Archive for May, 2008

Stephanie and David are getting married in August next year.  I knew that I liked them the moment that I met them, however I did not know how passionate and how much fun they are!  This is going to be an extra-long blog post because I want to show you the result of what I learned at the Jesh de Rox Workshop.

We gave David and Stephanie the space to open up and show each-other how much they are in love.  They were often-times spontaneous.  We have wanted to explore new ways of posing for photography, but honestly the best way to look good in front of a camera is to be yourself.

Love Pictures

Beautiful Photography

Engagement Photography Edmonton

Engagement Pictures

Edmonton Photographer

Edmonton Photographers

Photography Edmonton

Edmonton Pictures

I will not take responsibility for the next few pictures.  This was entirely David and Stephanie’s idea (well, more Stephanie’s idea than David’s).  I made sure to get in too but I don’t have pictures of the evidence.

Edmonton Water Fountain Pictures

Engagement Photos

Waterfall Pictures Edmonton

We’re looking forward to the rest of our photography sessions this year and are looking forward to taking pictures of people just being themselves (whether that involves laughing, kissing, or crying).

Today marked Carrie and Jeremy’s wedding.  Haley and I had been waiting a long time for this.  Carrie is a long-time family friend and we were just so excited that she was getting married.  She and Jeremy are perfect for one another.  They spend a lot of time laughing and joking together, their personalities just shone all day.

Carrie and Jeremy's Wedding at the Hotel MacDonald Edmonton

See?  Here’s some of that joking.  Whenever Jeremy got his hands on the flowers he refused to let them go.  Carrie and Jeremy, may your house be filled with flowers for many years.

Wedding Flowers

Hotel MacDonald Wedding Edmonton

Bridal Portrait at the Hotel MacDonald

Best Man Picture, Brothers

Bridesmaids at the Hotel Mac Edmonton

Carrie and Jeremy looked like the two most relaxed people before their ceremony.

Lounging at the Hotel Mac

Jeremy’s brother Kevin called out, “hey, look over here”, and he was juggling these water bottles.  I got a quick shot.  Awesome Kev!

Juggline at the Mac

Carrie’s brothers Scott and Eric really got into this shot.

Carrie and the bors

Hotel MacDonald Edmonton Wedding

Haley captured this stunning image of Carrie and Jeremy just before the ceremony

Beautiful Edmonton Skyline

And we were off to the Francis Winspear Centre for Music for the ceremony!

Downtown Edmonton Photography

A huge street hockey tournament was going on just outside the ceremony.  No, Carrie and Jeremy weren’t defying traffic; the road was blocked off.

Edmonton Street Photography

Bridal March

Jeremy at the Winspear Centre for the Performing Arts

Carrie gave Jeremy a kiss on the cheek after the ceremony.  Here’s an interesting fact, my mother made the veil that Carrie is wearing.  She also made Haley’s veil and all of my sisters’ veils for their weddings.

Bridal Kiss

The four-piece orchestra was very appropriate, considering it was in the Winspear Centre, and they played beautifully.

Winspear Concert Hall Quartet

We returned to the Hotel MacDonald for the reception.  The cake was simple and gorgeous.

Hotel MacDonald Wedding Cake

Carrie’s Father, Frans Slatter, presided over Haley’s and my wedding.

Frans Slatter

Here is one of the tightest groups of friends that I have ever known.  This is ’The Bridge Group’.  Most of these long-time friends have known each-other ever since high-school and University.  We love all of you!

The Bridge Group

First Dance

First Dance from behind the door

Congratulations Carrie and Jeremy!  You’ve known and loved each-other for so long and we are incredibly happy that you are married.  You both have exciting careers ahead of you and a promising future together.

Jesh de Rox Workshop

May 22, 2008

This week I was able to experience a little bit of Jesh de Rox.  It is difficult for me to express in words what I learned at his workshop.  I went in with few expectations.  I came out with a new perspective about what photography is.

Jesh does not simply capture memories or set up scenes to take pictures of.  He opens up himself to the people who he works with and allows them to open up with him.  His photo shoots are, “a celebration of the love” between the people present.  The word love came up a lot a the workshop and love is something that I truly felt in his presence.

I refer to his workshop as more of a lifeshop than a workshop.  We explored our personal boundaries.  We were shown how to look into ourselves.  To peel away the barriers that we have to true interpersonal communication.  Like I say, it is hard to describe here in words, but it was truly wonderful.

I did take pictures at the workshop but I think that I can express the boost to my imagery that I received through my future works and with my dealings with the couples with whom we work.  I have my own take on what I experienced in the days with Jesh and the other workshop participants.  You will experience it at your engagement sessions, weddings, and portrait sessions.

Thank you Jesh, I truly felt the love.

Michael

While Haley was busy with wedding photography for Jenn and Gerard in Edmonton, I was out in Wetaskiwin for the wedding of Kristi and Tyler.  We have been looking forward to Kristi & Tyler’s wedding for some time now, they are one of the most enthusiastic couples we have worked with so far this year – they’re up for anything!

The wedding was held in the beautiful Sacred Heart Church in Wetaskiwin, with pictures at the Wetaskiwin City Hall, and the reception at the Best Western Wayside Inn.

Bride getting ready

Kristi was all about glam on her wedding day.

Bridal hair styles

This little guy was happy to get ready with everyone else.

Baby pictures Edmonton

Tyler gave his groomsmen these beautiful engraved flasks as a thank you for standing up for him….

Groomsmen gifts

…and helping him get dressed.

Groom getting ready

This church has some of the most beautiful architecture we have seen in a modern church.  A wonderful setting for a romantic ceremony.

Sacred Heart Church Wetaskiwin

signing wedding register

We took advantage of the gorgeous hot weather at the Wetaskiwin City Hall.  The bridal party was a lot of fun.

wedding photography Wetaskiwin

fun wedding photos

Kristi is a real cutie and loves posing for the camera.

Fun wedding photographers edmonton

Wetaskiwin city hall photos

bridal portraits

groom portraits

wedding flowers calla lilies

The reception was all about fun and happiness, with mini cupcakes, and a bubble shower/first dance!

wedding cupcakes

bubble machine weddings

You were so much fun to work with, we wish you many happy years together.

I had the pleasure of watching a good friend of mine get married this past weekend.    Jenn and I have been through high school, university, and graduate school together, and I am thrilled for her to have found her match in Gerard.  They make a wonderful couple.  The wedding was held at the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Parish on Edmonton’s north side.

 Groom waiting for bride

Father giving bride away

Ukrainian wedding ceremony

The parish had an amazing chandelier.

Ukranian Catholic Parish

Ukrainian catholic wedding photos

Wedding ring exchange

This has to be one of the most beautiful first kiss pictures that we have captured.

Beautiful first kiss

Just married

Groomsmen pictures

Bridesmaids photo

Beautiful bride

Wedding photos by lake Edmonton

Wedding photos walking

Each couple of the attendants came up with their own creative pose. Guess which ones are the Ukrainian dancers?

Bridal party couple portraits

I hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon.  We’ll see you soon!

 - Haley

I am pleased to announce that Haley’s image ‘Swept Away’ placed at the 2008 PPOC (Professional Photographers of Canada) National Competition.  Is was scored as an accepted image.  This stunning picture of Vanesa and Wayne shows off Haley’s unique perspective and her creative talent.

PPOC National Image Competition 2008

Congratulations Haley!

Heather and Chad are married!  We attended their lovely wedding ceremony at the River West Christian church on Saturday.  They are an adventurous couple with fun friends and family.

Heather and the girls got her all dressed up at the church.  Her hair looked gorgeous and the pearls were an elegant touch.

West Edmonton Church

Wedding pearls, perfume, and shoes

While Heather was getting ready Chad and the guys relieved a bit of tension by playing foosball in the church’s recreation room.

Wedding games

Heather and her father shared a glance seconds before she walked up the aisle.

Father daughter

Wedding vows

I love this picture of Heather and Chad celebrating after the ceremony.

Marriage celebration Edmonton

The reception was at the Edmonton Police Service’s Blue Meadows facility in the West End.  It is an beautiful wooden hall in gorgeous surroundings.  All of the formal pictures were taken there.

Groomsmen pcitures

Bridesmaid pictures

Bridesmaid photograph

The Wedding Party

Chad had specifically requested that we take some pictures with our fisheye lens.  We created this dramatic portrait of the wedding party.

Alberta field fisheye

Groom kissing bride

Wedding ring

Bridal portrait

Bride and Groom Fisheye Picture

Heather & Chad are a fun-loving couple, and decided to play in the park together before the reception.

Bride and Groom on the swings

Bride and groom playground photographs

The cake looked fantastic.

Wedding cake Edmonton

Heather’s sister and her man snuck this kiss at the reception.

Bride's sister

First dance

It looks like someone else had a different idea of what happens during the first dance.

Wedding bubble blower

Beautiful couple

Heather and Chad, we feel so lucky to have worked with you.  You are such a relaxed couple and you truly made everyone feel comfortable at your wedding.  Everyone had a great time.  We are really looking forward to showing you your wedding album.  You two rock!

Angele and Declan are soon going to be married.  I went for a walk with them around the area where Declan proposed to Angele at the Le Marchand Mansion.

Le Marchand Mansion Edmonton

Edmonton Le Marchand Mansion

Edmonton River Valley

River Valley Edmonton

Edmonton Passion

This weekend I was lucky enough to shoot the wedding of long-time family friend Elaine to her new husband Bernie.  It was a beautiful wedding with close family and friends in attendance at the Hotel MacDonald.

Here is Elaine just before the ceremony started.

Hotel MacDonald Bride

Sheena was with her father across the mezzanine.

Hotel MacDonald Groom

Elaine and Bernie’s wedding was presided over by our past neighbour Barbara Day of Imaginations & Concepts.  She also does wedding planning and coordinated the wonderful decorations at the reception.

Imaginations and Concepts Barb Day Edmonton 

Elaine and Bernie Wedding

A wonderful three-piece orchestra played music during the ceremony and the reception.

Edmonton Wedding Orchestra

Here are Elaine and Bernie with all of their children and Elaine’s Son-in-Law Daniel.

Hotel MacDonald Family Photos Edmonton

Edmonton Wedding Photography

Edmonton Wedding Photographer

Elaine and Bernie made a grand entrance into the reception.

Wedding Photographer Edmonton

I don’t know what Bernie said to Barb here but it looks as if she just won the lottery!

Hotel MacDonald Wedding Reception

It was great to attend a wedding at the same table as my parents.  Don’t they look great?

Doug and Lynn

The kids gave a great speech interspersed with heartfelt moments and humour.

Wedding Speech

Edmonton Candid Wedding Photography

Edmonton Groom

Bride and Groom Speech

I got down and twisted with my Mom.

Wedding Music

Wedding Dance

First Dance

Elaine and Bernie, your families are beautiful and you are a wonderful match.  We wish you all of the best in your marriage.