Review is written by Staff @ The Ring and is based on • Interviews with this vendor • Interviews with past brides
The team at The Ring has known Carolyn Pongracz of In Bloom Photography for years. And apart from her immense talent for capturing timeless images that couples will truly cherish forever, we've simply loved working with such a passionate, fun and kind photographer.
And so, when we began interviewing some of Carolyn's recent brides, we weren't surprised to find that her clients really love her. However, time and again, the responses we received from past brides went above and beyond- and we were truly blown away by the impact Carolyn has had on each and every wedding she shoots. As one bride put it, "Carolyn became another member of our family and my wedding day just wouldn't have been the same without her." Another bride described her as, "A true leader in her field." And yet another told us that only Carolyn could take an entire photo shy family and make them feel relaxed, natural and happy in front of the camera.
A candid, fresh, fun approach and a killer personality are just some of the reasons why In Bloom Photography is a true favourite among Southwestern Ontario brides. Let us tell you more...
Personally Speaking
When Carolyn started shooting weddings in 2003, it was out of pure love for photography. Carolyn explains, "I was working in a completely different industry and wanted to just do something fun on the weekends. Photography was the answer for me. I started shooting a few things here and there for friends, and within a few years I was busy enough to quit my day job and go full time! It's been ten years and I've never regretted picking up that camera for the first time."
In 2007, Carolyn officially launched In Bloom Photography, and hasn't looked back since. Today, Carolyn is the lead photographer at In Bloom and works with a second shooter if requested by the bride and groom. On average, she shoots about twenty weddings per year.
So what keeps her inspired after so many weddings? Carolyn told The Ring, "My style has evolved a lot over the years, and that's because with all the weddings I shoot I am regularly introduced to new people, with new ideas, new locations, new styles; all of that plays into the types of photos I create so nothing is ever the same twice. Every time I shoot a wedding, it's a whole new experience for me and that keeps things fresh!"
Past bride Deirdre Deman says that after thorough research, she knew Carolyn was the perfect photographer for her summer wedding, "I looked at a ton of wedding sites to find a good photographer. There were definitely a lot to choose from, but my husband and I were looking for someone who did things a little differently. We loved Carolyn's style. Her pictures were beautiful and everyone in them looked relaxed and natural. I would recommend In Bloom Photography to anyone who wants amazing photos. In fact, I just recommended them to a friend and they have decided to use Carolyn for their upcoming wedding!"
Brides love...
There really are countless reasons to love In Bloom Photography. Here are some of our favourites...
An unobtrusive style: Carolyn's past clients told The Ring time and again how much they appreciate her laid back approach which, in turn, helps immensely to alleviate nerves and leads to incredible, natural images. Carolyn explains, "I'm not yelling out poses or sticking my camera in their faces all day. I just like to have fun with people and it shows in their photos with real playful smiles and laughter!"
Classic and timeless images: Carolyn describes her style as classic and timeless, "with a nice punch of colour and fun!" Brides especially love the way her candid images capture a real representation of their wedding day through stunning images that will never go out of style.
Going above and beyond for her clients: Another common thread with In Bloom brides is how helpful they found Carolyn throughout the entire planning process; from their initial meeting, right up to the wedding day. Says Carolyn, "I'm open to talking to brides that need a little something extra from me; whether it's travel to a small town outside my usual coverage area, or a couple that needs me to get a specific shot they've always dreamed of, I'm very easy going and love to help."
One of the many wonderful things about working with Carolyn is that you're getting an expert who is more than a photographer. From your consultations, to creating a photography-friendly timeline of the day, to shooting, editing and creating albums. Carolyn adds, "I've always been happy to do it all myself!"
Bride Deirdre Deman told The Ring about her favourite memory of working with Carolyn. "The thing we loved most about our photo shoot with Carolyn was that we did not have to worry about a thing. She knew what we were looking for and she made sure she got the shots that we wanted. She also made sure we got a number of other shots that we love. She is incredibly creative and we were so happy with her work!"
Past bride Mariangela agrees, adding that the entire process while working with Carolyn was fun, enjoyable and memorable, "I think I can speak for everyone who has seen our wedding pictures and say that she caught every moment perfectly. We had asked if she could make the pictures look like they were more in the moment than anything else. And of course she did an awesome job of that. Our reception was at Terra Cotta Inn in Caledon, and the scenery is beautiful. Carolyn did a really good job of including the scenery in the pictures without taking away from us."
Packages & Pricing
To keep things easy and stress-free for couples, Carolyn offers three packages to choose from. Two options are "all inclusive" and feature everything you might need, like engagement sessions, albums, print credits and more.
For the budget-conscious bride, Carolyn also offers a customizable package where you can book her services on an hourly rate. With this option, all the extras (like albums) are purely optional and available à la carte.
Carolyn says her most popular package is the Ultimate Wedding Package because it truly includes everything: an engagement session, eight or more hours of wedding photography with Carolyn and a second photographer, an online viewing gallery, all the images on disc/USB and a spectacular album with their favorite shots from the wedding. What more could a bride want?!
Says Carolyn, "Regardless of which package you choose, you ALWAYS get an online viewing gallery, and the high-resolution image files on your choice of DVD or USB flash drive."
Candid, fresh and fun
Over the years, Carolyn has worked with all kinds of couples; from brides and grooms looking for a simple yet elegant wedding day to couples with really unique, bold tastes. "I've found either way is wonderful as a photographer because it provides me with something new and unique each time I shoot a wedding!"
Carolyn adds, "I love working with couples that can be playful with each other: those that aren't afraid to just grab each other for a snuggle and a kiss on this totally incredible day in their lives! I love working with couples that know how to enjoy the moment and don't mind showing off how in love they are. Playfulness and a sense of humor are a must."
This fits perfectly with Carolyn's own style, which she describes as easy-going. "I try to give couples the feeling that they can be comfortable around me; that nothing phases me and I'm just there to document them having an exciting moment in their lives. I'm able to capture people sharing real moments; tears, laughter, winks, giggles... very, very little of what I do is posed or set-up in any way. Who wants to look back at their wedding photos and see a bunch of stiff people just smiling and saying "cheese"?"
Sarah Cassidy told The Ring that Carolyn played a huge part in the success of her wedding day, "One of the really great things about Carolyn is her ability to fade into her surroundings, and to capture the moments as they happen without her subjects knowing they are being photographed. We have so many fabulous candid shots from our wedding day! Carolyn really caught the very essence of who we are and of the joy that everyone was feeling on our wedding day. I'm so grateful for the beautiful memories that she was able to collect for us."
Walking you through it
Email is usually the easiest way to get a hold of Carolyn as she can often reply to you in less than twenty-four hours.
From here, you'll usually meet with Carolyn at her studio office in Brantford. At the initial consultation, Carolyn will show you samples of her work, you'll go over a sample wedding contract and Carolyn can answer any questions you may have. Once you've decided to book, you'll schedule another meeting for about a month before the wedding day where you can chat about your wedding day timeline, visit any particular shooting locations that Carolyn may not be familiar with, and finalize any other details so that everything is ready for your big day.
Sarah Cassidy says she knew instantly that Carolyn was the perfect choice to shoot her wedding day, "Meeting Carolyn was a great experience, she is so knowledgeable and honest about her trade. We knew right away that we had made the right choice! Working with her was even better...she's very down-to-earth, funny and instantly puts you at ease. Not only would I recommend In Bloom Photography to another couple planning their wedding, I would recommend In Bloom Photography to anyone looking for a photographer for any of their special moments in life. We can't wait to work with Carolyn again!"
On the day of, Carolyn is there to capture all of the incredible moments. "I show up and start shooting immediately while you enjoy your day. That's it! I'm there to work; you're there to have a good time!"
About three to four weeks after your wedding, you'll be able to share your online viewing gallery with family and friends. You'll also be able to select images for your album and choose any prints you'd like to have fully retouched. Carolyn will often post some great teaser shots on her blog from your wedding day as well. As soon as you've made your final payment, Carolyn will ship out your disc or USB of your wedding images!
Christine McGouran hired In Bloom Photography for her wedding day and says Carolyn's relaxed and easy-going personality made the entire process easy and stress-free. "Carolyn is an amazing and very professional photographer. During our initial meeting, she went through her portfolio and helped us get a feel of what we wanted our wedding photos to be like. She was very thorough in going over different package options and helped us select one that suited our needs and our budget. She had our photos ready within the designated time and they are fantastic! My husband and I were so pleased with her work that we have hired her for our newborn shots this coming June."
Details, details, details
• The average bride spends between $2500 and $3500 with In Bloom Photography.
• HST is applicable.
• Travel within London, Brantford, Hamilton, Halton and Niagara is included. Some parts of Toronto are also included (contact Carolyn for more information). An additional travel fee may apply to weddings outside of these areas.
• Deposits: Your grand total is broken into three equal payments. The first is due when you sign your contract with Carolyn. The second is due one month before your wedding, and the third is due when you view your online gallery after your wedding.
• Most couples book with In Bloom Photography about nine to twelve months in advance of their wedding day.
Kudos
In Bloom's work has been showcased on many wedding and photography blogs (theweddingring.ca is one of them!). Carolyn is also a featured photographer at the Canadian Women Photographers Network.
And last but certainly not least, In Bloom has been recognized by her peers and clients alike. She was voted #2 out of all of our vendors in The Wedding Ring's Brides Choice Awards 2011. She also won the Best Photographer category for Brantford in the Wedding Industry Experts Awards in 2013!
The team at The Ring has known Carolyn Pongracz of In Bloom Photography for years. And apart from her immense talent for capturing timeless images that couples will truly cherish forever, we've simply loved working with such a passionate, fun and kind photographer.
And so, when we began interviewing some of Carolyn's recent brides, we weren't surprised to find that her clients really love her. However, time and again, the responses we received from past brides went above and beyond- and we were truly blown away by the impact Carolyn has had on each and every wedding she shoots. As one bride put it, "Carolyn became another member of our family and my wedding day just wouldn't have been the same without her." Another bride described her as, "A true leader in her field." And yet another told us that only Carolyn could take an entire photo shy family and make them feel relaxed, natural and happy in front of the camera.
A candid, fresh, fun approach and a killer personality are just some of the reasons why In Bloom Photography is a true favourite among Southwestern Ontario brides. Let us tell you more...
Personally Speaking
When Carolyn started shooting weddings in 2003, it was out of pure love for photography. Carolyn explains, "I was working in a completely different industry and wanted to just do something fun on the weekends. Photography was the answer for me. I started shooting a few things here and there for friends, and within a few years I was busy enough to quit my day job and go full time! It's been ten years and I've never regretted picking up that camera for the first time."
In 2007, Carolyn officially launched In Bloom Photography, and hasn't looked back since. Today, Carolyn is the lead photographer at In Bloom and works with a second shooter if requested by the bride and groom. On average, she shoots about twenty weddings per year.
So what keeps her inspired after so many weddings? Carolyn told The Ring, "My style has evolved a lot over the years, and that's because with all the weddings I shoot I am regularly introduced to new people, with new ideas, new locations, new styles; all of that plays into the types of photos I create so nothing is ever the same twice. Every time I shoot a wedding, it's a whole new experience for me and that keeps things fresh!"
Past bride Deirdre Deman says that after thorough research, she knew Carolyn was the perfect photographer for her summer wedding, "I looked at a ton of wedding sites to find a good photographer. There were definitely a lot to choose from, but my husband and I were looking for someone who did things a little differently. We loved Carolyn's style. Her pictures were beautiful and everyone in them looked relaxed and natural. I would recommend In Bloom Photography to anyone who wants amazing photos. In fact, I just recommended them to a friend and they have decided to use Carolyn for their upcoming wedding!"
Brides love...
There really are countless reasons to love In Bloom Photography. Here are some of our favourites...
An unobtrusive style: Carolyn's past clients told The Ring time and again how much they appreciate her laid back approach which, in turn, helps immensely to alleviate nerves and leads to incredible, natural images. Carolyn explains, "I'm not yelling out poses or sticking my camera in their faces all day. I just like to have fun with people and it shows in their photos with real playful smiles and laughter!"
Classic and timeless images: Carolyn describes her style as classic and timeless, "with a nice punch of colour and fun!" Brides especially love the way her candid images capture a real representation of their wedding day through stunning images that will never go out of style.
Going above and beyond for her clients: Another common thread with In Bloom brides is how helpful they found Carolyn throughout the entire planning process; from their initial meeting, right up to the wedding day. Says Carolyn, "I'm open to talking to brides that need a little something extra from me; whether it's travel to a small town outside my usual coverage area, or a couple that needs me to get a specific shot they've always dreamed of, I'm very easy going and love to help."
One of the many wonderful things about working with Carolyn is that you're getting an expert who is more than a photographer. From your consultations, to creating a photography-friendly timeline of the day, to shooting, editing and creating albums. Carolyn adds, "I've always been happy to do it all myself!"
Bride Deirdre Deman told The Ring about her favourite memory of working with Carolyn. "The thing we loved most about our photo shoot with Carolyn was that we did not have to worry about a thing. She knew what we were looking for and she made sure she got the shots that we wanted. She also made sure we got a number of other shots that we love. She is incredibly creative and we were so happy with her work!"
Past bride Mariangela agrees, adding that the entire process while working with Carolyn was fun, enjoyable and memorable, "I think I can speak for everyone who has seen our wedding pictures and say that she caught every moment perfectly. We had asked if she could make the pictures look like they were more in the moment than anything else. And of course she did an awesome job of that. Our reception was at Terra Cotta Inn in Caledon, and the scenery is beautiful. Carolyn did a really good job of including the scenery in the pictures without taking away from us."
Packages & Pricing
To keep things easy and stress-free for couples, Carolyn offers three packages to choose from. Two options are "all inclusive" and feature everything you might need, like engagement sessions, albums, print credits and more.
For the budget-conscious bride, Carolyn also offers a customizable package where you can book her services on an hourly rate. With this option, all the extras (like albums) are purely optional and available à la carte.
Carolyn says her most popular package is the Ultimate Wedding Package because it truly includes everything: an engagement session, eight or more hours of wedding photography with Carolyn and a second photographer, an online viewing gallery, all the images on disc/USB and a spectacular album with their favorite shots from the wedding. What more could a bride want?!
Says Carolyn, "Regardless of which package you choose, you ALWAYS get an online viewing gallery, and the high-resolution image files on your choice of DVD or USB flash drive."
Candid, fresh and fun
Over the years, Carolyn has worked with all kinds of couples; from brides and grooms looking for a simple yet elegant wedding day to couples with really unique, bold tastes. "I've found either way is wonderful as a photographer because it provides me with something new and unique each time I shoot a wedding!"
Carolyn adds, "I love working with couples that can be playful with each other: those that aren't afraid to just grab each other for a snuggle and a kiss on this totally incredible day in their lives! I love working with couples that know how to enjoy the moment and don't mind showing off how in love they are. Playfulness and a sense of humor are a must."
This fits perfectly with Carolyn's own style, which she describes as easy-going. "I try to give couples the feeling that they can be comfortable around me; that nothing phases me and I'm just there to document them having an exciting moment in their lives. I'm able to capture people sharing real moments; tears, laughter, winks, giggles... very, very little of what I do is posed or set-up in any way. Who wants to look back at their wedding photos and see a bunch of stiff people just smiling and saying "cheese"?"
Sarah Cassidy told The Ring that Carolyn played a huge part in the success of her wedding day, "One of the really great things about Carolyn is her ability to fade into her surroundings, and to capture the moments as they happen without her subjects knowing they are being photographed. We have so many fabulous candid shots from our wedding day! Carolyn really caught the very essence of who we are and of the joy that everyone was feeling on our wedding day. I'm so grateful for the beautiful memories that she was able to collect for us."
Walking you through it
Email is usually the easiest way to get a hold of Carolyn as she can often reply to you in less than twenty-four hours.
From here, you'll usually meet with Carolyn at her studio office in Brantford. At the initial consultation, Carolyn will show you samples of her work, you'll go over a sample wedding contract and Carolyn can answer any questions you may have. Once you've decided to book, you'll schedule another meeting for about a month before the wedding day where you can chat about your wedding day timeline, visit any particular shooting locations that Carolyn may not be familiar with, and finalize any other details so that everything is ready for your big day.
Sarah Cassidy says she knew instantly that Carolyn was the perfect choice to shoot her wedding day, "Meeting Carolyn was a great experience, she is so knowledgeable and honest about her trade. We knew right away that we had made the right choice! Working with her was even better...she's very down-to-earth, funny and instantly puts you at ease. Not only would I recommend In Bloom Photography to another couple planning their wedding, I would recommend In Bloom Photography to anyone looking for a photographer for any of their special moments in life. We can't wait to work with Carolyn again!"
On the day of, Carolyn is there to capture all of the incredible moments. "I show up and start shooting immediately while you enjoy your day. That's it! I'm there to work; you're there to have a good time!"
About three to four weeks after your wedding, you'll be able to share your online viewing gallery with family and friends. You'll also be able to select images for your album and choose any prints you'd like to have fully retouched. Carolyn will often post some great teaser shots on her blog from your wedding day as well. As soon as you've made your final payment, Carolyn will ship out your disc or USB of your wedding images!
Christine McGouran hired In Bloom Photography for her wedding day and says Carolyn's relaxed and easy-going personality made the entire process easy and stress-free. "Carolyn is an amazing and very professional photographer. During our initial meeting, she went through her portfolio and helped us get a feel of what we wanted our wedding photos to be like. She was very thorough in going over different package options and helped us select one that suited our needs and our budget. She had our photos ready within the designated time and they are fantastic! My husband and I were so pleased with her work that we have hired her for our newborn shots this coming June."
Details, details, details
• The average bride spends between $2500 and $3500 with In Bloom Photography.
• HST is applicable.
• Travel within London, Brantford, Hamilton, Halton and Niagara is included. Some parts of Toronto are also included (contact Carolyn for more information). An additional travel fee may apply to weddings outside of these areas.
• Deposits: Your grand total is broken into three equal payments. The first is due when you sign your contract with Carolyn. The second is due one month before your wedding, and the third is due when you view your online gallery after your wedding.
• Most couples book with In Bloom Photography about nine to twelve months in advance of their wedding day.
Kudos
In Bloom's work has been showcased on many wedding and photography blogs (theweddingring.ca is one of them!). Carolyn is also a featured photographer at the Canadian Women Photographers Network.
And last but certainly not least, In Bloom has been recognized by her peers and clients alike. She was voted #2 out of all of our vendors in The Wedding Ring's Brides Choice Awards 2011. She also won the Best Photographer category for Brantford in the Wedding Industry Experts Awards in 2013!
