways in difficult times to reach out and benefit others in so many selfless ways.

What creative project are you working on right now?

I’ve been baking and cooking with my son. We try new foods regularly and I photograph him with them. It allows me to play with food and with portraiture which are two of my most favourite things. I also want to do more individual portrait work. I love what comes from those more intimate collaborations.