My favourite wedding photos of 2011
It's almost impossible to ask a wedding photographer to pick their favourite wedding photos of the year… it's like asking a parent to name their favourite child. So I have to say, this was an incredibly difficult task, and one that I had to do without over-thinking it. A lot of the photos I pulled out for this post are ones that haven't previously been blogged and some that I had almost forgotten that I had taken. Going back through 2011's weddings was fun, and it allowed me the chance to relive all these weddings and pull out some of my favourite moments. Looking through all these photos is yet another reminder of how much I love my job! I know it's cliché to say this, but I really do feel like I have the best job in the world. Sigh. What a great year it's been. I hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as I have, and I look forward to sharing many more wedding photos with you in the new year!
So here are my favourite wedding photos of 2011, in no particular order:
This moment with Julie and Sean was during our short half-hour couple portrait session. We were on a tight schedule, but it didn't matter much, because with a couple as good looking as they were, it wasn't hard to get a good shot from pretty much any angle! I also love this kind of shooting - on the fly, as we're running from one location to another. It allows for candid, fluid moments to get captured: my favourite kind! I absolutely loved photographing them together... their love looked so natural and comfortable. I loved seeing them so in love!
Crystal and Jarrett's wedding took place on what had to be the hottest day in Winnipeg this past summer. Sticky, humid, hot. But I barely noticed. This couple radiated love and happiness - they truly were an unforgettable match. One of my favourite shots from the day was during some bridal photos... sorry Jarrett - as spiffy as you looked that day, Crystal wins the best-photo-of-the-day award! She was stunning and the light at the Hamilton Building was just too irresistible. Beautiful bride!
Oh, where do I begin with Kim? I chose this photo because it represented exactly who she is. A loveable, carefree, beautiful woman. She was my out-of-the-box bride of the year, and although her and Ryan made a stellar couple for these night-time wedding photos, this one has to be my favourite photo from that wedding. It was cold, but you could not have guessed it, certainly not from Kim's face - she is relentlessly beautiful, both inside and out! I could see Ryan believed it too - it was written all over his face. Love these guys. (ok, go check out more of them together here!)
Definitely one of my favourite photos of Charity and Sam! The chemistry these two have is such a treasure. My favourite moments with these two were the ones where Sam would make Charity crack up. I've never seen her as happy as on her wedding day - and seeing her with Sam confirmed it: love is bigger than anything else. And when you can laugh the most with the one you love, you know it's a lasting thing. So as I peeked my lens through some vines and captured this candid moment of the two of them, I knew I had caught a glimpse of something real.
Laura and Chris were all smiles on their wedding day - so my favourite photos of them were the ones that showed that the most... which means, there were LOTS to choose from! I settled with this one as my favourite - Assiniboine park was a lovely backdrop for this equally lovely couple, and my time with them was way too short. I had so much fun with these two - their love is larger than life and permeates in every interaction they have: a comfortable, beautiful connection - one that keeps you believing that this is just the beginning of something truly amazing.
This photo was taken near the end of the afternoon, as the light grew more gorgeous and as our time was running out before we had to head back to the reception. We managed to squeeze in a record amount of locations on their wedding day, which was awesome! Photographing Kyla and Darrin was so comfortable, and with every new location was yet another opportunity to capture the magic that happened when they were together. So to pick a favourite photo was near impossible. I chose this one, mostly because it was an unblogged photo from one of my favourite locations from their wedding day.
I was so happy to finally get the chance to photograph Valérie and Mario on their wedding day. Having had them book me almost two years in advance, plus having already photographed their engagement session, I just couldn't wait for their big day to arrive! And when it did, it certainly didn't disappoint. Their love grows and grows every time I see them, and witnessing the progression of their life together was unforgettable. The devotion that is shared between the two of them was noticed by all at the wedding. It was an honour to be there to witness them exchange vows - it reminded me of how enduring love strengthens all things.
Megan and Jeremy kicked off wedding season 2011 with a bang! They pretty much were the sweetest couple ever, with an unbreakable connection. After having taken time off after having my baby, I couldn't have asked for a better return to wedding photography. They reminded me of how much I LOVE doing wedding photography - they were fun, easy-going and best of all, madly in love (and outrageously gorgeous together). This is one of my favourite photos from their day - I do believe the light in this corridor was made JUST for them, JUST for this moment. Love.
Joanne and Sam invited me all the way across the provincial border to Ontario where their lake-front outdoor wedding celebration nearly took my breath away. This wedding reminded me of how GORGEOUS Canada really is and how much creativity, passion and love can result in one of the most beautiful outdoor wedding events EVER. Joanne and Sam put a lot of thought and care into their wedding day, and it definitely paid off. I was in paradise the entire time I was there, but what was best of all, was the instant connection I found with them. Having never met them before (they actually live in England!), I was entering into their life at the most significant moment yet: their wedding day. But their ease of love and incredible warmth made it seem like I had known them for years. I do really believe I have the best clients in the world.... (ha! no pun intended!)
This is one of my favourite photos from Katie and Graham's wedding because it showcases exactly what you'd expect to find between the two of them - a warmth and closeness (notice their interlocked hands!) mixed with laughter. Graham has a heart of gold and a huge sense of humour and Katie is completely smitten by him. Her laugh is infectious and when you have these two together, you can bet you'll hear laughter! I loved being able to follow them around at Fort Whyte Centre for their wedding photos - a place that holds a lot of meaning to them, perfect for a couple whose relationship means more than the world to them.
I know I've posted this photo several times before, but I feel like this one perfectly reflects Amber and Matt on their wedding day. They had a gorgeous outdoor ceremony on one of September's most beautiful days. The sun was warm, the scenery was beautiful and together they fit perfectly in it all. Amber and Matt have kind hearts and close friends who surround them with lots of love. They were such a delight to photograph and when I look back at this photo, I feel it represents exactly what I felt on their wedding day: home is when two lovers are together. They certainly found home in each other, and I'm sure it was evident to all who witnessed them get married that day.
This was my last wedding of 2011, but certainly not the least of them! Naomi and Nick got married 2 days ago, so this is why my "best of" list comes on the very last day of 2011 - I was waiting to get a few photos from their wedding ready for this blog post! I'm in the middle of editing their photos, so although I haven't yet looked at every single photo I've taken from their day, there were certainly lots that immediately jumped out at me. Naomi and Nick were stylish and gorgeous, all while being adorably cute together! They were so much fun to be around, and I really hope this wasn't my last time with them. I'd photograph them any day! Their love is real, and the fun they have together reminds me that companionship in marriage is a lot more important than we realize. These two are keepers.
I just HAD to choose this photo as my favourite from Lisa and Neil's wedding! I called it my "destination wedding" of 2011 - and I know it's not what you'd expect when I say that - but it was even BETTER. It's practically in Winnipeg's back yard... my favourite beach in the whole world. Located near the end of Highway 59, on Lake Winnipeg, this was the most beautiful setting for a summer wedding ceremony. Although it was blistering hot, I certainly wasn't complaining. That's exactly the type of day that makes going to the beach perfect, and their wedding was nothing short of that! Lisa and Neil are a quiet gem, harmony in love and an inseparable match. I wish you could have been there to witness it all!
If you knew Adrian and Steve you would understand exactly why I say that everyone would love to have these guys as friends! I'm so glad that we crossed paths, and even more happy that I was able to share in their big day. Although we had only met a few times before that, I quickly grew to love these two. Their openness and warmth reminds you that love really is all you need. And if you met their little son, you'd fall in love with him too. They are such a solid unit and one that I won't quickly forget. I really hope to do photos with them again!
This photo never made it on the blog before today and I'm excited to finally have a reason to share it. Alyssa and Marshall are such sweethearts - and with their wedding party, they made my job so much fun! I love these candid moments, as everyone is settling in for The Picture. Yet, some of my favourite pictures happen before the "real" ones. I felt this photo represented well how much fun we had on their wedding day - bright blue skies, the warmth of friendship, and best of all, a couple radiating with comfortable love. It's the best kind, love that sticks together and decides to enjoy every single moment, even the ones in between the memorable ones.
