Sarah + Andrew Wedding - Chippewa Park

Patrick Chondon July 6, 2016

My latest wedding was this past weekend at Chippewa Park. Sarah and Andrew chose me to capture their special day I couldn't have felt more honoured. First of all, the location is fantastic, it's so beautiful there that anytime I get to shoot a wedding at Chippewa, I feel so lucky. It also helped that Andrew and Sarah were the absolute perfect couple to follow around for the day. Lastly, it was perfect weather for a wedding. The sun was shining with a few clouds dispersed in the sky offering the occasional shade.

My day stared in the early afternoon catching some fleeting moments of Sarah and her bridesmaids, two of which who were men! As soon as I saw that I thought back to my own wedding where I remember my wife saying she probably would have had a couple of her male friends in her bridal party. I spent about 10 minutes in one of the cabins observing the nervous energy that comes with every wedding. Before I knew it, we were making our way to the main area where the wedding would take place. After a short period, and some great initial candid shots of guests it was time to get the ceremony started. It took place in behind the main building at Chippewa in the open grassy field.

Sophie + Caleb Wedding - Whitewater Golf Club

Patrick Chondon June 8, 2016

My first spring wedding of the year was at the Whitewater Golf Club with the amazing Caleb and Sophie. I had the pleasure of photographing their engagement session last year and I knew right way after capturing them during that day, that their wedding was going to be a great time. Let's just say that I wasn't disappointed. Upon arrival, I didn't even see Caleb or Sophie, but I wasn't expected to. Not many people were there at 1:00pm so I unloaded my camera gear and started to get some photos of the decorations and atmosphere before everyone arrived.

I recommend this for every wedding as it gives me a moment to take it all in and also get photos of things before they are altered or moved around. As the guests started to arrive I continued to get some candid photos of people, as I do with every single wedding. Honestly, the candid photos are the ones that couples tend to like the best, so I make sure to get a ton of them during the entire wedding day. I would go as far as saying that the bulk of the photos from each wedding are the natural, unposed ones.

Tammy + Weston Wedding

Patrick Chondon February 19, 2016

Tammy and Weston had the pleasure of being my first wedding of the 2016 season. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tad bit anxious and nervous going in but I'm actually like that before every single wedding. If I wasn't, I would probably be worried. Once I arrived at the church and starting taking photos of the venue everything fell into place and the entire day went by very quickly. Before guests started arriving I used the opportunity to grab a few detail photos and also get set up. I had done one other wedding at this church before so I was already familiar with it.

About 30 minutes before the ceremony guests started arriving and I just did my thing. I looked for all those moments when people don't realize you are photographing them. Those natural moments, are I think, some of the most genuine and memorable ones of the day. But then again, that is what 90 percent of my wedding photography is comprised of. This year, I am going to incorporate a lot more black and white photography as I think certain candid moments really shine when you strip away the colour . So you will see a mix of colour and black and white photos throughout.

My Favourite Wedding Photos of 2015

Patrick Chondon January 4, 2016

Well it’s that time of year again where I choose my absolute favourite wedding photos from the past season. I have been doing this for a couple seasons now and each and every time it’s such a hard, but task to do. By going through all my photos it forces me to look back on the year and see what I have done well and also areas in which I could possibly improve. After all, as a photographer, I’m constantly looking on ways to evolve and adapt. With that being said, I am extremely proud of what I accomplished this year. All the amazing couples and families definitely made it that much easier of course.

Nikki + Rob Wedding - Gammondale Farm

Patrick Chondon October 26, 2015

Nikki and Rob were officially my last wedding of the season, and what a busy wedding season it was. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect wedding to end the year too. The location was Gammondale Farm which is one of prettiest places in town in general, let alone the location for a wedding. Before I made it to Gammondale, I had the chance to spend some time with Nikki and her bridesmaids getting ready.

Brittney + Adam Wedding

Patrick Chondon October 21, 2015

When my niece Brittney asked me to photograph her and Adam's wedding I obviously said yes. After all, how often will I get to photograph a family member's wedding. Plus, it also meant I would be surrounded by a lot of family which would make the day that much more fun, and relaxed. My day began at the ceremony which took place at Lakeview Presbyterian Church.

As guests arrived I walked around and got my usual candid photos and then before I knew it the ceremony was set to begin. Shooting in a dark church can often be a bit of a challenge but this church actually had fairly good lighting. I was sure to stay behind the scenes and keep it discreet all while getting some good natural moments of Brittney and Adam, as well as the guests and wedding party.

Janine + Steven Wedding - Old Fort William

Patrick Chondon October 5, 2015

Admittedly, I truly don't know what to expect with each and every wedding I do. Yes, there are always going to be similar parts to the day through each wedding but sometimes, there are those brief moments during the day that just catch you off guard, and often for the better. Well, this wedding provided one of those moments as soon as I arrived. As I parked my car and I was grabbing my stuff I heard distant music in the background. I didn't really think anything of it, I just thought it was part of the wedding music. Then, it got louder, and louder still. All of a sudden I had a flashback of the Karate Kid. Before I knew it, there it was, an old camper streaming down the road, arms waving out the windows, blaring the following lyrics..

Annette + Andrew Wedding - This Old Barn

Patrick Chondon September 25, 2015

With wedding season just about over, I'm now able to catch up on weddings from the past month. The first one I'm proud to post is Annette and Andrew's. They quite possibly chose one of the most unique and beautiful locations I have had the pleasure to photograph, This Old Barn. The backdrop for the wedding, with the hay bales and fields was so picturesque. As soon as I arrived at the wedding I quickly started grabbing photos of the decorations and eventually people as they arrived. The rest of the day went by so fast, but I managed to get so many great photos.

Paul + Tracy Wedding - Kakabeka Falls

Patrick Chondon September 22, 2015

Last week, I had the opportunity to photograph a last minute wedding. I literally found out about 4 day prior. While I was shooting my niece, Brittney and her husband Adam's wedding, my brother asked if I could photograph his visiting relative's wedding. Of course, once I found out I had the time available I immediately said yes. Next thing you know, 4 days later, I was at Kakabeka Falls celebrating and shooting another wedding.

Brent + Steph Wedding

Patrick Chondon September 11, 2015

What can I say about Brent and Steph's wedding day. It was such a blast and the day went by so very fast. I couldn't have asked for a more fun couple to photograph. Plus their entire wedding party along with the family were equally as fun and easy going. There were a ton of moments that I was able to capture and you can see a bunch of them below. But first, a little about my experience from the day.

Darlene + David Wedding

Patrick Chondon August 31, 2015

There are still a lot more weddings I can look forward to photographing this year but Darlene and David’s was one that couldn’t come soon enough, for a couple reasons. The first one being that it was at Old Fort William which is one of the nicest locations in town. Secondly, upon first meeting them prior to the wedding, I knew it was going to be a very intimate and fun wedding. Well, it met both those criteria and exceeded beyond what I expected. I arrived, as I always do, about 30 minutes before the wedding to capture some unique and candid photos. With guests constantly arriving, mingling and taking their seats, there were definitely lots of opportunities for photos.

Katrina + Ed Wedding

Patrick Chondon August 20, 2015

It was only a couple weeks ago but Katrina and Ed's Wedding Day is still fresh in my mind. The day turned out to be one of the nicest so far of the summer, although, it was fairly hot. But, there is no way I will ever complain about hot weather in this city with winter always around the corner.

Katrina and Ed's wedding took place at their new house out on Hawkeye Lake. For those of you that haven't been to this lake it is absolutely gorgeous. I had been to their house a year prior but that was for engagement photos and the house wasn't quite done then. Seeing it for the first time with all the guests and family gathered around was quite the site. Of course, the backdrop of the Hawkeye Lake definitely helped set the mood.