VENDOR SHOWCASE: Len Currie Photography
This week we chat with Len Currie of Len Currie Photography!
Tell us a little about yourself!
Oye. A little about myself, these are never fun. Hmm. Well, my name is Len Currie and a lot of people don't know I'm a CFA. Yes, I wasn't born here in PEI, I'm a "come from away". I lived in Dartmouth, NS until High School when our family moved over to PEI, and I have to say that we're not going anywhere! I'm a very happy and fortunate man to be happily married to my beautiful wife Bernadette and we live in Stratford, PEI with our two beagles Hunter & Bella.
How long have you been photographing weddings?
I nervously shot my first wedding on August 1st, 2009. Here we are, 8 years later. I still can't believe it.
What inspired you to begin photographing weddings?
Ok, so its' kind of a funny story. I'm a tech geek, and love all things digital. So when I started hearing about these new "SLR" cameras which took these incredible photos and they were digital, I had to have one! I purchased a Canon Rebel XT and took it a wedding I was a guest at and started shooting. Once it was over and I gave the newlyweds my amateur photos, they were really blown away and said "These are just as good as the ones we paid a lot of money for!". I thought that was a nice compliment but that was where it would end.
Fast forward a few weeks and I'm playing pool at Dooly's in town, one of my friends there had a sister who was going to get married, and she asked if I would be interested in doing it. A very quick "No thanks." is how I replied.
A few games of pool and a few adult beverages later, my friend persisted and asked me again and I will never, ever forget the words she used (shes' quite smart that way), she said "They weren't even going to get a photographer. This would be very no-pressure." That sounded good to me!
I could go on and on about that first wedding as I remember so many incredible moments and details, but to make this long story short, what inspired me to begin photographing weddings, without question, was the reaction the bride had to seeing her photos the first time. The happy tears flowed and I found that I had this incredible feeling of accomplishment and happiness that I would luckily get to repeat over and over for 8 years and counting. Kim & Kenny, if you ever read this, thank you so much for having me - they day your life changed, also changed mine.
What is your favourite part of the wedding day?
Without question it's when all the 'formal' photos are finished and we get to spend some time with the Bride & Groom all by themselves. The wedding days go by so incredible fast that when we get to slow down, get them together all by themselves.. let them joke around about being a 'husband & wife' and how strange it feels to say those words. The moments they get to just sit or stand together and take it all in. That's my favourite part of the day. Is that too cheesy? Hmm, maybe but sometimes the truth is cheesy.
What is the most unique wedding you've ever photographed?
Since we've done a number of destination weddings, each one of those is so unique (and awesome) as it's a week-long party and we get to be a part of it. The most unique wedding isn't really coming to mind right now, I will say that I am really enjoying the fact that a lot of couples are doing their own things and not necessarily going with what is trendy, or what their parents did. Traditions are amazing, but let's take a moment and realize what it's all about. It's about a couple making the ultimate commitment to one another and celebrating the commitment with the people they want to. Every single wedding we shoot is unique, and they all have incredible moments and memories.
Describe your photography style:
Bold, Creative & Vibrant.
Bernadette & I are not the 'sit in the corner and you barely notice us' type of photographer. While we are always incredibly respectful, we very much love weddings, and we strive on getting to know the people we are shooting during those incredible days. We've been told on a lot of occasions that we were pretty much just like one of the bridal party. This is such a big compliment to us, especially when it comes not only from the bride & groom, but from the parents, and the friends of the couple, it's amazing.
Are you available to travel for weddings?
Absolutely. Since photography isn't my full time job, my end goal when we started shooting weddings was to travel. In all honesty I hadn't been on an all-inclusive wedding until 2012 when I was asked to shoot one in the Dominican. It was incredible and we absolutely love travelling. What surprises clients most is that it's not as expensive to have us shoot their destination wedding as people think, because we want to travel!
Aside from weddings, what is your next favourite type of shoot?
Engagements. When I started doing more and more photography back in 2009 & 2010, I would shoot anything, literally, anything. Babies, Maternity, Family, Graduation, Headshots, every-thing. But as time went on, I realized what I enjoyed and found myself good at and concentrated on that area.. which was weddings.
We now only advertise and shoot weddings (and only do engagement sessions for my wedding clients). We love what we do and we feel we're best suited for that style of photography.
What else should we know about you?
I am lucky enough to have one of the most unique stories when it comes down to my own wedding and relationship with my wife, Bernadette. From a chance meeting in Boston in 2012, to 36+trips back and forth to Philadelphia where my wife is from during our "dating years", to a surprise engagement in which the video sort of went "PEI Viral". When we had a secret wedding which was only revealed to most of our family and friends at our incredible Philadelphia wedding, then the long road and journey in Bernadette obtaining her immigration papers. I love talking about our story, and I'm proud of the commitment we both made to each other. Bernadette is my inspiration every single day to get up and do good things, she is absolutely incredible. We live together with our two amazing beagles Hunter & Bella in Stratford and could not be happier.
I also am an avid golfer, as well as a hockey player (goaltender). A lot of people find it so strange to find out that I shoot weddings, just not something a 'hockey guy' would regularly do.
Having an entrepreneurial spirit I've also founded and co-own a social painting company called "East Coast Art Party". This is a company which does painting nights all over the maritimes, and I work full time at BellAliant as well. What can I say, I like to stay busy.
Testimonials:
I loved this one, since I haven't ever shot anything of hers
"I have never had you as a photograph, however I have been following your Facebook page for quite sometime now. You most definitely have a fantastic eye for capturing "The Moment" Your photos are absolutely stunning to say the very least. Hopefully someday I'll be able to have you capture a few of my family's moments. Keep up the excellent work :-)" - Terra
"From the second we got engaged (Okay, maybe a LITTLE bit prior to that ;) ) I had told myself that Len and Bernadette had to be the ones to capture my wedding day on camera. Ladies and gentlemen, they did not disappoint. When we received our pictures we went through every emotion. We laughed, we cried, we lovingly facepalmed! Working with them both was a breeze and everything ran so smoothly. They were organized and captured EVERY moment perfectly. We can both happily say that we loved every single picture, and that is no small feat. Too often you hear of people hating their wedding pictures but there isn't a single one of them I wouldn't be proud to hang on my wall. These will always be treasured." - Krysta & Logan
"Len and Bernadette are the dream team! From our engagement pictures to our wedding day, this duo as been amazing to work with. Len will ensure your big day is full of laughs, adventure and the highest quality service we could have ever asked for. We are beyond grateful that we had the opportunity to have Len and Bernadette apart of our special day!!!" - Monika & Scott
After working with Len and Bernadette on a couple of weddings this summer, I can attest that you'll never have a shortage of laughter when they're around! Thanks for chatting with me Len, and I look forward to many seasons together to come!
Until next time,
xox KLF