VENDOR SHOWCASE: Marie Roy Photography
Today we are chatting with a photographer friend of mine based in Halifax, Marie Roy! I love Marie’s soft spoken, kind way about her and it translates beautifully into her images. Have a read below - I know she would be happy to come to PEI if you’re on the hunt for a photographer!
Tell us a little about yourself!
My name is Marie, and I am Marie Roy Photography. I was raised in Quebec, so I am fully bilingual in French and English – French is my first language. I actually have my BSc in Nursing from Dalhousie – but I’m so passionate about artistry and photography, that it turns out Nursing wasn’t really my calling. I have instead become a wedding and portrait photographer and I absolutely love it.
How long have you been photographing weddings?
I’ve been a photographer for a few years, and a wedding photographer for two. I started out doing equestrian photography and equestrian sports such as show jumping – and that has evolved over time to also catering to couples and wedding clients as well.
What inspired you to begin photographing weddings?
When I first started photographing weddings or booking those wedding clients I was really excited to begin building long-term relationships. So much of what I was doing before was more of an in and out one hour session and it was finished – I might see that client again in a year or two for their next session. What I love about my wedding clients is that we get to build this connection from the moment they book me until their wedding day – and that makes the whole experience so much more special to all of us, since that time frame is often 6 months to a year of communication.
What is your favourite part of the wedding day?
I love the ceremony. It can sometimes be looked over – since the reception is such a huge part of the wedding day, and the ceremony is really only 20 minutes. But I love hearing my couples share their vows with each other and say “I Do”. The first kiss and their reaction before and after is so special every single time, and when the family roars with excitement! It’s just so much fun and so jam-packed with emotion.
What is the most unique wedding you've ever photographed?
I had a really awesome couple get married at a lakeside property in Nova Scotia, and the bride was from Dominican. There were so many fun additions to that wedding, such as La Hora Loca. Omg – it was so much fun! It’s a Carnivalesque hour of partying with bright colours, music and dancing for one hour between the ceremony and the reception. Here’s a NYT article about Hora Loca that describes it better than I could; https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/fashion/weddings/la-hora-loca-is-hopscotching-cultures.html
Describe your photography style:
My photography style is very minimalist in nature. I like to capture movement and emotion in the frame of my camera, and edit so that what I captured in-camera or in real life is not distracted by loud colours or distracting contrast. I like to keep my photographs looking light and simple.
Are you available to travel for weddings?
Yes, I am available to travel for weddings. In fact, I do travel quite a bit. I travel to three or four countries every year – during the off season. I travel to Montreal and Toronto frequently, as well as Europe and France. Most recently, my trip to France has been published in Cottage Hill and Trendy Bride (https://www.marieroyphotography.com/lyon-france ), and my trip to Aruba published in Bajan Wed ( https://www.marieroyphotography.com/aruba )
Aside from weddings, what is your next favourite type of shoot?
I love photographing equestrian sessions. I like to think they are my niche! I’ve been a horse-lover and horse owner all my life and have deep roots in the equestrian community. Every year, I host a series of mini sessions called The Equestrian Mini Series – where I travel to a farm and do 4 or 5 mini sessions back to back. I absolutely love capturing the connection between a rider and horse.
