Storytelling.
Photo-essay style wedding photography
Capturing human connections and their stories
“My approach remains discreet and candid, sometimes playful, and other times I gently guide with suggestions. People say they don’t notice me throughout the day.
Perfect I think.”
2023 a few favourites
Brief sample stories and venues (to be updated)
Bodega Ridge, Laura & Josh - Galiano Island
Sea Cider Farm House, Karley & Daniel - Saanichton
Paradise Acres, Andrea & Nater - Nanoose Bay
Bilston Creek Farm, Keith & Nicole - Metchosin
Testimonials
Hélène is an amazingly talented photographer and being a gem of a human is icing on the cake. Hélène photographed our wedding and we could not be more pleased with the special moments she captured. My husband and I traveled from out of the country for our wedding and Hélène was ever so accommodating during the planning. She was absorbed into our big day as one of our guests all while capturing our beautiful day, even making a life long friend with my grandfather. A pleasure to work with, talented photographer and all around wonderful person!
— Marie & Brandon
I highly recommend Helene's photography! She did such an amazing job of our wedding and is a lovely human being as well as professional in her approach to her work. She has an eye for the perfect shot from an unusual angle and is very creative in her approach to perspective, composition and location. The quality of photos themselves and the diversity of shots gave us so many to choose from to print and display on our walls. Choose Helene!
— Nicole & Keith
Helene is a phenomenal photographer, and has photographed some of our favourite moments as a growing family - from our wedding on a spectacularly stormy fall day to family shots when both our children were infants. My husband in particular detests having his photo taken, and swears Helene has taken some of the best photos of him, ever. Helene is warm and makes you feel at ease, and has a knack for capturing incredibly beautiful candid shots.
— Anna & Kaelan
Look no further if you are needing a talented and professional Photographer for memorializing any special occasion. Helene is incredible, she captured moments that would've been lost and allowed all at our event to see and share in the experience that otherwise is not possible. She doesn't just capture images but grabs emotions that can be fleeting with exceptional timing. Our wedding will forever be relived through her work.
— Brad & Christine
Wedding photo are my moments, my keepsake for life, I’m so grateful we chose Hélène as she always captures phenomenal moments! With such a keen eye, and astute attention to perfect moments she has the ability to photograph artistically & naturally without you knowing she’s there. She’s extraordinary with people, warm and kind you’ll feel instantly at ease. I’d highly recommend Hélène! Her work speaks for itself. Absolutely, always, stunning! Love ya!
— Yannick & Naomi
If anyone chooses to have Hélène capture images for them, they will not be disappointed! The moment I met Hélène I felt a deep and emotional connection to her and knew I couldn't have anyone else take our wedding photos. Hélène has a soulful and artfully creative eye that is hard to find, our wedding gallery was breathtaking!! I still find joy in looking the all the photos and following the particular story Hélène's lens created all on it's own. To this day my husband and I return to Victoria and thoroughly enjoy reconnecting with Hélène for a visit. We continue to ask her take our photos, for her style of artistic photography cannot be found anywhere else!
— Tennille & Nathanial
Helene’s photos from our wedding were breathtaking. Each photo was a work of art. She not only shot conventional wedding photos but her creativity lead to some amazing images. She has a wonderful grasp of light and contrasts which come across in her work. The hardest part was deciding which shot we loved the most. She is a warm and kind person, very easy to work with and always willing to try anything. We would highly recommend her.
— Christy & Dan
A professional photographer friend recommended Hélène, saying “hire her and you will not regret it.” What an understatement! We absolutely loved Hélène. She is an exceptionally talented photographer. Her images are full of life. They tell a story with genuineness and sincerity and an appreciation for people. She puts everyone instantly at ease; she is a catalyst for the magic and a true pleasure to work with. If you want the typical cookie-cutter posed lifeless wedding photos, go somewhere else. If you want something special, Hélène’s for you. She was such an important part of our special day. We just LOVE our photos. Thank you Hélène!
— Simon & Janice
… We absolutely adored having Hélène capture our wedding, she was present, yet blended in and didn’t overwhelm. She spent the time to really get to know us as a couple, so she could better understand who we were together. She went above and beyond to make it a really memorable experience for us and our families. She is a total gem!
— Lauren & Mike
All Wedding packages include;
Wedding day photography by Helene Cyr
Fully edited digital files that you keep, print & share with your friends and family
Full size resolution downloads
Online slideshow and gallery with printing options for your family and friends
Q&A
What is included in your packages?
Be it either an elopement package or 8hrs, each wedding is captured with the same effort. All packages include a slideshow to music, full edited images for you, family and friends to download. The difference between the packages are simply photography time as well as post.
Will we meet before our wedding?
I love to meet all my clients to ensure we’re a good fit and have a chat beforehand. I’m always keen for a nice coffee or a friendly cocktail on a Friday night. If you’re far away or overseas, we can Skype, Zoom, or Facetime instead. It is ideal to meet one way or another pre-wedding and have the opportunity to discuss your vision.
We’re not really into the posing
Excellent, because neither am I.
I do very little posing other than a quick family portrait session. It's barely posing really.. mostly grouping. I keep this short and sweet so not to lose the dynamics between the family members and take away from the flow of your wedding day.
I like to document the day as it unfolds, and I focus on capturing the emotions and people that are the most dear to you. I won’t get you to fake anything, and the photos will reflect who you really are. Ideally you won't know I’m there – I carry very little gear which frees me to move fluidly and inconspicuously.
Do you work off a shot list?
Every wedding is as unique as you are, so I go by what is special to you. I welcome a reasonable shot list such as specific family groupings, but no more than 6 groupings! Otherwise the day is dictated and constricted. I strive to focus time on the full day as a story.
Do you have a second shooter?
I prefer to work alone to keep the media less invasive and not draw attention to our cameras firing off. But am not apposed to a second shooter should you require one due to special requirements.
Do you edit the images?
Absolutely, every single one! My background both in fine arts and photo journalism has me on my toes with critical story telling and rendering of the images. No ugly watermarks nor extra image fees.
How are the photos finished?
All images are curated and given full-post production treatment and yours as print ready and web ready images. The editing process is just as much of my service as is the photography, and takes almost as long if not longer. I generally delivery between 250-500 images (depending on your package and level of activity) to my couples from their wedding day. You will receive your images via an online gallery 4-6 weeks after your wedding date.
Can family and friends view or buy images?
A gallery site named Smugmug will host all of your edited images for you, family and guests to view and download for free (this service frees you from the headache of managing print orders.
How much time do we need for the creative portraits at the wedding?
(If requested) This may vary from couple to couple and your expectations. Ideally around 30 min to 1 hour, which doesn’t include travel time. Or if the light and environment is just right, it can be as short as 5-10 minutes. Many factors to consider, and we definitely will discuss this in advance in order to meet your expectations.
PAYMENT POLICY: A non-refundable retainer of $1000 will reserve Helene Cyr Photography for coverage on the specific date and will be applied to the package. The remaining balance is due 7 days before the event, or on the day of your wedding day. Please read CANCELLATION below.
CANCELLATION: Should your date be cancelled or rescheduled your retainer may be used for another day or service if scheduling permits. Otherwise, the retainer paid is non-refundable unless the photographer is able to contract another event for the cancelled date.