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

It’s been a while since I updated my blog! I will get back into it again soon, but for now here are some previews of weddings and engagements I have photographed that will later be fully featured in their own blog posts.

Siobhan and Matt, Calgary:

Kent and Brooke, Calgary:

Raquel and Robert, Okotoks:

Theresa and Sander, Banff:

Lori-Anne and Randy, Calgary:

Kendra and Ryan, Lethbridge:

Jill and Bryce, Lethbridge Engagement/Maternity:

Nichole and Joe, Rocky Mountain House:

Jennifer and Jeff, Banff Engagement:

Gavin and Leigh, Kananskis:

Susan and Krister, Banff:

Melissa and Dan, Lethbridge:

Erik and Julie, Banff:

Shawnee and Cameron, Kelowna:

Atta and Bahar, Calgary Engagement:

Sergio and Parisa, Casa Loma, Toronto:

Jodi and Jordon, Rocky Mountain House:

Even though I don’t have photos of when Kevin proposed to Carmen, I want to start by telling you how they got engaged. It was really unique and very creative. While they were out doing some very non-engagement-y things, with no one around, a friend of Kevin’s flew a helicopter in, low over the trees. As Kevin asked Carmen to marry him, he reached up and untied her engagement ring from a line that dangled from the hovering chopper. It was a complete surprise for Carmen and also makes for a really cool story.

The good thing about photographing weddings at Rocky Mountain House, apart from the fact that it’s a beautiful location, is that you can easy get from one place to the other without a lot of time (compared to, say, Calgary). No traffic! So, although we started at the hair salon in the morning with the girls, we also had time to get some portraits of the guys and then some quick photos as they started their pre-wedding-ceremony round of golf, and then we returned to catch Carmen as she was laced into her dress.

Their ceremony was right on the Pine Hills golf course, which is a lovely area and a place where we have photographed before, too. When you scroll down through the photos you’ll see a photo of the girls all hiding behind a big, blank sign before the ceremony, with just their legs showing as they waited there. I thought it made for a fun image. Just after I took that photo the officiant asked me if I was ready for the ceremony. I said, “Yeah, I am; I was just taking a photo of the bridesmaids legs”. She gave me an odd look as she walked away and then I realised how creepy that probably sounded! Lol!

Right after the ceremony a big storm rolled in, with dark, menacing clouds. Kevin wanted to get some photos with his car. The car was very cool-looking and I embarrassed myself trying to open it—there were no door handles! I looked confused for a moment until Kevin pulled out his remote entry device and clicked it open by pushing a button. Meanwhile, the storm grew in intensity and it was pretty freaky with my metal light-stands swaying in the wind and lightning flashing across the sky around us. Let’s just say that we did those photos without wasting any time.

Their reception was at the Rocky Mountain House Community Centre and was full of fun and touching moments. I loved what someone said during one of the speeches: “You’ve been together for thirteen years and had three children. Today, you’re getting married—don’t you think you’re rushing into things?” Their oldest daughter sang at both the ceremony and at the reception and she had such a great voice! I’ve been involved in the fringes of the music industry at different times and have a good idea of musical ability and she could do very well if she keeps at it.

Do you know what makes the difference between a good wedding and a not-so-good wedding?  It’s not the venue.  It’s not the weather or the catering or the dress or any of that stuff; it’s the people.  And Brock and Janna’s wedding was awesome!

Ok, so their venue and other stuff was nice, too, but that’s just a bonus.  :)

We first met the happy couple last year at another wedding where we were the photographers and they were in the wedding party as bridesmaid and groomsman.  That was a cool wedding as well (we have another wedding to blog with a couple from that wedding too) and it’s always good to see familiar faces.  When they booked us Brock told me that they had basically planned the day around the photos to make sure that they got the best coverage they could.  Sounds good to me!  It is fantastic to work with people who are so excited about their photos.  They were excited about their wedding day, about each other, about the photos, about their guests—how could we go wrong?  :)  Actually, what was funny was that Brock and I came up with a bunch of the same ideas.  He’d say, “Hey, Mark, I thought we could do this idea.”  And I’d look at him and reply, “I was going to suggest that!”

It was a beautiful, bright sunny day up in Rocky Mountain House for the day of their wedding.  Which reminds me; Brock, do you realise how long it takes to Photoshop away sunglasses tan from several hundred images?  That will be, like, a million bucks.  Leave it in a black duffle bag on the step and I’ll get to work.  ;)  Anyways, the guys played golf in the morning and Brock shot 70—that’s 2 under par!  (Clearly it was going to be a very special day).  Brock and Janna both worked at Pine Hills golf club and they really love the place and had chosen it for their wedding day.  It is a beautiful course.  

The guys got ready at the club house while Janna and the girls headed out to a cabin by the lake.  That was a beautiful place, too!  It’s very peaceful there.  Janna had included her brother, Brett, in her wedding party as a bridesman.  We’ve seen people do that a few times before and usually they get mildly teased by the groomsmen during the day.  This wedding was no exception, but Brett took it well.

The wedding ceremony took place on the tenth hole, if I remember correctly, and it was a fun and moving ceremony.  Tears and laughter came freely from everyone.  Sherri and I wish them all the best and I’m looking forward to building the album from this wedding!