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Tara Whittaker Photography

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Archives for October 2016

October 31, 2016 By Tara

Bow River engagement photos

Brrrrr!  Brisk mornings have me yearning for summer evenings, how about you?  These Bow River engagement photos are just the ticket on a morning like this.  For their engagement session, I met these two at Eau Claire Market and we wandered around Prince’s Island taking photos and getting to know one another.  I asked the bride to share a bit about their love story…

We met 6 years ago at University.  The first thing they tell you when you move into undergraduate residence is not to have a romantic relationship with someone on your floor; if things go badly it can make living there difficult. Needless to say, both of us have difficulty listening to the advice of others and within two weeks of school starting we were officially dating. I remember calling my Mom one day and saying ‘I know this sounds dumb, but I think I met the love of my life’. On our first date in early September we grabbed lunch and sat in the quad surrounded by the bustle of students. It was a beautiful, sunny fall day – simplicity at its best!

couple on Prince's Island during their Bow River engagement photos captured by Tara Whittaker Photographydetail shot of a diamond engagement ring captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakercouple embrace on Prince's Island captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakercouple stroll on the Peace Bridge captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

Bow River engagement photos

More from the bride…

One of the best things about him is his knack for doing thoughtful things when you least expect them. He proposed last September in the same spot where we had our first lunch date – in the quad, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We celebrated with ordering take-out from our favourite Vietnamese place in Edmonton and calling our friends and family.
We feel incredibly lucky to have found each other in this crazy world. With mutual loves for sarcasm, animals, racket sports, travelling and the Toronto Raptors, our home is filled with continuous laughter, terrible jokes and adventures that we hope, will keep us falling in love with each other over the many married years to come.
 

Couple laugh during a stroll on Prince's Island captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara WhittakerBow River engagement photos captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker bow-river-engagement-photos-tara-whittaker-photography-02bow-river-engagement-photos-tara-whittaker-photography-03   bow-river-engagement-photos-tara-whittaker-photography-06bow-river-engagement-photos-tara-whittaker-photography-07 bow-river-engagement-photos-tara-whittaker-photography-08bow-river-engagement-photos-tara-whittaker-photography-09 bow-river-engagement-photos-tara-whittaker-photography-10bow-river-engagement-photos-tara-whittaker-photography-11

This session has me giddy with excitement for their Canmore wedding at Silvertip Resort with Lynn Fletcher Weddings

Bow River engagement photos captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

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Filed Under: Blog, Engagements

October 26, 2016 By Tara

Bohemian bride in Kananaskis

Today I’m tapping into my ethereal side and celebrating the bohemian bride.  It’s been fun to see my couples channel their inner bohemian and throw a casual and unconventional wedding.  One of my free-spirited brides linked arms with her Dad and walk down the aisle to meet her groom…barefoot.  Another couple said “I Do” in a woodland meadow.  The flowers were wilder and the fabrics printed and textured.  Whether it’s subtle bohemian touches or full-on Coachella, I’m all for couples throwing a wedding their own way.

As part of a recent bridal portrait series, I photographed Sloan from Numa Models out in Kananaskis Country with the fall foliage on display.  The starting point for her look was the two-piece long, flowing wedding gown from Martina Liana.  The way that skirt danced in the breeze took my breath away.

bohemian bride with the Rocky Mountains behind her captured by Tara Whittaker Photographybohemian bride in Martina Liana gown in Kananaskis captured by Tara Whittaker Photographybohemian bride walks with Rocky Mountains behind her captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerbohemian bride carries her fall bouquet from Flowers by Janie captured by Tara Whittaker Photographyfall bohemian bride in Kananaskis captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

Okay, sometimes the wind needed a little help.  Who knew that hair and make-up stylist Erica Piebiak, is also a dress wrangler?

stylist Erica Piebiak arranges the bride's gown captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerbohemian bride in Kananaskis captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker bohemian bride with her bouquet accented by berries grasses and leavesbohemian bride wears a delicate hair vine from Olivia the Wolf captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker bohemian bride in the fall foliage captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerbohemian bride carries a fall wedding bouquet by Flowers by Janie

Bouquet for the bohemian bride

Janelle from Flowers by Janie brought seasonal foliage like leaves, berries and grasses into the bouquet.  Perfect for cool weather, and for Sloan’s look.

bohemian bride carries a fall bouquet from Flowers by Janie captured by Tara Whittaker Photographybohemian bride wears pretty accessories from Adorn Boutique in Calgary

Every bohemian bride needs something pretty in her hair.  A lovely and delicate twist on the flower crown is the hair vine or halo.  This opal-encrusted piece from Olivia the Wolf added romance to the bride’s loose waves.

bohemian bride carries a fall bouquet from Flowers by Janie captured by Tara Whittaker Photographybohemian bride in the fall foliage captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

Can we talk about the bride’s bordeaux lippy shade?

bohemian bride wears a headpiece by Olivia the Wolf captured by Tara Whittaker Photographyfall bohemian bride in Kananaskis Country captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker bohemian bride in the fall leaves captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

For a hint of sparkle, Sloan wore layers of feminine gold rings from Adorn Boutique in Calgary.

bohemian bride wearing a headpiece by Olivia the Wolf captured by Tara Whittaker Photographydetail shot of the bride's rings captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

Do you love the mountains like I do?  Here’s a recent Kananaskis engagement session, if you’d like to see.

Wedding gown:  “Tait & Sadie” by Martina Liana from The Bridal Boutique in Calgary

Headpiece:  Olivia the Wolf from The Bridal Boutique

Hair and make-up stylist:  Erica Piebiak

Bridal bouquet:  Flowers by Janie

Rings & bracelet:  Adorn Boutique

Model:  Sloan from Numa Models

Bohemian bride in Kananaskis captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

Filed Under: Blog, Recommendations, Weddings

October 20, 2016 By Tara

Cornerstone Theatre Wedding in Canmore

I have quite a treat for you today.  Steph and Sean’s Cornerstone Theatre wedding in Canmore was beautiful in so many ways.  Though they planned their wedding long distance, these two put a lot of care into the planning of their mountain celebration and as a result, the wedding details were thoughtful and cohesive.

bride wearing Leanne Marshall gown captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara WhittakerBHLDN wedding shoes captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara WhittakerGroom at his Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerbridal bouquet by Black Earth Floral captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

Steph blended lavender tones, the texture of succulents and soft rustic touches beautifully.  That kind of thing is candy for my camera!

bridesmaids carrying bouquets from Black Earth Floral captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara WhittakerWedding ceremony at Rundleview Parkette captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

Steph and Sean said their I Dos with the Rockies standing majestically behind them.  Their vows were heartfelt and from the moment Steph walked down the aisle, every wedding guest sat in rapt attention.  One thing is for sure, these two are loved.

Bride walks down the aisle at Rundleview Parkette captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerfather walks bride down the aisle captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakergroom sees the bride walking down the aisle captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerwedding processional at Rundleview Parkette captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker Mother daughter moment during wedding ceremony captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerwedding ceremony at Rundleview Parkette captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

A few words from the bride…

“My favourite part about being married is waking up from the best dream ever and realizing this is real life. Ten days after Sean proposed I got on a plane to Asia and we spent six months of our eight month engagement apart, planning our wedding over choppy wifi, often into wee hours of the morning. Not only that, my five bridesmaids were also scattered across six different countries around the world until days before the wedding. It seems crazy now but I think part of the magic of the day was seeing everything come together in a way that perfectly represented us.”

ceremony decor at Rundleview Parkette captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerbridesmaids laugh during ceremony captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakermoment of laughter during ceremony captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakergroom's wedding vows captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara WhittakerWedding vows at Rundleview Parkette captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerjust married at Rundleview Parkette in Canmore captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerjust married at Rundleview Parkette in Canmore captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerbridesmaids laugh during photos near Quarry Lake Tara Whittaker Photography bridal party pose near Quarry Lake Canmore Tara Whittaker Photography bride with her bridesmaids near Quarry Lake Tara Whittaker Photographygroom with his groomsmen in Canmore captured by Tara Whittaker Photographycouple in front of The Three Sisters before their Cornerstone Theatre weddingcouple pose in front of The Three Sisters in Canmore Tara Whittaker Photographybride and groom before their Cornerstone Theatre wedding in Canmorebride and groom near The Three Sisters in Canmore Tara Whittaker Photographybride's gown blows in the breeze near The Three Sister in Canmorebride and groom near The Three Sisters in Canmore Tara Whittaker Photographyring shots captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerfloral details at a Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Cornerstone Theatre wedding

Steph and Sean love to dance and they choreographed a spectacular first dance for their Cornerstone Theatre wedding. I’ll let Steph tell the story…

“Part of our desire for our wedding was that our guests would get a sense of who we are as a couple, that glimpses of our love story would be meaningfully woven into all aspects of the day. Our first dance captured this perfectly. After the father-daughter dance, my dad gave my hand to Sean and within seconds we broke out into a sequence of unexpected moves choreographed to a medley of songs significant to us. The shock and awe on people’s faces was priceless but to me the most memorable part was looking into Sean’s eyes and knowing there was no one else he’d rather be dancing with.”

Father daughter dance at Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker PhotographyFather daughter dance at Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photographyreception set-up at Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photographycornerstone-theatre-wedding-tara-whittaker-photography-37wedding cake and cupcakes at Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photographyfirst dance at Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photographyfirst dance at Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photographywedding hashtag at Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photographyfirst dance at Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Tara Whittaker Photography
I recently shared Steph and Sean’s Elbow Valley engagement session, if you’d like to see.

Ceremony venue:  Rundleview Parkette

Reception venue:  Cornerstone Theatre

Bride’s hairpiece:  Twigs & Honey

Bridal gown:  Leanne Marshall

Bride’s shoes:  BHLDN

Hair stylist:  Beverley Robertson from Influence Salon

Make-up artist:  Claire Simone Make-up Artistry

Bridesmaid’s dresses:  Two Birds Bridesmaids

Flowers:  Black Earth Floral

Wedding cake:  Cake Rhapsody in Canmore

DJ:  Gaston from Cornerstone Theatre

Cornerstone Theatre wedding captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

Filed Under: Blog, Recommendations, Weddings

October 17, 2016 By Tara

Flower girl ideas – Ice cream cone bouquets

Weddings are all about traditions but sometimes it’s fun to add a new twist.  More often than not, flower girls baskets of petals for throwing as they walk down the aisle.  If you’re looking for unique flower girl ideas, how about an ice cream cone bouquet?  Nothing says summer wedding like ice cream!  Be sure to scroll down down for a complete DIY.

two flower girls holding ice cream cones filled with flowersflower girl ideas ice cream cone bouquets captured by Tara Whittaker Photography flower girl ideas captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerflower girl ideas flowers arranged in ice cream cones flower girls carrying ice cream cone flower bouquetsflower girl ideas ice cream cones filled with flowers  flower girl ideas captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

Flower girl ideas

If you’re not afraid of a little DIY, here are the detailed instructions for making these ice cream cone bouquets.

Supplies & equipment:

14” of ribbon (I used 1.5” width)
3 waffle cones
Hot glue and hot glue gun
Tissue paper
Selection of colorful blooms
Floral shears
Floral tape
Floral glue

supplies needed for ice cream cone bouquets DIY

Cut a 14” length of ribbon

DIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker Photography

Attach the one end of ribbon to the first cone using hot glue

DIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker Photography

Fold the ribbon in half and attach the two ends together using hot glue

DIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker PhotographyDIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker Photography

Attach the 2nd and 3rd cone to the 1st using hot glue and hiding the ends of the ribbon in the middle of the three cones

DIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker PhotographyDIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker PhotographyDIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker Photography

If needed, tuck crumpled tissue paper into the bottom of the cones. You may need it for filler and to secure the blooms firmly inside the cone

DIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker PhotographyDIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker Photography

Arrange the blooms into small bundles, clipping the ends as needed using floral shears

DIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker Photography

To hold multiple stems together (if applicable) wrap them with floral tape

DIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker Photography

Add a dab of floral glue to the end the stems and place it inside the cone. The glue will keep the blooms in place for their trip down the aisle

DIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker PhotographyDIY instructions for ice cream cone bouquets by Tara Whittaker Photographyflower girls walking down the aisle with ice cream cone bouquets

Thank you to Swooned for partnering with me on this project and for featuring it in honour of National Ice cream Day.

Dresses: Children’s Place

Hugs and kisses to Kennedy and Ellie, the perfect flower girls for this summer project.

Flower girl ideas styled and photographed by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

Filed Under: Blog, Recommendations, Weddings

October 14, 2016 By Tara

Engagement pictures in Elbow Valley

There’s snow on the ground today which has me longing for warm, summer afternoons.  This makes it the perfect time to share Steph and Sean’s summer engagement pictures.  I didn’t actually meet Steph (the bride) until that day in Elbow Valley.  Steph and Sean planned their wedding long-distance while she was travelling in Asia with World Race.   It was lovely to finally meet her in person and by the time our shoot was over, I felt like we were already old friends. Here’s a few things I learned about Steph and Sean that day…

  1. They went hiking on their first date.
  2. Steph has a smile that lights up the room.
  3. Sean adore Steph.
  4. They love to dance and their choreographed first dance would be one for the books.
  5. They have a passion for serving others.
  6. Sean chose a spectacular vintage-inspired engagement ring for Steph (more on that later).
  7. Steph has great style and eye for detail and that would translate into every aspect of her wedding.
  8. They planned an outdoor ceremony at Rundleview Parkette in Canmore, with the Rockies towering behind them.
  9. They would jet off to New Zealand for their honeymoon.
  10. These two are pure magic in front of the camera.

happy bride and groom during engagement pictures by Tara Whittaker Photographybride and groom kiss during engagement pictures captured by Tara Whittaker Photography engagement pictures on a river in Elbow Valley captured by Tara Whittaker Photographycouple wade in a river during engagement pictures by Tara Whittaker Photographygroom carries the bride during engagement pictures by Tara Whittaker Photographybride and groom stroll in the woods during engagement pictures by Tara Whittaker Photography bride smiles at the groom during engagement pictures with Tara Whittaker Photography

The beautiful bride

bride smiles during engagement pictures with Tara Whittaker Photography couple stop for a kiss during engagement pictures by Tara Whittaker Photographycouple dip their toes in the river during engagement pictures by Tara Whittaker Photography couple snuggle on a log during engagement pictures by Tara Whittaker Photography

Steph brought along a parasol for their engagement pictures as a nod to the parasols she saw the ladies carrying during her travels in Malaysia.  Nice touch!

bride and groom kiss under an umbrella during Elbow Valley engagement session

See what I mean about that ring?

vintage inspired engagement ring captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakercouple embrace during engagement pictures by Tara Whittaker Photography  engagement session in the woods captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

I hope that you’ll pop back next week when I’ll be sharing Steph and Sean’s Cornerstone Theatre wedding on the blog (including that first dance I was telling you about).  If an urban setting is more your speed, here’s a downtown Calgary engagement shoot, if you’d like to see.

Elbow Valley engagement pictures captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

Filed Under: Blog, Engagements

October 11, 2016 By Tara

Timeless bridal style

This season I’ve photographed many different brides, each in their perfect wedding dress.  Some of those dresses were flowy and ethereal, others curve-hugging and sensual.  All of them were uniquely beautiful.  There’s something about Sarah’s timeless bridal style in these photographs that takes my breath away.  So much so, that you’ll find she graces the front page of my new website.  Like her elegant look, I love the idea that the images I take are also timeless in nature, capturing the essence of a wedding, just as the bride and groom remember it.  Recently I was thumbing through Vogue Weddings and came across a quote from the design house Marchesa that really resonated with me…

“It’s not about putting on something that’s trendy this year, it’s about something you’ll be happy with in 30 years”.

I hope that 30 years from now, my couples and their children (or grandchildren for that matter) won’t be flipping through their wedding photographs and grimacing because “yikes, that’s the way they did it in 2016”.   Of course the fashions and the hairstyles will change, but my desire is to capture a moment in time naturally, beautifully and sincerely.

Sarah holds her bouquet in timeless bridal style captured by Tara Whittaker Photographyfall bridal bouquet captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker Sarah with timeless bridal style on her wedding day captured by Tara Whittaker PhotographySarah holds her fall wedding bouquet in timeless bridal style captured by Tara Whittaker Photography bride holding her fall bouquet captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittakerbride in Theia couture demonstrates timeless bridal style captured by Tara Whittaker Photography elegant lace gown from Pearl & Dot captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara WhittakerSarah had timeless bridal style on her wedding day captured by Tara Whittaker Photography

Timeless bridal style

And because pretty wedding details make my heart pitter pat, I’m throwing in a shot of Sarah’s sparkling diamond rings in a velvet Mrs. Box.

Rings in a Mrs. Box captured by Calgary wedding photographer Tara Whittaker

Last fall I photographed Kellie and Ryan’s classic wedding in downtown Calgary, if you’d like to see.  Kellie epitomized timeless bridal style.

Thank you to all of the talented vendors involved in this shoot including…

Wedding bouquet:  Flowers by Janie

Make-up Stylist:  Tara from TOK Beauty

Hair Stylist:  Tara Watts from Hairbrained

Gown: Theia Couture from Pearl  & Dot Bridal Boutique

Veil:  Sara Gabriel Veils from Pearl  & Dot Bridal Boutique

Beautiful bride, Sarah Hames

Sarah’s timeless bridal style captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker

Filed Under: Blog, Recommendations, Weddings

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