Featured Vendor Profiles

Stec Photographers: Niagara Wedding Photography

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We know that images are worth a thousand words, especially if they’re images created by Niagara wedding photographers and fine portrait artists Peter and Debbie Stec of Stec Photographers!  But, sometimes, it’s nice to get to know the people behind the business ... and for that, we do need a few words!

What is the Stec Photographers specialty?
In a phrase – Modern wedding photography with a vintage flare!

Give us three words to best describe your style.
Now. That’s. Different!

What’s your approach to wedding photography?
We’ve photographed over 2500 weddings and developed a distinct approach to wedding photography that we love just as much as our couples!  It’s more of a hybrid approach that doesn’t focus on any one particular photographic ‘style’, but instead combines many styles into one.  Most couples appreciate some direction during the day (unlike a pure photojournalist’s philosophy) so we offer that.  After the wedding day, we find that brides really appreciate our fast turn-around. We generally optimize over 1000 images in a few days and can have albums ready in just a few weeks.

What makes your images so unique?
At the risk of giving away my secret, here it is:  I spend about 40 hours optimizing my weddings with all sorts of techniques that are not so much ‘secret’, but they do take a huge amount of time.  I don’t use techniques in the computer that alter images in large batches, but I treat each photo individually with special textures and blending techniques that most photographers stay away from because of the extreme time demand.  Even though we’re working with a ‘digital’ product, I feel that each photo is ‘hand-made to perfection’ using this approach.

Where do you go for inspiration?
I love to check out websites and blogs of internationally known photographers in places like Europe, Australia and the U.S.  I tend not to have a style that looks like anyone I’ve seen, but there are definitely elements of my approach that can be seen in lots of photographers worldwide.

What advice would you like to give to people when they are investigating your services?
Research, research, research!!!

After even a bit of online research, couples will be shocked at the differences between the best and worst photographers in a given area.  Be particularly aware that the variation of quality levels is higher in the wedding photography business than in any other service provider in the wedding industry.  It really pays to visit dozens of websites before you start to get serious with potential photographers.

What’s your perfect scenario for a wedding photo shoot?
I’m sure it will change over the years, but for now …

I would time the session so I could have the bride and groom meet me in an open area like the lakeshore, a wheat field or abandoned rail yard about 1 hour before sunset on a summer evening. Either we leave the reception for a short time, or the photos take place on another day.  The bride would have a long veil and would play ‘diva’ for a short time.  A bit of acting wouldn’t hurt.  The sun would be burning brightly as it approaches the horizon and there’s a slight breeze in the air.  My assistant has a large golden reflector at the ready and everyone looks at me and says ...”Okay, what do we do?”

Talk about current trends in wedding photography
When I cruise the world for inspiration, I see trends that seem counterintuitive.  What I mean is that wedding photos with ‘incorrect’ elements are all the rage.  For example, areas that are out of focus or blurry, excessive contrast and grain, scratches, stains, etc.  These are all things that might be traditionally considered ‘bad’ things, but I’ve seen the highest demand for wedding photographers who can effectively simulate these elements.

What are you most passionate about in life?
My biggest priority in life is my family and my relationship with God.  Sometimes it feels a bit less than a passion, but it really is what drives the whole process for me.  Nothing really matters without the support and love of my wife and son.  As a person of faith, my relationship to the Creator of the universe is one of the most mysterious and important pursuits in my life.  I’d like to think that at least a tiny portion of God’s ultimate creativity shines through in our work.

Share your most memorable wedding story ...
A few years ago we photographed a wedding in Puerto Vallarta that had the perfect environment – times ten.  It’s hard to forget a destination wedding where the beach extended about a kilometer into the ocean with water up to your knees as far out into the ocean as you could walk.  The water was gently rolling in while the sun set below a cloud and an Albatross circled overhead.  I nearly started hyperventilating as I realized that this perfect environment would last only a few minutes and it may be only a once in a lifetime event for me to capture the ultimate angles, lighting, etc. before the sun went down and the night took over.

Tags: Niagara Wedding Photographer, Niagara Wedding Photography, Swish List Member, Stec Photographers, Niagara Wedding Photographers

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