Unique Images Photography | Weddings | Portraits | Fashion » Wedding, Portrait, and Fashion Photography Blog

Here are some more sneak-previews for the blog from 2011. I’ll be properly updating the blog soonish, with some major announcements thrown in for good measure.

Shawna and Ryan, Kelowna Wedding:

Bahar and Atta, Banff Wedding:

Maureen and Dave, Emerald Lake Wedding:

Margaret and Pat, Waterton Wedding:

Megan and Evan, Canmore Wedding:

Lyndsay and Simon, Calgary Engagement:

Lyndsay and Simon, Jasper Wedding:

Karen and Darren, Calgary Wedding:

Jodi and Jordon are a really sweet Rocky Mountain House couple drove down to meet me for their engagement session in Banff. They were both so easy-going and just great to work with. I often tell my couples that it doesn’t matter if you’re not into being photographed, so long as you are into each other and these guys very clearly were. And they were really up for anything! They even stepped into freezing cold water! I’ve been in some cold water for various shoots and this was as cold as any I can ever think of—really icy!

We visited three main areas of Banff for these photos, staying outside of town the whole time. There is such beautiful scenery all around Banff—just add in one happy couple and you can’t go wrong.

I first met Darren and Karen at a wedding we photographed in Calgary last July and I’m really glad they booked us, since they looked like they were having a blast at their friends’ wedding—I can’t wait to see them enjoy their own wedding! They are two of the smiliest people I’ve ever photographed and their engagement session was really fun and easy-going, despite the cold conditions we had. Darren asked to do some sunset photos and so we hiked up a big hill in Calgary to get the best unobstructed view of the sun going down. Good thing Karen and Darren helped me to carry the gear—it was a long way!

I’m experimenting with talking less on the blog—lol!—so, without further ado, here are some of my favourite images from their engagement session:

As anyone who looks at my photos can tell, I am a big fan of colour, and sometimes I notice abstract colour themes running through the wedding day. This wedding is a good example, with cheerful pastel colours during the getting ready in the morning and then warm, earthy tones in the reception. I think it’s cool how the morning colours reflect a bright and happy atmosphere, while the dark woods at the reception give off a feeling of depth and a down-to-earth vibe that echoed in the speeches of the evening.

Have I lost anyone?

As you look through the photos you’ll notice that the sky is so different throughout the day that it almost appears that the wedding was photographed on different days. All-in-all we were pretty blessed with the weather, though. It poured down just as we were finishing up the portraits, but it cleared beautifully right in time for the ceremony and receiving line, before settling in for a damp evening once we were safely inside for the reception. Tara and Evan had decided to do their main portraits prior to their ceremony. They even exchanged rings in the backyard, before taking them off after the portraits for their ceremony. Tara had also brought along some yellow balloons to include in the photos and lend a whimsical feel to some of the portraits. I like the splash of colour they added! In the end I think the kids got to them after the ceremony and that was the last we ever saw of the balloons.

It was still raining when we got to the Ranche House Restaurant for the family photos and wedding ceremony, so we did all of the family portraits inside the Ranche House. We chose a room with rich colours and textures to it and I love how the photos turned out. Oh, and you might notice a mounted bison on the wall behind during the reception speaches and wonder how many photos I took with the horns lined up behind peoples’ heads. Let’s just say I was very well-behaved. Well, mostly.

Evan and Tara had asked for a big photograph of all of their wedding guests and I was going to go out onto the balcony of the Ranche House to be able to get them all into the one image. But the doors were locked and the owner couldn’t find the key! So, we cranked up a window leading to the roof and out I climbed onto the rain-slick wooden shingles, camera in hand. As I stood with one foot on either side of the peaked roof I could see peoples’ curious expressions looking up at me. I gestured behind me—”The door was locked”, I explained and they laughed.

As you’ll see in their photos, both Tara and Evan were clearly in love—and Evan is definitely one of the most openly-emotional grooms we’ve ever had, which is good to see! There are so many photos of everyone looking happy and really enjoying the wedding day and I dare you to watch the slideshow and not smile!

Congrats to Mike and Sarah! From the time I arrived and saw the note to Mike on Sarah’s door I knew that this wedding was going to be full of their personalities, and as you look through the photos below you’ll see lots of images of them laughing or tearing up. As you’ll see, Sarah had trouble keeping a straight face most of the time; if she wasn’t smiling she was laughing. Oh, and I loved the vibrant colour of her room, too! There were a few minor getting-ready emergencies involving wet bridesmaid sashes and having to repair the wedding dress, but we soon headed off to the Galt Museum for a moving wedding ceremony.

After their ceremony we did most of the portrait around the coulees near to the Galt and at the river bottom. Sarah and Mike were great to hang out with—really easy-going and obviously very happy to just be with each other.

At their wedding reception at the Grandstand, there were more touching moments as the speeches started, as well as some really funny lines from Mike’s brothers. And Mike and Sarah cut their wedding cake with a real sword! It’s an heirloom sabre that has been in Mike’s family and is rumoured to be haunted. As soon as I knew it would be there I had to get a photo of it. Sarah had also organised a cake for Mike, decorated with the Transformers logo. That was cool.

We finished our day with some more portraits taken downstairs below the Grandstand. I like the bright colours of the walls. I think the bright colours suit Mike and Sarah’s personalities.

Robert and Raquel were a really fun and easy-going couple to photograph and I enjoyed the time we spent for their engagement session at Okotoks, around the big rock and a stream in town. I am looking forward to seeing them soon for their wedding!

Stephanie and Kyle are a great couple whose engagement session I photographed last winter in the Kananaskis (in a blizzard—but that’s another story). After their engagement session I was really looking forward to their wedding—and not just because it was in summer.

We started the day with Kyle and his groomsmen out on Taber golf course as they played a quick round before coming back to Stephanie’s parent’s house to get ready. Well, to eat burgers and kick around a soccer ball. Same thing, really. Kyle is such an incredibly easy-going guy and the whole time I was with the guys there was a great laid-back feel with no pre-wedding jitteriness.

The property where Stephanie got ready, and where the wedding reception and ceremony were held on, was amazing—equal parts farm and mansion. I could have spent a day just photographing all the cool architectural details and the decor. When Stephanie was putting her dress on, Lindsey from Once Upon a Bride in Lethbridge had a tip for getting the dress on without messing her hair: a plastic bag over her head! It sounded funny to me at the time, but it works really well and was a clever idea.

The ceremony was held outside in a cobblestone courtyard and I have so many photos of people wiping their tears!

After the ceremony we stayed on the property for all the photos. It was a very diverse place, with a vineyard, some cool old stone constructions, and my favourite thing: a bouncing castle for the kids. As soon as I saw the bouncing castle I knew I had to get the wedding party in there. Fortunately, they were a super-fun bunch and felt the same way. It was so much fun in there! At first everyone was just kind of standing around looking at the camera, but I encouraged them to really go for it—which was interesting for my assistant Jessica, who weighs about 20 pounds and got thrown around like crazy—lol! We actually tipped it over at one point when everyone was on one side. Good times. Every wedding should have a bouncing castle.

After the fun reception guessing games and speeches, awesome Lethbridge band Hippodrome got everyone moving out on the grass of the reception area. I’ve seen Hippodrome perform at a couple of weddings this year and they really make the place come alive. It’s not just excellent music, but also a great feel that only a good, experienced live band can bring to an event.

And, best of all, there were no blizzards; just beautiful weather all day and night.

Congrats to Steve and Rachel! These two were such a fun and happy couple. I have s-o-o-o many images of them laughing!

We started our day right before Rachel’s wedding dress went on. Rachel’s dress that had a large bow and little dots all over it—it was very cool and different. Their wedding ceremony—and the whole day, other than the getting ready—was at the Calgary Zoo. The Calgary Zoo is one of my favourite wedding venues in Calgary. For one thing, it is so different to your usual wedding venue. Plus, the zoo is huge and there are so many different locations just within the zoo itself. There are rainforest areas, outdoor trails—you name it! It’s a dream for a photographer. Their ceremony and reception were both held in the Safari Lodge, which has a great feel to it. Very exotic!

Both their ceremony and reception had many fun and touching moments. At one point during the reception, Rachel’s sisters sung her a comical, semi-biographical song that had everyone laughing. And check out their cake! Isn’t that the coolest cake, ever? We stayed for the beginning of the dancing and got photos of everyone out on the dance floor doing their thing and having fun.

Congrats, guys!