Well. You could say I am a WEE bit behind on blogging my sessions. BUT,  that just means you have a  lot of good stuff coming up to look forward to. And to be honest, some of my favorite sessions are still waiting in the cue. This being one of them!

Jayd and Chris met me at the Alberta Legislature just before Christmas last year.  We spent a beautiful afternoon there walking the grounds and enjoying all of the Christmas decorations and lights. It really is a stunning place to visit in December.  I really, really enjoyed my time with them and have since enjoyed getting to know them even a little bit more. My couples really are the best.

 I can't believe how fast the time has gone and they are getting married in TWO days at the beautiful Pine and Pond Wedding Venue! Let's do this you guys!!

Remember that cold snap we had this year? Well, this session was right at the beginning when we didn't know any better. It was so stinking cold. But Jaden and Tyler still  nailed this shoot. It helps when you get to frolick with your best friend right? 

The session was all around the Old Strathcona and Whyte Avenue area in Edmonton. There are so many hidden treasures here with so many interesting shapes , textures and colours. It is a photographer's dream and a blast to explore.  We also found ourselves stopping in to warm up a few times, including Block 1912 and Wee Book Inn.

Jaden and Tyler remind me a lot of my younger self and I am so thankful that our paths crossed! They are clearly each other's best friends   and  have a rich history together. It was such a fun afternoon!  

Congratulations you guys! I can not wait for your July, Edmonton wedding.

By the way, I will be your third wheel any day of the week.  Just saying.

Part 2 of Emmanuel and Carmen's Wedding Extravaganza!

This  day was in Edmonton  and it included SO many loved ones and people that were very special to these two. Can I be honest here for a second? I have never seen a couple honour such a large crowd like this before so well. They intentionally went around to speak to everyone, wanted group photos of all of their guests and  gave them one heck of a party to remember. I was VERY impressed. 

I would love to point out a few notable moments that stood out to me:

1.  The frequent cheering during the ceremony was so refreshing!
2.  The inclusion of all 4 parents was so sweet and truly honouring. They all walked their child down the aisle and got a turn to dance with them at the reception.  Cue the tears..
3.  The ENTIRE wedding party dancing down the aisle.
4.  The downpour during our bridal party portrait sessions.
5. Emmanuel's cousin's killer pipes during the dance. That girl can SING!
6. The frequent outfit changes, including C+E during the reception.
7.   The sparklers and fireworks post reception festivities.
8.  The decorate your own cupcake station.. You know this girl loves the sweets.
9.  The fact that it was also Carmen's birthday. Emmanuel, you have no excuse to forget your anniversary.
10. The most hopping dance floor I have ever been apart of.

If you read the previous post,  you may already know this but I can say that being a part of Carmen and  Emmanuel's day(s) was a celebration to remember for me.  The rainbow of colours, the dancing, the  unrestrained celebration  were such pictures of freedom to me. It was an experience I will not soon forget. 

Details:
Ceremony: Strathcona Baptist Church, Edmonton, AB
Reception Hall: Moyer Hall, Josephsburg, AB

Wow. I am just so grateful to have had the chance to be a part of this amazing day. I have NEVER been to something where people really knew how to celebrate. Truly.

Carmen and Emmanuel's traditional Nigerian wedding ceremony took place in Calgary last August. There was a lot of elements that I have not experienced and so I am sure many of the people watching will not have either, so here is a quick recap!

First, the brides family waits for the groom's family to show. In this case, we had some extra time together as the bus coming from Edmonton with Emmanuel's family was a little late!  Then once the groom's family arrives, the bride hides inside with her bridesmaids. There are introductions, gifts and blessings exchanged between the extended families and then the immediate families gather inside with the bride and groom. Here is where there are more gifts, blessings exchanged and the parent' s give their blessing for the couple to be married.  This was a beautiful, personal moment that really was so unique and honouring. Next, the groom comes out dancing with his groomsmen and hides in the crowd. The bride comes out and has to find him! After  the two have found one another, they are further blessed by their parents publicly and the party can officially begin! Although, let's be honest, it started at the beginning of the festivities. 

So, while you scroll you will recognize these moments throughout the day!  And just imagine me dancing and smiling like an idiot and maybe crying behind the camera. Because, trust me I was.

Couple: Nikolina and Thomas
Location: Devonian Gardens, Devon AB
​Light: PERFECT

Amanda and Blake just got married in April  and it was a beautiful wedding day but I would be amiss if I didn't share some of their engagement photos!   Believe it or not, this snowy day in Edmonton was in September of last year.

We took a walk down memory lane to remember their first date!  I love when couples do this and add their own personal touch  to the session. We toured all over the river valley, high level bridge and even down to the Alberta Legislature.   These two are a blast and I am pretty sure I did not stop laughing with them the entire session.

Stay tuned for their wedding blog post coming up soon on here!

Baby Jack was born in July last year and is now 10 months old!  Even though it is getting  close to a year since this session, I really wanted to share this sweet, Edmonton in home newborn session! This was such a lovely family and of course, I am all in for hanging with newborn babies.  

I LOOOOVEE lifestyle newborn sessions. I think some people may be a bit intimidated when it comes to these session. There are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Nothing goes according to plan. Totally normal.
2.  You do not need to have the perfect, clean home. I can work with minimal space.
3.  Babies look's change fast, so don't hesitate to get those photos in!

Thank you to all those who trust me with these very precious moments. It is such a privilege. 

Melanie and Jordan's Canmore wedding was a highlight of my summer last summer. No joke, I don't know if you could find two people more in love... If you can't tell by this posts many photos of "googly" eyes, I would be shocked.  From their emotional first look to their vows said alone to their beautiful first dance, the evidence of their love (in this post alone) is vast. 

Their mountain wedding was on the last day of July, 2018 and was filled with family and friends who had come near and far to celebrate their love.  To be honest, it could have been mostly Jordan's large family taking up most of the crowd, it was hard to keep track! Ha!   They had their day coordinated by the lovely people over at Cornerstone Theatre  who did a fabulous job.  Melanie and Jordan's ceremony had a mountainous backdrop and their reception was at the theatre which was a beautiful venue, fitted for such an occasion with  perfect lighting and scrumptious food (one of the best parts of this job is the reception meals, let's be honest).

I am still on cloud nine with this gallery and I am so excited to share it with you. Enjoy, share and be in awe with me ok? Congratulations again, my friends, I am rooting for you!

Venue and Coordination: Cornerstone Theatre
Dress: Vera Wang

Leah and Dan were married on a beautiful day in July last year at the gorgeous Hotel Fairmont MacDonald in Edmonton Alberta.  This day was everything you would expect from Leah and Dan: a true celebration of love with only the closest family members in attendance.  I was lucky to be the only non-family member there!

A few moments that really stand out to me about their day was their first look, the ceremony, and Dan's speech that he wrote for Leah. The first look was so special and such a sweet way to begin the festivities with lots of giggles and admiration of one another just quietly pouring out. The ceremony was simple but beautiful, truly celebrating their history and love for one another. And finally, Dan's speech of true devotion for Leah  took her by surprise! (Check out each moment in throughout the entire blog post). It was the perfect way to end the day.

The common thread between all of these moments is the quiet love they share. They are not over-the-top sort of people but rather  they have allowed each other to be completely themselves in one another's presence.  That is a gift that you can not manufacture, it is just organically created over time, respect and devotion.

Congratulations again Leah and Dan! I am so thankful you included me on your special day!

Shelby and Curtis met me at the Alberta Legislature  for their engagement session last  summer under perfect weather conditions. I have done a lot of sessions on these beautiful grounds but this session is definitely one of my favorites. Shelby and Curtis have had some very special, meaningful times  at the Leg and so to take them here again for their engagement session was sincerely a treat! Nothing makes me  happier than a couple picking a location that is a part of their story.

They are to be wed in Edmonton in July  this year and I could not be more thankful that I have been chosen to document this very special day!  Congratulations you two!