My Philosophy
A wedding isn’t about the performance of a perfect day. It’s about the people who show up for you, the way you feel when they do, and the space you’ve created together. I work with couples who care deeply about that space. People who want their wedding to reflect who they are and what matters most to them. It’s often the only time in your life when so many loved ones are gathered in one place, and I believe that experience deserves to be remembered honestly and beautifully.
My approach to wedding photography starts with being present. I'll move through your day with calm awareness, paying attention to the energy in the room and the relationships within it. Experience has taught me how to read a moment. To sense when it needs space and when a little direction can help shape something meaningful. I know when to step back and let things unfold, and when to step in with intention. Whether it’s a quiet exchange or a loud burst of joy, I aim to photograph it in a way that feels honest and artful. I use these guided editorial techniques when they naturally support the story, but never at the cost of what’s real.
At the heart of it, my goal is simple. I want your gallery to hold the full feeling of the day. Not just how it looked, but how it felt to be surrounded by the people you love. I care about the meaning behind each image, and I want them to feel like you. Not overly styled, but lasting and true. Years from now, I want you to return to these photos and feel everything again. Not because it was flawless, but because it was full of meaning.
An Ottawa wedding photographer rooted in presence, honesty & connection
Meet Shawn
Creating art and helping people feel deeply through it has always felt like the only path. From a young age, I was drawn to the emotion in small, passing moments and naturally began turning them into something lasting. Wedding photography became the space where all of that came together: connection, meaning, and the kind of art that lives on.
Before photography became my full-time work, I spent my time as a singer-songwriter touring across Europe, South America, New Zealand, and Canada. Performing my songs taught me how to connect with people quickly and honestly, which now helps me move through wedding days with calm, confidence, and care. Through all of these adventures, I always had my camera on me to document my experiences on the road and translate what I felt into a frame.
These days, wedding photography feels like a natural continuation of everything that’s come before. I work with digital and film, aiming to create images that feel genuine and lived-in. Outside of photography, I spend my time writing music, reading, hiking, or taking evening walks with my fiancée Claire. I’ve always been someone who notices the little things, and I try to bring that same kind of attention into the way I photograph.
Photography, for me, isn’t just about preserving what happened. It’s about capturing what it meant.
Documentary Wedding Photographer Who Sees What Matters
There’s nothing more important to me than the people in my life and making sure they know I’m there for them. I know how much it means to feel that in return. My relationship with Claire, and the closeness I have with my friends and family, shape everything about how I move through the world. That same care shows up in how I photograph weddings. I’m always looking for those quiet, powerful signs of connection between partners, friends, and families. Love shows up in so many ways, and I want your gallery to reflect all of it.
I’ve always loved art that makes you feel something without trying too hard. Scenes from a film like Call Me By Your Name, or a song by Gregory Alan Isakov can take you right back to a certain time, place, and feeling. That’s the kind of imagery I’m drawn to. I’m always thinking about how to create that same sense of atmosphere. I pay attention to the light, the mood, the subtle details that bring a moment to life. Every photo is a chance to create something that feels lived-in and honest, something you can come back to and really feel.
It matters how we care for ourselves, especially on an occasion as meaningful as your wedding. Taking a moment to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself can shift the way the whole day feels. I want you to have space to slow down, to be present, and to truly take in everything happening around you. When you’re able to move through your day with that kind of ease and kindness toward yourself, the moments become even more meaningful and that’s exactly what I want your photos to hold.
I’ve always believed in being fully where you are. When I’m with the people I love, I rarely take photos. Not because the moments aren’t worth capturing, but because I want to experience them as they happen. That’s why I care so much about my role as your wedding photographer. It allows you to be immersed in your day. I’ll be there making sure the feeling of it all is preserved, so you can stay connected to what matters most in real time.
