willow and andrew. married. a yellowhead brewery wedding.

I've heard it said in my industry that you shouldn't ever photograph a family member's wedding and may I politely interject that, in my experience, you should jump on said opportunity because it may be the most beautiful, intimate thing you've ever experienced. Willow is my second cousin and I was beyond honored when she and Andrew asked me to photograph their wedding. Guys - this wedding was a dream! One of my favorite things that a couple can do is forego all the nonsense that you're "supposed" to do at your wedding and do WHATEVER YOU WANT! They told me their friends were just as crucial as their attendants - the love and support from the people who desired to stand by them on this day and the rest of days was invaluable. They had a first look, had some time for formal photos with their friends, then met with a small group of close family and friends to sign their marriage documents. Andrew's father, a pastor in Sherwood Park, married them. They had their ceremony at the Yellowhead Brewery with a wider group of loved ones AFTER they had already been legally wed. They loved to laugh and obviously loved to love. Willow made her own bouquets and boutonnieres using flowers exactly suited to her taste. The girls didn't match but wore the most beautiful outfits with intricate textures and details. Their words to each other were intricate, poetic and kick-you-in-the-gut heartfelt. You could feel this one, guys. It was palpable. And I loved it oh so much.

Have a look at more of the weddings I've done for my family here (Lisa and Brad) and here (Ken and Angela). Then message me to see if I might be the right fit for your wedding (even if you're not family ;)) - cheryl@aeris-photography.com :)

katie and james. engaged. by edmonton photographer aeris photography.

I just loved meeting up with Katie and James back in April to photograph their engagement session. They're full of love and spunk and overall cuteness which makes my job so easy. What a treat to meet such incredible people through this job! Thanks guys - I can't wait to photograph your wedding in August!

Getting married? Check out more of engagement work here, my wedding work here and then shoot me an email so we can chat!

suburbia hair spa inc. and a whole lot of gorgeous. edmonton photographers.

I truly do love networking with other professionals that surround the photography industry so it was awesome to meet up with Thyda from Suburbia Hair Spa Inc. in St. Albert to photograph some promotional material for her salon. Not only do they offer cuts and styling for both men and women but they also rock out makeup, manicures, pedicures and men's shaves! Check out some of my favorite photos from the shoot! Props to the hard work put in by an excellent team:

Hair/Pedicure: Suburbia Hair Spa Inc. Makeup: Hamana's Artistry Models: Amelia Neo (Numa Models) and Amanda Buyco

I love networking but my true passion is as an Edmonton wedding photographer!  Check out some of my wedding work here and shoot me an email if you're looking for a photographer for your wedding!

Photographers Edmonton, Edmonton Wedding Photographers, St. Albert Wedding Photographers

a warm romance. a styled bridal session by a team of rockstars. edmonton wedding photography.

One of my favorite things about this business is being able to meet and network with incredible vendors - Other small business owners that work their butts off with creativity and passion to bring stunning visions to life. My friend Erin from Erin Walker Photography and I had talked about doing a styled shoot together for a while and, once we combined forces with Christina from Sweet Bliss Weddings, we knew it would be incredible. Christina introduced us to some other creative geniuses and I couldn't be happier to have met and worked with this stunning group. Have a look at some of my favorite shots from our time together and check out these incredible vendors!  Here's to more collaborations in the future!!

Photographers: Aeris Photography and Erin Walker Photography (all photography in this post by Aeris Photography) Hair: Jack'd Up Beauty Boutique Makeup: Mookie Salinas Makeup Artist Styling and Planning: Sweet Bliss Weddings Florals: Akiko Floral Artistry Inc. Cake: Style Cakes Stationery: Lovesky Design Inc. Headpiece and bridal belt: LottieDa Designs Dresses: Delica Bridal

Edmonton Wedding Photography

my peeps. edmonton photography.

The last two years I've pulled together a personal project: a shoot where I invite my beautiful friends, old and new, to get together to hang out, celebrate our friendship and for the making of my own memories. These women love me, encourage me, believe in me and invest in me in spite of my mistakes and shortcomings. They love me through it all and that's pretty ridiculously special. It's pretty tricky to organize a lot of women to get together all at once so there are definitely a few friends who are missing from these photos. To them and to the women below: Thanks. Your friendship fills my heart and feeds my soul. I love you.

Meet my peeps:

Katie. A friend for about 9 years whom I met through a church small group. She's a believer in quality time and sharing the real stuff of life.

Edmonton Photography

Linnette. I've known her for about 10 years through my church (she's my pastor's wife) and, slowly but surely, I've learned to open my heart to a space where I can be myself (vulnerable and a bit stubborn). Linnette loves pretty big and has nurtured our relationship through grace and immense kindness.

Cassidy. Cassidy's is Linnette's daughter so I've know her for about the same amount of time. She's grown into a beautiful, generous, kind and softspoken woman and is a delight to have in my life.

Cassie. Another friend through church whom I've gotten to know better over the last 3 or 4 years. Cassie is constant and consistent. She is soft, vulnerable, an encourager and a delight to know.

Christina. A local photographer whom I met while she was photographing a friend's gorgeous mountain wedding in BC last December. She's become a dear friend, a supportive work colleague and a recent workout buddy <3

Janelle. I've know Janelle since birth (or pretty close to it). We were both country kids (where a 15 minute drive to each other's house is considered "close"). Our parents hung out together so our friendship has had a lot of years to grow. This girl is made of the REAL good stuff :)

Kim. A great friend from church who I get a renewed, rich appreciation for everytime we hang out. She is strong, loyal and incredible.

Denise. She was a bit older than me growing up but we end up really connecting in the years post-graduation. I love this former-roomie's heart and contagious laugh. She's pretty great :)

Claire. This amazing woman introduced me to the love of my life, my husband, Noel. And then she proceeds to love me through the gritty stuff of life. I've probably cried with each of these friends but no doubt Claire has seen a majority of those tears (FYI crying is my go-to response for amazing, happy things, too. Any emotion I have comes out first and foremost through my eyeballs). Love. This. Lady.

Lee-Ann. I met Lee-Ann about 5 or 6 years ago when we both worked at a local daycare together. Work-friendship slowly seeped outside the daycare walls and I'm so glad it did!  Lee blessed me, too, by hiring me to photograph her wedding last year! Sweetest girl I know, no joke.

Alora. If you follow my Aeris work at all you've no doubt seen me brag about this girl on many occassions. We met 3 years ago through photography (check out her work here!) and although our work has kept us connected we've developed a friendship that has transcended into something pretty real and pretty awesome.

My girls, my peeps.

Shout out to Katie's husband, Dennis, for manning the tripod for these group shots!

I did a girlfriend shoot last year, too! You can check it out here if you're interested :)

things that rock my world. beautygram.

Things That Rock My World is a blog series I started doing to promote and raise awareness of individuals, businesses and/or products that, well, rock my world. As I plug away trying to keep growing in my own business I'm especially drawn to powerhouse business women - women who have dreamt, tackled and pursued a goal and never looked back. So, when I had the opportunity to meet and photograph Jenn from Beautygram.com I was super-stoked to be able to capture the individual, business AND product all in one! I heard about Beautygram about two years ago after seeing an episode of Dragon's Den where Jenn pitched her product, a boxed gift of luxury beauty products that could be ordered online and hand-delivered (or mailed), to the Dragons. At the time I was trying to come up with something to gift my amazing brides and I immediately thought that this was EXACTLY what I was looking for! I started using Beautygram at the start of my 2013 wedding season and fell in love. I get to go online, hand pick the cutest, best-smelling, luxurious little spa-like items that I think my brides will like, type in a custom message for each bride and VOILA! It gets sent right to their door in the prettiest packaging!  Although I really like picking and choosing my items for my brides (my absolute favorite is the Cake Milk Made Velveteen Hand Cream - it smells like heaven) Beautygram also offers ADORABLE pre-made selections for baby gifts, Best Friends, bridal showers, and more. For realz, next time you're thinking about sending someone flowers you should definitely consider sending them a Beautygram!  And guess what?!!  Jenn sent me a discount code for all of my readers who want to send a beautygram to someone they love!  Type in AP2014 when you're checking out for 15% off!

I love the idea of photographing people as awesome as Jenn so I contacted her (I knew Beautygram was a Calgary-based company), chatted it up, and the rest is history. This lady is so fun and bright and I had a blast making a new friend. Have a peek at the video that started it all and then a peek into our time together and then really, go check out Beautygram, mmkay?

Have a look at just a few of the products Beautygram carries below (photos courtesy of Beautygram).

They recently partnered with Eliasz and Ella and are offering some select pieces that you can also put into your Beautygram box!

Well done, Jenn!  Your dream makes me want to dream, too!

lisa and john. engaged. edmonton engagement photography.

Lisa and John are in love and it's pretty ridiculously awesome to see. I met this couple this past winter during their wedding consult and immediately knew I wanted to photograph them so I was thrilled to shoot their engagement session a few weeks ago and can't wait for their wedding this fall! Have a look at a few of my favorites from our recent time together :) You can check out more of my engagements here and my weddings here. Feel free to shoot me a message if you're looking for someone to capture YOUR love!

cc and dylan. married. edmonton wedding photography.

I had the great privilege of photographing another beautiful couple last week. CC and Dylan chose to have their wedding on Wednesday, April 2 to commemorate (and keep) the anniversary of when they first became a couple (actually an awesome idea, eh?). With the help of Sweet Bliss Weddings, an Edmonton wedding planner, they had a gorgeous wedding to complement their ever-growing love. Loved it. Have a look at a few of my favorite shots from my time with CC and Dylan. In the market for your own wedding photographer? Check out more of my wedding work here and feel free to shoot me an email if you'd like to chat!

pamela and dustin. engaged. edmonton engagement photography.

Although my wedding season is just kicking off now I've thoroughly enjoyed being able to connect with some of my 2014 couples during their engagement sessions. Pamela and Dustin are one of those gorgeous couples; beautiful, kind and in love. Awesome. I can't wait to photograph their wedding in June. Check out a few of my favorites from our time together. You can also check out more of my engagement work here and my weddings here. Feel free to shoot me a message if you're looking for someone to capture YOUR love <3

swept. an edmonton bridal experience.

Ok folks, listen up! If you follow Aeris Photography on facebook you may have seen a few posts I've recently shared about something incredible: SWEPT. SWEPT is a brand new, innovative, inspiring bridal show experience that you WANT TO ATTEND!! :)

*photo courtesy of Erin Walker Photography

Have you ever attended a bridal show before? You know the kind where you show up to an agricom, pay your fee and make your way through a crazy herd of people strolling by hundreds of booths and filling your plastic bag with pamphlets, free pens and magnets, entering draw after draw in hopes that you might win anything from anyone. Yah, those ones. Nothing wrong with shows like this but have you ever walked away more uncertain than when you walked in? Erin Walker, my pal, photografriend and the creator of SWEPT can relate. Read this excerpt about where Erin got the idea for SWEPT:

"[SWEPT] started out as a tiny idea, way back when i first attended a bridal show with a friend a few years ago. i expected the event to be like a wedding….i thought it would be beautiful, i thought i would leave inspired and pampered and instead i was left wanting more. the bridal show was just another trade show. there was no special atmosphere, and it felt like everyone was just trying to hand me pamphlets and sell me things. no matter where i looked in edmonton, there was no experience like the one i was hoping for at a bridal show.

fast forward a couple years and i was working in the wedding industry myself. i’ve learned more about the wedding industry from being a part of it than i ever would have seen at a bridal show! i’ve realized that some of the best and most creative moments i’ve had in my photography career have been collaborating with other creatives. the florists, planners, and designers we have in this city are unbelievable! working with other artists is inspiring, and it pushes me further in my own creativity.

realizing that creativity fuels creativity brought me full circle back to my experience at the bridal show with my friend years ago. what if we could create an experience where wedding vendors could collaborate and be creative, and brides could experience an over-the-top gorgeous event that would inspire them in planning their own wedding. this is where the idea for swept was born."

So here's what SWEPT looks like:

Enter a gorgeous venue (Edmonton's Royal Glenora Club) and get swept into an experience:

*photo courtesy of Erin Walker Photography

The Beauty Room - Be inspired by all things beautiful. Have a look at gorgeous gowns, get your groom measured for the perfect suit, have a look at some gorgeous hair and makeup looks for the year and get pampered by some of Edmonton's finest beauty professionals. Ask questions and receive answers from some top names in Edmonton's wedding industry.

The Inspiration Room - Get swept away by details! Floral arrangements, perfect tablescapes, gorgeous stationary...browse and breathe deep while sipping champagne and dreaming of your special day!

*photo courtesy of Erin Walker Photography

The Sweet Room - A room every bit as scrumptious as it sounds. Come taste, dream and chat with cake designers.

The Groom Room - A room for the fellas. Get your man inspired in his own right by learning about signature cigars, the perfect beer to suit his taste and more!

It gets better! Have a look a some of the AMAZING vendors participating in SWEPT:

• Poppy Barley
• Atmosphere Weddings
• Delica Bridal
• Hub Cigar
• Special Event Rentals
• Style Cakes
• Alley Kat

and so much more!!

So I can tell you want to come, yes?? Yes. SWEPT is taking place on Sunday, January 26, 2014. Tickets are pre-purchase only so get them now right here while you're already dreaming about it! Enter the coupon code GORGEOUS and get $5 your ticket!  Even more awesomeness??!  I'm giving away two free tickets!  To enter to win visit my Aeris facebook page, share the SWEPT promo post and comment beneath it OR share this blog post on your facebook page and message me to tell me you did it!  Winner will be chosen randomly on Monday, January 13!

While you're dreaming of your wedding I have to of course give a shout out to Erin Walker Photography so check her out! Along with shooting my own weddings I've also had the pleasure of second shooting for Erin and you can have a look at some of my own shots from weddings I've shot with her here, here and here! Both Erin and I still have availability for 2014 so give her a shout here or contact me here if you're looking for a photographer to capture your fabulousness!

stephanie and scott got married. second shooting for erin walker photography.

I thoroughly enjoy second shooting for my photografriends when I have some weekends off from my own weddings and am always thrilled when my friend, the talented Erin Walker from Erin Walker Photography, asks me to shoot with her :).  I was even happier when I found out who was in the wedding! I knew Stephanie and two of her bridesmaids from back in the day when I went to Taylor University College and, knowing what I know, I KNEW these girls would be laughing the whole day. Not just giggles either - if you know these girls you know their laughter is a lot larger than that - laughter straight from the gut, you know? So here are a few of my faves from this wedding - See if you notice what I'm talking about. Sit back, relax and feel free to peruse more of my weddings here as well as Erin's site here :).

Like what you see?  Shoot me a message and we can connect regarding your own wedding!