The Course for Brides / Wedding & Family Photographer

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LOVE LETTERS

from Citizens of the Empire

Kind Words, Open Hearts

One of the greatest joys is helping people feel they were truly seen, with love & authenticity.

 
 

Cottage wedding in the Gatineaus

"Kate was amazing. More than a photographer, she was our logistical and emotional wedding guide. Our early meetings and engagement shoot gave us a chance to reflect on our relationship, get comfortable being photographed, and sort out our vision of the wedding. On the wedding day, Kate was fun and kind, and a master at herding our scattered relatives into photos. The photos themselves are just dreamy. They're beautiful and meaningful. Thank you, Kate!"

– Rebecca & Nico

Prince edward county farm Wedding

"We were so thrilled to work with Kate! She was professional, friendly, and the photos are incredible. She clearly communicated every step of the way, and has done so many weddings that she knows how to make things work seamlessly. We felt so taken care of, and despite a hot, sticky, 40 degree day, found ourselves laughing and enjoying every moment of the photography process. We can't wait to have Kate photograph the next wedding in the family, and have recommended her to everyone we know who's planning a wedding!"

– Elizabeth & Tom

Eagles Nest Golf club wedding

"Kate was really great from start to finish. She was really easy to work with and we knew right when we met her that she was the perfect photographer for us. She's very easy to relate to, and projects a sense of calm which is really important when you are feeling stressed or anxious. I don't personally love being in front of a camera, but Kate made me forget she was taking pictures, so you end up with really genuine photos that capture the moment which doesn't look or feel 'staged'. She's also very thoughtful and genuine. We loved her!"

– Gacia & Alex

Click here to see Gacia & Alex's gorgeous summer engagement session!

Toronto Island Wedding, Algonquin Island Association

"Kate did my wedding and I can't say enough wonderful things about her. Her pictures are absolutely stunning! She is creative and looks at things with such an artistic eye. She gets shots that I have never seen captured before - nothing like boring, stuffy photographers. She is also a pleasure to have around on the day. She is calming, flexible, funny, caring. In every way a dream. I already have one* close friend who was so impressed with her that she booked her for her own wedding. I can't recommend Kate highly enough!"

– Denise & Charlie

Click here to see Denise & Charlie's gourmet BBQ wedding on Toronto Island!

Rockway vineyards Wedding, Niagara

"Kate did our engagement photos and wedding photos. Her style is what drew us to her in her ability to capture moments in time. She doesn't do lots of looking at the camera shots which we loved. She was really good and creating emotion and then shooting that emotion. She was really accommodating and just a good person to be around. She was a true professional and worth every dime. We would happily refer her to any of our close friends."

– Joe & Courtney

Click here to see Courtney & Joe's engagement photos at La Société in Yorkville!

Wychwood Barns Wedding Celebration & Weston At-Home Date-Night Session

"So ours was not your classic wedding - we eloped to City Hall during Jack's cancer treatment. When treatment ended and it looked like he'd feel well enough to celebrate, we decided to throw a party to mark the "many memorable moments" of 2016 - our wedding, my 50th, Jack's 65th, and of course, Jack's health.  

We wanted a photographer who would "get" us and all our quirkiness. Kate was perfect. She came to our house in the summer. As we were already "old marrieds" of three months , it was hardly an engagement shoot. And at first I thought we didn't really need it. But it was a perfect chance to get to know Kate and her methods. Those photos of Jack, me, and our dogs in our garden are our favourites. Our second shoot, the night before our reception, was with Jack's four children, two of whom flew from Europe for the event. Another great set of snaps showing a family so rarely together renewing acquaintance and having fun.  

And then The Event!. We held it at Wychwood Barns - a great space for Kate to show her stuff. Thanks Kate for sharing all these times with us and providing us with photographic evidence of a meaningful and exciting time in our life together."

– Celia & Jack

 

Toronto Island Elopement, Wards Island

"We were planning a unique Toronto Island wedding on the beach with 5 guests, and because of this we knew we needed someone we really trusted and “clicked” with, as well as someone who was willing to shoot a non-traditional wedding. So many photographers were unwilling or unable to be flexible, and just wanted us to book packages with multiple shooters or long packages. Meeting Kate during our hunt for a photographer was amazing. She immediately understood our vision and offered advice on planning/logistics before we even booked with her. Throughout the process, Kate was a breeze to work with, despite the fact we had a small wedding, we had a detailed plan. Kate matched our enthusiasm and didn’t treat our plans any differently than she would a large 250+ person wedding. 

On the day of the wedding, Kate came over to the Island and checked out our Bed & Breakfast, quietly taking some of my favourite photos of the day while I was getting makeup done and my husband was getting suited up. She chatted with my mother and charmed my Father in Law, even taking part in our champagne toast prior to the vows. Even though our wedding day was shorter than usual, Kate worked to keep up our energy when we were flagging bit, making sure we got all the photos we’d said we wanted! When we had a delay caused by a missed ferry, Kate was able to be flexible and stay a while longer to make sure we got our photos. 

I would recommend Kate to anyone, anytime."

– Laura & Jeff

Toronto City hall "Destination" wedding

"Coming from Germany to get married in Toronto, we haven't had a lot of time to get to know different photographers, what made me a little bit nervous - but Kate made that nervousness disappear right away! 

The contact via Email was very professional and she offered a first meeting up front the wedding photo shoot to get to know each other a bit better. Kate was very easy going, but also very professional. She made us feel comfortable right away. Kate wasn't pushing and the shooting felt more like a teamwork. It was visible, that she's got a lot of experience with calming down and making nervous brides (and grooms) feel comfortable :) We've laughed a lot! 

It was important for us that the pictures look real - and they do! Kate didn't make us pose - shes very creative with how to make the best natural pictures, gave us different themes to talk about, made us think back to different situations - we've had so much fun! And while talking, walking and laughing, we almost forgot that she's taking pictures. 

Also during our a little bit chaotic "friends shoot", Kate was relaxed and took the best pictures ever! Our friends were impressed by her! We love that she's captured even the different characters of our friends in those pics - AWESOME!

Somehow it seems Kate knows exactly how to catch feelings in her photos.
She's a very lovely, friendly and funny person and it's obvious that she loves her job. She made our special day even more special and we've been very happy that we got the chance to meet her. 

She's a great photographer with a great personality! Highly recommended!"

– Daniela & Manny

 

Luma Restaurant Wedding & Wedding Ping Pong @ SPiN

"When we first met Kate we told her, “we want our photos to feel like ‘us’”. Kate took that impossibly vague request and surpassed our wildest expectations. She took the time to get to know us, listen to our concerns, and help us feel calm and confident. Her attention to detail and friendly nature made our sessions a breeze. Our engagement and wedding photos were exactly what we hoped for: authentic – joyful – and filled with love."

– Melissa & Roy

Ancaster Mill Wedding

"My husband and I cannot express how grateful we are to have hired Kate and Rudo as our photographers for our wedding. They are talented, professional and truly caring photographers. Not once did we feel like we were part of an assembly line or just a number on a long list of couples who they would need to do photos for... they made our experience unique, they are passionate about their work and our pictures are outstanding! We will recommend their services to anyone with full confidence. Thank you Rudo and Kate, we will cherish our photos forever!"

– Veronika & Joel

Click here to see Veronika & Joel's one-minute video testimonial!

Gladstone Hotel Wedding

"We were recommended Kate by two other friends who used her for their weddings, and after having worked with her, and Rudo, we certainly understand why they were so happy to tell us about Kate. Right from the beginning, Kate was very open to accommodating our particular needs and customized a package for us that worked within our budget and with our vision. After viewing her portfolio, we knew she wasn't your typical packaged wedding photographer, as she brings a unique, creative and artistic approach to her work. During the ceremony and reception, she was incredibly discrete, and we appreciated that even more after attending other weddings where the photographers were very noticeable and always in the way. On a day filled with stress and emotion, she brought a very welcome sense of calm and control, which was due to her naturally warm demeanor. We only have positive things to say about Kate and Rudo."

– Alissa & Kevin

Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Wedding – Click here to see Kate & Ben's video testimonial

 

Berkeley Fieldhouse Wedding

"Kate was such an important part of our wedding! Right from our first meeting we felt at ease with her, she was very personable and her photos really felt natural. During the photo sessions she guided us through with some unique points of conversation that bring out natural emotions and expressions. She really captured the feelings of our wedding and we could not have wished for a better photographer."

– Aubrey & Will

Whistle Bear Wedding

"We experienced Kate's professionalism and keen eye when we were in a friends wedding. When it was our turn to get married there was no question about who our photographer would be. She makes you feel at ease while giving you games to play with your partner so that the pictures are less staged and more candid and she's so sly you often forget she's there. She was super flexible with time and places to meet, and through the process became a friend. Sweetheart Empire is the best!"

– Freyah & Tim