In conversation with Brian Limoyo Wedding Photographer about magnificently capturing a super modern chic brunch wedding Ceremony at Maquette wedding venue Toronto.

I think a big part of modern wedding photography is collaborating with the Bride and Groom, understanding what their aesthetic is and being able to translate that through our lens. Becky (the bride) had a very particular vision and we connected with that look and feel instantly! We could tell that we were right for each other from our first meeting, the excitement was instant. I love that you mentioned Roman Holiday,  Audrey Hepburn is definitely part of that inspiration.

I think our 12 years plus of wedding Photography experience came into play, it becomes instinctual. Knowing where to place yourself. It is also really important for us to capture the moment but also to not get in the way. The ceremony is the reason a wedding happens, there is a sacredness to that, we take very seriously. We try and be as discreet as possible, not getting in between the guests and the ceremony, we are like ninjas with wicked composition skills.

The styling was very unique and European. It was a testament to Becky and Ben’s style and savoir faire. The black and white colour scheme with the bright yellow lemons for favours!

I think a lot of that is choosing the decisive moment.  It is sort of an allegory for life, the moments in between the big events. The in between the lines moments, peoples lines of sight, a reaction, those are what I think really marks us during big life events. That’s what I get excited about capturing, it is also what i think is the hardest thing to photograph well.

Being able to get the right vantage point but still remain discreet and not a distraction, those are my major considerations and it can be particularly challenging in an intimate setting.

Its a careful balance we want to make sure to preserve the ambiance of the room but still be able to get a good well lit picture, Le Maquette was great for that. The solarium provided plenty of natural light and because of the time of day, the light also added character to the wedding day.

We are very blessed to have such wonderful stylish and sincere brides and grooms. I think it starts there. Being able to communicate what our style is and understanding what the couples vision is. By being better at communicating what we love doing and our approach, we attract the right sort of Bride and Groom. It really is more important to make sure that our styles are aligned and that both Bride, Groom and Photographer can get excited about the photos we are going to take  together. It is a love for our craft and a drive to challenge ourselves to get better and try something different.

Thank you, We try to experiment with our composition and light to create unique images.

We are by no means a replacement for a wedding planner! We do however believe in preparation, making sure we understand the flow of the day and what parts and photos are most important to each of our brides and grooms.  30 days before the wedding we have a special photo itinerary document that we have each couple fill in. It helps to factor in everything from special photo request, family photo combos, addresses, travel times etc. It is a live document that lives online so any adjustments are live and can viewed by everyone. The more prepared you are before the day of the more you can be in the moment, which is what we want every bride and groom to do !!

You have a background in fine art. What is your personal history and how do you draw on your experiences in the moment of capturing images?

I studied studio arts at Concordia University, mostly painting and drawing. Before that I spent all my time in the dark room managing a photoclub at Vanier college, I loved B&W photography.  I continued to study commercial photography at Dawson college. It was a great experience I had the opportunity to work with Montreal Fashion photographers, as an assistant and retoucher which I continued to do during the weekdays while working on weddings on the weekends.

Besides the practical study, composition, light, perspective helping me better execute my photos technically, I think my fine art background helps me better communicate.  Art is very telling of a society, looking at art is like holding a mirror. Understanding history and art is to better understand ourselves. I draw on my experiences with fine arts to better understand the context and stories of people and places.  I think it makes me a better visual story teller.

I limit myself to 25 Weddings a year.  It’s a way to make sure I don’t burn out, I also have a commercial studio that keeps things fresh. Nothing refreshes me more than the ocean ! We make our way out east and spend as much time by the ocean, travel helps me relax and expand.