VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: JENNIFER SEE STUDIOS
Unique in design and theme, each Pop-Up Chapel works with some of the best-in-class vendors in the city to bring our vision to life and create a one-of-a-kind experience for our couples! Based in Toronto, Photographer Jennifer See Studios has worked on over 4 Chapels capturing the most beautiful portraits and detail photos that highlight the connection and energy felt in the moment.
Tell us a little about yourself, how long you have been in the industry and your business.
I've always been fascinated with people and started using a camera at a very young age as a way to connect with others. I have a degree in Fine Arts from OCAD University where I majored in Photography. I have been working in the wedding industry since 2012, but began shooting and working under my own business in 2015. My camera has brought me to so many amazing places around Canada and the world. travelling and experiencing new places is a huge part of my life!
Which chapel has been your favourite?
The Sept 18th 2020 chapel out in Koerner Gardens was my favourite. It was spaced out nicely, the fabrics were beautiful as they moved in the breeze during the ceremony, and the Tipsy Turner Trailer is always a hit!
What do you love about working in the wedding industry?
My absolute favourite aspect of my job is having the chance to meet so many different people, in different walks of life and from around the world. I love hearing what people do for a living, witnessing their relationships with partners and family/friends, understanding their experiences and being a part of so many special moments in people's lives! <3
How is the chapel unique to your typical work/weddings? What do you love about it?
The chapel is unique because of the variety of people that walk through the door, some have decided to elope with just their 2 best friends or their dog, and some have brought 30 people. I find the couples that chose to get married at the Chapel are less focused and stressed on the colours of the florals, the napkins on the tables or who sits beside who, they're just excited to marry their favourite person! This is what I love about the Chapel, it brings in people who are passionate about one another and sealing that with a ceremony.
If you could design a chapel what theme would you pick?!
Desert vibes! With dried flowers, dusty pinks and orange! Or an all white + green design, winter vibes with browns! String lights everywhere!
What are your favourite types of photos to capture, your influences, and your favourite moment during a photo session?
I love working with couples who are carefree, who hire me with no set shot list or expectations of how the shoot should go or the outcome. We just get to go with the flow, move slowly and really let the creativity come. I find that creativity shows up in my couples too, while they're not so focused on what they look like, just enjoying the company of their partner or the music we're listening to or the activity we're doing. Engagement sessions might be my favourite; there's no timeline, no distractions and we can choose to do anything for the shoot. Some engagement sessions activities have been ice skating, ordering way to much McDonalds, playing board games, a hike in the mountains, canoeing and so many more fun ideas that are meaningful to each couple!
During the months of quarantine, have you found a new hobby or project you've grown to like?
I've always been someone to create with my hands, so I always have some sort of project on the go; like knitting a cardigan, creating small paintings and currently I've taken up cross stitching! As a very extroverted person, it's definitely been a learning curve as we had to slow down and move inside. I'm used to getting a lot of socializing out with clients while shooting engagements or weddings, but I've come to cherish some quiet time to have a cup of coffee and work on one of the many projects on the go. I'm finding ways to better my business behind closed doors; talking with an accountant, updating my website, creating a print shop and other valuable things for my future couples. If you look hard enough, this year has been a blessing in disguise.