Sometimes first impressions are wrong!- Carol and Vince Engagement Session

My first meeting with Carol and Vince had me walking away thinking that they were a lot of fun to be with and that they were quiet and reserved. Boy.....was I wrong!  Not on the fun to be with part because I had a great evening with them, but on the quiet and reserved part!  I had planned out in my head as to how I was going to approach their photo session and get them to relax infront of the camera.  No such worries!  From the moment I caught the first image to the very last they were comfortable, relaxed and enjoying their time together.

I always like asking my couples how they met and how they got engaged as it gives them a little time to reflect on their relationship and why they fell in love in the first place.  Sometimes planning a wedding can take over every waking moment and it's nice to take a step back and just spend time together.  And that's what I hope to do with these engagement sessions, provide some time to get close, relax and have a good time.

Carol and Vince met online and dated for a couple years before Vince decided that it was time to make things more permanent.  One morning the beach in Victoria, Vince pulled out a ring and asked Carol is she would be his forever.  Carol said yes and I'm certain flashed her gorgeous smile at him right before she jumped into his arms.

These two were so much fun to spend time with, I had to laugh at their failed attempts to call a rabbit over in the middle of our shoot and I sooooo enjoyed capturing Carol's laughing face (just beautiful!).  I'm really looking forward to their wedding this September and watching them commit their lives to each other.

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I am soooo in love with this set of images....I could have posted one of them laughing at me as I was oooohing and awwwing while trying to shoot.....just gorgeous!!!!

Words cannot express how much I LOVE this image!!  Aren't they just gorgeous?

Does she not have the greatest shoes?  I could not wear them because I'd fall all over the place, but this girl makes these shoes WORK!!!

Carla and Carlene - Calgary lifestyle photography

Carla was the winner of the Valentine's Day Contest this year.  She decided to use the photos to spend some time with her Mom Carlene.  We had one day to shoot these photos and since it was the end of May/beginning of June you can imagine what it was like......wet, cold, wet oh...and it was cold.  Carlene and her husband had been on the East Coast and then Manitoba to visit their sons and were now on the final leg of the trip home to BC.  She and Carla squeezed this photo shoot into the little time they had for which I'm thankful!!

Carla and Carlene prevailed and we spent quite a bit of time outside trying to find shelter with some good light....and we did!  It was fun watching them hang out together trying to stay warm AND look warm and comfortable.  It's always fun to capture mother-daughter images as you tend to see how they are alike in the moment.  I enjoyed comparing their smiles, mannerisms and laughter through the morning.  I'm certain they hit up a coffee shop on the way home and had some more time to share stories.

Thanks Carla and Carlene, it was a great morning!

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For Keeps - wedding guest book/album

It's been almost 18 years, but I still find myself heading to my wedding albums at least a couple times a year, just to remember that day.  It will be forever ingrained in my mind, but over the years a few things are fading....HEY!...that happens as you age you know, things fade (I sure wish it was crows feet, but hey, can't be choosy I guess.).  I will stop to look at a specific image and will be taken back to that moment, and quite possibly even remember what was being said at the time....(selective memory people!!!).  One thing I don't think I've done but once is flip through my guest book.  Yes I still have it and it has it's special place in that box under the stairs, who knows I may need it sometime to compare handwriting or confirm that a specific person attended our wedding.  It may come up in conversation sometime and a girl has got to be prepared for anything!!

This is why I love the guest book album....images taken from your engagement session put into a guest book that can be signed on your wedding day.  I was excited to see Reava and Steve's album at their reception and dance.  It was great to see guests taking time to flip through the album, read Reava and Steve's answers to some questions, find out how Steve proposed and pick out their favorite image to sign by.  Some guests just sign their names, others leave a message of congratulations or piece of advice...it's a great way for your guests to have another lasting part of your wedding day.  Because chances are pretty good that you'll pick up that album and flip through it in the years ahead.

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The luck of the Irish - Paula and Barry are engaged!

Paula and Barry met through mutual friends at work and Barry must have made quite the impression because Paula was intent on making sure he joined a group of them on St. Patrick's Day.   According to Paula a few of her friends were quite insistent that Barry join them.  It wasn't the luck of the Irish that turned Barry's head, but I'm thinking that it was Paula's gorgeous smile.

10.10.10......Paula came home from work, opened the door and found Barry in a suit kneeling with a ring!  Of course Paula said yes, they celebrated over dinner that Barry had made.  Later they cracked open a bottle of Dom Perignon and celebrated with friends whom I know will be partying with them this August.

I had a great time wandering around Canmore's parks with these two. In spite of spending two summers there I was surprised at the locations they took me to.  It took all of 5 minutes for these two to warm up to the camera and we were off.  I enjoyed watching them interact, it's always fun to see how couples behave with so few people around and one of them being a virtual stranger....but I always walk away having made some new friends.  And Barry totally spoke Garth's love language by mentioning the possibility of a round of golf the morning of the wedding....Garth was certain that he could fit his camera in his golf bag somehow!

We are looking forward to spending the day celebrating with Paula, Barry, their family and friends in August and know it's going to full of fun!

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Paula your gorgeousity oozes off this image....gorgeous!

I'm sooooo excited to shoot in Kananaskis in August!

Steve and Reava's Party

I had a blast.....Steve and Reava know how to throw a party! 

There were many moments that I laughed...out loud...yup....that loud laugh...but I think the loudest was when I saw Steve and Reava's faces at one announcement.  Steve's aunts couldn't make the wedding and sent a greeting to be read...Steve's mom read "Sorry we can't be there, we'd like to give you 2 a  2 week all expenses paid trip to the Bahamas.....(shocked faces and loud gasps from everyone)....BUT we can't afford that." The message then proceeded to pass on congratulations but I don't know if anyone heard the rest as we were all laughing at the joke and at Steve and Reava's expressions!  From pure shock to surprise to laughter....priceless!

Stories were shared, tears of appreciation were shed and the laughter was abundant.....all important parts of a wedding celebration.  I had mentioned in my previous post about how that one statement had summed up the day for me.  I think the other thing that stood out for me was how Steve and Reava enjoyed every moment of their day, especially dancing.  It was so fun to watch them together on the dance floor, from singing their first dance song to eachother while dancing to showing some serious dance moves later on, they had a great time!   

The hall looked amazing full of green....beautiful floral centerpieces and candy to munch on.  I loved the centerpieces and was surprised to learn that Reava's grandma flew in early to make them all!   Amanda of Calgary Wedding Company made sure the whole day was flowing smoothly and kept on top of what was going on. 

Randy of DJXpress did a great job getting everyone onto the dance floor and keeping there!  He definitely kept the party hopping!

It was a great day and I feel so fortunate and blessed that I get to do this!  I love walking away from the day of a wedding shoot knowing that I've made some new friends.....congratulations Steve and Reava, I wish all the best.

Carly

c koop photography

Can I just say that I LOVE this image!!!! LOVE it!!