Photographer’s note: Tamara and Cory had a beautiful wedding on a very rainy Friday in Edmonton. We went with a super modern and urban look for the photos by shooting in a parking garage. The getting ready, ceremony and reception were all at the Union Bank Inn, a gorgeous wedding venue. Tamara and Cory also chose to do a “First Look” so that they could do photos before the ceremony which I think is great so you can just got straight to the reception to enjoy the time with their guests!

Other vendors: Special Event Rentals for the linens and head table set-up, La Piazza Dasee for the  flowers and centrepieces, and Bake Me A Cake for the wedding cake.

Editor’s Note: A chilly May wedding and it actually snowed during the reception!

Images provided by ENV Photography.

Editor’s note: Images are from the 95 St area in Edmonton.

For more images from this Rock the Dress shoot, go to the ENV Photography Blog!

Q. What influenced your decision to become a wedding photographer?
A. Shortly after my own wedding, I decided to delve into the world of wedding photography. I looked at my own photos and decided they weren’t what I wanted and thought perhaps I could make more beautiful images that weren’t so traditional! I’d been shooting bands for so long, and I used to photograph models in the clothing that I used to design many years ago, so moving to wedding photography just made sense! 

Q. Describe your wedding photography style:
A. For the majority of the day, I try to just stay out of the way and just capture what I see. Of course, when it comes to the group “formals” and bride & groom shots, that’s where I like to get a little creative and have more influence over how the images develop! I like to set up a scene, but loosely direct within it so to still allow natural interactions and not make it look so posed!

Q. Describe your perfect client:
A. A “perfect” client would be a couple that trusts my judgement and also gets my weird sense of humour! Would prefer them to not be overly traditional, since I don’t think choosing me would be the right decision for them. I don’t do traditional well in any facet of my life!

Q. What is your favourite part of the wedding day(s)?
A. I love the time I get to spend alone with the now-married couple. It’s fun to sneak away and let them enjoy some time together in front of the camera. I also love the last few minutes with friends and family before walking down the aisle where you see the excitement, nervousness and anticipation all at once! Also love the reception – who can’t resist a good party???

Q. Where are your favourite places to shoot in Edmonton?
A. I think it would be easier to ask what aren’t my favourite places to shoot, and firstly it would be the Legislature grounds. It’s been done to death. Let’s find more interesting places in the city that have more meaning! Edmonton is a dirty, blue-collar city, we might as well embrace it for what it is!

Q. Do you photograph weddings outside of the Edmonton area, and if so, where are you able to travel?
A. You betcha! I will travel anywhere for a wedding! I like variety and get excited to see what other places can offer to challenge me so to have to scout locations and not just rely on the old standbys. Each city has something unique to offer and I can’t wait to get to photograph more weddings outside of Edmonton. I especially want to shoot weddings in Chicago – that city is just fantastic with beautiful old churches, layers of roadways and bridges and gorgeous architecture everywhere!

Q. What makes you different from other wedding photographers?
A. I don’t know if it makes me different per se, but I think personality is extremely important when connecting with clients. I’m a little quirky and so not traditional and I think that helps define me as a person and as a photographer. You aren’t just buying photographs for your wedding, that’s only half of it. I want my clients to at least like me (would prefer if they love me, of course!) on a personal level too!

Q. If you were getting married (or if you were to do it all over again), who would you choose to photograph your wedding, and why?
A. Well, we didn’t actually have an official photographer at our wedding, not for lack of trying, but unable to get people to return our e-mails to secure the date. So, if we were to do it again I would choose Kadie Pangburn of Pangburn Photography in Arizona. Her images are just beautiful!

Q. Do you photograph anything else other than weddings?
A. Besides weddings and the subsequent engagement shoots, and Rock the Dress sessions,  I also love boudoir photography!