Most brides expect photography and DJ services to each have their own line on their to-do lists. The three elements each play major parts in the wedding and ultimately come with their own set of research, quoting and hiring tasks. But Cameron Shaver Photography is one of the few local wedding companies presenting brides with another option offering multiple services under one roof. Cameron Shaver, Owner and Operator of the company, calls his business a one-stop shop for photography and DJ services, meaning you cross one, two or three things off your list just by meeting with him.

Cameron is naturally talented and has an obvious passion for documenting and playing a part in local Kitchener-Waterloo weddings. His packages come individually as photography and DJ services with varying hours of service, post production, digital negatives, online galleries and an extra camera person depending on the package. But you can also combine packages and book Cameron both services on your wedding day.

So with an impressive portfolio, certifications to back up his multiple talents, and unique services - like creating a wedding website to provide guests with information - it looks like Cameron Shaver is going to be a busy man. Let us explain...

In-house talent makes the difference

When Cameron started his own entertainment business in 1999, one of the first things he found was that he could not afford to pay professionals to do what he needed to have done. "I had to do it all myself," explains Cameron. "I had to figure out how to build a website, record a CD, edit in PhotoShop and adjust an aperture all on a tight budget." Now, more than ten years later, his goal is to provide high quality and professional digital media and entertainment services at a price people, like him, can afford.

Cameron has a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education, plus Level 1 and 2 photography certifications from Conestoga College. He has also taken several Mac Pro training courses, such as Motion, Aperture and Final Cut Pro, but says that he is primarily self-taught because he has a natural passion for digital media.

Though there is an option for an additional camera operator or photographer (depending on the package you book), Cameron is the sole contact through the entire process. "That way there is no chance of miscommunication or differing approaches," he says.

Aside from being involved with all aspects of wedding photography, Cameron also has commercial photography and graphic design experience. He listed some of his experience for us - a list that included creating posters and TV commercials for The New Peer Pressureanti-smoking campaign, working for charity organizations (for the Sunshine Foundation, Free the Children and The Kidney Foundation) and photographing celebrities like Hanson, Ben Mulroney and the cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation. He also loves to pass on his passion and knowledge through teaching photography to others.

Cameron Shaver Photography has officially been in business since 2007 but Cameron has been indulging his creativity on the side for about ten years. So far he has offered his expert services for about twenty weddings per year. "What I really love most is capturing the moment, telling a story, having an outlet for my creativity and creating a final product that I can be proud of."

His style for yours

Cameron tends to have a more photojournalistic style, trying to capture the moments naturally while remaining flexible. "I enjoy being spontaneous and creative... I like helping the couple capture their day the way they would want to remember it."

Madonna and John Coghill found Cameron to be friendly and professional when they worked with him for their October 2009 wedding photography and DJing. “He made us feel very comfortable… and let us do what we wanted; when we had a suggestion, he encouraged it. He also had good ideas if we weren't sure what to do.”

Ron & Karen Charron appreciated Cameron’s professionalism with their daughter's October 2009 wedding so much that they hired him again for their son's wedding in June 2011. They loved that he provided classic poses as well as artistic photographs. “Cameron is a true professional,” adds Ron. “He organized the wedding party and family for shots that he thought would work well, but also allowed for special requests from the bride, the groom and their parents.”

Personality and results are what counts

Cameron knows his personality plays a part in the reason his couples choose him. He's easy to talk to and when it comes to the things that matter to your wedding plans and your day, he's realistic.

One of the things that Jessica and George Michael liked about Cameron Shaver was his laid back personality and general niceness. “He took the time to really get to know us and what we were looking for in both our photography and DJ.” They had Cameron DJ for their stag and doe and wedding, as well as photograph their wedding day and thought that finding his multiple services and reasonable prices was a great discovery.

From the moment Ron and Karen first met Cameron, they were impressed. “You can learn a lot about a person by talking with them in their home. We loved the décor, his artwork, the way he dressed and spoke with us about his love for photography. The work that he had done for previous clients was the icing on the cake. We hired him and made a deposit for his services before we left.”

Cameron keeps his prices in a range he feels is reasonable and that will draw in customers, but Cameron says it's results that generate the referrals from clients that keep his business going. "I'll encourage you to plan the day you want to have, regardless of tradition." He also says he gets to know the couple and family better throughout the day as photographer and throughout the evening as disc jockey.

“I feel we got exceptional value for our money,” say Madonna and John. “It was exactly what we wanted and for the price we wanted to pay.” They especially loved that Cameron continued to take pictures all through the night while he played music with the photography + DJ package that they booked. “We didn't have to stage the cake cutting and dances so that he could go home.”

Packages & prices

When it comes to offering services for his weddings, a multitude of packages are required so that every option is covered. Cameron says he really tries to put himself in the bride's and groom's shoes, which is how he came up with his pricing, "All of my prices are based on what I could afford to pay at my own wedding," he explains. "I wouldn't pay more and why should you?"

Ron and Karen feel that Cameron lives up to this objective as they found his prices to be unbeatable. “We hired him for everything and we were not disappointed,” they told us. “Excellence is the word to describes Cameron's work.”

Cameron offers a photography only package for $1195, which includes five hours of coverage and a whole lot more, such as an online password protected gallery with full quality downloads and post production on all photos. There are add-ons available like an engagement shoot for $195, or a second shooter.

Photography and DJ for $1995 is the most popular package Cameron offers as "It is an all-in-one package at an amazing price," he says. "By having one person take care of two of your wedding services it cuts down on meeting for the couple and it allows me to get to know the client better." Plus, instead of being idle while a song plays, Cameron uses that time to continue shooting photos of your event all night long. This package includes ten hours of photography coverage, seven sound sensitive lights and a massive music collection.

If you're looking for a DJ only, it's $595 for six hours of coverage. You can also book Cameron for your Stag and Doe for just $395.

Ron and Karen had Cameron photograph and DJ for their daughter’s wedding and loved that Cameron gave them a list of artists so they could choose the kind of music they wanted at the wedding. Plus, they provided him with the reception schedule and he made sure that the music was played at the appropriate times.”

Cameron makes his passion for his work obvious and admits that he's one of those people who won't stop until he gets it right, a multitasker who is full of energy and has a desire to make things perfect for the bride and groom.

“I liked that Cameron took all sorts of photos, not just the typical ones,” says Jessica. “The DJ service was awesome; so much variety and he was open to using Greek music for my husband’s side of the family as well.”

Giving Back

Giving to local as well as global causes is important to Cameron. For example, for every wedding he books, Cameron donates to TheHungerSite.com to send a child in Darfur to school for a year. Cameron explains,"Education is the key to help eliminate poverty and there is no better way to teach peace than in a classroom that is inclusive of all students. TheHungerSite.com offers a wide variety of gifts that give more, many of which would make amazing wedding favours!"

Each year, Cameron also takes grad photos for local students at a discounted rate. They receive a disk of digital negatives and Cameron donates 100% of the money back to the school. He also donates his services to events like the Okay To Be Me Pride Prom in Kitchener.

Cameron also believes in carbon neutral travel and so, all travel for events that Cameron is a part of is completely carbon neutral. Cameron explains, "At the end of the calendar year, once all my travel has been calculated, I donate to CarbonFund.org to offset my carbon emissions."

Walking you through it...

Cameron suggests emailing or phoning him to book an appointment to check out his portfolio and discuss your wedding day needs. Once you've decided on which package you're interested in, a deposit of one third of your total price books your wedding date with Cameron and you'll sign a contract that explains everything you'll be receiving.

Depending on the package you order, Cameron's involvement on your wedding day can vary. If he's the photographer and DJ, he is photographer all day and DJ through dinner and the rest of the evening.

Many of Cameron's clients recommend him - whether you book him for some or all of your wedding day digital media. Ron and Karen were such clients, who, in recommending him to other couples (including their own son and daughter-in-law) say he is "Dependable, professional, artistic and loves what he does. Cameron Shaver is the complete package!"

Details, details, details

• Calling Cameron about 6 or more months ahead of your wedding date is highly recommended. That said, he'll always accommodate last minute requests if he's available.
• A deposit of one third of your package price holds your date on his calendar.
• Wedding websites are hosted by Cameron for 1 year.
• All photography packages include a password protected online gallery.