2012 is going to be an amazing year.

Scott and Faye knew they wanted a day to remember, that focused on their marriage and their love for family.   What they came up with worked out perfectly;  A beautiful church ceremony with friends and family gathered around;  An intimate dinner shared with their immediate families at Sorrentino’s downtown; and then a walk around the corner to Moriartys to celebrate and have a few drinks with all their friends and family.

Congratulations! Have a wonderful first Christmas together as husband and wife.

love the Scades

Chloe was happy to be a flower girl, but was not impressed when it came time to go.

With some help from Sam (samantha.kelch@gmail.com), Vanessa and Josh planned an excellent day.  Vanessa looked gorgeous (insert shout out to Flaunt Salon for hair and Pam  Johnson for make-up here) as she walked down the aisle to Barrington Simpson’s Gospel choir at Southgate United Alliance Church.  It had been a dream of Vanessa’s for a long time to walk down the aisle to them singing.  I have to say, everyone had goosebumps.  It was beautiful.  The pastor introduced Vanessa’s father who is also a pastor to perform the extremely touching ceremony.  Unfortunately Vanessa’s grandparents were unable to attend the wedding, but they incorporated a video message with their blessings in the middle of the ceremony.

We were treated with lots of time for formal portraits with the bridal party as well as just the happy couple.   The reception took place at the German Canadian Cultural Association.  After a delicious dinner,  heartfelt speeches, a beautiful slide show including video clip messages from friends and family wishing them all the best, and some dancing…. everyone gathered outside with sparklers for the couple to walk through!  If fireworks aren’t do able for a wedding these make for an excellent second option! It was tons of fun

Congratulations Vanessa and Josh, I hope you had a fabulous time on your Mexican honeymoon!

- Steph

On July 9th (one of the rainiest Saturdays of the year so far!), after 7 years of dating, and a two year engagement, Bryce and Amy were officially welcomed into each other’s family. By the closeness and excitement of these two families, anybody could tell that they already were.

Amy looked stunning as she walked down the aisle towards Bryce and any nerves that were there before, vanished as they stood up together and shared their vows. The Ceremony took place at St Andrews United Church and as soon as it was over the rain cleared up, giving us so sunshine for family pictures in the field across the street. If it weren’t for the crazy mosquitoes, it would have been perfect. (thanks for trooping it out with us). Because of the rain, we’d already picked an indoor location to use so we were able to escape the swarming pests for most of the formal portraits. Then we headed to Ceili’s for a drink to relax a bit before the reception. With the bridal party totalling 14, the day was non-stop entertainment.

The reception was held at the Dutch Canadian Centre and it looked incredible inside. Amy’s mom Shelly had created much of the fabulous decor by hand! After dinner, a cowboy’s poetry reading and some emotional speeches (seriously..Amy’s dad had the entire room in tears!), the dancing started and I dont think it ended till they needed to close up.

Thanks for including us in your wedding day. We were happy to be able to celebrate with your two families!

- Steph

We spent the afternoon taking photographs around the University, Alberta Provincial Museum, and Emily Murphy Park before heading back to the Faculty Club for the reception.  Once again, the speeches were my favorite part.  Both families were so excited to be officially welcoming in a new family member.  They were filled with pride and adoration of the couple, and peppered with so many jokes I found my self laughing so hard I almost forgot to take a picture.

Alishia and Eric created an ipod playlist that kept the dance floor going all night.  People of all ages were busting moves.  Some of which I’d never seen before… I also had to keep my eye on one of the little girls.  She had her eye on Shaun all night and even asked him to dance.

Thanks for including us in your wedding day. Congratulations and all the best

- Steph

I arrived in Red Deer to find a completely relaxed Richelle and her mother sipping on mimosas.  Everything that had to be done was finally ready and today was her day to enjoy it all with Tyler.

Last fall we photographed their engagement session here in Edmonton, and we were looking forward to their wedding photos at Richelle’s parents farm.  Unfortunately the rain and wind forced us into Red Deer College as a last minute indoor location.  The Ceremony and Reception were both held at the Holiday Inn.  With a Black and Silver theme, everything and everyone looked elegant and beautiful.  Richelle’s brother will likely win brother of the year in my books as he bought Richelle her gorgeous wedding dress!!!  She was blown away by the surprise.  :)

During the dance, the bubble machine provided a lovely backdrop for the couple, and the dance floor was hopping the entire evening.  The flower girl and the other kids were on the floor just as often as Grandpa was, who seemed to be the star of the dance floor.

Here are a few of our favourite images from the wedding.  Congratulations Richelle and Tyler!

- Steph

Laura and Brian had a superb wedding day!!!  It was full of all the important things – Family, Friends, Joy and Excellent MUSIC.  Laura was so relaxed all morning.  She let everyone bustle around her while she enjoyed her day.  Only when it came time to put her dress on did her emotions take over.  Brian seemed to be on cloud nine all day, full of jokes, laughter and pride.

They had a lovely ceremony at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Sherwood Park.  The guests were welcomed into the ceremony by a string quartet and the Greenwood Singers sang throughout adding to the beautiful ceremenony.  Laura’s dad even stepped in to conduct a piece.  La Piazza Dasee provided the flowers for the bouquets as well as adding beautiful accents to the ceremony and reception.  After taking some bridal party portraits in the river valley and the University of Alberta we headed over to the U of A’s Faculty Club to enjoy a fantastic reception filled with the requisite heartfelt speeches and, of course, some great music. (Did I mention Laura’s family is made up of talented musicians and singers?!)  Laura’s sister Christine sang for them during their first dance.  This warmed my heart because I had my sisters sing at Shaun and I’s wedding.  It makes for such a memorable moment!  The band Aura played for the rest of the night and had everyone up on their feet all night.

Thank you for the wonderful day.  Here are a few of the photos that Gord, Shaun and I took.

- Steph

Megan’s dad told me that it made him happy to know that Megan and Derek were great together.  He said, to know your children are going to be fine in life and go far places is something truly special.  Both of their parents were so excited and proud to be joining families.  Having so much support from friends and family, helped make the day even more special.  The day ran seamlessly from beginning to end with help from  Jennifer Bergman Weddings. Every one looked sharp, the dress(es), the shoes, the flowers, and the room looked beautiful; even the little bows on the favour boxes were tied to perfection (thanks to Derek’s skills.)

Shaun has also known Megan for over ten years now, as she and one of the Bridesmaid’s Jackie (with whom he also worked at HMV with) were students at the school Shaun did his placement at in University.  Thanks Megan and Derek for asking us to be a part of your wedding day, we had a blast spending the day with you, your friends and family, and dancing!

Hope your honeymoon was wonderful and relaxing.  Hope to see you soon,

love

Steph and Shaun

It was a beautiful day, filled with family, friends, music, laughter and dancing. The reception was held at the Snow Valley Lodge.  Their friends and family beamed with pride as they spoke to the couple during speeches.  Because music is such a huge part of their lives, it went without saying there would be a live band, Martin Kerr (who was also a groomsman) and his band played two full sets, but there were also a few surprises.  Instead of sharing a traditional first dance, they played a song together for their guests; ‘When I’m 64‘ by the Beatles. Martin sang for them while Kyle played his Saxophone and Michelle was on her Clarinet.  The other surprise was for Michelle. Kyle, while playing the banjo stood up with his groomsmen (on spoons) to sing another sweet song for her.  ’All I Want is You‘ by Barry Louis

These two people have shared so many adventures around the world together already and with the love they share I cant wait to see where life takes these two wonderful people next.  Wherever it is, there’s sure to be endless laughter and smiles.  Congratulations to you both!

- Love Steph and Shaun

Family and friends sing as Michelle comes down the aisle..

First song played together as husband and wife.

Michelle’s treat

This was the case at Rebecca and Clint’s wedding. It turned out one of the bridesmaids was an old friend of mine from a previous job and just so happened to be a second cousin to Shaun that’d he had yet to meet. It was fun to catch up. The whole day felt like we were just guests at the wedding but we had special privileges with control over the pictures! We had an absolute blast!

It was a gorgeous wedding. Michelle French was on hand ensuring everything ran seamlessly. The weather was warm and sunny, but not too hot and there was a morning drizzle for good luck.  Rebecca and Clint wanted to start the day with a ‘first-look’ before their ceremony at McGrath Mansion started.  It was fun to set up the scene for them.  This idea is becoming more and more popular with couples.  It lets the them relax with their bridal party a little, while taking the formal portraits before the big ceremony. This way they are able to step right into the reception with their guests. Or, it gives you time to chill and go for a drink on a patio first if you like!

I unfortunately had to miss the reception this time. So Gordon stepped in to help Shaun out.  From what Shaun told me….it sounded like it was a GOOD TIME.  He couldn’t stop raving about all the great people.  At the reception the theme was a mixture of their favourite things. Favorite foods, drinks, and games. They had an Xbox and Wii set up with couches for guests to play, a candy bar to enjoy, and copious amounts of delicious food.  Mac and cheese, sliders, chicken fingers, grilled cheese and tomato soup, Prime Rib and perogies, and PIZZA!! ..and I have to say..having a midnight lunch hotdog and popcorn cart is pure genius!

Congratulations, and looking forward to seeing you both again soon.

Steph

The Olympics are a great excuse to watch TV.  It only happens once every couple years, it’s on all day, and it makes for great watching.  So this year I found myself watching the great Olympic coverage over on CTV and very often found myself looking at our family portrait above the television.

This particular print is large.  A good 4 feet wide.  So it’s noticeable, but suits the wall size perfectly.  It’s also about 12 years old.  So I am around 20 in the image.  As a family we have had several family photos done since this one.  But it is the dominant family photo in the house because it has a significance.  The image was photographed by Jigger Schmidt.  To most people that name doesn’t mean much, but to many photographers he was one of Canada’s best portrait artists.  Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after this image was taken.  He was an important influence on my father, and a lot of of other great photographers in our community.  Our family photo is a reflection of us, but it is also a reflection of Jigger.

Recently this image has meant a lot more to me.  In November my beloved mother Bev passed away suddenly.  It wasn’t expected.  It wasn’t prepared for.  We didn’t get a chance to take another family photo.  We didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye.

This image has been above the television in their house (our workplace) for approximately 12 years now.  6 months ago it was a family portrait.  A reminder of what we looked like a decade ago.  Now it is a treasured memory of a family.  I look up, and I see my Mom looking happy and beautiful.  I see all of us together.  I will admit it makes me sad.  But it also makes me really happy.  My Mom, like many women, didn’t like getting her picture taken.  Considering she lived in a family full of photographers there really aren’t too many photos of her (especially in the last few years).  She would always cover up, or make a goofy face thinking that it would deter us from taking photos.

After she passed, we gathered up the best photos of her throughout her life and put them into a collection to show everyone.  Seeing her grow up and become the amazing person that she was had an incredible effect on me.  It made me realize the role we as photographers play in a family’s life.  We chronicle moments.  We capture instances in people’s lives that reflect that time in their life.  But more than that, we help families remember.

I vividly remember my vacation with my mom to China.  But looking through the images of our time there, I more than just remember it.  I feel it.  It brings me back to those moments.  I feel the excitement of being in a foreign land.  An image of my mom eating deep-fried bugs is entertaining to those that weren’t there.  It tells a story.  It shows how brave she was.  But to me, i feel her laughter and the palpable trepidation she had felt just before.  Without this image, I would remember it.  But I wouldn’t get that emotional charge from merely remembering it.  I wouldn’t remember the pride I had for my Mom to be trying something so out of character.

It’s why we cry when we see pictures.  Why we cry during movies that remind us.  Or when we hear stories.  It isn’t the memory.  It’s the emotion’s attached to the memory and the imagery somehow pulls these emotions out from deep within us.  Unfortunately, photos of my Mom and I alone are somewhat rare.  And this image of the 2 of us on the great wall is something that will be treasured forever.  Seeing it I remember her awe, and know the wonder we both felt, and the power of being in such an historic location.

I now realize how important photography is in people’s lives.  How important my job is.  I am not just taking pretty pictures.  Not just making people look good.  It may seem like that due to the immediacy of the photos.  But down the road sometime, these photos are going to mean a lot more.  We have people tell us all the time that they love their wedding photography.  That they go through their album over and over and over, and it makes them feel what they felt on their wedding day.  Imagine what they are going to feel ten years from now.  Or 25 years from now when there first child gets married.  That album is worth more than the paper it is printed on.  Those images of your first newborn child, bring you back the excitement you felt, and the fear.  You can almost feel the fragility of the 6 pounds in your arms.

Stephanie and I are getting married this year.  It is going to be a fantastic and wonderful day.  Though the absence of my Mom, and my 2 grandparents that have passed in the recent years will be tough.  I miss my Mom every single day.  I am constantly reminded of her laughter, her smile, and her compassion.  I know that with time, the hurt will subside slowly.  But I know that I need that hurt.  That I need that happiness that comes with the hurt.  My life has been filled with amazing moments.  Moments of happiness, pure joy, and discovery.  But there have been many tragedies in my life as well.  And it’s this tragic moments that have led to some of the biggest discoveries and changes in my life.  At my Mom’s funeral my good friend Jesh (of the the aforementioned life changing workshops) told me that there are moments in everyone’s life that will be trying.  But it is what you take from these experiences that will make the difference.  To experience the full gamut of emotions.  To completely embrace the pain.  To use it to strengthen myself and to use it to step forward.  This event, as heartbreaking as it is, will make me a stronger person.  A better photographer.  A better friend.  A better brother.  A better son.  A better husband.  A better Dad.  Better.  And as much as I wish that this is the last of these events to happen, I know that life is full of them.  I will not let them destroy me.  But I will never forget them.

As a family we have become stronger.  We are missing one of the most important physical elements of what made us a family.  But we will always be a family.  A family that will continue to grow and support itself.  A family that grows stronger as a single entity.  Grows closer and tighter with every collective experience.

As a person we are the sum of our experiences.  A combination of everything we have ever seen, or felt, or done.  A collection of every person we have ever met.

As a photographer we are our perspective.

Every photographer has a unique way of seeing things that is based on who they are, everything they have experienced, and everyone they have ever met.  That is why our photography will always be changing.  Because we as people are always evolving and growing.

I encourage you to commit to photography.  Whether you are a photographer or not.

Hire a professional photographer for the big events and the important milestones.  But also take pictures of the everyday things.  Carry a camera.  It doesn’t have to be a great camera.  My iPhone camera has become more important to me than I could have imagined because it means I always have a camera with me.

A self-portrait of us. This image wouldn't exist if we didn't have an iPhone on us.

Record the mundane moments.  Capture everything.  We have no excuse anymore for not having photos of our lives.  Cameras are embedded in everything.  So take pictures of your family, your friends, of things you love.  And when someone wants to take your picture.  Don’t shy away.  Be proud of who you are.  Embrace who you are.  Because you are loved.  And those who love you want to have these moments.  We all want to hear your story.  We want to see and experience your story.  We want to be a part of your story.

We all have a story.  This is my story.

- Shaun

Jen and Kyle were married on January 2nd 2010, probably one of the coldest day of the new year so far. She had promised her wedding party they wouldn’t have to brave the outdoors for any pictures, but I begged and we got a few. yay. We spent the majority of the day warming up in and  around the business building at the University of Alberta, but ventured out for a few wintery images. Jen and Kyle toughed it out for quite a while, and we think it was worth it. Her pink wedding dress looked fantastic against the white snowy trees!

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Filled with yummy baking, snowball making, eggnogg sipping and all your favourite people!

Not to sound too cliche, and whether you’re religious or not, the season is all about the giving. Genuinely giving and sharing your time, love and support to those around you is what we celebrate.

This year has been particularly hard on our family, losing someone so important and close to us recently, we weren’t too sure how Christmas would be. But in times of need, when the hands are held out for you, there is a warmth like no other that is felt. We’ve been given so much from our friends, family, past clients, and even strangers! So naturally we want to reciprocate. We’ve decided to give something grand!

Combining our love for photography and music we’ve come up with an exciting contest for everyone. Friends, friends of friends and new friends. Bear with me as I give you a little background info on this, thanks.

If you know anything at all about Shaun and Gord, you know they love good PHOTOGRAPHY and good MUSIC. Gordon introduced Shaun to his expansive record collection at a very young age. And ever since, Shaun’s been religiously compiling intricate, well thought out monthly playlists. Each with a collection of new music he likes, his friends like, or he thinks he may like if he gives it enough listens. He’ll then spends the rest of the month listening to his collection letting each sound fully digest in his system.  He holds back any critique until the end of the month and tries to enjoy each song for it’s unique characteristics. Whether that be a catchy lyric, a beautiful swell, interesting horns and strings or just a guilty pleasure pop beat.

Similar to the way that a photograph can evoke emotion, every song has its own way of connecting with us too. They can bring us up, or pull us down. Sometimes they just scratch the surface but there are also the ones that help us get through the moments in life that are the most trying and really make us stop and reflect upon our lives. In all the ways we are affected by music and photography, we appreciate it.

Come January, Shaun’s collection is arranged into a complete ‘Top 100 Songs’ list for the year. This year we have decided to make a Best of 2009 image collection to coincide with his anual music lists! The Collection consist of 25 images from weddings, family, portrait, and chair sessions that we’ve shot this year!

We want your votes! The images are numbered One through Twenty Five (In no particular order).

The contest is simple. Post a friendly comment, some blog love, or shout out at the bottom of this post. Just be sure to include your favourite image number in your comment and register an email for us to contact you if you win.

Then, spread the word. Have your family and friends to vote for you too.

At the end of the month we will determine TWO WINNERS!

The person who’s image receives the most votes will win an IPOD NANO! complete with their session images on the ipod, and…Shaun’s complete ‘Top Songs of 2009′ list!

Then…Out of everyone who votes, 1 voter will be selected at random and receive a FREE ($150) PORTRAIT SESSION with a $150 Print Credit and a ‘Best of 2009 songs of the year’ playlist.

good luck

Wishing you all the best of the bestest in the 2010,

- The Scades

P.S. You might want to check out www.bolsteryourholster.com to view Shaun’s complete ‘Top 100 songs of 2009′. Enjoy!!

Here are they are. Get voting.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

We had a wonderful time, thank you so much for letting us partake in your day. All the best.

-Steph, Shaun and Gord