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New husband-wife photography team aims to capture weddings with competitive prices and a focus on quality

Interviewing Mandie & Marty Brugmans, Owners of ShutterBrugs Photography

On any given Saturday, Mandie and Marty Brugmans can be found preparing for or shooting a local wedding. The husband-wife team recently turned their lifelong passion for photography into a full-time dream job. Mandie and Marty are the owners and principle photographers of their company, ShutterBrugs Photography, specializing in wedding and life photography. "We capture today's moments for tomorrow's memories," they explained to staff at The Ring. So, with competitive pricing, lots of options, and a focus on quality, we sat down with this photography couple to find out more...

In the beginning...

Mandie and Marty have been shooting since high school, but their love for photography evolved from a passion for modifying their cars. "We always took lots of pictures at the shows we competed in," they explain. From there, they say their their love for photography grew to include shooting

Inotherwords... "You took more pictures than we could have imagined and the proofs we have received have been unbelievable. The two of you were professional, actively taking pictures without being overbearing or in the way of the ceremony and reception events. We were blown away with how prepared you both were in planning and photographing on our wedding day. Both of you were interactive between shoots which calmed our nerves, since being in photos is not our most favourite activity; but the pictures speak for themselves, we were comfortable and beyond content. Our expectations were far surpassed and we couldn't thank you enough for making our day so wonderful..." - Nadia & Paul Blackburn

events, maternity photos, food art, product launches, boudoir, pets and more.

It was when Mandie and Marty officially tied the knot themselves that they were faced with the importance of quality wedding photography. Their own photos didn't turn out the way they had hoped and without the option to rewind their wedding day, they realized they had a new common goal. "We didn't want other couples to feel the way we did," explains Mandie, and so they've been shooting weddings together as ShutterBrugs Photography for three years now and are always taking courses at Sheridan College to keep up-to-date on new trends and techniques in photography.

Make yourself comfortable 

When this husband and wife photography team is behind the camera, the focus will be, first and foremost, on the emotions that play out - often very quickly - on people's faces. Their goal, they say, is to catch those moments and feelings on film, and because of this, personality obviously plays a big role in their ability to deliver.

Mandie and Marty are outgoing and talkative naturally, traits that are apparent when they're working with couples. "We like to take time with the couple to understand the mood, feeling, and situation of the day in order to capture it in the photos."

They say that it's also by really listening to what the couple is looking for (from their photo shoot and the memories that comes from it) that they're able to offer wedding photography that can be loved for a lifetime. "We whole-heartedly put ourselves there for the bride and groom. They are our centre." They love interacting with people, learning about them, and sharing in their wedding day.

The two admit that they're there to preserve memories, and love to see the joy and emotions on the couple's faces when they see their wedding photos. In order for you to feel that joy about your photos, Mandie and Marty say you need to hire the right people. "Hire someone you feel comfortable with," Mandie suggests, "You need to feel relaxed with them and comfortable in what they can do for you." In fact, that's why Mark and Jessie Reid chose ShutterBrugs for their February 8, 2008 destination wedding in the Bahamas. "[ShutterBrugs] makes you feel so at ease... The last thing you need to worry about is posing for pictures and trying not to look stiff and fake like some pictures do," explained Jessie who admitted that her husband-to-be was actually very camera shy until he relaxed with the help of Mandie and Marty and started to enjoy the photo shoot. "He was having so much fun and that was so amazing for me to see."

After determining what the couple wants, Mandie and Marty plan out how to approach the day and what they'll need to do to make sure the couple gets what they want. After all, they recognize that at the end of the day, the couple is in charge, and that's just fine with them. "We like being our own boss," says Marty, "but for those few hours the bride and groom are the boss and what they say goes. It's their day."

Capturing the life of your wedding day 

Mandie and Marty make it their goal to take photos that evoke the emotion and feeling of your wedding day. "It can be a look between two lovers, the groom's first glimpse of his bride, a mother's unyielding love for her child... We ensure that our photos tell the story of those emotions," says Mandie. And as a result, ShutterBrugs knows that in some small way "...we have been a part of something so personal and unique in the lives of others. It's very rewarding."

Marty says they reach for the stars when it comes to amazing photos. "We want the wow factor to come through in every image we take."

The two love being around different cultures and traditions, showing the special moments in peoples lives as they happen. They put a great deal of thought into what you might want people to see, the style, and the story they are trying to bring across in the photos.

However, they always aim to keep the wedding and photographic experience fun, which ultimately results in capturing real reactions at the wedding. Mandie tends to do the posed shots while Marty hangs back and captures the candid moments. "I like that Mandie and Marty take completely different pictures," Jessie Reid told The Ring. "Mandie will take the posed photos everyone wants, adding in some very creative ideas of her own... Marty gets all those candid photos of the weird faces and poses that you think you won't want but when you see them, you can't help but laugh and be grateful that that moment was actually captured."

Going above and beyond 

Mandie and Marty say they're very detail oriented and thorough and like to take care of you outside of their responsibilities on your wedding day. They try to make multiple back-up plans to combat any situation that may arise during the day, they'll go over every point of the contract and wedding shoot with you, and they'll go over a must-have shot list with you so they don't miss anything. They'll get very in-depth with you and may even go so far as to help plan your wedding day timeline.

They also like to take the bride and groom around to scout different locations for the wedding photos. While they always have sites and suggestions for the couple, sometimes it's the couple who surprise them. "There's a couple who will be having their photos taken down by the waterfront in Hamilton," explains Mandie. "We suggested one location to keep it fun and entertaining for them and it turned out to be the place they had their first date. It couldn't have been more perfect."

Mandie and Marty say it's ideal to book at least six months before your wedding, but there are exceptions. "If we are free that day we'll accept a wedding booking as close as one week before the wedding," says Marty. And if you need help hiring other vendors, Mandie and Marty have a list of companies they've worked with and recommend on their website.

ShutterBrugs' approach to quality is the ability to take that key shot without requiring a lot of editing to make it worthy of a place in your wedding album. "We always strive to keep the overall integrity of the images," they say, adding that it's the emotion and personality in the photos that make them what they are. Not necessarily a Photoshop effect. Mandie and Marty also say that as professional photographers, they deliver images that are correct when it comes to contrast, depth, angles and lighting and other elements that should be expected in a great photo.

Your gown or theirs

ShutterBrugs offers 'The Ambitious Bride' sessions, which is not unlike 'Trash the Dress' sessions, starting at $250 depending on the number of locations. "You have two choices," says Mandie, "Suffocate your gown in plastic and throw it in a closet, or show your husband how committed you are by trashing the dress and getting some great, fun pictures while you do it!"

Mandie and Marty say that because just about every bride loves the idea of wearing the bridal gown again, but not necessarily the idea of getting it actually 'trashed' or dirty, ShutterBrugs has four new bridal gowns on-site for the bride to choose from if she doesn't want to wear her own.

The little things matter 

ShutterBrugs have two major packages that they offer in addition to a variety of options and fun photography ideas for shoots. With Mandie and Marty, it's really all about what you want. If you'd like to design a photography and print package from scratch, they're happy to help you do so. Otherwise, if you'd like to pick from the packages they've already laid out, that works too... everything at ShutterBrugs is about the bride and groom, so your options are wide open here. Package prices range from $430 to $2780.

When it comes to walking away with your memories, ShutterBrugs offers your photos in print or on CD in addition to proof galleries on the internet. You can also put everything in print in style with their custom made coffee table albums. Mandie and Marty both admit they love designing these for their couples. And when it comes to editing or effects, ShutterBrugs can do so at your request.

Mandie and Marty are also more than willing to shoot destination weddings. "It gives us the chance to photograph the bride and groom in an exotic location over several days. We get to share in the story as well as capture it." In most cases, Mandie and Marty will be at the destination wedding location for a week. "We'll spend a couple of days with the bride and groom taking their photos on their wedding day as well as any excursions they might want to go on..." Shutterbrugs says that island weddings also provide a great backdrop for ambitious bride shoots.

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• At the recommendation of Mandie and Marty, book their photography services at least 6 months ahead. If they're available, they'll take weddings with only a week's notice as well.

• 25% of your total package price is due at booking as a non-refundable deposit.

• The balance is due two weeks prior to the wedding.

Contacting ShutterBrugs Photography...

Mandie and Marty are always available in one form or another to answer questions and to arrange booking appointments. Reach them by email at info@shutterbrugs.com or by phone at 905-599-0405. View their online wedding gallery & favour boutique at www.shutterbrugs.com.

- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca

- Review is based on research and personal opinion and may be subject to errors or omissions. Details may change without notice. Please contact this vendor personally for more information and confirmation of details.

- Photos used with permission of Mandie & Marty Brugmans of ShutterBrugs Photography.

- Prices are all approximate and are subject to change and verification by authorized staff and management of ShutterBrugs Photography.