Review is written by Staff @ The Ring and is based on • Interviews with this vendor • Interviews with past brides
Guelph based wedding photographer Amber Richmond knows how lucky she is to wake up every day and pursue her passion full time. And after ten years in the wedding photography business, her infectious attitude and love for what she does has a lot to do with her success.
Amber's business philosophy - look after clients the way she would want to be looked after- is evident from the raving reviews we’ve had from brides and colleagues that have experienced a day with Amber. Brides know they can relax and enjoy their wedding day because they're going to get natural, timeless photos from a photographer who will do whatever it takes to get the perfect shot. Whether she's dancing around to get a laugh out of the wedding party or making silly faces at the bride to help her relax, Amber Richmond goes the extra mile. Let us explain.....
Personally Speaking...
It all started with Dini Petty. Amber was visiting her now husband in university and caught an episode of Dini Petty where a guest was talking about making a career out of something you love. Amber couldn't get that show out of her head and a week later, on her way to pick up pictures that she had taken during a trip to Thailand, she thought about how excited she was to get her pictures developed. That was the moment she realized that she loved taking pictures and could make a career out of it. A year later, after Amber's mom gave Amber an old Canoe AE-1 for Christmas, she started experimenting with photography and taking pictures every day. She started taking pictures for fun and learned how to process and print her own pictures in a darkroom. When friends started offering to pay for her photos, she was able to save enough money to buy her first digital SLR camera.
The following summer Amber assisted a photographer, doing small jobs and weddings on the side. In the summer of 2002, Amber felt ready to go out on her own. And she went out full force, shooting eighteen weddings during peak wedding season. That was it. Amber Richmond Photography was born. Amber started in Huntsville where she grew up and branched out from there, though she still shoots many wedding in the Muskoka area.
It’s now been ten years of photography for Amber (she’s at the 150’ish mark now) and throughout that time, Amber has worked with celebrity clients like Broadway actress Diane Davis, whose Algonquin wedding she photographed and Canadian Singer/Songwriter Peirson Ross. This year, Amber won an award for Guelph's favourite photography studio and she has also acted as a contributing photographer for Our Space, a local home style magazine. Amber also donates her work and time to The Women in Crisis Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, Wyndham House and The Rockwood Nursery School.Her business has become such a success that she was able to make it a full time career last year with a studio in downtown Guelph.
It's all in the attitude
Amber says that she has taken several bookings by brides, sight-unseen. "These are brides who’ve seen my website. Since they haven't even met me, they obviously like what they see. A huge compliment to me!"
Amber isn't shy to admit that her personality plays a big part in referrals from her brides. She says she likes to have fun while she works and isn't afraid to laugh at herself or "act silly" if it means she's going to get a great reaction out of the bride and in turn, get the perfect shot.
And depending on your package, Amber will bring a second shooter along, who follows the same philosophy as she does. She brings them along as a second pair of eyes, to capture the shots she might miss and to help keep everyone's energy levels up. Amber works with shooters that don't take themselves too seriously and love to have fun while they work.
Diane and Will Hopkins were married August 2010 and hired Amber for their wedding. Diane told The Ring, “I LOVED working with Amber and her assistant. They were so warm, funny, and I am truly happy I had them with me on my wedding day. Amber was a wonderful addition to the whole day -- she knew how to get great photos and to make the process fun and relaxing. And during the times when I didn't want to know I was being photographed, I didn't notice them at all, which was wonderful.”
Amber explains, “Portrait photography to me is seventy-five percent personality of the photographer and twenty-five percent technical. You can be the most technical photographer out there but if you don't let your clients feel comfortable in front of you and let them be themselves, you'll never get ‘that shot’ that really mirrors who they are. That is my philosophy and I'm sticking with it"
Wedding videographer Kelsey Emuss saw this for herself while working on a wedding with Amber. “The wedding we were shooting took place in October and it was COLD. Really cold. But Amber warmed the entire golf course with her enthusiasm. She was so positive and excited about the images and the couple that the time flew by and everyone had a great time in spite of the frigid temperatures. She remembered everyones names and made personal connections with the entire wedding party.”
Natural is Best
Amber says natural, earthy brides are usually attracted to her work because they want real shots that aren’t staged. Amber describes herself as "candid, relaxed and in the moment" and likes to take a mix of candid and posed pictures.
"Natural lighting always makes me feel more connected with the shot and with the couple or group. I learned from one of the best photographers in the business and she taught me the value of natural light. I really try and encourage the couple to be themselves and express themselves in a way that feels most natural. I want them to look back on their pictures and say 'that is so us'."
Because Amber grew up in Huntsville, she often photographs weddings in Muskoka which, she says, inspires her photography, "I am lucky to be able to 'go home' and photograph so many weddings outdoors, whether they’re on the docks, at cottages or on the waterfront. I grew up surrounded by water, docks and the natural landscape so perhaps it has influenced my style."
Amber admits that she's a sucker for "anything and everything romantic" and she loves to capture that first kiss, the hug between the groom and his mom and the little exchanges between the bride and groom. "My idea of the perfect shot is any shot that conveys the emotion of the moment, tells a story and can live through time".
While her style is continually changing, she always tries to keep her pictures in the moment." I don't like to take a ton of time to set up the 'perfect' shot. How many shots did I miss while I was trying to set up the "best shot?"
Although Amber has her own style, she encourages couples to bring their own ideas to the table too. If you have a particular shot that you just need to get, let Amber know so that she has an idea of what you're looking for and she can make sure you get exactly what you want.
Pricing and Packages
Couples can choose from a few packages or, talk to Amber about creating a custom package. While each package has special features, every package includes every package includes and engagement session with a wire-bound prooflet book with 50 of your favourite 4x6 prints, a proof album or coffee table book, (proofs quantity or pages dependent on the package that you choose), three months of online hosting and all wedding images in high resolution on a DVD. This includes colour, black and white, sepia, low saturation and more. The image quantity is based on the package you choose.
Packages range from $1995 to $3500 at Amber Richmond Photography. Each package features certain extras, like a leather-bound “flushmount” wedding album. Amber says her eight hour package is the most popular because it allows for plenty of time to get all of those memorable shots but also lets the bride and groom enjoy their day without constantly taking pictures.
"My clients like my customized DVD cases because they never expect them and are always surprised. I also I also design a pretty fun wedding album and I don't use templates so it is always a one of a kind.!"
Walking you through it…
Give Amber a call or email to get in touch. Although she is often at her studio in downtown Guelph, Amber lives just outside of Guelph in Eden Mills where internet access is limited, which is why she says it's awesome when people give her a call just to back up their email. She also loves drop-ins and invites couples to stop by and meet her face to face.
During your first consultation Amber will answer any questions you have about her philosophy, package details or anything else you might be curious about. She will show you lots of samples of her work so you can get an idea of her style. Amber also likes to ask couples questions about themselves- how you met, how long you've been together, how he proposed- so that you can both get to know each other. If you're ready to book Amber Richmond for your wedding, you'll sign a contract and put down a $500 deposit to secure your date.
Kerry and Ryan Venturelli were married September, 2010 and say “Amber's communication throughout the whole process was fantastic, she answered all our questions right away. We really felt that he was passionate about her job, and not just in it to make money. “
Next, couples meet Amber for their engagement session (included in every package). Within a week or two, she posts your photos online and also sends you a CD of the shoot. Couples also get the opportunity to pick their favourite 50 shots which Amber then includes in a wire-bound 4x6 prooflet book.
Amber stays in contact with couples up until the wedding day to ensure that all of the details are worked out. She will meet with couples as many times as they want, to help everyone feel organized and ready for the wedding day. On the day of, Amber follows a timeline that you've decided on together and starts shooting your wedding, "I always have my camera with me from the second I get out of the car!"
After every wedding, Amber gets right into editing and puts up some teaser shots on her website within the first week and a half so that couples have some great shots to look at before they get their photos. Amber says she does all of the editing herself because she wants to stay hands on with the entire process, "I'm too picky to hand them off to someone else". When editing is done, couples can go through proofs of their pictures and hand-select their favourites, depending on what package they've picked. When editing is done, couples will walk away with their proof books.
Michele King couldn’t have asked for more in a photographer for her March 2009 wedding day. “My husband and his groom's men loved how easy going she was - they had fun!! She was also quick and efficient when it came to getting the pictures done, which was appreciated by all of them! My girls also loved her! Amber has a way of making everyone feel extremely comfortable in front of the camera and she does not hesitate to compliment when she gets a good shot! Her passion is completely evident! She gets SO excited, and everyone ends up feeling like a supermodel”
Details, details, details
•The average bride spends $2500 with Amber Richmond Photography
•Prices are subject to HST
•A $500 retainer secures your wedding date
•To make sure she has your date open on her wedding calendar, Amber says that the sooner you book her, the better!
Contacting Amber Richmond Photography
To find out more, contact Amber Richmond of Amber Richmond Photography by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 647-227-9078 or 519-856-0667. They are located at their downtown Guelph studio (121 Wyndam Street, Suite 202 – drop-ins welcome!). You can also visit Amber Richmond Photography online at http://www.amberrichmond.com.
Guelph based wedding photographer Amber Richmond knows how lucky she is to wake up every day and pursue her passion full time. And after ten years in the wedding photography business, her infectious attitude and love for what she does has a lot to do with her success.
Amber's business philosophy - look after clients the way she would want to be looked after- is evident from the raving reviews we’ve had from brides and colleagues that have experienced a day with Amber. Brides know they can relax and enjoy their wedding day because they're going to get natural, timeless photos from a photographer who will do whatever it takes to get the perfect shot. Whether she's dancing around to get a laugh out of the wedding party or making silly faces at the bride to help her relax, Amber Richmond goes the extra mile. Let us explain.....
Personally Speaking...
It all started with Dini Petty. Amber was visiting her now husband in university and caught an episode of Dini Petty where a guest was talking about making a career out of something you love. Amber couldn't get that show out of her head and a week later, on her way to pick up pictures that she had taken during a trip to Thailand, she thought about how excited she was to get her pictures developed. That was the moment she realized that she loved taking pictures and could make a career out of it. A year later, after Amber's mom gave Amber an old Canoe AE-1 for Christmas, she started experimenting with photography and taking pictures every day. She started taking pictures for fun and learned how to process and print her own pictures in a darkroom. When friends started offering to pay for her photos, she was able to save enough money to buy her first digital SLR camera.
The following summer Amber assisted a photographer, doing small jobs and weddings on the side. In the summer of 2002, Amber felt ready to go out on her own. And she went out full force, shooting eighteen weddings during peak wedding season. That was it. Amber Richmond Photography was born. Amber started in Huntsville where she grew up and branched out from there, though she still shoots many wedding in the Muskoka area.
It’s now been ten years of photography for Amber (she’s at the 150’ish mark now) and throughout that time, Amber has worked with celebrity clients like Broadway actress Diane Davis, whose Algonquin wedding she photographed and Canadian Singer/Songwriter Peirson Ross. This year, Amber won an award for Guelph's favourite photography studio and she has also acted as a contributing photographer for Our Space, a local home style magazine. Amber also donates her work and time to The Women in Crisis Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, Wyndham House and The Rockwood Nursery School.Her business has become such a success that she was able to make it a full time career last year with a studio in downtown Guelph.
It's all in the attitude
Amber says that she has taken several bookings by brides, sight-unseen. "These are brides who’ve seen my website. Since they haven't even met me, they obviously like what they see. A huge compliment to me!"
Amber isn't shy to admit that her personality plays a big part in referrals from her brides. She says she likes to have fun while she works and isn't afraid to laugh at herself or "act silly" if it means she's going to get a great reaction out of the bride and in turn, get the perfect shot.
And depending on your package, Amber will bring a second shooter along, who follows the same philosophy as she does. She brings them along as a second pair of eyes, to capture the shots she might miss and to help keep everyone's energy levels up. Amber works with shooters that don't take themselves too seriously and love to have fun while they work.
Diane and Will Hopkins were married August 2010 and hired Amber for their wedding. Diane told The Ring, “I LOVED working with Amber and her assistant. They were so warm, funny, and I am truly happy I had them with me on my wedding day. Amber was a wonderful addition to the whole day -- she knew how to get great photos and to make the process fun and relaxing. And during the times when I didn't want to know I was being photographed, I didn't notice them at all, which was wonderful.”
Amber explains, “Portrait photography to me is seventy-five percent personality of the photographer and twenty-five percent technical. You can be the most technical photographer out there but if you don't let your clients feel comfortable in front of you and let them be themselves, you'll never get ‘that shot’ that really mirrors who they are. That is my philosophy and I'm sticking with it"
Wedding videographer Kelsey Emuss saw this for herself while working on a wedding with Amber. “The wedding we were shooting took place in October and it was COLD. Really cold. But Amber warmed the entire golf course with her enthusiasm. She was so positive and excited about the images and the couple that the time flew by and everyone had a great time in spite of the frigid temperatures. She remembered everyones names and made personal connections with the entire wedding party.”
Natural is Best
Amber says natural, earthy brides are usually attracted to her work because they want real shots that aren’t staged. Amber describes herself as "candid, relaxed and in the moment" and likes to take a mix of candid and posed pictures.
"Natural lighting always makes me feel more connected with the shot and with the couple or group. I learned from one of the best photographers in the business and she taught me the value of natural light. I really try and encourage the couple to be themselves and express themselves in a way that feels most natural. I want them to look back on their pictures and say 'that is so us'."
Because Amber grew up in Huntsville, she often photographs weddings in Muskoka which, she says, inspires her photography, "I am lucky to be able to 'go home' and photograph so many weddings outdoors, whether they’re on the docks, at cottages or on the waterfront. I grew up surrounded by water, docks and the natural landscape so perhaps it has influenced my style."
Amber admits that she's a sucker for "anything and everything romantic" and she loves to capture that first kiss, the hug between the groom and his mom and the little exchanges between the bride and groom. "My idea of the perfect shot is any shot that conveys the emotion of the moment, tells a story and can live through time".
While her style is continually changing, she always tries to keep her pictures in the moment." I don't like to take a ton of time to set up the 'perfect' shot. How many shots did I miss while I was trying to set up the "best shot?"
Although Amber has her own style, she encourages couples to bring their own ideas to the table too. If you have a particular shot that you just need to get, let Amber know so that she has an idea of what you're looking for and she can make sure you get exactly what you want.
Pricing and Packages
Couples can choose from a few packages or, talk to Amber about creating a custom package. While each package has special features, every package includes every package includes and engagement session with a wire-bound prooflet book with 50 of your favourite 4x6 prints, a proof album or coffee table book, (proofs quantity or pages dependent on the package that you choose), three months of online hosting and all wedding images in high resolution on a DVD. This includes colour, black and white, sepia, low saturation and more. The image quantity is based on the package you choose.
Packages range from $1995 to $3500 at Amber Richmond Photography. Each package features certain extras, like a leather-bound “flushmount” wedding album. Amber says her eight hour package is the most popular because it allows for plenty of time to get all of those memorable shots but also lets the bride and groom enjoy their day without constantly taking pictures.
"My clients like my customized DVD cases because they never expect them and are always surprised. I also I also design a pretty fun wedding album and I don't use templates so it is always a one of a kind.!"
Walking you through it…
Give Amber a call or email to get in touch. Although she is often at her studio in downtown Guelph, Amber lives just outside of Guelph in Eden Mills where internet access is limited, which is why she says it's awesome when people give her a call just to back up their email. She also loves drop-ins and invites couples to stop by and meet her face to face.
During your first consultation Amber will answer any questions you have about her philosophy, package details or anything else you might be curious about. She will show you lots of samples of her work so you can get an idea of her style. Amber also likes to ask couples questions about themselves- how you met, how long you've been together, how he proposed- so that you can both get to know each other. If you're ready to book Amber Richmond for your wedding, you'll sign a contract and put down a $500 deposit to secure your date.
Kerry and Ryan Venturelli were married September, 2010 and say “Amber's communication throughout the whole process was fantastic, she answered all our questions right away. We really felt that he was passionate about her job, and not just in it to make money. “
Next, couples meet Amber for their engagement session (included in every package). Within a week or two, she posts your photos online and also sends you a CD of the shoot. Couples also get the opportunity to pick their favourite 50 shots which Amber then includes in a wire-bound 4x6 prooflet book.
Amber stays in contact with couples up until the wedding day to ensure that all of the details are worked out. She will meet with couples as many times as they want, to help everyone feel organized and ready for the wedding day. On the day of, Amber follows a timeline that you've decided on together and starts shooting your wedding, "I always have my camera with me from the second I get out of the car!"
After every wedding, Amber gets right into editing and puts up some teaser shots on her website within the first week and a half so that couples have some great shots to look at before they get their photos. Amber says she does all of the editing herself because she wants to stay hands on with the entire process, "I'm too picky to hand them off to someone else". When editing is done, couples can go through proofs of their pictures and hand-select their favourites, depending on what package they've picked. When editing is done, couples will walk away with their proof books.
Michele King couldn’t have asked for more in a photographer for her March 2009 wedding day. “My husband and his groom's men loved how easy going she was - they had fun!! She was also quick and efficient when it came to getting the pictures done, which was appreciated by all of them! My girls also loved her! Amber has a way of making everyone feel extremely comfortable in front of the camera and she does not hesitate to compliment when she gets a good shot! Her passion is completely evident! She gets SO excited, and everyone ends up feeling like a supermodel”
Details, details, details
•The average bride spends $2500 with Amber Richmond Photography
•Prices are subject to HST
•A $500 retainer secures your wedding date
•To make sure she has your date open on her wedding calendar, Amber says that the sooner you book her, the better!
Contacting Amber Richmond Photography
To find out more, contact Amber Richmond of Amber Richmond Photography by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 647-227-9078 or 519-856-0667. They are located at their downtown Guelph studio (121 Wyndam Street, Suite 202 – drop-ins welcome!). You can also visit Amber Richmond Photography online at http://www.amberrichmond.com.
