by Sarah | modern photography
You know the saying “you had me at hello”….. well, I totally experienced that meeting Jenn and Elise and hearing these beautiful words: “there will be TWO wedding dresses Sarah. And two sets of beautiful shoes. TWO brides Sarah. How awesome will that be?!” Um, yes. Please. Keep talking! It was actually quite some time ago that we first met and over that time I feel like I’ve gotten to know these two incredible girls quite well. To say that I’ve enjoyed working with them is quite the understatement. To say that they’re clients wouldn’t be correct. These girls have become my friends. The entire process has been wonderful and I feel lucky to have captured their love and their wedding day. So let’s talk about two wedding dresses, two sets of shoes, necklaces, mom/daughter moments, girlie chats and all that. What a whirlwind, and was I sweating! Oh yes, I love looking for the perfect place, the most special surface and of course, the most perfect place required balancing precariously on a rolling chair to get the dress hanging perfectly. We schemed about their first glance too and I was thrilled with the balloon idea. The ceremony was held on the beautiful patio of Valley Ridge Golf Course under the most perfect blue sky. My favourite detail is a tie between the cookies at the ceremony (ok I have to stop and talk about the cookies. They’re probably the best cookies I’ve ever tasted and I want some right now actually) and the Jones Soda inspired pop bottles, painstakingly made by the girls with a photo of each and EVERY guest. I’ve mentioned before that I’m a ‘moment’ kinda girl. I look for moments, sometimes I help them along (I’m sneaky like that), but for the most part I strive for authentic. And you can’t get any more authentic than letting two people who love each other more than anything in the world, just be. I am speaking specifically about the AMAZING sunset session we did, where I set them free and just them be themselves. Photographer heaven right there. Between the kisses and cuddles, there was also some robot dancing, because let’s be honest, no one can be serious for that long. I truly, 100%, loved every single second. I hope you do too.
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by Sarah | modern photography
I think what shows Mike and Travis’ true character and personality the most is the fact that they knew right from the beginning that their nieces and nephews would be the bridal party. They are fun loving, unique and kids-at-heart. If we needed more evidence, Travis owns enough Star Wars memorabilia to outfit another sequel. I have known Mike for quite a few years now and was over-the-moon thrilled to be asked to capture their day. I joked that I needed to hire them as professional scouts for all my shoots as their ideas and choices were spot on. Aside from this location being quite the cozy little oven, *cough* it was absolute perfection as a backdrop for their creatives. Their ceremony, held at Chestermere Golf and Country Club, was emotion-packed and I always like to note when I see that emotion reflected in the audience. Their friends and family were right there with them, I could feel the love and support for these two wonderful men. I could not be happier with how the day turned out. Enjoy!
by Sarah | Calgary Same Sex wedding
I was absolutely thrilled to finally shoot in the Badlands, Drumheller area. I actually can’t believe I’ve waited this long. It made for absolute perfection for Mike and Travis’ engagement session; seemingly everywhere we turned and looked there was a spot better than the last. We were having so much fun that the only thing stopping us was the setting sun. I loved every minute, even the horrible cheeseball rock jokes supplied happily by Mike 🙂 Their wedding is coming up fast and I’m pretty darn excited for it. Enjoy!
by Sarah | modern photography
Jenn and Elise compliment each other perfectly and I have been waiting FOREVER (it seems) to photograph them in anticipation of their summer 2014 wedding. I’ve been conversing with Jenn seemingly for months planning it all out and was most excited to see “the shoes”. These shoes were specially painted for Elise as she’s a self professed Shoe Lover, in fact I believe she has a specific closet to keep all her shoes. I wonder what she’ll wear on the wedding day?!
by Sarah | Engagement, modern photography, Weddings
In the summer, as I was driving to Emerald Lake Lodge for Shannon and Erik’s wedding, I spent most of the ride deep in thought. For some reason, my mind drifted to same sex marriage and the fact that these types of marriages or unions do not seem to be represented on the internet even a fraction as much as hetero-sexual marriages. It was also during the time of the debates and voting on same sex marriage down in the states. As I drove, I felt a familiar feeling of needing to do my, albeit small, part in bringing this love front and center. You might think I’m making this up but almost as soon as I had decided what to do, an ad for Calgary Pride Week came on the radio. It was to be the following week. I am NOT kidding. I live my life by following and listening and looking for paths. Certainly this was something I could not ignore. Hence my Show Me Your Pride contest was born.
I really enjoyed all the entries and it was very VERY difficult to choose. But in the end, with help from friends and colleagues, Jessica and Penny were chosen.
Here is her entry:
So you want to know why my Partner and I should win a photo session with you!!! Well I could go on for hours but I’ll try to keep it short. If you’re anything like me, I LOVE hearing LOVE stories, and so I’ll start with how we met. Penny was this beautiful stunning girl from Lethbridge who was visiting a Calgary bar with some friends that happened to be mutual friends of mine as well. I knew I’d be with her forever that night when we first met, and I still remember asking her if I could kiss her. We didn’t go a single weekend without making trips to see each other, and after a year, I too become a Lethbridgian. We started our lives together, and we have now bought a house, have two cats and a dog, and our lives are getting better and better. On June 16th 2012 I asked Penny to be my wife. I surprised her and did it while we were in Quesnel BC for her High School Reunion….it was truly the most amazing moment of my life. Then on August 24th 2012 Penny Surprised me with a proposal of her own, Roses, Red wine and a perfect engagement Ring. We have yet to get engagement photos done and we’d LOVE this opportunity!
I had such a great time with them, I could see just how much they love each other and it was a breeze to shoot. Thank you girls! Enjoy! x
