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I have something a bit different this week: photos of us! After over six years of marriage without ever having our photos taken we finally had some done. I had been thinking about this for some time and when we had the opportunity I called Dave from DQ Studios and made a time to get ‘em done. Well, I tried to, anyways. But between our schedule, winter, and Dave and Quin’s crazy flying all over the world schedule it took a couple of months before we made a date that stuck.

It was weird being in front of the camera for a change. And it was especially weird not being in charge! I had to follow directions instead of telling other people what to do! But Dave and Quin are a fun couple and I had confidence in their exceptional photography abilities, too. If anyone could make me look good it was them. It was actually a great experience being on the other side of the camera for a change, because it’s been so long since I was regularly a subject instead of being the photographer. So it’s given me even better insight into how our clients feel when we take their photos.

When I first made the appointment Dave asked me, “How do you feel about junkyards”? He’d recently met someone on a flight who owned a wrecking yard in Calgary and so he was all fired up for a shoot at this new new location. I’d never done a shoot in one either, so I was definitely interested. I’m always up for new things.     I brought along my guitar—that’s what you do at wrecking yards—because I think it’s can be cool to have some kind of props that show an aspect of who you are.  Apparently, the aspect of my personality I showed was that I take musical instruments to strange places.  It was good to have though, and it probably made me less self-conscious, because it gave me something to do.  That’s a hint to potential portrait clients. 

Dave and Quin were really easy to be subjects for and I’m glad we chose them.    On a more personal note, it was great to spend the time with Sherri and I think the photos and the photo session managed to bring us even closer, somehow.  I think looking at the photos and seeing yourselves from the outside looking in can give you a new perspective on your love for each other.  It was an unexpected benefit of the whole experience.  Here are some photos.

Congrats to Mark and Whitney!  They were married recently at the River of Life church here in Lethbridge.  Mark is from London and several people from his family and his friends flew out from England to be here on his wedding day, which was very cool.  Oh, and the speeches were hilarious!  It’s hard to beat the British sense of humour when it comes to reception speeches.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  The day started for us at the hair salon with Whitney and her bridesmaids—and her eight flower girls!  Yes, eight!  I’ve never seen so many at a wedding.  They were all very cute.  :)

Their wedding ceremony was quiet and authentic, starting with worship music—that bit wasn’t quiet!—and including our first ever foot-washing ceremony.  Well, not ours, per se; Mark demonstrated his love of Whitney and willingness to serve her needs by washing her feet.  It was, like the rest of the service, a sincere and open showing of their love.

The reception at the Galt museum was amazing!  The tables were decorated with large ice sculptures and the cake was incredible.  It was a very elegant occasion for sure.  And, of course, there is the great view through the huge windows all around the room.  Check out the images toward the end of the slideshow below to see what I mean.  The speeches were both heart-felt and funny.  We have so many photos of people laughing at the speeches toasting the groom, poor Mark.  Whitney’s dad—also named Mark—and Mark the groom gave two touching speeches at the end.  It was an honour to shoot their wedding and we wish Mark and Whitney the best in their marriage. You can see a short slideshow of their wedding below.

A big congrats to Mark and Tanya who had their wedding here in Lethbridge recently. No, I’m not saying when, because then everyone will know how behind I am on updating the blog! Anyhow, they were a really easy-going couple who were very flexible and happy all day. Normally people get a bit frazzled by the end of a wedding—weddings are long days, after all, and pretty intense—but Mark and Tanya were both all smiles the whole time we were there.

They were married at the Lethbridge University ballrooms and the reception was also there later that evening. We started out doing their portraits before the ceremony down around Fort Whoop-Up at Indian Battle Park near the river bottom and then we borrowed them again for a few more quick portraits during the reception as well. It was a beautiful day, with lots of sun—and none of these weird tropical storms we’ve been having lately!

The ballrooms were a fun place for the ceremony and reception, though with black upper walls and ceilings it’s tricky for lighting. Just as well I like challenges. I’d hate to see photos by an amateur in that location!  An uncle of the bride did the ceremony and it was a humourous and personal service with a lot of funny anecdotes from the childhoods of both the bride and groom.

I’m only posting a few photos this week, because I thought it would be cool to just give a taste and create a bit of anticipation.