If you don’t see the answer to your question below, send me an e-mail or give me a call at 519.760.1653!

What/Who is fresh images?

fresh images was founded by me, Margie McLean in 2008 however, I’ve been photographing weddings since 2001.   When you hire fresh images for your wedding, event, or portrait session, you’re hiring Margie!  If you’ve booked a wedding, event, or session with more than one photographer, you can be sure that I’m working with another fantastic photographer, that I’ve chosen to compliment your needs.  You’ll love what we do.

What got you into photography?

My Dad bought me a camera when I was about 10.  I’ve always been creative but having a roll of film and knowing I could get something amazing from it is simply indescribable.  I remember taking an entire role of film of waves as my grandparents boat moved through the water…it was magical.  I learned a fair bit about photography in high school working on the yearbook.  The school had one camera available to students but for some reason no one knew about it.  I had exclusive use of that camera for 2 years…until I convinced my Mom to buy me my first SLR for my 18th birthday (and the Christmas and birthday after that.)  I still have my Andre Agassi Rebel and use it occasionally for fun.

Do you have any formal training?

Yes…lots!  When I decided that photography was for me, I enrolled in the highly competitive Applied Photography program at the Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.  This was one of the most intense 2 years I’ve ever been through.  (I averaged 7 assignments per week using my 4×5 camera.)  While I felt very comfortable with the technical knowledge I developed at Sheridan, after I graduated I wanted to learn more about creative side of photography.  I applied to the Art and Art History Program at the University of Toronto and was accepted.  The following years I spent at U of T were some of the most creatively nurturing times of my life so I feel incredibly lucky to have had that opportunity.

Do you use a film camera or digital camera?

Although I first learned about photography using film, I shoot exclusively with a digital camera now.  I love love love film, but I certainly recognize and appreciate the amazing things digital photography has done for the wedding and portrait industries.

Do you shoot both colour and black and white?

Yes!  Most of your images will be shot in colour, but occasionally I switch it up.  Any image in colour can however be converted to black and white when ordering prints, canvas and albums.

Is the work on your website recent?

Yes.  The portfolios on freshimages.ca are my favourites from recent weddings and portrait sessions, but you’ll find my most current work on my blog.

How do we book you for our portrait session?

To reserve your portrait session, a non-refundable sitting fee is required at the time of booking.  This covers the time it takes for me to create your images and travel within 30 minutes of Guelph, Ontario.  The coverage fee for sessions with up to four people is $200 and newborn sessions are $250.  À la carte pricing begins at $20

How do we book you for our wedding?

I’m really easy to book…all I need is a signed contract and retainer.  That gets your wedding day blocked off in my book.  The balance is due 14 days prior to your wedding.

What types of payment do you accept?

I accept cash, cheque, visa, MasterCard, and e-mail money transfer.  Cheques can be made out to ‘fresh images’

When should we book?

I book up quickly, so booking with as much notice is always the best way to ensure I’m available on the date you really want.  Occasionally I have last minute openings, so don’t hesitate to give me a call even if you think I might be booked.

When should we schedule our newborn session?

Scheduling your newborn session between 6 and 8 days after your baby has been born is the best time for me to capture that fantastic time in their brand new life.  Someone I know once joked that they should come to me on their way home from the hospital and I didn’t disagree!

Can we reschedule our portrait session if it rains?

Yes.  A little rain won’t hurt, in fact, it can be really fun or romantic, but I don’t like working in a thunderstorm as much as you like standing in it.  If you’re set on the day you’ve booked, you don’t have to worry, I’m just as confident photographing indoors as I am out, but if you really want to reschedule, just give me a call and we’ll sort something out.

How long is my portrait session?

In general, a portrait session will last about an hour. Sometimes more, sometimes less.  I don’t set a time in stone because I won’t stop until I know we have fantastic images.

How many weddings do you shoot per day?

One day, one wedding.  At fresh images, I only offer all day coverage for weddings, so it would be impossible to photograph more than one per day.  It’s incredibly important to me not just to document your wedding, but also tell your story.  I can’t tell your story adequately in only 4 or 5 hours.  I’m usually at your wedding between 10 and 12 hours, depending on how many activities are planned.

Do you travel for weddings and portrait sessions?

Absolutely!  For wedding within 100km of Guelph, Ontario there is no travel fee.  Weddings further than 100km will have a small fee added based on current gas prices.  Weddings more than 250km from Guelph may require overnight accommodations for two.  fresh images is also available for destination weddings! Please contact me for a custom quote.

Portrait sessions within 30 minutes of Guelph Ontario will have no travel fee.  Any session further than that will have a small fee added based on current gas prices.

How many images will you show me?

Your portrait session will yield 40-60 images to choose from and your wedding will certainly have a lot more.  On average, I post 50 images per hour of shooting, so a 12-hour wedding will mean you’ll have about 600 images to choose from.  I don’t put a cap on the number of images I post…If I love more, I’ll post more.

Do you have a minimum for orders?

No!  You can order a single print or file.

When do we pay for prints, upgrades and other fresh images products?

All print orders, albums, and upgrades must be paid in full when placing your order.  Your order will be processed or produced once payment is received.

How long does it take for products to be delivered?

Your order will be processed as soon as your payment has been processed and then it will take 2-3 weeks for prints to arrive.  Other products like canvas prints or albums might take a bit longer, but so far, I’ve never waited more than 3 weeks for a product to arrive.

Who decides what images go in my album?

I feel that you should have the decision of what photos you would like in your album, however, I like to provide you with a design of your album so you can see my vision of your wedding or portrait session.  It jump starts the design process and gets you excited about your album.  Don’t worry, I allow for changes.  When you choose fresh images to design and print your album, I’ll send you more information about what you can expect.

Do you have gift certificates?

You bet!  If you can’t decide what to get someone for their next celebration, a gift certificate for custom portraiture is a fantastic idea.

Do you know someone who has hired fresh images to photograph their wedding?  If you’d like to contribute to their wedding photography, gift certificates are available.

Do you have a referral program?

Of course!  Refer three new clients to fresh images and once they’ve booked and I’ve secured their deposit, I’ll send you a gift certificate for a portrait session for up to four people. (contact me for more information.)

Do you have props?

If you’re hiring me for a portrait session I don’t usually bring too many props.  I truly believe that the images I take should be authentic, so adding too many props to the image makes that more difficult.  I have wraps and a few knit hats for newborns, but otherwise, I take a pretty natural, fresh, and timeless approach to my portraits.

I do, however have quite a selection of props for the wedding photo booth!  If you’ve decided to set up a photo booth! at your reception or event, I’m happy to bring my bag of goodies.

Can I bring props?

Yes, absolutely!  Just because I don’t use too many of my own props doesn’t mean I don’t love them.  I love them even more when they mean something to you and your family.

Do you recommend a make up artist?

I work quite closely with Angie from jacha minerals.  She’s a freelance make up artist with her own line of mineral make up.  I use her make up every day and it’s fantastic.  If you need a make up artist, highly recommend her.  If you hire fresh images for a ‘girls night in’/boudoir session, it always includes make up application with Angie.

What about digital files?  Can I buy them?  Do you back up?

When I first started fresh images, digital files weren’t even a part of my product line; I wanted to solely focus on prints, albums and the high quality products.  But more and more people were asking for the files, the CD, the back up.  I’ve gone through several different ideas, and I think I’ve finally figured out the best way I can deal with what you’re asking for, while keeping in line with my own philosophy.

Files are available at any time, either individually or for the whole session/wedding, however, every print, framed print, or canvas purchase over $50 also includes the high resolution file for your back up.  When purchasing certain albums, all or some of the files are included.  For more information, you can read my blog post about ‘backing up’, or send me an e-mail with your questions.