You’re Ready to Be Seen

Ready to take that leap from side-hustle to full-time entrepreneur, need some modern images for a brand refresh, or maybe you’re an influencer who wants professional photos for a campaign? Investing in brand photography for your brand informs your audience you are getting serious about what you do and you’re ready to invest in growing a business confident version of yourself.

Video Content

In the world of Tik Tok and IG, reels consider booking a video content session in addition to your branding shoot. This is a new service that I am offering, and I am so excited about it. Recently capturing content for an influencer event and a social media business, as seen above, I was inspired by the evolving world of technology and social media. Let’s capture video content to keep you and your business relevant and trendy. Inquire about capturing video content for your branding shoot here.

Stand Out

Not one brand is the same, why should you settle for generic stock images? Make your brand stand out by expressing what makes you unique. What’s your unique selling point, your story? Let’s capture who you are and what you believe in, with some beautiful imagery that your audience will connect and resonate with.

Professional images will make your business look more polished, professional, and put together.

Check A Task Off Your To-Do List

Constantly worrying about what content to post? A branding shoot will have you covered and have you checking tasks off your never-ending to-do list. Whether you need content for social media, a website, a campaign, or blogs, booking a 2-hour branding session with me will leave you with all the content you need for months to come.

Have Fun!

Remember to have fun! This is a day to be your authentic self and celebrate how far you have come in your business journey. You decided to show up for yourself and invest in your dreams. Let’s start dreaming up the perfect branding shoot. 

Xoxo, 

Alicia

The post 5 Reasons You Need To Do A Branding Shoot appeared first on Showit Blog.

Grooms, your wedding day is definitely one to remember and cherish for a lifetime. Here are my top 5 tips to have fun, be at ease, and enjoy your wedding day to the fullest extent.

Get Ready With Your Closest Friends & Family

The small moments leading up to saying “I Do” are a great time to spend with your closest friends and family members before embarking on this new chapter of your life. In my experience of photographing weddings, a lot of grooms decide to forgo taking pictures prior to the event.

Unwind, have a drink, go for a dip in the lake, maybe even play some pool. Do some last-minute bonding with your nearest and dearest and reminisce on years leading up to this memorable day.

Be Creative With Locations

Choose a getting-ready location that is super fun and creative, like Maja and Vince (Vince and his groomsmen photographer above), with their beautiful choice of a castle…with a pool table.

Maja and Vince did a great job selecting a location to get ready at and snapped photos with their closest friends and family prior to heading out to their wedding venue, The Ancaster Mill. This will make the experience fun for everyone, leave an impression, and you’ll end up with some pretty unforgettable memories and photos to cherish for a lifetime.

Some other fun location ideas are a cabin, a snazzy hotel room, or an interesting, out-of-the-box Airbnb like this castle.

Have Fun With Your Suit Selection

A fun way to customize your wedding experience is to invest in a custom suit. If you’re looking to jazz up your wedding day attire, experiment with fun or unique fabrics for the lining of your suit jacket. A pattern, a pop of colour or even take it a step further and add in a special message, the date of your wedding or even your partner’s name.

Some other snazzy custom pieces can include, shoes, ties, and pocket squares.

Set Time For A First Look

Once you walk down the aisle and say “I Do” with your partner, you will most likely be getting pulled in every other direction for the rest of the day. Snapping photos with family members, saying thank you to your guests, which leaves you very little time to have those intimate moments with your partner. Before you head down the aisle, you and your partner should sneak away for a first look or portrait session. You will both get to enjoy each other’s time prior to the hustle and bustle and enjoy a special intimate moment like no other. 

If a first look isn’t your vibe, you can always plan to sneak away at sunset for a quick 10 minute photo shoot, or do both, I won’t mind and you’ll be happy to have these memories to look back on for years to come.

Remember Why You’re Having a Party In The First Place…Have Fun!

As mentioned in my previous Brides Blog post, together with your partner, write down the most important aspect of your Big Day. Like a vision board. Stick it on to a place that you both frequent, your fridge, office space, a bathroom. Keep the sticky note as a reminder so you’ll always see your why. You both decided to get married for a reason, keep that at the forefront while planning.

Whether it’s to celebrate your love, to get together with family you haven’t seen for years (yayyy covid), or to have a unique, fun party. Strip it down to the basics. Along the way, there will be times that you feel overwhelmed, reference your sticky note and remember why you’re celebrating in the first place.  

And have FUN!!!

Xoxo,

Alicia

The post Top 5 Tips for Grooms-To-Be appeared first on Showit Blog.

With the New Year comes new pricing, and new guidelines on photo sessions. This price change has been 9 years coming, basically since I started my photography business 10 years ago. Wow, that’s a long time. 

So much has changed in the last 10 years for Alicia Thurston Photography . For one, my business name and logo, haha and of course my skills and knowledge have grown exponentially. Working in the photography industry for 10 years means a lot of experience. That has made me extremely well versed on the INS and OUTS of Wedding, Lifestyle, Branding & Family Photography. From directing you on what to wear, how to pose and how to feel comfortable in front of a camera, to hours spent culling, picking out all the best photos, and editing them in a consistent and timeless style. 

It has been well overdo, and with that, this year was the year to change my pricing so that I can start giving more of my dedicated time to each of you by taking a little less work at the right value.  

New Options

I’ve been honing my skills with video reels and bought some new equipment to maximize my iPhone pro’s ability. I’m excited to offer some video highlight options to some of my services, including events, branding and weddings. Let’s chat more about what I can offer you.

New Pricing Details

Price changes have occurred on all of my packages and sessions, please see some of my new pricing details below: 

Weddings starting at $3800

Micro Weddings starting at $900

Family Sessions starting at $600

Maternity & Newborn Combo starting at $950 

Branding starting at $450 

Head Shots Starting at $250 

Events Starting at $350 

A Note About Family Mini Sessions

I will only be hosting family mini sessions twice a year now. Keep a look out for when they will be occurring and to be the first to know by signing up for my Newsletter. 

Thank you so much for all the support the past 10 years, I’m looking forward to capturing your most special and intimate moments in the years to come. If you are interested in finding out more about my packages please contact me here, and I would be more than happy to chat! 

Xoxo,

Alicia

The post New Year, New Price & Guidelines appeared first on Showit Blog.

Brides, the days leading up to your wedding day can be stressful, but you want to feel at complete ease when it comes to the day itself. It’s your day, and you want to enjoy it. Here are my top 5 tips for brides-to-be. 

Make a Note About What’s Important

My top tip, non-negotiable for your big day, grab a sticky note! Together with your partner, write down the most important aspect of your Big Day. Like a vision board. Stick it on to a place that you both frequent, your fridge, office space, a bathroom. Keep the sticky note as a reminder so you’ll always see your why. You both decided to get married for a reason, keep that at the forefront while planning. Whether it’s to celebrate your love, to get together with family you haven’t seen for years (yayyy covid), or to have a unique, fun party. Strip it down to the basics. Along the way, there will be times that you feel overwhelmed, reference your sticky note and remember why you’re celebrating in the first place.  

Do an Engagement Session 

If you are generally not around a camera, the idea of being followed around by a photographer all day may feel a little nerve-racking. My best advice to start warming up to the idea is to take advantage of your engagement session, which is included in my Wedding Packages (bonus). You will experience firsthand how I work as a photographer, how you and your partner interact with each other with a photographer present and get to make a cute little date out of it. This is the perfect trial run before your big day! 

De-Clutter the Bridal Suite or Getting Ready Area

It’s your day; you’re the star of the show. When you’re getting ready before you say, “I do”, get members of your family or bridal party to tidy as you go. Travel bags, supply bags, bridal party shoes, jackets, you name it, I’ve seen it. My objective with shooting you in this vulnerable, intimate setting is to capture you and your bridal party, not the clutter that may be around you. Bailey’s suite, shown in this article, is a perfect example of how amazing your prep photos can be. 

Your Dress Will Get Dirty…That’s OK

One of the things I know you brides stress about is your dress. If your dress is white, let’s face it, it will get dirty, it’s inevitable. You’re walking around all day, it’s dragging around on the floor, it will pick up dirt. But no need to fret, none of it will be seen in your photos. One thing you can mark off your list of stressors. 

Snap Photos Before You Walk Down the Aisle

Once you walk down the aisle and say “I Do” with your partner, you will most likely be getting pulled in every other direction for the rest of the day. Snapping photos with family members, saying thank you to your guests, which leaves you very little time to have those intimate moments with your partner. Before you head down the aisle, you and your partner should sneak away for a first look or portrait session. You will both get to enjoy each other’s time prior to the hustle and bustle and enjoy a special intimate moment like no other. 

If a first look isn’t your vibe, you can always plan to sneak away at sunset for a quick 10 minute photo shoot, or do both, I won’t mind and you’ll be happy to have these memories to look back on for years to come.

Keep these tips in mind when you’re planning your wedding and remember to have fun, stay tuned for my top 5 tips for grooms-to-be.

Xoxo,

Alicia 

The post Top 5 Tips for Brides-to-Be appeared first on Showit Blog.

It was near impossible to pick only a handful of favourites for 2021 and I am certain that my camera’s shutter count is astronomical after the past 6 months. So while the following images (and there are a lot) reflect some of the highlights for me but it is far from all of them. 

We went from 6 months of lockdown to 6 months of an industry boom and it was a whirlwind. I’m still behind on a ton of work, some editing and a lot of behind the scenes biz stuff. I’m hopeful that during the next couple quieter months I will have the time to catch up, reflect and take a breather. You all brought the energy though and I thank you for that!!! f I didn’t love it, I sure wouldn’t do it.

TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY

This past NYE marks my official 10 year anniversary for the very first wedding I did at Spencer’s in Burlington. The best part is that I still see the couple and they have called on me to capture memories as they have grown their family, from maternity session, to newborn sessions to yearly family shoots (one of them featured below), it’s such a joy to be a part of their journey. On instagram I mentioned that I might do something to celebrate the anniversary but I haven’t had time to come up with what that will be yet so I’m open to suggestions if you want to leave a comment below. Maybe a giveaway for a free engagement session in 2022? 

BIG CHANGES COMING

In 2022 there will be some changes as I start to put more focus on the things that bring me joy. I’ll be announcing some pricing structure changes in the coming days so this is your last chance to get in on my current rates for weddings, branding and mini sessions. 

I’ve also hired a marketing manager to work on some of the behind the scenes to free myself up for more shoots because that’s what lights my fire. She has been awesome and I can’t wait to see where we take things this year!

Lastly, I’m finishing a college course for Interior Design and will be working on developing my brand as a High Vibe Interior Stylist – curious about what that is… shoot me an email and we can chat! By no means does this mean I am saying goodbye to photography, I am only adding to my services to keep a more consistent revenue throughout the year and allow myself to say “no” to the jobs that don’t inspire me. So if we are working together, you will know that I am totally stoked about creating with you!!! 

Without further adieu, here is the best of 2021! Now, let’s see what you got 2022!

If you are interested in booking a session with me, check out more information about my services, here.

Thanks for taking a look at the amazing moments in 2021. 

-Alicia xoxo

Here’s a list of some of the incredible vendors and venues I’ve had the pleasure of working with in 2021;

Pop Up Chapel

Love By Lynzie Events

Flower Child

Daniela Franca Beauty

Cat and Nat

Lead Her Publishing

Kayla

Kenzie

Tanquerey

Evergreen Brickworks

Steamwhistle Brewery

The Loft at Baro

The Globe and Mail

The Symes

Balance Bliss

The Royal York

Ancaster Mill

Casa Loma

In case you prefer a slideshow because sometimes images want to shine on their own, here they are again and a few extra. 

The post The Best of 2021 appeared first on Showit Blog.

I’m saving some of my favourite sessions for last, wrapping up the individual 2021 recaps with Branding Sessions. Branding shoots inspire a whole new creative side in me. I love collaborating with creative business owners and influencers to tell their stories through their photos and unique personas. 

Whether your brand is more fun and playful, more editorial glam, or somewhere in between, telling your individual story is always an awesome experience. 

With a total of 20 branding shoots done this year I am beyond thrilled to have gotten to work on so many creative, out-of-the-box, glam, magazine worthy branding shoots.

With many more planned for 2022, I cannot wait!

Check out some of my fav snaps below:  

Stay tuned for my all time favs from 2021 on my next blog post this Sunday! 

Xoxo,

Alicia 

The post Branding 2021 Recap appeared first on Showit Blog.

And just like that, the Holiday Season is almost over. With Christmas in the bag and New Years on the way, I can’t help but think about all the precious time spent with family over the Holiday Season. I’ve had the pleasure to capture so many special memories and moments for my clients this year and I cannot wait to do the same in 2022. 

Capturing family love always makes my heart smile. Knowing that I am able to capture a moment in time forever,  and knowing my clients will have those photos to look back on when their kids have grown and have left the nest.

From capturing a client for 7 years in a row, and getting to see her grow into a beautiful young girl, to capturing those first newborn smiles, and all the moments in between, I am so grateful for all my Families that trust me in capturing these memories. 

Check out some of those special “We are Family” moments below,

Xoxoxox,

Alicia

The post 2021 Recap – We Are Family appeared first on Showit Blog.

This year has definitely been one for the books, one of the craziest, busiest and hard-working years in my 10 years of photographing Love Stories. Wow, it’s really been 10 years!

With over 52 couples photographed in 2021, may I add we only have 52 weeks in the year, I am so thrilled to have captured 52 beautiful couples and their love for each other.

If the pandemic taught me anything in the past two years, is that love remains one of the most powerful forces. Whether the wedding was intimate or larger the emotions of love and oneness were felt between all my couples and their guests. The pure joy of being together and the love that was felt for each other, what more can anyone ask for?!

With 2022 gearing up to be another love-filled year, my recommendation to couples seeking a fun, down-to-earth, candid lover, wedding photographer (like myself) is to inquire sooner rather than later. There is quite a large backlog of weddings still to happen due to Covid and I am so ready to capture your unique love story. Check out some of my amazing couples and their unique personalities.

The post 2021 Recap ~ Love Is In The Air appeared first on Showit Blog.

Reason 1 – It’s a trial run for your Wedding 

What better way to warm up before the big day than by stepping in front of the camera and doing a trial run. An engagement session is a perfect time to get an idea of what a professional photographer will do on your wedding day. This is one of the first steps in feeling comfortable in front of the camera and learning to let loose and be in the moment. 

Reason 2 – We get to know each other better 

Your wedding day will already be giving you all the butterflies, it will set your mind at ease if we already have a connection. The engagement session allows us to meet in person and get an overall vibe of each other. You will leave knowing how I work as a photographer and creative and how you move and interact as a couple together.  Which in return will help me capture some of the most stunning photos of you two. 

Reason 3 – You can get intimate and do a cuddle session 

Who doesn’t want an excuse to cuddle with their significant other…I mean, yes please!! This is one of the most important milestones in your life. Do all the fun activities that will bring you closer together and capture this special moment in time forever.  

Reason 4– Photos for save the dates

No need to stress about what cute photo you will use for your save the dates. Your engagement session with me will have you covered. You will have multiple images to choose from, and you might have difficulty selecting just one! 

Reason 5 – Because it’s included in your package! 

And one of the best reasons to do an engagement session, is that it’s already included in your wedding photography package…so why not take advantage of it?! 

If you’re interested in reading about another 3 reasons you should do an engagement session check out my 8 reasons here

Until the next blog post….

Xoxox,

Alicia 

The post 5 Reasons You Should Do An Engagement Session appeared first on Showit Blog.

A Pop-Up Chapel like no other. 12 lucky couples were gifted their Pop-Up Chapel spots as part of a giveaway from their official sponsor, Bijoux Birks, at The Loft on King this past October 12th & 13th.

This Chapel was unique in every way; the moment you walked in the transformed Loft on King’s doors, you could automatically sense that the couples were in for a special treat. Cue the stunning Birks blue doors, blue flowers, clock towers and custom backdrops in collaboration with the Pop-Up Chapel and Marta Urbanowicz from Artam Design.

Stunning neutral florals adorned these custom pieces featuring sophisticated Phalaenopsis Orchids, warm Toffee and Golden Mustard Roses, with a touch of modern boho flair, incorporating dried Sun Palms, preserved Ruscus, and Pampas Grass.

Unlike any other Pop-Up Chapel, the rest of the vendors and I were also featured in the Toronto Star, on October 13th, 2021. If you are a reader of this newspaper, you may have come across the article.

The article, written by Rosie DiManno, highlighted the sudden surge of pop-ups, micro-weddings and how the modern couple these days are looking to save their money on more big-ticket items, like a home or starting their new lives together, rather than losing a good portion of their money to just one day. As stated by Lynzie Kent, founder of the Pop-Up Chapel Co.

If you would like to read more about this unique Pop-Up Chapel, head to their blog and get the recap on the #birksbluechapel.

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