Vendor Spotlight: Livi Shaw Photography
With more than a decade of experience photographing weddings, Southern Ontario wedding photographer Livi Shaw has developed an approach rooted in genuine moments, beautiful design, and a strong sense of personal style. Through Livi Shaw Photography, she captures celebrations with an eye for moments that feel both effortless and timeless. From big, uninhibited laughs and happy tears to energetic dance floors, thoughtful details, and elegant portraits, her work celebrates the many moments that make a wedding day memorable.
Her photography strikes a beautiful balance between candid storytelling and refined editorial imagery. She is drawn to bright, sun-drenched photographs that feel warm and full of life. At the same time, she embraces the quieter, more intimate moments that make a wedding day personal. Her love of design is equally evident in the way she photographs the details couples have carefully chosen, from florals and stationery to thoughtful styling.
Beyond the lens, Livi values the collaborative nature of the wedding industry. She loves working alongside other creative professionals to create an incredible experience for her couples.
We're delighted to introduce you to Livi Shaw Photography and learn more about her approach, inspiration, life beyond weddings, and advice for couples planning their own celebrations.
Meet Livi: The Art of Southern Ontario Wedding Photography
How would you describe your approach to wedding photography?
I photograph weddings with a focus on real moments, genuine emotion, and beautiful design-capturing celebrations in a way that feels effortless, timeless, and true to the couple.
Livi's refined, effortless photography can also be seen in our feature on Gillian and Scott's wedding.
How long have you been working in the wedding industry?
I started my company in 2012 but I have been in the wedding photography industry since 2010.
What makes your business unique?
I think what makes my business unique is that it really reflects my personal taste. My work has a very clear point of view because it's built around the things I genuinely find beautiful. I'm drawn to bright, sun-drenched images that feel warm when you look at them, big natural laughs, uninhibited tears, and energetic dance floors-especially in black and white, which always remind me of old Hollywood paparazzi photos.
At the same time, I love the quieter, more intimate moments and a bit of elegant editorial posing. I try to let moments unfold naturally while gently guiding when it feels right. My work really highlights everything I love about wedding photography-emotion, movement, honesty, and a sense of timelessness.
Inspiration, Collaboration, and Creativity
What is your favourite part of your business?
That's a hard one because there are a few things I love equally. One of my favourite parts is working collaboratively with other vendors. So many of us are solo business owners, and the behind-the-scenes work can feel pretty lonely, so I love the social and creative energy that comes from working as a team. There's something really special about collaborating with like-minded people to create an incredible experience for a couple.
I also really value the freedom this business gives me-being able to work from home, raise my daughter, and still pour my creativity into something I genuinely love. And of course, working with happy couples who truly trust my work makes everything feel incredibly rewarding.
What inspires you?
I'm mainly inspired by two things: people and design. Photographing couples who genuinely love each other and are fully present on their wedding day is endlessly inspiring to me-it brings so much emotion and authenticity into my work.
I'm also deeply inspired by the design side of weddings. I get genuinely excited by beautifully considered florals, elegant stationery, thoughtful styling, and all the small details my couples have carefully chosen. I'm a big details person, and I love celebrating those elements in a way that feels intentional and elevated.
Livi's approach to wedding photography can also be seen in our feature on Nichole and Mike's late-summer wedding at Queenston Mile Vineyard.
Who is your mentor or hero in the industry?
I have a few people I really look up to. Janna Brown has always been a photographer I've turned to for inspiration. I've always admired how elevated and expensive her work feels, as well as the incredible locations she travels to for editorial shoots. Her imagery has played a big role in shaping my appreciation for refined, design-forward wedding photography. I haven't attended one of her workshops yet, but it's definitely something I'd love to do one day.
On the business side, Jenna Kutcher and The Gold Digger Podcast have been a huge influence. She's helped me better understand the business and marketing side of the industry, and her openness about ADHD really resonated with me. It helped me recognize both the challenges and strengths in how my brain works-why I'm such a big-picture, creative thinker who loves marketing and storytelling, even if the admin side can feel overwhelming at times. That understanding has been incredibly empowering.
Magnolia Rouge has also been a major inspiration for me. As a publication, it really helped refine my eye and gave me endless ideas for how weddings can be photographed in an elevated, editorial way. It's played a big role in directing how I approach composition, detail shots, and overall storytelling.
Beyond the Wedding Day
On your day off, where would we find you?
On my day off, you'd most likely find me out for a stroller walk with my daughter and our dog, usually with an audiobook in my ears and a coffee in hand. I love slow, simple days like that. I also spend a lot of time cooking (it's one of the main ways I express love) and I'm endlessly fascinated by health and dietary wellness.
When I'm not in the kitchen, I'm usually crafting something or pinning ideas on Pinterest. I've been a big crafter since I was a kid-you could follow a tornado path of paper clippings and glitter and find me in a pile of joyful, creative mess. I also love spending time with my parents; I'm an only child and we're extremely close. These days, my days off are really centred around home, family, and creativity.
If you weren't a wedding vendor, what would be your dream job?
I like to consider myself a bit of a poly-hobbyist. I've always said I wish I could live multiple lifetimes so I could explore a variety of career paths. I'm endlessly fascinated by food-especially how it impacts the health of women and children-and I could easily imagine myself working in that space.
I also love nature and gardening and can picture running a local community garden, or leaning fully into my creative side with a maker-style YouTube channel. I've been slowly writing a novel for the past few years and still dream of finishing it one day. Sustainable fashion is another area I'm drawn to, along with sustainable agriculture, soil health, painting, and children's clothing. Honestly, I have a new business idea about every other day, so who knows where I'd end up!
A Southern Ontario Wedding Photographer's Take on Modern Weddings
What great wedding trends are you seeing this year?
This year, I'm definitely seeing weddings move in a more glamorous direction-flowing ivory dresses, movement captured in Hollywood-style flash, big bold floral displays, and vintage elements like silver candlesticks or trays paired with fruit for decor. At the same time, more intimate celebrations are becoming popular: smaller guest counts but really high-end, thoughtful design.
I will say, though, that the biggest trend I'm noticing is actually authenticity. Couples are having fun creating events that feel uniquely them, rather than following "trends." There's a freedom in weddings now-something I think came out of the COVID wedding era-where scaling down and keeping things intimate is fully embraced. The industry is becoming less traditional, and I am here for it!
Do you have any practical advice for couples planning a wedding?
My honest advice for couples is to listen to your inner voice about what feels right. If eloping feels good, elope. If an intimate dinner with family feels right, lean into that. Or if an elevated cocktail party is more your style, go for it-you don't have to follow any particular structure or format. Figure out the 2-3 things that really matter to you as a couple and put your energy there-everything else can be simplified or delegated.
Also, lean into your strengths and hire people to handle the parts that don't bring you joy. On the wedding day, give yourself extra time-whether it's getting ready, taking portraits, or just a quiet moment together-so you can fully soak in the day. Leave the planning at the door; a present couple is a happy couple, and a happy couple photographs beautifully!
For couples looking for a Southern Ontario wedding photographer who values genuine emotion, beautiful design, and images that feel timeless, Livi Shaw Photography brings a thoughtful and personal approach to every celebration. To see more of Livi's work and learn more about her photography, visit Livi Shaw Photography or get connected through her Swish List profile.
Planning your own celebration? Explore our Planning Tips for more wedding inspiration and helpful advice as you prepare for your day.
