Ashu and Garry - Winter Engagement Session
In continuing with their theme of portrait sessions through the seasons, Ashu and Garry went to the Legislature to capture pictures in the beautiful winter lights. It was very chilly but they braved the cold in evening wear. We were able to get some very stylish pictures of the two of them.
Melissa and Shaun - January 5th, 2008
We started the 2008 wedding season off with the very romantic wedding of two spirited people. Melissa and Shaun’s wedding at the Wiesenthal Baptist Church just south of Leduc was a beautiful winter event. We started off taking pictures of the couples getting ready. Here are a couple of Melissa at Shear Sensations salon in Leduc.
Melissa’s dress is beautiful.
Shaun and the guys got ready at the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe in Edmonton. In this first picture Shaun is careful to not shave off his signature soul patch. He told me the story of how after was at Mount Everest his beard was very long. He returned to base camp and when he was in one of the villages he shaved off his beard but he was either exhausted or did not have enough oxygen in his brain and he even shaved off the soul patch. It was the first time in many years that he had no facial hair and he has been careful to leave a little patch of it ever since.
Here is a picture of Shaun right before we left for the church.
Melissa’s family church, the Wiesenthal Baptist Church, is a really cute chapel just south of Leduc. Inside it has gorgeous red carpets and a nice high wooden ceiling.
After the couple had this kiss that minister said, “Not bad for a first time.”
We went to the Leduc Civic Centre to take the family pictures. The Civic Centre in Leduc is a beautiful location with plenty of greenery inside. It looks like the atrium area of the Citadel Theatre. When it came time for the father and son picture they came up with this pose themselves. How debonair!
Shaun just purchased a new Nikon D300 Camera which he plans on using for the couple’s trip to Mexico, Belize, and Guatamala. He started taking a few shots of Melissa with it and I gave him my Pocket Wizard remote lighting trigger so that he could take pictures of her with some flare! Here is Shaun trying his hand at being a wedding photographer.
We then went to Telford Lake Park to take a few pictures of the couple with the beautiful blue sky behind them.
The next stop was the Legislature. On the way there the bridal party picked up McDonald’s cheeseburgers. Here is our cheesy cheeseburger shot.
Melissa and Shaun you were a lot of fun to work with. Who knew that Shaun was such a fashion photographer? We wish you all the best on your voyage and in your life and we look forward to seeing you again in the spring.
Sukaina and Ali Wedding - December 27th to 30th, 2007
We ended the year with a blast; the marriage of Sukaina and Ali. This was our first Muslim wedding ceremony. It was performed in the Persian style at Sukaina’s parents’ house. It was one of the most intimate wedding ceremonies that we have attended. We were present for four days of the multi-day event. We were able to witness many beautiful moments.
Thursday - Mendhi and Trashing
The first day started with us going to Sukaina’s house where she was getting her mendhi (henna) applied. It is a very delicate procedure and the artist from Toronto was amazing. She wants to study to be a surgeon and with those fingers and attention to detail she will surely succeed.
Sukaina’s bridesmaids got to relax with her while she had her mendhi applied. We listened to Indian music videos during the evening. This is the first time that two of the girls had tried on Indian clothes.
The Mendhi looks the best when it is freshly applied.
The ceremony cannot start until the groom finds his name on the bride. Can you find Ali’s name in the mendhi?
At Ali’s Auntie’s house they were performing ceremonies.
Then we witnessed a ritual like none that we had ever seen before. The ‘trashing’ is when the bridesmaids and the groom’s family get a chance to mess up the groom before he gets married. They covered him in syrup, silly-string, cotton balls, and a mess of other things. Of course the groom gets to fight back and we got to see some pretty fun and sticky wrestling.
Friday - Ladies’ Mendhi Party
Friday night was Sukaina’s Mendhi Party at the Meridian Banquet & Conference Centre where the ladies attending the wedding had mendhi applied. There were ceremonies and dancing.
Sukaina was fed Smarties throughout the ceremonies. Traditionally the bride and groom are fed nuts and desserts by family members, however, Sukaina has a sensitivity to nuts so the Smarties were a safe (and tasty) alternative.
Saturday - Wedding Ceremony and Dinner
We started our Saturday out at Sukaina’s house where she had her makeup applied and gems attached to her mendhi. Her amazing wedding outfir was from Dubai and was very heavily laden with jewels and beads.
Ali arrived and the ceremony began.
A gorgeous veiled Sukaina came down the stairs.
Sukaina was veiled throughout the ceremony, and the veil was removed after they became husband and wife. The first time that Ali saw Sukaina’s face at the ceremony was through a mirror opposite to them when the veil was removed.
This is a picture of Sukaina through the mirror. She looks stunning. Like a movie star.
Family members ground sugar over the couple’s head to ’sweeten the relationship’.
Sukaina leaving her family’s house as a newly married woman. A very emotional time, especially since she is leaving her family in Edmonton to begin a new family of her own in Houston.
We headed to City Hall for formals since it was freezing outside!
Sukaina and Ali stayed at the Hotel MacDonald and we were able to take some beautiful portraits of them there.
Saturday night was an intimate dinner at Ziveli’s restaurant where family and friends relaxed and enjoyed good food and good company. It was the first time we’d seen a groom feed wedding cake to one of the kids at the wedding - it sure made him happy!
Sunday Morning - Breakfast
The newly married couple arrived at Ali’s aunt’s house for breakfast and gifts.
A ceremony is held when the couple enters the family home where they jump on to small pots. Whoever breaks their pot first will rule the household. A similar ceremony was held at Sukaina’s house on Saturday and Sukaina broke hers first, therefore officially wearing the pants in the relationship. On Sunday, Ali got a head start….before Sukaina even had her shoes on! Judges rule: it’s a tie!
We couldn’t help but join in the gift giving. Over the last 4 days we’ve felt like members of the family, and wanted to express our joy at being part of this wedding. We presented Ali and Sukaina an album of some highlights over the days of the wedding, something they can take with them back to Houston while we work on their wedding album. I’m happy to say that they loved it!
Sunday Evening - Reception
Now here’s where our couple really showed their true love and passion for one another. They braved chilly temperatures at the Royal Alberta Museum for some amazing nightime portraits. Keep in mind that Ali is here for the wedding from Houston! With love to keep them warm, you can’t even tell how cold it was out there. We are constantly amazed by what our couples will do to ensure the best photos.
Sukaina and Ali held their reception at the Meridian Banquet and Conference Centre (http://www.meridianbanquets.ca/). It was a great party! The couple had a unique second cake made of several mini cakes. Yum!
The bridesmaids presented Ali with some rules for taking care of Sukaina
Congratulations, Sukaina and Ali! You are a beautiful couple, and we wish you a blessed future together in Houston. Come back and visit often!
Last Wedding of 2007 - Sneak Peek
We’re in the midst of an amazing wedding (one more event to go tonight!). Want to find out who this stunning bride is? Come back in a few days and we’ll have all the highlights….
Wedding Photography at the Muttart Conservatory
An announcement for Edmonton brides getting married in 2008:
There is an article in today’s Edmonton Journal that the Muttart Conservatory will be undergoing renovations from January 2008 until sometime in October 2008. The Muttart is a popular location for ceremonies, indoor portraits and as a rainy day back up location, and we wanted to let everyone know that it will be unavailable for much of next year. If you were thinking of using this location, be aware the Muttart will not be taking bookings. Other locations to consider for indoor portraits are the Citadel Theatre, Neil Crawford Centre, and City Hall.
Megan and Tyler - December 8, 2007
Today was the wedding of Megan and Tyler. What a wonderful winter day! The sky was completely clear and a beautiful blanket of snow covered Pigeon Lake. The ceremony took place at the quaint Rundle’s Mission. It was a warm ceremony in the log cabin with a fire crackling in the stone fireplace.
After the ceremony we walked out onto Pigeon Lake for some gorgeous sunset pictures. How many couples get to have their photos ON the lake? This is the Alberta version of beach wedding photos.
It was a treacherous hike back up the shore from the lake.
Megan and Tyler braved the cold and did snow angels on the frozen lake.
The new husband helped his bride up the stairs.
Back at the cabin, the party warmed up in front of the fire.
The reception was held at Mulhurst Bay Community Centre. The food was wonderful and the speeches were hilarious and touching.
Michael was pumped for some dance pictures!
After the first dance the crowd really started having fun!
What a beautiful winter wedding in a perfect setting. Megan and Tyler we wish you all the best!
Winter Wedding: A Preview
Today was Megan and Tyler’s wedding and although it’s late and we’re pretty tired from the day here is a preview of the gorgeous pictures to come….
Erica and Joseph - November 30, 2007
I was privileged to be a part of a very intimate ceremony yesterday afternoon. Erica and Joseph were married at the Sacred Heart Church witnessed by a close group of family and friends.
Erica and Joseph are true Albertans, braving the cold on a chilly November day!
The couple opted for indoor family and couple photos in a beautiful atrium setting at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre Edmonton.
Erica and Joseph, congratulations! Thank you for including Shandro Photo in your beautiful day.
Sukaina and Ali Engagement
Today we headed out to Grant Notley Park for sunrise to meet Sukaina and Ali. It was a brisk morning (especially for Ali since he is in from Houston, Texas) but we were all fine in the chill and Sukaina and Ali managed to keep the mood warm.
After a while in the cold we headed to Commerce Place for some warmth.
Sukaina and Ali, you were both a pleasure to photograph and we are looking forward to Ali’s return and your wedding at the end of December.
Haley Shandro, MSc.
Haley passed a huge milestone in her life today and convocated with Masters in Biochemistry. I’ve been there with her through times of triumph and times of struggle. I’m so proud of her for everything that she has accomplished. Haley, you are my everything and I am so happy that you can take off the biochemist lab coat and shoot with me on the weekends.
Here is the standard grad photo that I took of her…
…and here are a few fun ones to show her joy!
Hats off to Haley!
Michael Shandro