An Engagement and A Wedding

The better part of 2016 has gone by in a flash! My hopes of keeping this blog updated was put on hold with some wonderful, life changing news. This past October, my sister, Elyse, became engaged! I was so excited to get the late night call and the title of Maid of Honor. They didn't want a long engagement set a date right away for October 1st, 2016. We had a tough task ahead of us; plan a wedding in less that a year from two different provinces. 

But I was up for the task! Elyse had four bridesmaids to help, one being my very sweet future sister-in-law. She also had some close friends help and they all knew each other from high school and still kept in touch, so I knew we could do it. And after all, I had photographed enough weddings to call myself an expert...right? Maybe at attending weddings, but I did not realize how much detail and forethought is required! (I am suddenly recalling a frantic shop at Michael's and a late night DIYing an envelope box for the reception)

The one part I knew I could handle without a hitch was the engagement session. For a couple that loves the outdoors and the summertime, we planned the session for mid-July during my visit for the bridal shower. The timing worked out perfectly as we had a gorgeous, sunny day. 

Elyse had also just gotten a new puppy, named Raven, a few weeks before and we were able to get a cute family photo. It was a bit hot for the dogs, so we opted to only photograph them in the first location and then make a quick stop to the house. It ended up being 30+ so we also had a few beers to keep us cool at the second location; both were photographed in Leduc, just south of Edmonton. It was a such fun session, I am so glad I could capture it for them. 

There are more of my favs from the shoot @vanessamariephoto

These two are just so photogenic and natural in front of the camera.

These two are just so photogenic and natural in front of the camera.

I asked him to say something funny to get Elyse to laugh, and it worked!

I asked him to say something funny to get Elyse to laugh, and it worked!

This is one of my favourite shots from the day.

This is one of my favourite shots from the day.

I wanted to try some lens artistic lens flare for the final pose.

I wanted to try some lens artistic lens flare for the final pose.