Jill of all trades

When it comes to photography, I like to think of myself as a “Jill of all trades”.  I love to take pictures of anything and everything. One day, I could be shooting an ophthalmology conference, the next, an album cover for a band, and wrap that all up with a wedding.  You name it, I’ve probably shot it.  And no matter the occasion, the joy that my pictures bring my clients fills my heart with even more passion for my craft.  

Background

My love for the arts started young. I’ve always wanted to create beautiful things.  Perhaps it had to do with being raised in such a picturesque place as Calgary, Alberta.  One can’t help but be inspired when you have the mountains in your backyard. 

I gained some of my most invaluable experience working as an Official Photographer to Canada’s 22nd Prime Minster for nearly seven years in Ottawa.  From capturing politically charged meetings, global current events, large celebrations, or candid family moments - the daily variety taught me how to be professional, flexible, and reliable. After all, there are no second chances when shooting a G7 roundtable!

Since my time on the Hill, my husband and I have lived in various places overseas, and we even had our little boy, in the Netherlands.  Even though we absolutely loved our time living abroad, we couldn’t help feeling drawn back to Calgary to raise our son, welcome our daughter, and be close to family and lifelong friends.

How I work

In my business today, I truly love finding visual interest in both the ordinary and extraordinary.  Whether it’s conferences, galas, newborn babies, weddings, engagements, or business head shots, I am just so honoured when people trust me to capture their most important and intimate moments. I’ve often been told that I put people at ease when they are being photographed, which means the world to me.  I know not everyone feels like natural in front of a camera at first, so getting to that point when my subjects start to have fun is one of my favourite parts of the job.

For events like weddings and engagements, my husband often comes along to shoot from different angles and provide assistance with lights. He is an excellent photographer and I couldn’t ask for a better teammate. I’m lucky he shares my passion for photography.  

Editing is a large portion of how I spend my time. Though a given shoot may only be an hour or two, this can mean many hours of work on the computer afterwards. It’s probably an understatement to say I pride myself on my editing skills, and I truly enjoy making your pictures into exactly what you envisioned. 

Whatever your photography needs are, I vow to bring a professional and fun attitude. Thank you for taking the time to read a little about Jill Thompson Photography and the woman behind the lens.

For more info on rates, please see below and feel free to contact me with any questions. If you prefer to meet in person, let’s get together for a coffee or a pint on me and discuss things in more detail. Cheers!


Photos taken by my husband, Matt. I am often found on the ground or in the trees - I love working to get unique angles for unique photos.

 

Pricing

For all my packages, edited hi-res photos will be available for download via an online gallery. There are no extra costs for editing.

  • Event Photography

    • Each event is unique, and therefore, pricing is tailored to meet your specific needs, typically based on an hourly or daily rate. Generally, my hourly rate starts at $175 plus GST.

    • For an accurate estimate, please share the details of your event, including the date, location, and whether a quick turnaround for edits is required. If necessary, I can deliver event photos the following day, or at least a gallery or some selects.

    • Capturing events is my passion. I love becoming a mixture of a fly on the wall to a social butterfly, depending on what the occasion demands. I have a keen eye for finding visual interest in the ordinary and capturing the myriad of emotions that an event can evoke. A client once remarked, “she makes boring things look exciting,” which I consider one of my highest compliments.

    • Whether your event is small and intimate or grand in scale, I approach every job as if I was going to make a photo album afterwards, aiming to tell the whole story and give the viewer the sense they were really experiencing it, just through looking back at the photos.

  • Head shot sessions

    • ‘Standard Mini’ indoor sessions start at $225 + GST - includes professional light set up with a white or light grey background, and you receive three edited photos, tagged together during shoot. Think of this like a passport photo, where you can actually look good!

    • ‘Standard’ indoor sessions start at $275 + GST. This session is the same set up as the above, but with more edited options given (approximately 10). With the standard session, you can have a few more poses, and wardrobe changes if desired.

    • ‘Lifestyle’ headshot sessions start at $375 + GST and are typically 45-60 minutes. This kind of shoot includes both indoor (environmental if desired) and outdoor options with optional wardrobe changes. Approximately 25 edited photos are included.

    • ‘Full Lifestyle’ sessions start at $475 + GST and are similar to the above, but with more. More environments, more wardrobe changes, more photos! These are usually 90-120 mins long and approximately 40 edited photos are included. These are great sessions for professionals who may need lots of options and ‘looks’ for various forms of advertising.

  • Family sessions

    • Family sessions start at $375 + GST. This is typically based on a family of 4 people, for approximately 45-60 minutes. With this session, you can expect approximately 30-40 photos, or enough for a small album. If you have a larger family, please ask for details, but in general, it is $50 per extra person.

    • My mini sessions start at $250 + GST and last approximately 20-25 minutes. With this smaller package, you can expect to receive 10-15 edited photos. These sessions are great for family holiday cards and also make for a thoughtful gift idea.

  • Maternity & Newborn sessions

    • Maternity sessions start at $300 + GST and are generally 45-60 minutes long. I love focussing on some intimate moments between partners and capturing that excited anticipation; and also capturing a few of the mama-to-be on her own - she’s earned her moment in the sun. Furry friends and siblings are welcome too!

    • Newborn sessions from $350 + GST - I don’t cap the time with newborn shoots, as sometimes breaks are needed, but they are typically 1-2 hours long. I approach newborn photography with a focus on capturing candids and the wee detail shots of your precious babe in the comfort of your own home.

  • Weddings

    • Full day wedding packages start at $4500 + GST. This package includes getting ready photos in the morning to dance floor fun at night, and everything in between. I love taking lots of candids and discovering the love and energy of the day through my lens. I strive to get posed photos that don’t feel too posed, and making sure all the thoughtful details that make your day unique to you are captured. This package also includes a 1-hour engagement session worth $375. If you do not wish to have engagement photos, this amount will be subtracted from your full day rate.

    • If your wedding is not a full day event, please inquire for shorter wedding day rates.

    • Lastly, if you are interested in a wedding album, please ask for more details - I love creating books for my clients - nothing compares to real printed photos!

  • Videography

    • If you need a video to advertise a business, create a dynamic newsletter, or share a message to be played during an event, I have years of experience with a two-camera set up, professional sound capture, professional light set-up, and a teleprompter. Please ask for more details on pricing and work samples if interested.