Tara Whittaker Photography

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Archives for August 2015

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Okotoks ranch wedding

Nicky and James tied the knot at her family’s ranch near Okotoks.  They said heartfelt vows with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains behind them and prairie grasses at their feet.  Between the adorable flower girls dancing down the aisle and the tears the groom shed during the vows, it really was a highlight for Kacie and I this summer.

chalkboard sign at ranch wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography bride getting ready at her Okotoks Ranch wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography groom at his country wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography flower girls at ranch wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography outdoor wedding ceremony near Okotoks captured by Tara Whittaker Photography emotional wedding ceremony captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

The day was filled with pretty, rustic details including hand-drawn chalkboard signs, “let love grow” seeds packets for the guests to take home and bundles of wildflowers.

pretty wedding details captured by Tara Whittaker Photography groom with his groomsmen captured by Tara Whittaker Photography bride and her bridesmaids captured by Tara Whittaker Photography couples pose after their Okotoks ranch wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography wildflowers and wedding rings captured by Tara Whittaker Photography bride and groom captured by Tara Whittaker Photographybride and groom embrace at their Okotoks ranch wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography rustic reception decor captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Before the dancing got underway, we snuck away for a few photos of the bride and groom as the sun was setting.  Nicky had fabulous boho style on her wedding day and for the reception, she changed into a flowy, linen dress.

bride and groom photographed during the golden hour by Tara Whittaker bride and groom photographed during the golden hour by Tara Whittaker  silhouette of a bride and groom captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Congratulations to Nicky and James!  What a pleasure to document this most important day for you.

Here’s their sneak peek, if you’d like to see.

Flowers:  Flower Chix

Bride’s gown:  Stella York

Ladies hair and make-up:  Shea Brown

Officiant:  Shauna Way

Catering:  Symons Roadhouse

DJ:  Wild Bill’s DJ Services

Okotoks Ranch wedding captured by wedding photographer, Tara Whittaker

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Barefoot sandals for a boho bride

Tomorrow on the blog, I’m going to be featuring a ranch wedding that I photographed near Okotoks.  There were fabulous mountain views, handmade chalkboard signs, wildflowers and top it all off, the bride walked down the grassy aisle in barefoot sandals.  If I’ve piqued your interest, be sure to pop back tomorrow for a closer look.

Update:  This post is coming Friday.  Sorry for the delay but “life” got in the way.  See you Friday!

bride wearing barefoot sandals at her Okotoks wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Nicky tells me she purchased her barefoot sandals at Aldo.

Here’s another summer ranch wedding near Okotoks, if you’d like to see.

Barefoot sandals captured by Okotoks wedding photographer, Tara Whittaker

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Downtown Calgary engagement session

This downtown Calgary engagement session is a pretty special one for me.  I have come to know Emily (the bride) through Adorn Boutique in Inglewood and we have done several photo shoots together over the last year or so.  When I saw on Instagram that Emily was engaged to her love Aaron, my heart skipped a beat.  I’m beyond excited that they chose me to photograph their wedding at The Lakehouse next fall.  Knowing Emily, it’s gonna be a good one!  I’m already picturing their romantic ceremony in front of that great stone fireplace.  In the mean time, here’s a sneak peek from their engagement shoot last week…

engagement session on Stephen Avenue captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

We stopped for a shot or two at the iconic head sculpture in front of the Bow Building on 6th Avenue.

engaged couple at Bow Building Calgary captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Stephen Avenue

Emily and Aaron are having a fall wedding and wanted a completely different look for their engagement session.  For an urban feel, they chose Stephen Avenue as a backdrop that day.  What I love about Stephen Avenue is the “busyness” of it.  Yes there are beautiful sandstone buildings, but there’s also people milling about, sidewalk cafes and taxis idling at the curbs.  It really adds that big city charm to the photographs.

couple on Stephen Avenue for engagement session Calgary captured by Tara Whittaker Photography downtown Calgary engagement session captured by Tara Whittaker Photography engagement session in downtown Calgary captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Emily was part of my Stampede party shoot, recently featured in the July issue of Avenue Magazine.  Ironically, she played the bride that day.  Coincidence?

Here’s a coffee shop engagement session from July, if you’d like to see.

Downtown Calgary engagement session photographed by Tara Whittaker

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Girly graphic tees

It really was an extra-special night in Inglewood last night.  Adorn Boutique celebrated their first birthday under the ownership of Kari Owen.  There was champagne, watermelon cookies and a glimpse at the new fall fashions.  The highlight of the evening was the launch of a new line of graphic tees with Velvet & Vino.  Becky from Velvet & Vino and Kari from Adorn collaborated on this adorable new collection featuring three custom t-shirt designs.

graphic tees in the window at Adorn Boutique captured by Tara Whittaker Photography 3 graphic tees from Adorn Boutique and Velvet & Vinot-shirt designers from Adorn Boutique and Velvet & Vino captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Earlier this week, I photographed the collection and couldn’t help but think how they would be the perfect gift for your bridesmaids or to pack for a bachelorette weekend.  Brides, am I right?

Hear what Becky has to say about the designs…

Officially today, we’re launching a capsule collection of t-shirts available for purchase both online and in-store at Adorn Boutique. This collection of three t-shirts has been carefully designed by myself and Adorn Boutique. Together we created these designs with purpose and meaning, and most importantly to share our style inspiration with you!  Head over to her blog for all of the details.

T-shirt #1

Elizabeth Taylor inspired graphic tees captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

T-shirt #2

Becky from Velvet & Vino in sorry not sorry t-shirt captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

T-shirt #3

Becky from Velvet & Vino models girly tee captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Well done ladies!  Their collection is now available online and in-store at Adorn Boutique in Inglewood.

Speaking of bridesmaids, Adorn carries several gift options that your girls will love.  Check it out!

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Pink wedding sandals

I like Cinderella, I really do.  She has a good work ethic.  And she likes shoes.  The fairy tale is all about the shoes at the end.
Amy Adams

pink wedding sandals worn by a preppy bride captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

These adorable pink wedding sandals are from my friends at Nine West Canada.  They were perfect for our preppy bride at the Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club on July 31st.

If you like these, you might also like these pink, kitten heels that the bridesmaids wore that day.

Pink wedding sandals were captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

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What to wear to the beach

Did you catch my love shoot on the Elbow River last week?  What a treat to work with Canadian fashion blogger, Becky Kung from Velvet & Vino, and Swimco.  We met up at Stanley Park in Calgary for an evening of river rafting, with a little summer fashion inspiration sprinkled in.   This is part two of that project where Becky shares her favourite beach essentials for summer.  Head over to the Velvet & Vino blog for an inside look.

beach bag suggestions captured by Tara Whittaker Photography model wearing a wide-brimmed hat and bikini captured by Tara Whittaker Photography What to wear to the beach captured by Tara Whittaker Photography model wearing a wide-brimmed hat and bikini captured by Tara Whittaker Photography model wearing a wide-brimmed hat and bikini captured by Tara Whittaker Photography model wearing a black cover-up captured by Tara Whittaker Photography What to wear to the beach captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

This wasn’t the first time I’ve worked with Velvet & Vino.  She also co-hosted a spring fashion event with Adorn Boutique in Inglewood.

What to wear to the beach feature captured by Calgary photographer – Tara Whittaker