FAQs

ELM, like the tree! 

We’re Eric and Maddie, a husband and wife duo alongside our sassy pup Luna. Together, we are the ELM behind ELM Photo Co. 

We believe that life is too short not to laugh along the way. While some moments are picture-perfect, the real magic is in the in-between. The giggles, the silly faces and the unplanned chaos that make memories unforgettable.

Our passion? Capturing the beauty in both the meaningful and the playful. Whether it’s a milestone, a quiet family moment, or a spontaneous burst of joy, we’re here to freeze it in time.

So if you’re looking for photos that feel real, fun, and full of life, you’re in the right place.

Click on this link to go to our Online Booking Page. A 50% retainer fee is due at booking to reserve your spot and the remaining is due 48 hours before our shoot day. 

We typically book 1-2 months in advance for portraits. However, we always welcome last-minute magic when possible. 

Send us an email at info@elmphotoco.com if you have any questions. Let us know your vision and what you hope to get out of your session. We will work with you to bring your photos to life!

We specialize in capturing real, heartfelt moments across a wide range of photography styles. From soulful individual portraits and love-filled couple sessions to playful family shoots and tail-wagging pet portraits—I’m all about celebrating connection and personality.

We also cover milestone moments like graduations, special occasions, maternity or newborns, birthdays, anniversaries, and more! Whatever the occasion, we bring a relaxed, documentary-style approach that lets your story shine through. More info here.

And when we're not photographing people, you’ll find us chasing landscapes and wildlife for a little creative adventure on the side.

We are based out of Victoria, BC - but serve all of Southern Vancouver Island. Communities include: Brentwood Bay, Colwood, Cordova Bay, Esquimalt, Fernwood, James Bay, Metchosin, Oak Bay, Oaklands, Royal Bay, Saanich, Saanichton, Sidney, Victoria, View Royal and Westshore. 

Yes - we travel outside of this area. Contact us today to inquire about your session with us.

We are based out of Victoria, BC - but serve all of Southern Vancouver Island. Communities include: Brentwood Bay, Colwood, Cordova Bay, Esquimalt, Fernwood, James Bay, Metchosin, Oak Bay, Oaklands, Royal Bay, Saanich, Saanichton, Sidney, Victoria, View Royal and Westshore. 

Yes - we travel outside of this area. Depending on where you're located, a travel fee or accommodation may be required. Contact us to discuss your photoshoot.

Most sessions run 30–90 minutes, depending on the type. Mini sessions are just as they sound - mini - so run about 15-30 minutes in shooting time.

Something that feels like you! We're happy to help with styling tips based on your session type, season, and location. Here are some suggestions for getting ready for your session!

Yes of course! Almost every client tells us this at first! Our approach is gentle and guided. We'll give direction when you need it, but we're also watching for those real, unposed moments - the way you tuck hair behind your child's ear, how you reach for each other's hands, etc. You don't need to be anything other than yourselves.

Of course! Let’s celebrate your achievement with the people who helped you get there. Let us know at the time of booking so we can put together a special graduate and family package for you to celebrate this special occasion.

Don't worry! Let's keep your furry friends happy and relaxed. There are many dogs (and cats) that keep their leash on and we can remove it later in editing.  

Absolutely! We will keep the session with them easy and relaxed. We will give them time and space to help them feel comfortable. 

We recommend to bring along some of their favourite treats and/or a favourite toy to help them. 

Of course! If they are important to you, then they are important to us too! Dogs, cats, horses, bunnies, chickens, cows, etc. You name it! All pets are important. 

We shoot in all kinds of weather conditions. Even the grey cloudy days create great photos. If it decides to pour rain and get all stormy, then we can reschedule to another day. We monitor the weather in the days leading up to shoots, and we can plan accordingly.

You’ll get a preview within 1-2 weeks after your session with low resolution and watermarked images so you can choose your favourites that you would like. After deciding, we complete our final updates and send you the completed final gallery. Rush upgrade options are available to receive your photos quicker.

If you’d like to purchase more photos than are included in your package, we offer upgrade options if you'd like to purchase the whole session gallery.

Yes! We offer high-quality prints, albums, and wall art to bring your memories to life. Our print store is accessible directly from your finished private gallery. These images are printed through our preferred Canadian print lab, and will be delivered directly to you. They use high quality archival inks, which means they come out exactly as I created them and a designed to stand the test of time without fading or distorting.

Printing at department stores and non-professional photo labs can result in poor quality prints.

Information on our Bespoke Albums and Custom Canvas Prints can be found here.

Absolutely! We just ask that you tag ELM Photo Co. (@ELM.PhotoCo) when you do—it means the world. Please keep photos in original, unaltered state as we provide to you.