Review is written by Staff @ The Ring and is based on • Interviews with this vendor • Interviews with past brides
Even after five years of experience photographing weddings, Lee Anne Havens, Owner and Photographer of Flower Child Photography, says her goal at each one is to 'see' what her clients are feeling – and to capture it all. With a life-long passion for fine arts and a unique, creative and authentic style, Lee Anne's photography comes from the heart and she says she's inspired by each and every client. Brides couldn't say enough great things about Lee Anne's natural talent, which is just one reason they recommend flower child to other couples. In fact, Lee Anne told The Ring that most of her business comes from referrals.
Because Lee Anne knows each client is unique, all of her (very affordable!) packages can be customized, if necessary, and include wedding and engagement photography, customized art work, images on a high resolution disk, and 5x7 proofs. Lee Anne also offers unique and gorgeous Art Portfolios that are meant to be family heirlooms for future generations. We checked out some of Lee Anne's portfolio, got lost in her story-telling blog and sat down to chat with her about what she can do for Toronto area brides, and why she loves it so much. Here's what we found out…
Personally speaking…
Lee Anne's life-long passion for fine art began when she received a 35mm camera as a gift from her parents when she was in her early 20’s. "I began to educate myself on the basics of photography," Lee Anne says. For several years, she developed her skills while working in the publishing industry. Demand for her skills began with requests from management in New York to document publishing events, which was soon followed by requests to photograph family and friends' weddings. Lee Anne's passion for photography grew during these years and in 2004 she officially opened Flower Child Photography.
During her five years of wedding photography experience, Lee Anne has photographed several of her own weddings and has also been privileged to work with one of the top photographers in Toronto, an experience that she describes as "invaluable… I’m always striving to improve myself and keep up with the trends," adds Lee Anne. "My business initially started out with lifestyle photography and I’ve been able to incorporate my talent for photographing people into my style of shooting weddings."
All weddings are shot by Lee Anne, unless she feels it’s necessary to add a second shooter or an assistant, at which point that can be built into the wedding package. "A second shooter is hired based on his or her body of work and must have a style that is complimentary to mine," explains Lee Anne. An assistant must have at least two years of experience.
Though Lee Anne's training has mostly come from her experience with others and a self-taught style, she told us that she has "a strong passion and desire to learn all aspects of photography… I absolutely love what I do. I feel extremely fortunate to have found my passion early in life. My photography comes from the heart and I’m inspired by each and every client."
On top of photographing lifestyles and weddings, Lee Anne also enjoys using her skills to raise funds for charities in the community and has, in the past, donated her photography services to Reach for the Rainbow, a non-profit charity that raises money for children with disabilities to attend summer camps. She has also contributed to the annual Magna Hoedown in Aurora where funds are raised for approximately twenty charities in York Region, which are just a few of the ways Lee Anne gives back to the community, among her work with smaller, local charity events during the past five years.
Unique, creative and authentic style
Lee Anne says that her goal at each and every wedding is to 'see' what her clients are feeling – to provide a service that mirrors her client’s expectations and emotions. Something she feels she succeeds at with each, unique shoot. "Every time I photograph a wedding, I know, in my heart, that I 'got it' and cannot wait to see the results after each shoot." She adds that "It’s an unbelievable feeling to know that I’ve captured every client’s unique personality and qualities."
Karen Gibb was initially attracted to the laughter and happiness in flower child's photos when she was deciding on a photographer for her wedding. "To capture such joy and love in a photograph is a wonderful gift." She adds that she loved Lee Anne's fresh, vibrant approach so much that she didn’t bother to interview other photographers.
Lee Anne's unique style is only enhanced by her self coined creative and authentic abilities – a style that Lee Anne says flower child is best known for, which she adds her clients agree with. "Most of my clients have described my work as 'organic', natural and different from traditional wedding photography. They also love my candid shots and are always surprised at my off-the-wall photographs that I often sneak in."
Such was the case for April Whynott and Scott Beaumont who told The Ring that Lee Anne's "unassuming, but confident, professional manner helped her blend in at our event, allowing her to capture the most candid of shots. Everyone who sees our photos loves her unique style." They add that they would highly recommend Flower Child Photography to anyone who "isn’t interested in the standard, cardboard cut-out genre of wedding photography."
More than just a photographer…
It's likely the mesh between Lee Anne and her clients' personalities that attract them to flower child as she told us that her clients are generally "down to earth, sort of the grass roots type, like me." She adds that there’s almost always an instant connection with the clients from the first phone call. In fact, Lee Anne has been hired three times over the years for spontaneous affairs and has met the bride and groom on their wedding day based only on a single phone call! "It sounds strange, but these brides all commented that they just 'knew' within minutes of talking to me," says Lee Anne. One of her recent brides actually booked her wedding date based solely on Lee Anne's availability.
"When I called, as soon as I heard Lee Anne's voice, I knew I had made the right decision," says Karen, who adds that she would highly recommend flower child to anyone looking for a wonderful, creative photographer. "Each photograph is a little piece of art. Our smiles, the children laughing, hugs with Mom and Dad – Lee Anne captured the happiness and love of each moment."
April and Scott told us that they met Lee Anne at a wedding show and the moment they saw her work they knew they had to have her as their wedding photographer. In fact, flower child was the first vendor they booked – even before their venue! April adds that Lee Anne went above and beyond what is expected of a photographer and even had "a Power Bar, water and ibuprofens on hand when the bride needed them."
Brides often comment that they feel as if a friend, rather than a photographer, has documented their day when they hire flower child. "They love the way that I not only photograph them and their guests but also the smaller details that make up a wedding day," says Lee Anne. "They love my casual, yet professional approach and they also love the fact that I go beyond their expectations as a wedding photographer."
"Lee Anne is a truly poetic photographer… Having her with me on my wedding day was like having another friend or family member to support me - she even helped me get dressed when I was having gown troubles!" Nicole Habib told us. "She is so naturally talented that you will not notice her presence, resulting in shots that not only capture the event, but capture the essence and energy of each moment." Nicole adds that "Lee Anne also makes a point to take 'non-people' shots to capture the accessories and inanimate tidbits that add so much to a wedding."
Customized & affordable…
In order to make everything easy for her clients, Lee Anne offers three packages as a starting point for her wedding services, which start at $1500 – very affordable, especially considering how amazing Lee Anne's portfolio is. "Because each client is unique, all packages can be customized, if necessary," says Lee Anne.
flower child's packages include wedding and engagement photography, along with customized art work, images on a high resolution disk, and 5x7 proofs. "I love the 5x7 format and feel it gives my clients more value," says Lee Anne. When you book, you also get Lee Anne for unlimited meetings and phone consultations.
Lee Anne's most popular product, and one that she feels sets her apart from other photographers, is her Art Portfolio. Described by Lee Anne as "a gorgeous, one of kind portfolio, available in either leather or wood", it's composed of thirty or more 11x14 art prints from either the wedding, engagement, or both. But the portfolio doesn't end when your wedding day does as you can add to it down the line with pregnancy, newborn and lifestyle images. "It’s meant to be a family heirloom, to be passed down to future generations."
Nicole's praise of Lee Anne didn't stop at her love for Lee Anne's unique ability to take truly romantic pictures; she went on to say that Lee Anne is also amazing at creatively editing each picture to reflect the ideal tone and mood of the shot. "I will recommend Lee Anne to all of my friends and family who get married or are celebrating an equally monumental occasion," says Nicole, "and I believe that is the best compliment there is."
Details, details, details
• Phone or email Lee Anne at flower child to book a consultation, check out her portfolio and love her as much as we do.
• When you decide to book, a 50% deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 2 weeks before your wedding.
• Packages at flower child come in 3 variations, but can be customized based on your needs and start at $1500.
• All packages include wedding photography, customized art work and 5x7 proofs; they can be customized with additions like an engagement shoot, a hi-res disk of images, thank you cards, and more.
• Lee Anne is available for unlimited meetings and phone consultations.
In other words…
"Lee Anne Havens offers a unique photography service to anyone seeking a professional, unscripted record of a very special day. Our daughter's wedding was a spontaneous, at home affair marked by goof-ups, laughter and occasional tears. Throughout the day, Lee Anne captured the events as they occurred in an unobtrusive, most comfortable way; she seems to have a marvelous ability to just be in the moment. We found her fees to be most flexible and reasonable. And by the way, although this review is mainly about her skills as a wedding photographer, her photographs of my animals and grandchildren were simply out of this world." - Christina Spence-Sales, 2009
"Lee Anne… You are very professional and more importantly, your warm nature put me at ease and making the arrangements was so simple it was unbelievable… On our wedding day, we asked for happy, candid shots of our new blended family. You surpassed our dreams and I cried when I saw our photos. Not only had you captured Steve and I and our children, you took wonderful photos of our parents, siblings and nieces and nephews. Well beyond what we had asked for. It is your thoughtfulness and vision that makes our wedding album so beautiful and memorable. Thank you, Lee Anne, and best wishes to you and flower child." – Karen Gibb
Even after five years of experience photographing weddings, Lee Anne Havens, Owner and Photographer of Flower Child Photography, says her goal at each one is to 'see' what her clients are feeling – and to capture it all. With a life-long passion for fine arts and a unique, creative and authentic style, Lee Anne's photography comes from the heart and she says she's inspired by each and every client. Brides couldn't say enough great things about Lee Anne's natural talent, which is just one reason they recommend flower child to other couples. In fact, Lee Anne told The Ring that most of her business comes from referrals.
Because Lee Anne knows each client is unique, all of her (very affordable!) packages can be customized, if necessary, and include wedding and engagement photography, customized art work, images on a high resolution disk, and 5x7 proofs. Lee Anne also offers unique and gorgeous Art Portfolios that are meant to be family heirlooms for future generations. We checked out some of Lee Anne's portfolio, got lost in her story-telling blog and sat down to chat with her about what she can do for Toronto area brides, and why she loves it so much. Here's what we found out…
Personally speaking…
Lee Anne's life-long passion for fine art began when she received a 35mm camera as a gift from her parents when she was in her early 20’s. "I began to educate myself on the basics of photography," Lee Anne says. For several years, she developed her skills while working in the publishing industry. Demand for her skills began with requests from management in New York to document publishing events, which was soon followed by requests to photograph family and friends' weddings. Lee Anne's passion for photography grew during these years and in 2004 she officially opened Flower Child Photography.
During her five years of wedding photography experience, Lee Anne has photographed several of her own weddings and has also been privileged to work with one of the top photographers in Toronto, an experience that she describes as "invaluable… I’m always striving to improve myself and keep up with the trends," adds Lee Anne. "My business initially started out with lifestyle photography and I’ve been able to incorporate my talent for photographing people into my style of shooting weddings."
All weddings are shot by Lee Anne, unless she feels it’s necessary to add a second shooter or an assistant, at which point that can be built into the wedding package. "A second shooter is hired based on his or her body of work and must have a style that is complimentary to mine," explains Lee Anne. An assistant must have at least two years of experience.
Though Lee Anne's training has mostly come from her experience with others and a self-taught style, she told us that she has "a strong passion and desire to learn all aspects of photography… I absolutely love what I do. I feel extremely fortunate to have found my passion early in life. My photography comes from the heart and I’m inspired by each and every client."
On top of photographing lifestyles and weddings, Lee Anne also enjoys using her skills to raise funds for charities in the community and has, in the past, donated her photography services to Reach for the Rainbow, a non-profit charity that raises money for children with disabilities to attend summer camps. She has also contributed to the annual Magna Hoedown in Aurora where funds are raised for approximately twenty charities in York Region, which are just a few of the ways Lee Anne gives back to the community, among her work with smaller, local charity events during the past five years.
Unique, creative and authentic style
Lee Anne says that her goal at each and every wedding is to 'see' what her clients are feeling – to provide a service that mirrors her client’s expectations and emotions. Something she feels she succeeds at with each, unique shoot. "Every time I photograph a wedding, I know, in my heart, that I 'got it' and cannot wait to see the results after each shoot." She adds that "It’s an unbelievable feeling to know that I’ve captured every client’s unique personality and qualities."
Karen Gibb was initially attracted to the laughter and happiness in flower child's photos when she was deciding on a photographer for her wedding. "To capture such joy and love in a photograph is a wonderful gift." She adds that she loved Lee Anne's fresh, vibrant approach so much that she didn’t bother to interview other photographers.
Lee Anne's unique style is only enhanced by her self coined creative and authentic abilities – a style that Lee Anne says flower child is best known for, which she adds her clients agree with. "Most of my clients have described my work as 'organic', natural and different from traditional wedding photography. They also love my candid shots and are always surprised at my off-the-wall photographs that I often sneak in."
Such was the case for April Whynott and Scott Beaumont who told The Ring that Lee Anne's "unassuming, but confident, professional manner helped her blend in at our event, allowing her to capture the most candid of shots. Everyone who sees our photos loves her unique style." They add that they would highly recommend Flower Child Photography to anyone who "isn’t interested in the standard, cardboard cut-out genre of wedding photography."
More than just a photographer…
It's likely the mesh between Lee Anne and her clients' personalities that attract them to flower child as she told us that her clients are generally "down to earth, sort of the grass roots type, like me." She adds that there’s almost always an instant connection with the clients from the first phone call. In fact, Lee Anne has been hired three times over the years for spontaneous affairs and has met the bride and groom on their wedding day based only on a single phone call! "It sounds strange, but these brides all commented that they just 'knew' within minutes of talking to me," says Lee Anne. One of her recent brides actually booked her wedding date based solely on Lee Anne's availability.
"When I called, as soon as I heard Lee Anne's voice, I knew I had made the right decision," says Karen, who adds that she would highly recommend flower child to anyone looking for a wonderful, creative photographer. "Each photograph is a little piece of art. Our smiles, the children laughing, hugs with Mom and Dad – Lee Anne captured the happiness and love of each moment."
April and Scott told us that they met Lee Anne at a wedding show and the moment they saw her work they knew they had to have her as their wedding photographer. In fact, flower child was the first vendor they booked – even before their venue! April adds that Lee Anne went above and beyond what is expected of a photographer and even had "a Power Bar, water and ibuprofens on hand when the bride needed them."
Brides often comment that they feel as if a friend, rather than a photographer, has documented their day when they hire flower child. "They love the way that I not only photograph them and their guests but also the smaller details that make up a wedding day," says Lee Anne. "They love my casual, yet professional approach and they also love the fact that I go beyond their expectations as a wedding photographer."
"Lee Anne is a truly poetic photographer… Having her with me on my wedding day was like having another friend or family member to support me - she even helped me get dressed when I was having gown troubles!" Nicole Habib told us. "She is so naturally talented that you will not notice her presence, resulting in shots that not only capture the event, but capture the essence and energy of each moment." Nicole adds that "Lee Anne also makes a point to take 'non-people' shots to capture the accessories and inanimate tidbits that add so much to a wedding."
Customized & affordable…
In order to make everything easy for her clients, Lee Anne offers three packages as a starting point for her wedding services, which start at $1500 – very affordable, especially considering how amazing Lee Anne's portfolio is. "Because each client is unique, all packages can be customized, if necessary," says Lee Anne.
flower child's packages include wedding and engagement photography, along with customized art work, images on a high resolution disk, and 5x7 proofs. "I love the 5x7 format and feel it gives my clients more value," says Lee Anne. When you book, you also get Lee Anne for unlimited meetings and phone consultations.
Lee Anne's most popular product, and one that she feels sets her apart from other photographers, is her Art Portfolio. Described by Lee Anne as "a gorgeous, one of kind portfolio, available in either leather or wood", it's composed of thirty or more 11x14 art prints from either the wedding, engagement, or both. But the portfolio doesn't end when your wedding day does as you can add to it down the line with pregnancy, newborn and lifestyle images. "It’s meant to be a family heirloom, to be passed down to future generations."
Nicole's praise of Lee Anne didn't stop at her love for Lee Anne's unique ability to take truly romantic pictures; she went on to say that Lee Anne is also amazing at creatively editing each picture to reflect the ideal tone and mood of the shot. "I will recommend Lee Anne to all of my friends and family who get married or are celebrating an equally monumental occasion," says Nicole, "and I believe that is the best compliment there is."
Details, details, details
• Phone or email Lee Anne at flower child to book a consultation, check out her portfolio and love her as much as we do.
• When you decide to book, a 50% deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 2 weeks before your wedding.
• Packages at flower child come in 3 variations, but can be customized based on your needs and start at $1500.
• All packages include wedding photography, customized art work and 5x7 proofs; they can be customized with additions like an engagement shoot, a hi-res disk of images, thank you cards, and more.
• Lee Anne is available for unlimited meetings and phone consultations.
In other words…
"Lee Anne Havens offers a unique photography service to anyone seeking a professional, unscripted record of a very special day. Our daughter's wedding was a spontaneous, at home affair marked by goof-ups, laughter and occasional tears. Throughout the day, Lee Anne captured the events as they occurred in an unobtrusive, most comfortable way; she seems to have a marvelous ability to just be in the moment. We found her fees to be most flexible and reasonable. And by the way, although this review is mainly about her skills as a wedding photographer, her photographs of my animals and grandchildren were simply out of this world." - Christina Spence-Sales, 2009
"Lee Anne… You are very professional and more importantly, your warm nature put me at ease and making the arrangements was so simple it was unbelievable… On our wedding day, we asked for happy, candid shots of our new blended family. You surpassed our dreams and I cried when I saw our photos. Not only had you captured Steve and I and our children, you took wonderful photos of our parents, siblings and nieces and nephews. Well beyond what we had asked for. It is your thoughtfulness and vision that makes our wedding album so beautiful and memorable. Thank you, Lee Anne, and best wishes to you and flower child." – Karen Gibb
