Courtney + Family Portraits - Mission Island Marsh
This was Courtney and her family’s second mini session in just under a month. The first one took place at the Tree Farm which was so good. This time around, we did Mission Island Marsh, which was different, but equally amazing. The session went by very quick, but it always amazes me how many good moments can be captured in just 30 minutes!
This was Courtney and her family’s second mini session in just under a month. The first one took place at the Tree Farm which was so good. This time around, we did Mission Island Marsh, which was different, but equally amazing. The session went by very quick, but it always amazes me how many good moments can be captured in just 30 minutes!
Courtney + Braden Wedding - Stepstone Centre
One of my last weddings of the year took place earlier this month with Courtney and Braden. It was at, what I think, is one of the best spots in town, Stepstone Centre. The last time I had shot a wedding there was around 5 years ago. So I was very excited to do so again.
One of my last weddings of the year took place earlier this month with Courtney and Braden. It was at, what I think, is one of the best spots in town, Stepstone Centre. The last time I had shot a wedding there was around 5 years ago. So I was very excited to do so again.
My day started just after noon, with the girls getting ready. This took place in a beautiful little guest house. I made sure to capture some initial photos of Courtney’s gorgeous wedding dress. After that, it was just a matter of getting unique and fleeting moments. Before the girls were all dressed up, we stepped outside and got a nice group photo of them, and then a short while later, one where they were all in their wedding attire.
As with most of my weddings, the atmosphere was pretty laid back, with a little bit of nervous energy. That energy got a little bit more intense as they did their first look though. I could just feel the happiness and I hope that I was able to convey that with some of the photos.
Because the ceremony was still a couple hours away, we actually hung out for a bit and then did all the wedding party photos in the forest. It was so nice not to be rushed or in any hurry. Plus, it gave everyone a chance to just enjoy the day. Once were done doing the photos, I spent some time getting detail photos of the venue and decorations.
As guests started to arrive, I did thing, and documented the day as I saw it. Outdoor weddings are always a pleasure to photograph, but with constantly changing light, I did have to work my angles and look for the best ones. But I love that challenge, and it’s one of the things that makes weddings fun for me. The unpredictability.
The ceremony was so beautiful! It went be fairly quick for me, but it was a short ceremony, which I think is a good thing. I don’t think many people these days want to sit through a long drawn out ceremony. The violinist they had playing set the mood perfectly.
Courtney and Braden also hired a caricature artist for after the ceremony and also at the reception. I obviously made sure to get some good photos of him showing off his amazing talent with couples throughout the day. Just like before the wedding, after the wedding was spent mingling with guests and enjoying the beautiful day. We did a few family photos while everyone was gathered together. I’m sure those photos will be much appreciated.
The reception was just as fun as the previous part of the day. The speeches were amazing, and there were a ton of laughs and also happy tears. Receptions are where I really capture a lot of pure moments, and some of my favourite photos were captured during this part of the day.
Just before my time was up, Courtney and Braden followed me to the dock on the river to get a few photos of just them. It was the perfect end to a very eventful day for me. I’m so proud of these photos and I truly hope Courtney and Braden enjoy them as much as I do.
Lastly, throughout the day, I managed to capture a some video clips here and there. You can view that highlight film below. Neither of them asked for it, or even expected, but I always try and surprise couples when I can!
Courtney + Evan Wedding - Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel
My first wedding of the season took place a few weeks ago in May and I was so excited for it, if not a bit nervous. Within a few minutes of arriving and getting started, I was off to the races. Anyone who has seen my work before on this site, knows that I love candid photos. I would say 95 percent of every wedding I shoot is candid. I always challenge myself to find those special moments or expressions throughout the day. It's a hard challenge often times but a fun and rewarding one nonetheless.
My first wedding of the season took place a few weeks ago in May and I was so excited for it, if not a bit nervous. Within a few minutes of arriving and getting started, I was off to the races. Anyone who has seen my work before on this site, knows that I love candid photos. I would say 95 percent of every wedding I shoot is candid. I always challenge myself to find those special moments or expressions throughout the day. It's a hard challenge often times but a fun and rewarding one nonetheless.
Courtney and Evan's wedding took place at the Best Western hotel off the highway, and it's always a beautiful location so I knew I had a great backdrop to work with. The weather held up so that was awesome. After getting a bunch of candids before the ceremony, it was soon time to head on outside to the courtyard to get the main event on the way. As I mentioned above, it's a beautiful venue so that made my work that much easier. It was quite a beautiful ceremony and I think I managed to get some nice genuine moments, not only of the wedding couple but also everyone else.
Once the ceremony was done, there was a short break and then we tackled the family and wedding part portraits. Just before the reception was to get on it's way, I stole Courtney and Evan away for a good 20 minutes and we did some portraits with just them. Knowing that I would probably get the chance for some more portraits with them later in the evening during golden hour, I didn't take up too much of their time.
It was then time for the reception which I never know what to expect. I must say, the food was amazing, the speeches were so funny, genuine and emotional at times. It made for some really pure moments within the crowd. Courtney and Evan did the shoe game which also had everyone laughing and of course their was the first dance along with the parent dances as well. Then ... it was time for the dance floor to open up and it was so great to see so many people out on the floor. I got so many great dancing photos! The ones below are just a small sampling, but some of my favourites from the bunch.
Before I was done my day, Courtney and Evan joined me outside for some more photos outside. The lighting was just perfect and the weather was too. The resulting photos were definitely some of my favourites from the entire day. The highlight of the night hands down, goes to Courtney. As we made our way outside, she sprinted, in her wedding dress, to the open field where a whole bunch of geese were settled down. Well, once they saw her coming they all flew away and it made for quite the seen. I wish I would have had my zoom lens on me but I still managed to get a pretty good photo.
I couldn't have asked for a better wedding to start the year with. Courtney and Evan were an amazing couple to photograph and the entire day was just so much fun!
