F.J. has been immersed in the arts since childhood, both performative and visual, from singing and dancing to drawing and design. Along with his University of Waterloo Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, he has been building his photography business since 2004.
F.J. specializes in headshots, event photography and videography including weddings, mitzvahs, and corporate events in Toronto, the GTA, and international destinations. He also provides interior and exterior photos and video tours for office and store spaces, including aerial drone footage.
Hi there, I'm FJ! Congratulations on your engagement, you're getting married! You've booked your venue and now you're looking to find someone to capture your special day. Are you feeling intimidated? Shy in front of the camera? Not used to having your picture taken? Don't even worry about it! I'm here to take care of all of that and you can rest assured, you're in good hands! Documenting the beauty and romance of your wedding day is what I love to do! You can trust that my 20 years of professional experience has got you covered! Drop me a note and let's get started, shall we? Please feel free to have a look below to see what some of my clients had to say about my relaxed and friendly shooting style.
TESTIMONIALS
My husband Nick and I celebrate our 1st Year Wedding Anniversary and we can't help but reminisce about the best week of our lives with all our family and friends in beautiful Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Having a destination wedding has always been our dream and having a very skilled photographer capture this week was at the top of our priority list. I know I could have hired a photographer in DR and saved us some money, but after working with FJ on our engagement photos and seeing his work we knew he was the one. Choosing a photographer to fly with us and be part of a whole week with our family on our wedding week, I had to find a photographer that was: 1. Talented, skillful, unique, and had the eye. More than just the typical "posey" wedding pictures you see. We told him, "Think Vanity Fair spread!" lol and he fulfilled our creative direction. 2. Financially made sense. Within our price range, of course that matters, including a fair package including engagement photos and extras. 3. Good Energy, someone we felt comfortable with and gave and took great direction. In a big wedding party like ours, with a rowdy high energy group, FJ was able to command and take charge without coming across aggressive but with the utmost respect. That was important for us as time is money and in the +30degC weather he knew when to keep it moving. 4. Professional. From FJ's work, to his manners, to his ethics, from his email replies to when we received our photos, he was on point. 5. Final work - was absolutely amazing and FJ captured not only the whole week from start to finish but the candid photos that help us relive such a great week for our whole family. Being on an all inclusive resort by himself to be our personal photographer. Neither of us felt like he was an outsider but a part of the family. We feel truly blessed to have worked with FJ on our destination wedding. Even my cousins from Winnipeg hired him while we were out there to shoot their parents' surprise renewal of vows as they celebrated their 25th anniversary the same week as our wedding. FJ, thank you for your talent, skill, and patience as our photographer. Looking back at all the photos, you were able to bring that week back to life for so many of us. That was truly one of the best weeks of our lives and we are so happy you and your camera were right there to capture all the joyful, beautiful, and unforgettable moments. You are truly gifted. Thanks from the Nestor's. Lotsa love & light!
~ Loriebelle & Nick (Scarborough | Punta Cana)
Dearest FJ!!! Scott and I are just thrilled with our wedding photos!!! You are so talented and a true professional! From the first email to our last meeting, your service was impeccable! You came highly recommended and we can see why!!! We wish you continued success in your career and look forward to contacting you again, for our next special event! Our sincere thanks. <3
~ Vanessa & Scott (Toronto)
FJ is professional, courteous, and an amazing photographer! He was my husband's and my first choice for photographing our renewal vows. We live in Seattle, (renewal ceremony was held in Toronto), but FJ was able to make working together and coordinating the day's plan easy despite the distance. We are so grateful to him for capturing all the beautiful memories of the evening. He loves what he does and it made for such a great atmosphere during the photo shoots. He quickly sent us the photos and they are all absolutely beautiful, exactly what we had imagined for our special day. Thank you, FJ!! You really are incredible!
~ Cait & Kyle (Toronto)
We were married on November 7, and not only were we blessed with amazing weather for the day, but FJ did a wonderful job capturing our vision for a perfect autumn wedding. He was professional, accommodating, and committed to making our wedding day memorable. We definitely enjoyed his sense of enthusiasm, creativity and originality, which helped set the tone for not just his work, but for the entire day. FJ’s photos were both candid and artistic, highlighting our brightest moments on camera – the photobook/album we received at the end told our wedding story in such a beautiful, classy manner from beginning to end, giving us something that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Thank you FJ for everything, for bringing out the beauty and emotion that was all part of our wedding day – you are quite talented and were so great to work with!
~ Estelle & Alain Fadel (Etobicoke)
Dearest FJ, Moses and I are very much appreciative for all your hard work on our wedding day! Our pictures turned out fabulous and we love your work very much! We are so blessed to have met you and we hope we could use you again when we need more photos taken. You definitely blessed us in an enormous way and we are truly thankful to have met you! We hope that your business blossoms and that we get to see your wedding photos soon! All the best!
~ Vicki & Moses (Toronto)
I was introduced to FJ Sarmiento by one of my friends, KG, a singer. He had covered the launch of her first album and she loved the work he had done for her. I was about to launch my own business Behind Dogon Doors and in the process of publishing my memoirs ‘Rwanda Where Souls Turn to Dust’. FJ was absolutely great throughout the photo shoot. I explained what I needed and he directed me. I had never done a photo shoot before, but he put me at ease, and after a while, I even forgot what we were doing. In retrospect, it was more fun than work. The pictures where simply amazing. And strangely, his pictures made me discover aspects of myself I never really paid attention to. At the risk of sounding cliche, FJ practically uncovered me with his lens and his unique touch, he revealed to me the person other people see when they look at me. More recently, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at the launch of a magazine, and FJ covered my presentation in a different capacity: as videographer. Once again, FJ was professional, and the product was simply amazing. FJ Sarmiento is a truly gifted artist and great at all he does. He brings professionalism, reliability and creativity to all his projects, making them more than just another photo shoot, or just another video, but the best photo shoot and the best video you will ever have.
~ Um’Khonde Patrick Habamenshi (Toronto)
When it came to choosing a photographer to capture the most memorable day of our lives FJ was the first person that came to mind and the only candidate fit for the job. We met with him and not only is he friendly and personable he made it a point to immerse himself in our dreams and vision for our Wedding Day. FJ’ s style of photography is truly amazing. He captures the natural essence of your day. Most of the time he shoots unnoticed which makes it easy for you to focus on enjoying your day. He handled everything professionally from prompt meetings to assisting us with a customized package to get the most we could. We were blessed with a rainy Wedding Day but FJ was a trooper and he ensured us that the pictures, although outside, would still be worth it. We put all of our trust in him and we were not disappointed. It only took a few weeks before he compiled his masterpiece collection of our day equipped with gorgeous photo books. We couldn't ask for anything more. Thank you again FJ for capturing all the momentous events of our day.
~ Mel & Ryan (Pickering | Ajax)
FJ Sarmiento was one of the best vendor decisions we made for our wedding. He was an integral part of our wedding experience from start to finish. He and his crew were responsible for brilliantly capturing our engagement photos, wedding photos and video. Throughout the whole process FJ was extremely accommodating to our needs and a joy to work with. He put together a custom package that worked for us. Experience: We wanted someone who had done weddings in our cultural context before to make sure they knew which moments were the most meaningful that day. FJ’s wide range of experience through his portfolio put our concerns to rest. We were really happy with what we saw. Communication: Communication was a breeze. FJ constantly followed up with us to make sure he knew the details of our wedding plans. He really kept us accountable in making timely decisions. We really appreciated that because it showed his commitment to his clients. This was one area of the planning process we never had to stress about thanks to FJ. Onsite Team: What impressed us the most was the work of his team onsite. They were very professional, well coordinated and managed our time efficiently to fit with the day’s schedule. These guys are so hard working you have to force them to take a breather. They truly wanted to capture every moment! The deliverables were top notch, we were very pleased with the results. There are a lot of photographers out there who are very controlling and self serving with regards to the kind of pictures they want. You won’t get that with FJ! He puts his clients’ needs first! We highly recommend FJ and his team.
~ Sally & Sam (North York | Richmond Hill)
We cannot thank FJ enough for our amazing wedding video. Our jaws dropped the first time we watched it and we have watched it multiple times ever since. As fun and exciting as our wedding day was, it was also very overwhelming. FJ was able to capture so many special moments and emotions from our day that we had forgotten about! We are able to relive our wedding day over and over again through this wonderful piece of art FJ created for us. Not only is FJ incredibly talented at what he does, he is also very professional, reliable and one of the most genuine people you'll ever have the pleasure of working with. We would recommend FJ to anybody looking for quality work. Thank you FJ for exceeding our expectations!
~ Katie & Kyle (Ajax)
It was a pleasure working with FJ on our Big Day! The experience of taking pictures with him and staff, was so natural and free. We enjoyed the freedom to spontaneously use our surroundings, never feeling uncomfortably positioned or silly. Just enjoying the day with close family and having moments captured so vivid and genuine. It was such a pleasure to work with you, thanks for capturing each meaningful moment in a beautiful way!
~ Melissa & Oliver (Mississauga)
Truly a great service, ‘Friend’ comes to mind as the best description of the work he does. FJ went way beyond and back, he insisted on being there on a time schedule we were afraid to ask for… pretty much from 6am till after midnight, coordinating and leading all the photos, scene and pose setups, and most of all, much of it with us busy enjoying the day – seamless!
~ Jessie & Richard (Markham)
FJ, we really appreciated your approach and the way you were able to adapt to our style. We got so many compliments from our guests on your manner and the way you interacted with them. Our photos are beautiful, of high quality and just what we were looking for! It truly was a pleasure working with you!
~ Claire & Rishi (Milton | Ottawa)
FJ was an amazing wedding photographer. He spent a lot of time before the wedding getting to know the locations (church, outdoor photo site and reception hall) and this really showed. He found just the spot to take photos from that made our tiny church look huge! He was also very open to accommodating all my requests for specific shots. We received many compliments on our photos and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services.
~ Stefanie & Hector (Mississauga)
FJ has always had a creative zest with dance, music and photography. When I decided to do a photo shoot to update my professional networking photos, I KNEW FJ would be my go-to person. Booking an appointment with him was a breeze. During the shoot FJ made me feel so relaxed, comfortable and myself. He was an excellent teacher and gave very clear, creative and humourous instructions/directions on how to pose. I've never had such a fun shoot before. Very impressive and efficient turnaround time. The photos looked amazing and were well beyond my expectations. FJ definitely nailed the look I was going for. I would without a doubt recommend FJ to any of my friends who are looking for a superb photographer!
~ Carly Heung (Toronto)
My husband and I consider ourselves very blessed to have had FJ as our Wedding Photographer. He came highly recommended, and when we saw some of his work on his website, it was easy to see why. When we met with him, he was professional, organized, but he was also so down to earth. He came with a list of questions on what it was we were looking for, different traditions we might have, etc. In fact, a lot of his questions caught us off-guard – we hadn’t thought about some of the things he was asking us. Thank goodness he had ideas and suggestions for us to consider when we came up blank! Our Wedding Day was beautiful. Of course, I was completely beside myself, but looking back, it was beautiful. Thank goodness we had FJ and his Assistant Photographer to capture it all. He knew when and how to guide you along. He was professional without being uptight; regimented without being pushy – honestly, I have no idea how he kept us on schedule but we made great time with everything! He had this calm and light-hearted energy that helped us to relax and have some fun. He was quick and unassuming too, and captured all your classic wedding shots as well as the special little candid moments that give you a different perspective into the Wedding. It was like it was effortless for him. And the pictures we got from it? Amazing. He made it so comfortable and easy for us, it really felt like he was part of the family. So for those who are looking for an extremely talented Photographer, trust me, give FJ a call. You won’t regret it.
~ Gabby & Andrew (North York)
FJ Sarmiento is a phenomenal photographer and enhanced our wedding experience tremendously. From the very beginning he not only engaged us to ensure that our vision was realized in our pictures but he also incorporated his creative and artistic ideas. The results were photos of our special day that were better than anything we could have imagined. Months leading up to our wedding, he was undoubtedly, very professional and made our working relationship a pleasant experience. He navigated our engagement shoot and wedding day effortless and still captured all of the ethereal moments in between. I would recommend FJ Sarmiento Photography to anyone… and I already have!
~ Tola & Terence (Toronto)
Originally we didn't think it would be necessary to have a video element for our wedding, but hiring FJ as our videographer turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made! From the beginning to the end of our contract, FJ was courteous, responsive and very professional. He demonstrated his artistic versatility not only through shooting and editing a beautiful video recapping the ceremony and reception but also by photographing candid moments throughout the day. FJ made an effort to connect with our friends and family and it definitely showed through the video’s footage. Many of our guests commented on how pleasant he was and how much fun he was to work with. And of course, we cannot express enough how much we love watching the video! It really captured the whole day exactly as we remembered it – the music, images and special moments. Now, whenever we want to share our memories with others, the first thing we want to show them is our video! Thanks again FJ!!
~ Jenn & Chris Kong (Markham)
We got married on Labour Day weekend and FJ did an amazing job filming and editing our wedding video. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, FJ went out of his way to make sure we were comfortable with the whole process. He was always available to answer our questions, and he had a lot of creative ideas for shots based on his visits to the locations. On the actual day, FJ was very professional and friendly with our families and guests, and he worked collaboratively with our photographer to ensure they both got the best shots. In the end, the video turned out beautifully! We originally weren't going to have videography, but we’re so glad we decided to go for it – it’s the perfect way to remember the special moments and to share them with our families and friends. Thank you FJ for all your hard work, enthusiasm, and creativity!
~ Cheryl & Ganan (North York)
FJ, Antony and I would like to say thank you for a job well done. From the moment we arrived at the site, you put us both at ease and made the rest of the time fun and enjoyable. We truly appreciated you taking our request and suggestions for the photo shoot and adding your artistic spin on the session. Your choice of the location was perfect for what we wanted to achieve. We were anxious to see the finished photos and you were able to finish the editing in a few short days which we truly appreciated. The photo shoot with you definitely met our expectations. I would have no hesitation recommending your services to everyone we know. ~ Nancy & Antony (Thornhill)
We wanted to cherish every single moment at our daughter Makayla’s first birthday in December 2010 and like any parent who has to host a party, care for a very active birthday girl and make sure everything is going smoothly, we were able to capture and cherish every moment with FJ’s help. He has a unique style, very artistic and has wonderful ideas to capture any memory anyone wants to cherish for years to come! Thank you FJ!!
~ Raevelyn & Mark (Mississauga)
I wanted to take the time to write up a testimonial about FJ and the fine work he does. A mutual friend of mine referred him to me with high praise FJ was very helpful and timely in locating an amicable date to meet and do the shoot. When he began to setup I knew I was in good hands. He was able to provide all the major tools needed to setup a remote shoot, which was very helpful in lieu of the time constraints I had. He took the time to understand what I was hoping to get out of these pictures – and delivered. The end product was clean, professional and completed ahead of schedule. I would not hesitate to recommend FJ to any of my friends, colleagues, etc who required any referral of a photographer! Thanks FJ!