While my husband and I were in the process of planning our wedding, the most important part of it all (to me especially) was the photography.  We had booked our wedding and our stay at the Dreams Resort and Spa in Tulum in January 2013.  During the planning process we were advised that the resort offered a photography package that was included in our wedding package.  I was a little hesitant on only using the resort photographer ONLY because I was VERY picky and I wanted more time with the photographer than they offered.  This started our hunt to find a photographer in Mexico, that we both could agree upon and trust with our deposit.  

I spent hours, days, even weeks looking through countless portfolios trying to find a photographer with photos that suited our style, and our budget.  I was reading reviews on BDW when I stumbled upon a contest that Samuel Luna was having, for a wedding photography package.  Before I bothered entering the contest, I looked him up on facebook, BDW, Wedding Wire, and really any where I could find information about him.  The minute I looked at his work I fell in love.  I knew that I had to have him as MY photographer.  His pictures were done with such talent, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.  So, I went ahead and entered the contest and crossed my fingers that I would win. 

Sure enough a week or so later I had a reply from Samuel saying that my husband and I were chosen as a "runner up" for the 1st prize.  Samuel wrote me and said he wanted to call me to talk about what I was looking for in a photographer.  From the first phone call I was impressed with how personable (and professional he was.  He told me he had to contact a few other contestants but would let me know the results.  A week or so later, we were chosen to win the 2^nd prize which included 7 hours with Samuel and another photographer at a discounted price, along with a Trash The Dress photo shoot after the wedding.  I was thrilled, I could NOT believe it, I never imagined we would win!  I had decided that Samuel was going to be our photographer regardless of the winning the contest… this was just an added bonus!

Samuel was very helpful while we were planning the wedding shoot together (and very patient as I asked him far too many questions I am sure), he was tentative, he responded to my emails the same day…each and every time I emailed him.  He was great every step of the way.

The day of the wedding Samuel arrived early, and went straight to work.  He came prepared, camera in hand and started shooting the minute he walked in the room while we were getting ready.  I had asked him to do a “First Look” with my husband and I, and he also did one for our daughter and my husband (which was so cute FYI).  He accommodated me in every way possible to ensure I had all of the pictures I needed, wanted, and didn’t know I wanted! 

For the Trash the Dress shoot, Samuel came to pick us up the day after the wedding and drive us to a Mexican Cenote (for those of you who don't know what this is, it's like an under water cave... AMAZING!).  He arranged for us to have the Cenote to ourselves for 2 hours of shooting.  It was the most amazing experience of my life!  He took the most amazing underwater shots and although I was really not great at swimming underwater in my wedding dress, Samuel made sure I was calm and enjoying myself and he captured pictures that I will cherish forever.  We would have never seen anything so beautiful without Samuel's recommendation.  Samuel went above and beyond what I expected.

After the wedding we received our wedding pictures quickly, the pictures were better than I dreamed they would ever be.  I will remember our special day forever thanks to Samuel's amazing work.  He has a special gift with his talents as a photographer and if you are lucky enough to have him shoot your special day then you can rest assured that you are in good hands from beginning to end.  

Having Samuel Luna as our photographer was the BEST decision we made and I would hire him again in a heartbeat!  I only wish he lived in Canada!

Lisa and Rod Tatton