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vendor reviews: photographers
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From must-have poses to natural candids, Elmira photographer uses contemporary, fun style to capture your day Reviewing Tina Weltz, Photographer and Owner of Calla Studio
Walking into Calla
Studio's contemporary Elmira space, with its rust coloured walls and comfy
black sofa and chairs, you get a feel for what photographer Tina Weltz is all
about. Her studio is all about light and space.
On a professional level, Tina has over ten years of photography experience, membership with the Professional Photographers of Ontario and an obviously extensive portfolio. On a personal level, Tina appears confident and quiet. She spoke with us casually - as she would with any of her clients - about what she loves, what she does, and what she can do for her brides. "I really like to take my time with each of my brides. I want to create an open and warm atmosphere with them."
Personally speaking... Tina started her photography career more than ten years ago at the Elmira photography studio that her mother and her mother's partner ran. Five years ago, Tina decided that she wanted to step out into her own venture. With natural talent and the hands-on experience she received from years of taking photos while growing up, Tina decided to branch out on her own, opening the doors of Calla Studio.
Recently, Tina said she added a new viewing room to her studio (one of her favourite rooms in the studio), which "has been a huge hit with our clients. It is like going to your own personal movie theatre and you are the star of the show!"
In 2009 Tina received her Craftsman of Photographic Arts award from the Professional Photographers of Canada. "We are always updating our skills at the studio," she says, "but really we just want to make sure our brides are getting the attention and service they need as well as an outstanding product... we're always looking to add new products to serve our customers; we want them to have anything and everything they want. So we research new companies all the time."
In 2008, Calla Studio photographed seventeen weddings (Tina says she limits the amount of weddings she'll take per year to fifteen to twenty), including several in the winter and two or three destination weddings down south – a recent trend.
"The relationship between couples on their wedding day is one of the most amazing things to witness," says Tina after having been a part of so many weddings. "It is hard to describe; the way the groom looks at the back of the church with anticipation of seeing his bride-to-be for the first time, or the tender way she touches his hand to let him know she is there. They interact so beautifully it is really hard not to enjoy what I do."
Though weddings are her specialty, in 2008 Tina also helped The Dan Snyder Memorial Fund with producing and selling a book for the Snyder family. She has also worked with many celebrities and photographed Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, Canadian sliver medalists in Saskatoon in January 2009.
Capturing the day Calla Studio's style is aimed at capturing the day predominantly in a contemporary, fun style. That said, Tina says that she also takes several candid photos that show how you were feeling, what you were thinking, and when you were laughing. This means that your album may show you stepping into a river or kissing in a wheat field, but it will also show you smiling, the groom grinning and the mother tearing up. Each wedding is different. As you can guess, Tina also takes all of the traditional-style photos that you need for your 'must have' photo list. She adds that she photographs a lot of emotion and with "a very laid back approach."
"We record moments of our clients' lives and everyone has their own style and way they portray you," says Tina, so you have to have a look for the photographer that suits you as a couple. "When the two of you work with a photographer that suits you, the possibilities are endless. You will be relaxed and confident that they know what you want."
Sarah Andrew was one such bride whose experience with Calla Studio was "Great! They were a pleasure to work with and made getting the shots a breeze. I was worried about looking too posed or fake in the shots but Tina was great at directing us on what to do and all the shots looked great... they included traditional shots as well as more creative and unique shots," she says of the engagement and wedding photos from her October 2008 wedding.
Keri Anderson, who had Calla Studio shoot her August 2008 wedding photos "loved the natural candid shots. Tina's style of photography seems to combine both traditional and new photography... she creates beautiful pictures while offering a unique layout."
Calla Studio shoots their weddings in a strictly digital format. They provides you with a CD that will play a slideshow of each of your proofs.
Focusing on you Tina likes to get to know you before the wedding to get a better understanding of your personalities and what you want from your wedding photos. With a minimum of three meetings before your wedding, Tina can observe how you interact as a couple, as well as thoroughly discuss what you like and don't like in wedding photography.
Your engagement photo session (included in every package) is another way to get to know your personality and how you both feel and appear in front of a camera. Tina says that this pre-wedding shoot is "the most important part of a couple's wedding photography package... It teaches the couple to be comfortable in front of the camera and with each other. It also teaches them to be together in front of the camera. Some people turn shy around a camera… to get what you want, you need to be comfortable."
Keri says that Tina "was very professional and her upbeat positive attitude really did help the day of my wedding. She was very organized and efficient when taking family pictures and did not miss one person. She is fun to work with and you forget you are being photographed because she puts you at ease and makes it fun."
On the wedding day, you'll have two cameras focused on you throughout all the big moments. Tina brings an assistant to shoot at the bride's home, at the ceremony, and then at a park or another location of your choosing. Staged photos of the cake-cutting and first dance are done before you sit down to dinner, but if you'd like Tina to stay for the reception, extra coverage starts at $250.
Perfecting her art "I admit it. I'm a perfectionist," says Tina. She does all the printing, touch-ups and editing of each of your photos herself. Putting her name on the work means that she wants every shot to be the best that it can be. Tina says that it's this attention to detail that her clients seem to respond to most. She told us about one couple who really wanted to book her for their wedding but she had a wedding on the same date already. "They wanted me to do their photos so much that we staged the whole thing on the Wednesday before their wedding!"
What you can expect Calla Studio offers contemporary wedding albums as well as hard cover books as a trendy and unique alternative to a traditional album. Tina also offers services for photo collages, custom framing and thank you cards. "I did thank you cards for one couple with their engagement photo on it and they gave them out in person at their reception. It's a much more personal approach and it was a big hit with their guests."
Sarah, who formed a great friendship with Calla Studio and plans to use them for all future photography needs, had an album included in her wedding photo package and says she "liked how professional they look and how the shots are mounted on thicker black backing, which really makes them stand out." Keri agrees and says she "loves how Tina puts the photographs together and combines colour and black and white to create a really unique album. The clarity and the colours in her photographs are amazing."
Buffet-style pricing Tina helps you completely customize your own package because she knows that "every bride is unique, so her photography needs are also unique." This means that she charges a photographer's fee of $325 per hour with the purchase of a wedding album or $425 per hour without the purchase of a wedding album. Each couple receives complimentary online proofs with table cards and an engagement session with an 8x10 print. Tina says that most of her couples spend between $2500 to $4500 with her on their wedding day and packages start at $2500 for full day coverage. Tina told us that couples love being able to customize their own package. Sometimes in the off-wedding season, on weekdays and for weddings with smaller numbers, Calla offers smaller packages for brides to look at. Below are some of your options:
• Proofs are also available in a black leather case or on contact sheet style 8x10s in books that are bound with a black leather portfolio style cover. • Thank you cards with your engagement photo on them for giving away to guests as a thank you after the wedding (starting at $1.75 per card). • Professional slideshow, a creative professional DVD montage of every image set to music for $299. • Reprints from wallet size and larger (pricing based on size & quantity). • Real Coffee Table Book Albums which offer a creative, original look - available in three sizes - 5x5, 7x7 or 10x10 and with hard or soft covers. • Traditional albums are also available.
"Their prices fell within my budget so I was quite happy," says Sarah. "I think the prices definitely matched the value that we received." A sentiment that Keri agrees with saying she found Tina's prices to be very reasonable for the quality of her work.
If your wedding is outside of the immediate area, Tina will travel for your photos. She has done weddings from Kitchener to Toronto to Belleville - and everywhere in between.
detailsdetailsdetails • Calla Studio requires one third of your total price as a deposit when booking your date with them. • Payments can be made either monthly or in three separate installments. • Your deposit and payments are non-refundable. • There is no additional charge for additional locations. • Proof albums are ready for you to pickup within 4 to 6 weeks after your wedding. • Tina and her assistant will be in dress attire for your wedding, she likes to think of herself as a guest at the wedding with a job to do.
Inotherwords... "Jordan and I would like to thank you for the beautiful work you did, to make our wedding memories unforgettable. Everyone said they felt so at ease with you and your sense on humour fit in with everyone. Thank you for giving us such unique photographs." - Kathy & Jordan
Contacting Tina @ Calla... If you'd like to further discuss package and photo options with Tina Weltz, check her availability for your wedding date, or view samples in person, you can give her a call at 519-669-3993. The studio is located at 76 Howard Avenue in Elmira. You can also contact Calla Studio by email at callastudio@bellnet.ca or take a look at their website at www.callastudio.ca.
- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca |
