We weren't surprised when we had overwhelming feedback from couples, telling us that the number one reason they love Purple Door Photography and Videography is Kara and Nathan DeRoses' personalities. When we met Kara for the first time we felt like we had known her for years- the kind of person you can talk to for hours...about anything. So we were thrilled to be able to share our experience with this KW-based photographer and her husband and videographer, Nathan.

And their personalities shine through in their work- the attention to detail, the way they always put clients at ease, and their remarkable ability to capture the real moments of a couple's wedding day- makes this husband and wife team a "must check out" for your wedding photos and video. Here's more on this dynamic couple.....

Personally Speaking....

Kara is the first to admit that when she was approached to shoot her first wedding, she was terrified that the images wouldn't be what the couple wanted. So, when she initially showed the couple their photos and the bride started to cry, Kara thought her fears were founded. Luckily, she quickly realized that they were happy tears- the couple was incredibly happy with her work and couldn't believe how perfectly Kara had captured their wedding day. As more and more people started to see her photos, Kara started to get many requests from couples who wanted her to shoot their weddings.

At this point, Kara had a great camera and some experience but she decided that if she was going to seriously shoot weddings, she wanted to further her education. She enrolled in photography at Conestoga College and also worked as an apprentice under some of her favourite established photographers.

Today, Kara is the Owner and Main Photographer at Purple Door Photography and Videography. Although she officially opened her business five years ago, she has been shooting for ten years- she's shot over 100 weddings and countless portrait and maternity shoots. This year alone, Purple Door has shot and videoed over thirty weddings.

Kara's husband, Nathan, is a freelance videographer who first learned his way around a DSLR as he assisted Kara at her shoots. He started his videography career by offering video to Purple Door's clients in exchange for feedback and experience- researching what couples want out of their wedding videos. Between his natural instincts and two years of video experience, Nathan has honed his craft and has now created a blend of video and photography that clients call “the total package".

Kara told The Ring she truly loves every second of her work, "One of my favorite sounds is the shutter on my camera because every time I hear it I know I've captured a second in someone else’s life that they will never get back and that I can remind them of. I know how important images are to me - My grandmother holding me as a baby, my mom laughing, my dad walking me down the aisle, my husband the first time he saw me at our wedding. Its love and the memory of that love is what has always comforted me. If I can capture this for my brides, my job is done."

Sarah Metzger used Purple Door for her engagement and wedding photos, as well as videography for her October 2010 wedding, "Kara and Nathan are young, fun, and listened to our ideas! I honestly didn’t look around after meeting Kara. We had a problem at the reception where our DJ didn’t show up right away, and both Kara and Nate where searching for our entrance music on their phones, to hook into the sound system in case the DJ didn’t get there on time. They were very helpful."

Purple Door Style

Kara and Nathan describe their style as 'simple with an easygoing nature that makes it really easy to get to know each couple." They feel that it's important to give their clients exactly what they want, and they always add, "a little extra" to every shoot.

Terri-Lynn and Gord Wehner say they would, "without hesitation," recommend Purple Door to other couples. They booked Kara and Nathan for their June 2011 wedding day, "I felt that Kara was able to capture not only beautiful pictures, but beautiful moments. I loved how everyone looked so relaxed, enjoying themselves. And she made us laugh...those were the best photos!"

Kara also believes that in order to stay on top of your game, it's crucial to keep educating yourself. She enrolls in workshops whenever she can and is constantly looking for new ideas and techniques.

"Photography is always changing and I love working with other photographers just to see if they do things differently than I do- whether it's a simple angle or a lighting effect or a location. I am always learning. In general though I think life is beautiful in all of its glorious messiness, I open my eyes and can't help but be inspired."

Couples Love....

One of Purple Door's trademarks is that couples feel completely comfortable with Kara and Nathan. Kara explains, "They love that we are a husband and wife team. I think they feel a connection with who we are and see how much we love weddings. To us it's not a job- we get excited each and every time we pack our gear to head out to yet another wedding. "

Lyndsey O'Brien hired Purple Door for her June 2011 wedding. She says that she doesn't have to convince other couples to book them, "Once they see our album and all of the extra things Kara did for us, and they hear about what amazing people they both are, there is no convincing necessary!"

Lyndsey gushed about her experience, "When we met Kara and Nate, we immediately fell in love with them. They made us feel so comfortable and at ease. We trusted them immediately. We loved how creative Kara is, and how she would ask us to do these funny poses or faces that would make us feel so comfortable and at ease. We ended up laughing and came out with beautiful, natural photos."

Another part of their passion is the diversity in the couples they shoot. From rock and roll, tattoo-filled couples to the more demure, tradition bride, Kara and Nathan say "we love them all!". They do say that couples they work with are usually down-to-earth people who want their photos to capture the real, genuine love they have for each other- something that Kara and Nathan are honored to be a part of.

Giving Back

Kara and Nathan truly believe in giving back to their community. So, in 2009 they founded and organized a charity event called Portraits in the Park. The event offers portraits (for a donation) to the IAAC,  in support of Infertility Awareness and has become such a success that it has turned into an annual event that has been featured in Creating Families Magazine.

Pricing and Packages

Purple Door has several pricing options but they say their "Total Package” is the most popular because

it's cost effective and gives you everything you could want - your engagement shoot, videography on your wedding day, a high resolution disc with full print images, as many personal meetings as necessary leading up to the day, an online proofing gallery within six to eight weeks of the wedding, plus a credit for your fully customized album.

You can also give them the percentage of candid and posed shots that you want for your engagement shoot and wedding day, so you will truly get exactly what you want out of your photos.

Ainsley Poirier, Designer and Owner of Fresh Look Design has worked with Purple Door and says she was completely impressed with Kara and Nathan, " They have several options for clients...that helps with budget conscious couples.  They are very easy to work with and are very laid back. Kara puts her heart and soul into her work. She also has a great eye for detail and makes sure that she takes the clients personality and puts it into her work."

Walking you through it.....

Email is easiest way to get in contact with Purple Door. Kara explains, "We like to have an email trail so that we can go over previous details we have discussed and ensure we are always organized."

If you're interested in booking Purple Door, Kara will meet with you to go through ideas- from coverage and style to engagement shoot ideas.

Kara goes back and forth with couples through email to go schedule the engagement session, go over wedding details ect.

During your engagement session, you'll spend about a half hour to an hour taking photos and having a blast- it's one of Kara's favourite things about shooting weddings, "Sometimes this is my favorite time with the couple because we can get to know each other and it's relaxed and fun." One of The Ring's favourite things about your engagement shoot with Kara is that it's an opportunity to experiment and really find out what works best for your wedding day. You get to sit down with Kara and go over your photos, decide which ones you like most and why. This really helps her make sure that you are getting exactly what you want on your wedding day.

A few weeks before your wedding, you have the option of having one more meeting in person - although Kara says most brides prefer to fill out the wedding 'day of' sheet by email because the last few weeks before the wedding are hectic, and as a married couple Kara and Nathan say, "We get that!"

On your wedding day, Kara is always there as the main photographer but Nathan is usually there as well- she laughs, "We like each other so it's usually both of us." Nathan is either videoing (if he has been hired to do the videography) or, as a second shooter for the day.

After your wedding Kara and Nathan will download and edit "like fiends" and create the beautiful images that they will feature on their private galleries as well as discs that you can keep.

Lastly, Kara will contact you to pick up your package up and of course, "We wait for the 'oohs' and the 'ahhs'!"

Martti Pajunen, an officiant from Kettle Creek Weddings, has worked with Purple Door and raves about their work to The Ring, "It's the passion, style and personality of Purple Door Photography that I love."

Details, details, details

·The average bride spends between $1500 and $2000 with Purple Door Photography
·To secure your wedding date with Purple Door, a 30% deposit is required.
·It's best to book Purple Door ASAP. They book up super fast!