Weddingbee Blog

Our photographer search left me a little stressed out. In fact, I took a week long break from the vendor search because I just couldn’t handle it. Fiancee Eagle and I really wanted to choose a photographer that “got us” as a couple, someone who supported marriage equality… someone whose work was phenomenal. I honestly thought we would have to settle, because we were setting the bar too high.

And then I remembered something… something so big, that I couldn’t believe I forgot it. I already knew the perfect photographer. I had spent hours poring over her blog when I was doing my Bachelor’s Degree, because she was one of my classmates! It takes serious talent to be a scientist AND a photographer. And serious talent she has.

Image via Brittany Esther Photography

I started talking to my friend Brittany, of Brittany Esther Photography, and asked her if she knew of any photographers in Calgary that were experienced with same-sex weddings. I secretly wanted to gauge her feelings about possibly shooting our wedding, but not put any weird friend-vendor-pressure on her if she wasn’t comfortable with it. Before I even asked her if she was comfortable shooting a same-sex wedding, she told me that she would love to shoot a same-sex wedding. I knew we could find a photographer that was supportive of same-sex weddings that wasn’t listed on the elusive So You’re EnGAYged preferred vendor list. Although, you may have seen her work featured on Green Wedding Shoes!

Before we sealed the deal with Brittany, we showed our parents her blog, and they all thought she was amazing. So we signed the contract, sent the deposit using the magical but confusing email-money-transfer, and seriously couldn’t believe we snagged her. I knew she booked up early from conversations we’d had during school, and she has had other couples inquire about our date, since we booked. We lucked out! We had our dream photographer!

Images via Brittany Esther Photography

Our package includes an engagement shoot that we are doing in March, before I go to Africa. I seriously can’t wait to decide on the details for our shoot with Brittany. My only request? That she bless us with some of her black and white work.

Images via Brittany Esther Photography

I’m seriously obsessed with her skills. Photography is really important to us, and something we were willing to spend a larger amount of money on. It was also important to us that we choose a photographer that takes a photojournalistic approach to photography. We enjoy this style of photography much more than traditional, posed, wedding photography. I feel like the photojournalist style really captures the emotions of the couple, and I like that every picture looks like art!

I know that Brittany will capture amazing photos of us during our engagement shoot and on our wedding day, and that trust is important to me. I don’t know if I could stomach the next 6 months of wedding-stress if I thought my photographer may not get great photos. We are so lucky to have been able to book Brittany, and I can say I am truly thrilled to be working with her!

Is photography high on your wedding-importance list, too? Did you go with a photojournalist-style photographer, or a more traditional formal photographer?