Q & A with Maria Vasserman, Photographer
Maria Vasserman was born in Odesa, Ukraine and moved to Toronto when she was 16. She went to Seneca College to study marketing and worked as a content marketer ever since. She does portrait photography on the side together with her husband, Sergiy. She and her husband decided to start a photography business called MS VISION, using the first letters of their names as the initials. Now they photograph entrepreneurs, couples and families. To learn more about her work, visit her website.
What does a typical day look like for you as a photographer?
There’s really no such thing as a typical day for a photographer. Because we photograph in different genres, it’s never the same. If we’re shooting a wedding, we head to the bride’s and groom’s getting ready locations and sometimes split up to maximize the time. Sergiy photographs the groom and I capture the bride. We usually stay at the wedding for a part of the reception and make sure to capture important moments like speeches, cake cutting, first dances, etc. Non-shoot days are usually filled with our day jobs, editing, website work, social media, and client calls.
Can you describe the editing software programs you use to create the best photos? We use Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. We first run the photos through Lightroom for color and light correction. Then we import them to Photoshop for retouching (where needed).
Tell us about your favorite venues you have photographed.
Palais Royale is definitely at the top of the list. I love how it combines old Hollywood and modern vibes. Their outdoor area is particularly remarkable. Knox College is stunning – nothing in Toronto beats the University of Toronto architecture. Edgewater manor is another favorite. We’re lucky to sometimes shoot destination weddings. This elopement in Alberta is one of our favorites. The nature there is on a different level. For non-wedding photoshoots, I love the area where we live – Humber Bay Shores. The lake and city views are breathtaking.
What should soon-to-be married couples consider when choosing a wedding photographer to capture their big day?
First, meet your photographer. But make sure you talk to the person who will be photographing your weddings. You’ll spend the entire day with that person, so you need to be comfortable with them. Think of all the possible questions you may have for them and ask away. Make sure you understand the contract and all the terms there. This will help avoid any misunderstandings in the future.
Pick a style that’s more timeless than trendy. Trends will pass, but these pictures are yours for eternity. Try to pick a style that will only get better with time. For example, very warm orange-yellow photos are in right now. This style can look awesome on a boudoir shoot for example. But ask yourself – do you really want your wedding photos to have this tone?
Finally, ask the photographer for their full wedding gallery or two. This will show you not only their highlight reel, but how they shoot the entire day.
