Nearly a decade ago I photographed Hannah’s high school senior photos, so I was beyond thrilled to receive an email from her asking us to photograph her wedding! Since beginning our photography business, nothing tops the honor of following a person and being able to document the same soul on this journey through life.

Due to Cincinnati weather we were forced to postpone their session twice, once for sweltering heat, and once for rain, but it ended up just fine. The day of our session couldn’t have been any more perfect, and the late autumn we were experiencing in Cincinnati happened to be at its peak time.

Hannah and Jordan, we look forward to your big day coming up this fall!

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I have been more than eager to share these wedding images. Not only because we were privileged to photograph a beautiful bride and handsome groom amidst a surreal, jaw-dropping backdrop, but because that beautiful bride happens to be my eldest niece. At 13 I was her first babysitter. I practiced my photography on her when she was 4, 5, 6. I photographed her senior photos, her college grad photos, her “I got my own dog” photos, and now here we are. Wedding.

A few months ago I shared her and Kurt’s engagement session in charming Savannah, and we had since been counting down the days before heading to Canada. Kaitlyn and her sweetie are both laid-back and keep plans very minimal. Although they considered the traditional big wedding route, they opted for an intimate ceremony with only their close family in a gorgeous, new surrounding they had dreamed of visiting. They chose to fly into Calgary, stay in the quaint town of Canmore, and it wasn’t until we were already there that we selected a place for the wedding. I have met quite a few easy going brides, and my niece certainly was one of them.

The day before the wedding we hiked around  Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to get ideas. We found our spot, told our small group of family that was attending, and that was that. It was so simple and relaxed, and everything went smoothly.

Did I mention we had to do a bit of hiking to get to the wedding site? She came prepared.

Kurt got ready with his family at the gorgeous cabin they rented.

           We had no phone service out there, so I was nervous about coordinating the hike up and keeping Kurt from seeing Kaitlyn too early. It all worked out and he didn’t see her until she came up the hill with her father.

Did I mention my brother officiated? After he played guitar for her, he quickly switched over to marrying. :)

They chose a place that was off the main path. As such, family was scattered around on the nearby rocks. In the top of the photo (shown below) you will see all of the uninvited guests. We had around 20 tourists taking photos and even sitting down to hear the ceremony. One gentleman came down to take photos right beside us!

Seriously, they chose this spot the day before. Could it have been more perfect?

We had been praying the weather would hold up for us, and it did. As soon as the ceremony and family photos concluded, the wind picked up, and you could see the snow sweeping across the mountains. It was blowing down over the lake and looming closer and closer to us. It started to drizzle as we began our descent. All I could think about was PORTRAIT TIME and hope that the rain would pass quickly.

And it did pass quickly. Family loaded up in the cars and headed back towards Canmore where we would be gathering for dinner, while Brett and I took the couple off for photos.

Not much could top the aqua blue of the lake, that is until we passed this amazing aspen grove. We’ll call it a tie.

And my favorite image…

Peaceful. Muted tones. Relaxed couple. Nature. (It will be hanging in our house soon, Kait.) :)

The purple-hued mountains among the mustard leaves…heaven.

Kaitlyn and Kurt, thank you for the adventure. I’m proud of you for doing what you wanted and making it happen. It was an honor being there to document and witness your love.

We love you guys!

Aunt Jess & Uncle Brett

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