Saturday dawned pretty sunny, but quickly turned rainy, and then didn’t stop raining all evening. Fortunately this bride and groom allowed a lot of time between the ceremony and when they wanted to be back for the reception. We were hoping to shoot in Prince’s Island Park, but the heavy rain drove us into the Chinese Cultural Centre, which was also really cool! And once we had the chance, we dashed to Prince’s Island Park for a few shots before the rain started up again in earnest. We encountered another wedding group and their photographer there during the break in the rain (hi, whoever you were!). I wonder where they waited out the rain? Here are some sneak peeks from the day, some inside, and some in the brief times we could be outside without the bride and bridesmaids freezing:

We didn’t have much time before the rain pelted us again. Thank goodness a pair of umbrellas and bug spray are some of the things I always have with me. I think in future I may have to add towels to that. Who would have expected such a cold and rainy day in the middle of July? Sure, summer storms are common, but they usually blow over quickly. Not this time! Still, I think we all managed to make the best of it.

Thanks for a fun day, Aspire and Tracy, and warm wishes for a very happy life together!

Craig and Ashley are no exception, they had a really lovely ceremony this past Saturday. Even though it was in a big church, the obvious warmth and friendliness of the officiant, the lack of hesitation for laughter during the ceremony, the smiles of the friends and family all around — really made it a warm and fun event.

Here are a few photos from the super sunny and warm June day. The ceremony was at First Baptist Church here in Calgary, and we took photos at Central Memorial Park and Riley Park in Kensington. I was assisted by Blair of Blair Marie Photography, so many thanks to her for helping out!

I loooooved the bride’s bouquet, the colours and floral choices went so well together. I hope the bride and groom are having an amazing time on their honeymoon in the Caribbean!

I have quite a few engagement sessions to post photos from, stay tuned!

It was great to work with a fellow Calgary wedding photographer, I enjoyed working as part of a team. Plus it was a really beautiful wedding and it was probably the first nice day in Calgary for ages — very lucky! Here’s some of my photography from the day:

Jody and Dean have been together for a while, and decided it was time to get married. So it felt very lovely, peaceful and beautiful, and at the same time special and remarkable. They are so comfortable and easy to get along with, a Calgary wedding photographer couldn’t ask for a more easy to photograph couple. Here are a few of the images from their day!

In the above right photo, I noticed a closed door with light spilling out underneath it. I probably wasn’t supposed to open it, but was delighted to find a funky little mini-room with old peeling wallpaper and a window. So cool.

Thank you both so much for letting me share in your special day — it was lovely and I hope the rest of your day was as great.

On the other hand, I also speak with some couples who have specific purposes in mind for the photos from their engagement session (also called an e-session), such as:

• Engagement announcement in the newspaper
• To use on a wedsite
• As a part of a mailed engagement announcement or save-the-date
• To use on wedding invitations
• For custom reception items, like wine or water bottles
• As part of a photo slideshow to be shown during the reception
• For use on thank you cards, or on personalized stamps through Canada Post

Even though many couples don’t need or want photos for any of the above, I still always recommend having an engagement photo session prior to the wedding. Think of it this way — your wedding photographer is going to be very close at hand, and a significant part of one of the most important days of your lives.

If you’re getting your hair done for your wedding, most stylists get you to come in for a hair or makeup trial run, to eliminate any problems the day of your wedding. Most brides and grooms will go in for multiple dress and tux fittings. Wedding photography is important, an it also deserves some preparation — think of engagement sessions like that. They’re a practice run for both the photographer and the couple.

There is enough stress and new things happening on a wedding day. Having been through an engagement session allows you to welcome your photographer back as a trusted vendor on the big day, and to get used to each other.

I also believe it results in more natural, relaxed wedding photos, having had the experience of the engagement session. Wouldn’t you rather get any awkwardness you might be feeling about being in front of a camera out of the way with the engagement photos? Especially if you don’t have anything important planned for them! In that case, there’s really no risk, just an hour of your time to run around outside with the one you love.

The e-session really allows me to know what you are like to photograph, and takes away that element of uncertainty for me, too.

Remember, there is no rule about when to get engagement photos. You don’t have to do them immediately after you get engaged, anytime during the engagement is appropriate! Heck, you could do them a week before the wedding, if you wanted to. There’s no rule. When my husband and I had our engagement photos done, we had been engaged for five months. But we thought the Calgary fall colours would be the nicest time to have portraits done. And I’m so happy we did them.

I urge all of my clients to go for the engagement photos. Since they are included, they don’t earn me any extra money, and I’m not trying to push an unneeded sale. But I do feel strongly that they are an important part of my wedding photography package, and as your photographer, it’s something I advocate to ensure a bride and groom get the most value out of the investment they are making.

I was bundled up in my wool coat and had my scarf wrapped around most of my head, and I could barely stand it. But that bride, that incredibly determined and brave bride, with her bare arms, stood in the -30C plus windchill weather and smiled for her wedding photos. I think that is amazing.

Congratulations to you both!