Hey there, I'm Ron. I'm here to help you navigate the exciting world of engagement sessions. Yeah, you know, that pre-wedding photoshoot that gives us a chance to get to know each other and helps you feel more at ease in front of the camera? Let's dive in.
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First thing's first - choosing your outfits. Remember, this is all about you, so pick clothes that reflect your personalities. Comfort is key, so avoid anything too tight or itchy. Stick with solid colors or simple patterns to keep the focus on your faces. And don't forget about shoes - your feet will be visible in some shots!
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Next up, location. Choose a place that means something to you. Maybe it's where you had your first date or a spot you frequent on weekends. Parks, city streets, coffee shops, even your own home can make perfect backdrops for your engagement session. And remember, the location can really set the tone for your photos, so think about what vibe you're going for.
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Now, let's talk about posing. Don't worry, I'm not going to have you doing anything weird or unnatural. The best poses are usually the ones that don't feel like poses at all. Hug, hold hands, whisper sweet nothings - just interact with each other as you normally would. I'll guide you, but I promise it'll feel more like hanging out than a photoshoot.
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Finally, remember to relax and have fun. It's normal to feel a bit nervous at first, but I promise you'll loosen up. The important thing is to be yourselves. After all, these photos aren't just for show; they're a celebration of your love, and that's something to be excited about.
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So, ready to start planning your engagement session? I'm looking forward to capturing all the love, laughter, and even the slightly awkward moments - because hey, that's real life. And real life is beautiful.

Preparing for Your Engagement Session: A Comprehensive Guide

Let me guide you through the top five wedding venues in Oshawa, Ontario. These are places I've had the pleasure of capturing unforgettable moments for couples, and I'm excited to share what makes each of them unique.
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First on the list is the <a href="https://www.parkwoodestate.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parkwood National Historic Site</a>. This charming estate offers a stunning backdrop of well-manicured gardens and beautiful architecture, perfect for an outdoor wedding. The best time to say 'I do' here is during spring, where the blossoming flowers add an extra layer of magic. Whether it's an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Parkwood can accommodate.
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Next up is the <a href="https://oshawamuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oshawa Museum</a>. Loaded with rich history and located right by Lake Ontario, this venue offers a unique blend of nature and heritage. Autumn is the ideal season here, as the changing leaves offer a vibrant palette of colours for your photos. This venue is perfect for smaller, intimate weddings.
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Third, we have the <a href="https://jubileepavilion.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jubilee Pavilion Banquet and Conference Center</a>. Overlooking Lakeview Park and Lake Ontario, it provides a spectacular view for a waterfront wedding. Summer weddings are particularly special here, with the warm weather complementing the cool lake breeze. It's a versatile venue, suitable for any size of wedding.
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<a href="https://www.trilliumtrailsevents.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trillium Trails Banquet and Conference Centre</a> is another fantastic venue. Nestled in a beautiful forest, it offers a tranquil setting for couples who love nature. Its rustic charm shines most during the fall, making it an ideal spot for a rustic themed wedding. It's versatile and can handle anything from a cozy elopement to a large wedding party.
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Finally, the <a href="https://oshawagolf.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oshawa Golf and Curling Club</a> offers a serene environment with lush green lawns and beautiful indoor spaces. Spring and summer weddings are lovely here, with the vibrant greenery providing a picturesque setting. It's a versatile venue that caters to both intimate gatherings and larger receptions.
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Choosing a wedding venue is no easy task, but I hope my experiences at these top Oshawa venues make your decision a little easier. Remember, it's all about you and your partner. Choose a place that speaks to your hearts and it will make your day even more special.

Top 5 Wedding Venues in Oshawa, Ontario

There's no denying the allure and charm of weddings. They're colorful, full of love, and brimming with raw emotions. But what makes a wedding truly unforgettable? While the venue, the decorations, and the food certainly play their part, it's the memories captured in photos that endure. That's why hiring a professional wedding photographer is so important.
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Imagine this - it's your wedding day. You're surrounded by loved ones, dressed to the nines, and about to embark on a beautiful journey with your partner. But amidst the hustle and bustle, who's there to capture the essence of the day? The laughter, the tears, the stolen glances between you and your partner? That's where a professional photographer comes into play.
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A professional photographer does more than just click pictures. They use their technical expertise and creativity to turn a simple moment into a piece of art. They know how to play with lighting, angles, and backgrounds to capture the magic of the moment. They can turn a nervous smile into a heartwarming candid, a tear into a symbol of joy, and a dance move into a celebration of love.
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But professional photographers don't just deliver high-quality photos; they also create an environment that puts people at ease. They know how to navigate the chaos of a wedding, positioning themselves perfectly without intruding on the festivities. They're adept at making people feel comfortable in front of the camera, coaxing out genuine smiles and laughter. They can sense the mood of the room and adjust their approach accordingly, ensuring everyone's at ease and the photos look natural, not staged.
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In essence, a professional photographer brings their unique blend of technical skills, creativity, and people skills to the table. They don't just capture images; they capture memories, emotions, stories. They ensure that when you look back at your wedding photos years down the line, you don't just see people and places. You relive moments, you feel the emotions, you revisit the most beautiful day of your life. So, when planning your wedding, don't overlook the importance of hiring a professional photographer. After all, these are memories you'll cherish for a lifetime.

The Indispensable Role of Professional Photographers in Weddings

(From a Photographer Who&rsquo;s Seen It All)

First in the &ldquo;Wedding Photography Truths&rdquo; Blog Series
<h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 id="xbq9m221" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Intro: You&rsquo;re Not Just Booking a Photographer &mdash; You&rsquo;re Betting on Your Memories</h3>

Let&rsquo;s cut through the noise: wedding photography is a huge deal. Bigger than most people realize.
You&rsquo;re not buying a product. You&rsquo;re investing in someone&rsquo;s ability to feel&nbsp;your day &mdash; to read the energy in a room, to move quietly through chaos, and to capture moments so real, they make you cry years later.
And yet... most people pick their photographer based on a pretty Instagram feed and a price point.
If that makes your stomach turn a little &mdash; good. Because what you&rsquo;re about to read is the guide no one else is giving you. Real talk from a wedding photographer who&rsquo;s seen it all, and who genuinely wants your day to be documented the way it deserves to be.

<h3 id="evvxd235">1. Don&rsquo;t Just Fall for a &ldquo;Look&rdquo; &mdash; Fall for the Way It Feels</h3>
Yeah, we all love the vibe. Light and airy, dark and moody, clean and classic. But none of that matters if the photos feel empty.
You want photos that hit you in the gut &mdash; not just look good in a grid.
Swipe past the filters and ask:
<div>
-Do these images move you?
-Can you imagine being in them?
-Or are they all just styled shoots and Pinterest poses?
</div>
Look for heart, not just highlights. Because style will trend. But emotion? That&rsquo;s forever.

<h3 id="hicix259">2. Experience Isn&rsquo;t a Flex &mdash; It&rsquo;s Your Safety Net</h3>
Here&rsquo;s a hard truth: anyone can call themselves a wedding photographer. Gear is cheap. Presets are everywhere.
But not everyone can handle a 12-hour day filled with chaos, pressure, bad lighting, timeline meltdowns, and 50 relatives asking for group photos.
When you hire someone experienced, you&rsquo;re not just paying for photos &mdash; you&rsquo;re paying for peace of mind. For someone who won&rsquo;t panic when it rains. Who won&rsquo;t miss the kiss. Who won&rsquo;t need you to direct them on the most important day of your life.

<h3 id="0vaja270">3. If They Don&rsquo;t Make You Feel Safe, Walk Away</h3>
Your wedding is not a photo shoot &mdash; it&rsquo;s real life, with real emotion, and real vulnerability.
You want a photographer who knows when to take charge, when to back off, and how to make you feel like you&rsquo;re just&hellip; you.
If they make you feel awkward, unheard, or like they&rsquo;re just running through the motions &mdash; that energy will show up&nbsp;in your photos.
The best photographers feel like a steady hand, not a spotlight. Like someone you trust instinctively &mdash; not someone you're trying to impress.

<h3 id="sgxw2284">4. Communication Is the Biggest Green (or Red) Flag</h3>
Here&rsquo;s something people don&rsquo;t talk about enough: photography is 50% shooting and 50% communication.
Are they organized? Do they answer questions before you ask them? Do they make this process feel simple and smooth &mdash; or confusing and chaotic?
Because if they&rsquo;re sloppy over email, unprepared for your consult, or ghost you for days&hellip; imagine how that&rsquo;s going to play out on your wedding day.
Spoiler: not well.

<h3 id="4etbc296">5. Listen to Your Gut &mdash; It&rsquo;s Usually Smarter Than Your Spreadsheet</h3>
You can do all the research, compare all the packages, and analyze every review. But when you find the right photographer, you&rsquo;ll feel it.
Not just because of their work &mdash; but because of their energy, their presence, their vibe.
You&rsquo;ll feel seen. Heard. At ease.And when you do? That&rsquo;s the one.

<h3 id="hv3qs306">If You&rsquo;ve Read This Far, You&rsquo;re My Kind of People</h3>
You care. You&rsquo;re not here for surface-level. You want meaning, connection, and the kind of images that make people feel something.
That&rsquo;s what I do, so if you're ready to talk, I&rsquo;m ready to listen. No pressure, no sales pitch &mdash; just a real conversation about what matters most to you.

🖤
Ron Prestage
Wedding Photographer for the Couples Who Get It

What to Look for When Choosing Your Wedding Photographer — The Real Talk Edition

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My Wedding Collection package - a 6-hour block with yours truly - is designed to capture the essence of your special day without any added fuss. With this package, you'll get six uninterrupted hours of my time and attention. I'll blend into the background, capturing all the little moments that make your day uniquely yours. No fancy gear or staged poses - just the real, raw emotion of your wedding day. Following the event, I'll carefully curate your photos into an online gallery. This isn't a simple photo dump - I take the time to select the photos that best tell the story of your day. The gallery is easy to navigate and accessible from anywhere, allowing you to, at your leisure, relive the magic of your wedding day. So, if you're looking for a photographer who values authenticity over artifice, the person behind the lens over the gear they're using, and the simple beauty of real moments over staged shots, I'm your guy. I'll be here, ready to capture your day as it unfolds naturally. I promise that when you look back at your photos years from now, you won't cringe - you'll remember. So, ready to chat about your big day?

Perk Wedding Collection (6 Hours, 1 Photographer)

I'm here to offer you a Wedding Collection package that's all about simplicity but doesn't compromise on the quality. It's a neat bundle of 8 hours of photography coverage, handled by me - a professional photographer who knows how to capture the raw, real moments. What can you expect? Well, I'm there to click the authentic moments, the soft smiles, the joyous laughter, and yes, even the nervous fidgeting. I won't be commanding you to pose or feign joy. I believe real emotions make the best pictures. Once the day is over, I'll provide you with an online gallery. You can access this anytime, anywhere. It's your virtual photo album, a window to revisit the memories of your special day whenever you want. I put my heart into every click, ensuring that each frame tells a story, your story. And in 30 years when you look back at these photos, you won't see awkward poses or forced smiles, but genuine emotions and moments that truly define your day. So, if you're looking for a photographer who values authenticity over pretense, who prefers to capture the real you over staged images, I'm right here. Let's talk.

Plus Wedding Collection (8 Hours, 2 Photographers)

Our Full Day Wedding Collection package is designed to provide comprehensive coverage of your special day. This package includes 10 hours of professional photography coverage, guaranteeing that every precious moment is beautifully captured. This package ensures you receive up to 1000 high-resolution, expertly edited photos. With a large number of photos, you can relive every moment - from the initial preparation to the final send-off, and everything in between. These photos will be a blend of candid moments, formal portraits, and artistic shots, providing a diverse and detailed visual narrative of your wedding day. Full Day Wedding Collection package also includes a second shooter. This means you'll have two professional photographers working in tandem to capture different perspectives and angles. A second shooter allows us to document simultaneous moments, like the bride's preparations and the groom's reactions, ensuring nothing is left out. With this package, we aim to provide not just photos, but heirlooms that will let you and your loved ones relive your special day for generations to come.

Paparazzi Wedding Collection (10 Hours, 2 Photographers)

The Focal Essentials All You Need Plan lets you create a beautiful business website with the power of AI. Create Packages, Pricing pages and Blogs. Make booking easy for your client with Focal's Booking System. 5TB of Gallery Storage.

All You Need (Website + Booking System) Plan

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Here’s the part where I tell you about me… but really, it’s all about you

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You will find the about page from my existing website between the “” below. You can use this section primarily for tone of voice and style as opposed to content. Make sure that all references to the self are in the first person singular, as I am the only photographer on my team. Please also ensure that there are no references to “our team” or “our photographer”. Instead, all writing should be coming directly from me. 

"’m Ron. I take photos for people who hate having their photo taken.

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I’ve been shooting weddings long enough to know the day isn’t about me, my gear, or some Pinterest-perfect timeline. It’s about the two of you and the real, unscripted chaos of it all — the nerves, the tears, the shot of tequila your maid of honour hands you before walking down the aisle. That’s the stuff I live for. That’s what I capture.

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I’m not going to follow you around barking orders or staging weird poses with fake laughter. I’m there to blend in, keep things calm, and make sure when you look back at these photos in 30 years, you don’t cringe — you remember. I’ll fix your boutonnière. I’ll help your mom find the good light. I’ll take the best photo of your grandmother that’s ever existed. This is what I do.

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If you want someone who can tell your story with honesty, artistry, and a little bit of sarcasm — I’m already packing my bags."