Wedding Pro Podcast with Toronto Wedding Photographer:
Lucas T Photography 

**Welcome to another deep dive!** We're tackling Toronto wedding photography today. **Oh, a great topic!** Definitely. We'll be looking at an interview with a Toronto photographer, Lucas. He was on the Wedding Pro Podcast, and he had a lot of great advice for couples. We're going to kind of go through it. **Wonderful!** And we're going to try to really tease out some insights that are specific to Toronto because Toronto is a unique city for weddings, right? **Absolutely!** Toronto is really fascinating because it's not just any city; it's a melting pot of cultures and architectural styles. You have natural landscapes—it's really a photographer's dream! **Really?** Yeah, absolutely. And Lucas has been shooting in Toronto for a decade. **Wow, 10 years!** That's a lot of experience. He must have so many stories and insights from intimate ceremonies in The Distillery District, with all that rustic charm, to fairy tale weddings at Casa Loma. **Right, like a literal castle!** And he shot at Casa Loma; I was looking at some of his work online, and it's incredible! **Nice!** What's so interesting is how he really captures the character of each venue. Even the ROM! **Oh cool!** He uses the architecture to create these dramatic, almost editorial-style portraits. **It's that...** You know, it seems like he's kind of known for this blend of documentary and editorial photography, where he's capturing authentic moments but still giving it that polished look. **Very artistic!** Yeah! He also mentioned High Park is a great location, especially during cherry blossom season. **Oh, can you imagine those engagement shoots?** Stunning! So pretty! And then the waterfront has a whole different vibe. **Totally!** He mentioned the Toronto Music Garden for golden hour. **Oh yeah!** The lighting must be magical. So location scouting is key in Toronto. **I mean, I think so!** I'm seeing a theme here. Absolutely, there are so many amazing places, and the options are incredible. You have the elegance of the Fairmont Royal York, but then you can go to the Globe and Mail Centre, which has this really cool modern vibe. **Totally!** So how do you even begin to choose a photography style that complements all of that? **Well, I think first you have to understand the different styles, right?** Lucas mainly focuses on documentary photography, which we touched upon, right? With that editorial edge, really getting those candid moments. **Right!** But there's also traditional photography, like posed family portraits, and more artistic styles that play with light and shadow. So it really depends on the couple's personality and the feel they want for their photos. **Exactly!** And the venue too! I mean, imagine a traditional wedding at Knox College. All those historical details would lend themselves beautifully to classic portraits. **Right!** But if you're having a super modern wedding, like at the AGO, you might want a more contemporary artistic approach. **Okay, so the venue and the style kind of go hand in hand?** Yeah, they influence each other. But what about the photographer's experience with a specific location? **Oh, that's a good point!** Lucas actually mentioned that each venue has its quirks in terms of lighting and space. **Yeah!** They're all different. The Distillery District, for example, is beautiful, but it can be tough with the narrow alleyways, and the lighting can be tricky. **Yeah!** He talked about knowing the best angles and even backup locations if it rains. **Oh, that's smart!** So important in Toronto! **Yeah, 'cause you never know with the weather.** One minute it's sunshine, the next it's pouring. But how would a couple know to ask about that? **That's a great question!** I mean, most people aren't wedding photography experts. **No, they don't know the ins and outs!** Right? So that's why these deep dives are so helpful. **Exactly!** That's what we're here for because Lucas has spent 10 years working through all of this and figuring it out. And he's sharing his knowledge. He basically stresses that couples should ask potential photographers about their experience shooting at their venue. **That makes a lot of sense!** Exactly. Like, do they know the space? Have they shot there before? **Exactly!** And it's not just about the venue, though, right? It's also about having that experience of shooting in a busy city. **Right!** Toronto is bustling. He even mentioned permits are needed for a lot of locations. **Oh wow!** I had no idea. So imagine you're planning this big shoot at U of T, and then you find out, "Oh, we need a permit." What a nightmare that would be! **Yeah!** And then you think about the crowds, especially in popular places like Nathan Phillips Square. **Oh yeah!** You know, timing is everything, and an experienced photographer is going to know how to work quickly but efficiently without disrupting everything. **Totally!** They've got the experience to handle all those logistics. Something that really stood out to me was when he said that he includes free drone coverage! **Wait, hold on!** Drones at weddings? Tell me more! **With every package!** That's so cool! Imagine those shots, like the cityscape, the wedding party by the lake, or the ceremony with the CN Tower in the background. **Oh, that would be breathtaking!** It's next level. It's not just capturing the moment; it's capturing the city itself—the grand scale of it all. And with his experience, you know, 10 years in Toronto, he's going to know all the best spots. **Right!** He's got the insider knowledge. So we've been talking a lot about Lucas, but I'm curious to hear more about his overall approach to wedding photography. **Yeah!** Like, what's his philosophy? How would he describe himself as a photographer? **He describes himself as a storyteller.** Oh, interesting! So he uses photography to capture genuine emotions, right? He's not just posing people and taking pictures; he wants his photos to reflect the couple's personality and love story. **Yeah, to tell their unique story!** It's not just about pretty pictures. **No, definitely not!** It's about capturing the heart of the celebration—absolutely, the emotions, the connections. He even talked about his experience shooting diverse cultural weddings. **Oh, that's important!** From South Asian to Jewish ceremonies—wow, so he's really well-versed. **Yeah, that really shows his understanding and respect for all these different traditions and customs that make each wedding unique.** **Yeah!** It's like he's adapting to each couple's background and beliefs. But how does all this translate into advice for couples? What should they actually be looking for? What are the key things they should consider when choosing a photographer in Toronto? **Yeah, that's a great question!** And one we'll definitely dive into in the next part of our deep dive. So stay tuned! **Okay!** So we've talked a lot about what makes Toronto's wedding photography scene so unique. But how do you actually find the right photographer in this city? **Right!** Like, what advice does Lucas give? What are his top tips? **Well, his number one tip—and he really emphasized this—is to book early.** **Okay, early! How early are we talking?** **Unlik, really early—12 to 18 months in advance!** **Wow! That's a year and a half!** Especially if you're planning a wedding during peak season, you know, those popular summer weekends. **Right!** Because everyone's getting married then. Toronto is a wedding hotspot, so those photographers get booked up fast. **That makes sense!** Okay, so booking early is key. But how do you even find the photographer in the first place? **Yeah, where do you start?** **Well, he cautions against relying solely on online portfolios.** **Okay, sure!** Those glossy photos are nice, but he really stresses meeting potential photographers in person or at least through a video call. **Oh, interesting!** So you can get a sense of their personality. **Exactly!** That chemistry is important because you're going to be spending a lot of time with this person on your wedding day. **That's true!** It's a big day; you want to make sure your personalities mesh well. **Yeah!** That you can communicate openly. A face-to-face meeting allows you to do that. You can kind of gauge their communication style and see if they understand your vision. **Exactly!** It's more than just technical skills, right? It's about finding someone you connect with. **Yeah!** You're trusting them with capturing one of the most important days of your life. **Exactly!** And Lucas's last piece of advice, which I thought was really important, is to make sure the photographer is familiar with your chosen venue. **Okay!** We talked about that a bit earlier, but why is it so crucial? **Well, I guess because each venue has its own challenges.** **Exactly!** Toronto has such a diverse range of venues, each with their own quirks and opportunities. An experienced photographer, someone like Lucas who's been shooting in Toronto for 10 years, would already know all the best angles and the ideal lighting setup. **Yeah!** Even potential backup locations within the venue in case it rains. **Oh yeah, good point!** Toronto weather can be unpredictable, so it's not just about taking pretty pictures; it's about knowing how to make the most of each location and anticipating potential issues. **Exactly!** Okay, I get it. It's like hiring a chef who's never worked in your kitchen before to cater your