Here is a quick sneak peek for Shannon and Edward whose wedding we photographed on July 2nd. Check back in a few days for the full wedding post.
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Amber & Aaron 06.12.10. | Calgary Fairmont Palliser Wedding
July 22, 2010 – 11:00 pm
Amber and Aaron found me on Calgarypuck forums where Aaron and I are avid Flames fans. I got to know Amber and Aaron well over the last little while leading up to their wedding and I absolutely love these two. They had their stunning wedding at downtown Calgary’s Fairmont Palliser Hotel. I met Aaron and his boys in the house he grew up in for his prep photos. It was a neighborhood in Calgary, that in my 30+ years living here, I had never seen. It was a very quiet, older neighborhood where all the lawns were manicured. His boys were a fun bunch so that really set us up for a super fun day. As soon as I got all the photos I needed, I had to go meet Amber at Hedkandi by the Hotel Arts where her hair was getting done. It was a cool looking and hip salon with lots of people there. After we headed to the Palliser to shoot some details including Amber’s stunning dress in their huge suite. When Amber came out with her dress on I was all smiles as she was so gorgeous and made my job so much easier.
The wedding ceremony took place at Sacred Heart Church on 14th street. The ceremony was very nice as we ran around and photographed as many different angles and moments as we could. Amber and Aaron were all smiles through the whole thing, as was expected.
It was shooting time after the ceremony, so we headed back to the Palliser to stay close to their reception. We got some really cool shots of A&A and their wedding party on the parkade by the Calgary Tower. After we shot there, we headed inside to look for some protection from the blistering sun. With a venue like the Palliser, we had to take advantage of the grand beauty of it, so we ran around all over the hotel making photos. It was very easy working with them as their connection was very obvious. They were very much in love with each other.
Amber & Aaron’s wedding theme was inspired by Cirque Du Soleil and man did they ever pull it off with the help of Mary Swaffield and her staff from Lavish – Wedding Planning & Design. There was so many details that I had to get my good friends Shelley and Jeff Weber to come help shoot detail shots for me so nothing was missed. As soon as we all walked into the ballroom our jaws dropped. We could not believe what Lavish had just pulled off. Without a doubt, the most spectacular reception room I have ever seen in my whole life. Nothing was missed when it came to designing this room. The lighting in the room was exquisite. The wedding favors were Mardi Gras masks imported directly from New Orleans for all their guests. They had an ice sculpture made with their initials on it where martins were chilled by pouring through the top of the ice sculpture, coming out at the bottom into a glass. And then, there was the entertainment. The MC was a professional MC and magician. They had a fire breather and contortionist as well. And if that wasn’t enough, they also flew in from Nashville, the famous country band Six West, who kept the entertainment going for their guests.
It was quite the party that night and it looked like every body there was having the time of their lives. Then came the “midnight snack”. Kobe beef sliders, poutine, ginger beef and sweet sour pork all packed in little chinese take out boxes so that people can take it home with them if they chose to.
Congrats Amber and Aaron. Wow, what can I say? Your wedding was nothing like I have ever experienced. I am very thankful to have been a part of this. You guys pulled it off and I am sure your guest will never attend a wedding like that ever again. Let’s go to some Flames games next year! Now below is the most photos I have ever posted from a wedding on my blog. There’s just so much that it had to all be shown!
Jennifer & Jason 06.26.10. | Calgary Hyatt Wedding Photography
July 22, 2010 – 10:54 am
Jennifer and Jason finally got married on June 26th at the Hyatt in downtown Calgary. The day started as usual with the boys prep, where I met Jason and his boys in their hotel room. Jen had surprised Jason with an Apple iPad as a gift. She told me in advanced she wanted me to get photos of him reading the note she left him on the iPad. It was such a sweet note that I think made Jason’s heart melt. I think he wanted to cry, but his boys were there and you know…. guys don’t do that in front of other guys. After shooting the boys, it was the girl’s turn. I met them a floor away in their room. Their room was a buzz as all the girls were getting ready. I shot Jennifer’s portraits right there on the hotel room bed. She looked absolutely gorgeous with her birdcage veil and her specular dress on. I didn’t want to stop shooting her, but we had to wrap up.
The wedding ceremony took place right at the Hyatt in the same ballroom where the reception would be held. Jason came in like no other groom I have ever seen, giving low fives to all the people sitting in the aisle. Awesome! Jen of course walked down the aisle with her father and you could see the happiness in Jason’s eyes. The ceremony was short and sweet and they left and the same grand way as they entered.
It was a beautiful day on this day and the sun was shining. We walked along Stephen Avenue and it was packed with people. Of course Jen and Jason turned a lot of heads and received a lot of congrats from random strangers. Our first stop was Murietta’s restaurant for some drinks and snacks. We shot some photos of them and their crazy wedding party while we were there. But after that it was down to business. Ryan and I took Jen & Jason away from the chaos that was Stephen Avenue. We saw 4 other weddings down there on that day, and if any of you know me, I always avoid other weddings and crowds of people. We found our own secluded quiet spot downtown that was perfect for some romantic portraits.
When we came back to the Hyatt to shoot the reception details, we saw the most creative seating assignment “chart” we had ever seen. The pictures say it all!
Congrats you guys. I had such an awesome time getting to know you both and being a big part of your day. Your wedding was fabulous and you both looked stunning and gorgeous with each other.
Introducing Kate & Roy | Calgary Photographers
July 21, 2010 – 10:04 am
Meet Kate and Roy. Kate and Roy were the last couple to book for 2010 for their wedding in October. I was excited when I first met them because they are obviously a good looking couple and stylish as well. I was ecstatic when they chose me as their wedding photographer. I was really looking forward to shooting their e-session in downtown Calgary since they booked. They definitely didn’t disappoint when they showed up. They both looked good and ready to work the camera for me. We had fun just walking around downtown looking for opportunities to make cool photos. Without further ado, here are Kate and Roy.
Michelle & Shaun – Sneak Peek – Calgary Petroleum Club
February 10, 2010 – 3:44 pm
As soon as I got back from my destination wedding in the Dominican Republic, I had to prepare to photograph Michelle and Shaun’s wedding. Michelle and Shaun booked me not too long ago and when we first met, we clicked immediate. It also helped they are both huge Calgary Flames fans. But what really helped was that they are one of the most down to earth people I have had the pleasure of meeting. They are both soooooo in love with each other and I can’t wait to finish the rest of their images. They are off to the beautiful Bahamas for their well deserved honeymoon and when they get back I will put up more photos from their wedding here in Calgary. There are soooo many good ones, and I can’t wait to share. Shaun emailed me yesterday asking if there would be a sneak peek soon. Of course I have to tease you guys!
Have a great honeymoon! See you when you get back!
Crystal & Ali 12.12.09. | Calgary Lougheed House
January 11, 2010 – 6:16 pm
Crystal and Ali have finally seen their wedding photos and now we can share it with everyone. Their wedding took place back on December 12th when it was -35 degrees outside (brrrrr). The wedding was held at the Lougheed House blocks away from downtown Calgary. The ceremony and reception were also held here. We started the day off at the Crystal’s house while she was getting hair and makeup done. After we finished shooting the details, we ventured off to the Sheraton Eau Claire, where we met up with Ali and his boys. We did our prep and a few of the shots of the boys at the hotel.
This was the first time we had ever photographed a wedding inside the Lougheed House. By the time the ceremony started it was already dark outside. So we had to setup an off camera flash in the corner of the room for our light source. Once it was time for portraits, we busted out more flash heads and video light. This was the first wedding I ever shot where I didn’t have available light for the portraits, and the results were perfect. We used almost every nook and cranny for our portraits and even ventured outside for about 10 mins, right before my fingers were about to fall off.
Congrats Crystal and Ali! I am ecstatic you love your photos. I wish you a long and happy life together!
WPPI convention and the Awards of Excellence
January 4, 2010 – 1:35 pm
It’s almost that time of year again for the annual WPPI Convention. For those who don’t know, WPPI is the largest organization of wedding and portrait photographers. Members are from all 6 inhabited continents. Almost all of my good wedding photographer friends, here in Calgary, are members. Last year was the first time Ryan and I had attended this convention. We were both blown away at the size and met so many awesome photographers. One of the things that really interested me was the print competition. Competition are something I always strive to enter in. The only way to measure yourself and to go up against the best in the industry.
I really wanted to enter some prints last year, but I didn’t have a sniff about what the judges look for, or even how to make a nice print. I learned a print competition is a completely different ball game than entering a digital image file. I sat in the judging room for hours each day, watching the judges talk about about each print that went up. I learned when it comes to WPPI’s award of excellence print competition, it matters what inks, paper and mattes you use. Some of the detail in the prints that scored high were amazing. I needed mine to look like that.
My good friend Wei, at photobolic, helped me this year printing my 8 entries. Wei won a few accolades last year, so he knows what he is doing. One of the toughest things to do was to choose which images to enter and in which categories. I shot literally thousands of images this year and many of them I love dearly. But I had to really narrow it down, as it is not cheap to enter these things. Plus, I only wanted to showcase my BEST. After much deliberation, I picked 8 images I felt had the best chance according to what I saw last year and the criteria.
After we printed the images, I got them matted at the Paul Kuhn gallery in downtown Calgary. When I picked them up I had the biggest smile on my face that I could not wipe off. I am very happy with my decision with the 8 images. I sent them off to WPPI on the weekend and the next time I will see them, it will be in the judging room. At least I hope to catch my print being judged, as it could happen at any time. I know you are probably sitting there saying, well let’s see the images you chose. I decided for now, I will not reveal the images until after WPPI for I don’t want to jinx anything and show my competitors what I entered. All the images have been featured here on the blog, if you are wondering. Of course I will let you all know how it goes.
The convention is held March 4th – 11th in Las Vegas. For those who are going, see you there. I can’t wait to catch up with some friends from all over the world!
Nancy & Thuan – Trash the Dress sneak peek | Calgary Photographers
September 21, 2009 – 11:17 am
Here’s a quick sneak peek of Nancy & Thuan’s trash the dress from last week!! I will post more once they have seen their photos!
Cindy & Jeff | Calgary Wedding Photography
August 26, 2009 – 12:11 pm
When I met these 2 gorgeous people, I knew I couldn’t wait to photograph their wedding day. Cindy & Jeff look good together and they are really into each other too! We went out to one of Calgary’s untouched inner city nature reserves, Nose Hill Park, to do our wedding photos. On any given day, you could see deer, foxes, hawks, porcupines, skunks on Nose Hill. There are even endemic plants that are not found anywhere in the world, except onNose Hill Park. We took advantage of the foilage and beautiful open spaces.
Cindy & Jeff had one of the best wedding receptions I have been to in the last little while. The Calgary Polish Center was decorated and transformed into a beautiful banquet hall. There was lots of dancing, drinking and people having a great time celebrating the union of these 2 awesome people. Thank you so much for having me at your wedding and creating memories for you. Congratulations!
Lily & Sheldon | Calgary Wedding Photography
August 20, 2009 – 8:13 pm
Lily & Sheldon’s wedding went off without a hitch in Calgary on a very hot August day. We started the day right at Faith Lutheran Church where Lily put on her beautiful dress. The turnout for the little church was impressive, as it was filled with close friends and family who were ready to witness L&S get married. You could see the joy in their eyes as they stood at the alter. I don’t think they both even stopped smiling. After a very nice ceremony, we headed out to do our photos. The first place we stopped was right by the river. It was a hot day, so there were lots of people floating down the bow and we heard many congrats and cheers for our newlyweds. After a lot of praises, a truck went by and someone said “sucker” to which all of us had a really good laugh. I was able to get permission to shoot in an appliance store the day before and we had a ton of fun shooting in there. We used everything from the fridges, ovens, to washer and dryers to microwaves! Congrats you guys I hope you love your photos. You both really deserve each other. 
