PHOTOFLOW - PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCKLEY

Jessica and Braden Canmore Wedding

2011-11-18T14:16:00.001-07:00

Canmore and Banff Wedding Photographer

Planner: Rocky Mountain Weddings
Venue: Quarry Lake and Bill Warren

As I sit here and type this the temperature outside is -17C so I thought I would reminisce about the warm days of summer by posting this wedding. It was shot in August on an absolutely perfect day.

Tanya and Troy Emerald Lake Lodge Wedding

2011-11-05T15:36:00.000-06:00

Planner: Rocky Mountain Weddings
Venue: Emerald Lake Lodge

No Joke! This is probably one of the nicest places to get married. Tanya and Troy really lucked out with the weather on their special day. It was "that time of year" when the weather gods could smile on you or really frown on you. The weather gods were smiling this day.

I think the first thing these two told me was that they were uncomfortable in front of a camera. (I think every bride and groom tell me that) Sometimes, the most important part of being a wedding photographer, is being able to make anyone feel comfortable and natural around you.

Jody Anne and Dale Rafter Six Ranch Wedding

2011-11-05T14:52:00.001-06:00

Hair: The Loft
Venue: Rafter Six Ranch
Commissioner: Stan Cowley

I love shooting weddings at the Rafter Six Ranch which is just 20 minutes from Canmore.

Inside the Country Church is a bit of a photographers nightmare with huge windows that backlight the Bride and Groom during the ceremony. However, the surrounding area is a pleasure to photograph, with open fields, mountain views, rivers, barns, and horses.

I have to write a quick note concerning the parents speeches. Now, let me start by saying that I'm not a eye watering kinda guy. I've shot many weddings and usually the speeches are all the same but this one was very different. Both sets of parents were so well spoken and every word was so heart felt that I almost found it hard to capture the moment... almost. Good job parents.

Julie and Sammy Wedding

2011-09-08T11:49:00.000-06:00

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer

Julie and Sammy

Rocky Mountain Weddings
Commissioner: Marion Kutzer
Quarry Lake
Bill Warren

A beautiful sunny day with white puffy clouds makes for a good wedding day. Add in a young, adventurous couple in love and that makes for a perfect wedding day.

Ashley and Nathan Wedding

2011-08-21T09:44:00.004-06:00

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer

Ashley and Nathan
Silvertip Resort
Grande Rockies Resort
Commissioner: Patricia Compton
Flowers: Elements Floral Design

You know how some couples have real chemistry. These two are dripping with it. I had the pleasure of taking their engagement shots on a beautiful frosty day a number of months ago and ever since had really looked forward to photographing their wedding day.

I was to start the day by taking a few images of the guys golfing at Silvertip Resort and that's when things went a little sideways for me. I merrily rode my electric golf cart to the 16th hole to meet up with them for 11AM. I located them on the GPS provided in the cart and proceeded to park my innocent little golf cart on the side of the path. I took some shots and thought how great being a wedding photographer is. I got back in the cart to proceed to the next hole with out realizing that I had parked my right front tire in front of a very large boulder. Thinking that the cart only went forward with no reverse capability I asked the guys to help me lift up the cart and move it of the way. One of them laughed and said that the cart did indeed have reverse and showed me the hidden switch. Feeling foolish, and not very golf cart savvy, I thanked him every much and hopped in thinking that he had flicked the switch to reverse..... he had not. And this is where the story gets a little scary for the wedding photographer who usually loves the wacky situations he gets himself into during a wedding day. I hit the accelerator thinking that I would move backwards but instead shot forward over the boulder lurching the cart to the side. I threw my left leg out to the side to make sure I don't fall out of the cart and, as much as I hate to say it, ran over my left ankle. Thankfully I did not hear a snap but it instantly hurt like hell. The guys laughed not realizing that I had just rolled a several hundred pound golf cart over my foot. I took inventory of my quickly swelling, painful foot, I didn't think anything was broken. Not to spoil their fun I kept photographing till the 18th hole. I couldn't put all my body weight on my ankle because it hurt too much but I tried not to hobble. After finishing with the guys I returned Satans golf cart to guest services and made my way to the Grande Rockies Resort where the girls where getting ready. I parked my car in the underground parkade and got into my wedding outfit. Getting my running shoe off my swollen foot was a bit of a challenge with the larger and more painful challenge being putting on my dress shoe. I can tell you that I was thankful no one was around as a swore at my stupidity and my dress shoe. Ashley and Nathan had booked me for the whole day so I shot with a lame ankle from 11AM to 11PM pretending to be a fully functioning wedding photographer. At 11PM I checked myself into emergency and had an X-ray taken. Nothing broken but it was seriously swollen and red. I was prescribed ice and elevation but unfortunately I had to get to bed and rest up for a wedding the very next day.

Soma and Brent Wedding

2011-08-20T18:27:00.003-06:00

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer

Soma and Brent Wedding

This was a marathon wedding day starting in Calgary at 7:30AM for "getting ready" shots. We then drove to Morraine Lake (near Lake Louise) for the ceremony with Robin White. Family shots were done on the shore rather quickly because it was chilly (a few snow flakes during the ceremony). I took the wedding party to a few of my favourite locations around the lake for more pictures, then drove to Banff (Vermilion Lakes) to take a few more photos. We then made our way back to Calgary for the reception. I think I stumbled out at about midnight. Looooong day but I enjoyed every second.

Veronica and Glen Wedding

2011-08-20T17:52:00.004-06:00

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer

Right! It's due time to put up some new wedding images.

Veronica and Glen

Banff Gate Mountain Resort

Photos taken around Canmore including Alpine Helicopter.

Calgary High School Seniors 4

2011-06-27T17:30:00.001-06:00

If you have been following my recent posts you'll have noticed that I usually gripe about the weather. My life revolves around the weather and lately the weather always seems be, well..... crappy. Too much rain, too much cold, too much wind, or too much snow. But this time I can't. It was absolutely perfect. I had the pleasure of photographing Victoria for my Calgary High School Seniors portfolio. She had just returned from China where she had been modelling for 5 weeks.

Calgary High School Seniors 3

2011-06-18T11:46:00.001-06:00

Rain, rain, and more rain. Mother nature decided to throw a curve ball on my photo shoot with Diego. It was nice weather all day till 15 minutes before shoot time... and then it poured. Luckily, I had previously scouted out a location at a nearby school where there was a cool red wall which was protected from the elements. After capturing some energetic jumping shots the rain stopped and we moved on to get some great images with a very saturated green background.

Calgary High School Seniors 2

2011-05-30T18:17:00.001-06:00

Between weekends booked with weddings I've managed to squeeze in a few other photography projects including this one with Jen Brown. It was another Calgary High School Seniors photoshoot which I was excited about. I've had this perfect location in mind for a very, very long time. Jen agreed to meet me on a very iffy weather day 15 minutes outside of Calgary in the Springbank area. I had this gravel road in mind for the shoot, lined with tall skeletal trees that were just beginning to bud. I had these great images floating through my head as I drove but as we approached the area I was saddened to see that they had cut down the trees on one side of the road. Luckily, all we had to do was turn around, cross a road, up a muddy hill, and found another great area that was... almost as good.

Calgary High School Seniors

2011-05-14T15:56:00.002-06:00

Canmore Wedding Photographer turns Calgary High School Seniors Photographer ?

Well..... for one day.

Note: When most people hear that I take "seniors" photos, they envision old(er) grey haired individuals. That is not the case with my seniors. My seniors are either just about to graduate, or have just graduated, from grade 12. These photos are fun, expressive, and are designed to show individual personality.

Calgary model Esther Lam helped fortify my high school seniors portfolio by posing for me on a very sunny and very windy day at Nosehill Park in Calgary, AB. I grew up near Nosehill Park and it holds lots of great memories for me. The shoot with Esther is now another of those fond memories as she, her friend Neil (who I quickly pressed into service holding flashes and reflectors), and myself moved to a few different areas in the park capturing her great personality.

I always have fun photographing high school seniors. They always have lots of energy and are game for any crazy ideas I have.

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer

2011-04-15T10:04:00.002-06:00

It is due time to update the blog with a few of my latest weddings. The last few months have been snowy and cold. Many thanks go out to all the wedding party members who braved the elements in Canmore and Banff and making my life easier with their energy and enthusiasm.

Enjoy!

N+N Wedding

Ceremony: Sage Bistro
Flowers: Elements Floral Design

Most wedding couples come to Canmore/Banff to get married under the majestic mountains. However, on this day, the clouds were down so low that you couldn't even see the mountains. Everyone in the wedding party had so much fun during the photo shoot and didn't even complain when it started to snow....... well, maybe a little.

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer

2011-04-15T09:55:00.001-06:00

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer. Photoflow - Photography by Michael Buckley

N+J Wedding

Ceremony: Banff Springs Hotel, Banff
Flowers: Elements Floral Design

A great couple from Wales who talked faster than I could follow. We took a few shots at the Banff Springs, vermilion lakes, and cascade ponds. It was cold and windy..... just like Wales.

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer

2011-04-14T17:39:00.001-06:00

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer. Photoflow - Photography by Michael Buckley

A+T Wedding

Ceremony: Nakoda Lodge
Flowers: Elements Floral Design

A spring storm hit the morning of the wedding and it kept snowing for the whole day. I think a total of 12 inches of heavy wet snow fell. Ahhh, spring in the Canadian Rockies.

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer

2011-04-14T14:43:00.004-06:00

Canmore/Banff Wedding Photographer. Photoflow - Photography by Michael Buckley

A+F Wedding Canmore

Ceremony: Nordic Center
Flowers: Elements Floral Design

WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2011

2011-02-02T14:02:00.002-07:00

Canmore, AB

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce
Photoflow - Photography by Michael Buckley has been selected to receive the prestigious
annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011for Wedding Photography.

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and
extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are
among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review
site in the nation.

Photoflow - Photography by Michael Buckley stands among the top five percent of wedding
professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence
within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across
20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were
based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

We are happy to announce that Photoflow - Photography by Michael Buckley is among
the very best Wedding Photography within the WeddingWire Network, which includes
leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding
and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the
Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at
http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/photoflow-canmore/f8ad32c015ebf18b.html

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

We Won!

2011-01-24T16:23:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, myself, Elements Floral Design, and Sweet Occasions took part in The Wedding Fair in Calgary. Looks like all the effort that we put into our booth was rewarded. We were voted first place for Best Booth Award for Destination Weddings. Thanks to all that voted for us.

Canmore engagement sessions

2010-12-28T15:36:00.002-07:00

A few images from recent engagement sessions in Canmore. All these couples had great attitudes and took the -15C with smiles (and shivers). I can't wait to shoot their weddings in the new year.

Michelle and Robertson Calgary Wedding

2010-10-28T13:25:00.001-06:00

Michelle and Robertson Calgary Wedding

Michele and Dean Banff Wedding

2010-10-28T13:21:00.001-06:00

Michele and Dean Banff Wedding

Flowers: Elements Floral Design
Location: Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Commissioner: John Stutz (Mayor)

Lydia and Louis Canmore Wedding

2010-10-28T13:13:00.003-06:00

Lydia and Louis Canmore Wedding

Flowers: Elements Floral Design
Location: Quarry lake
Limo Service: Alpine Limousine

Jody and Rich Canmore Wedding

2010-10-28T13:04:00.002-06:00

My blog has been neglected!! Here are a few select weddings and photos from the summer.

Jody and Rich Canmore Wedding

Flowers: Elements Floral Design
Location: Canmore (back yard)

Candace and Rob Wedding

2010-08-19T14:34:00.002-06:00

Candace and Rob Banff Wedding

Marriage Commissioner: Rick Kunelius
Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Tight family. Tight couple. This wedding was a hoot to photograph.

Sheryl and Dave Heli Wedding

2010-08-19T14:27:00.001-06:00

I finally have a break in wedding editing. These are some of my latest.

Canmore heli-wedding

Sheryl and Dave

Marriage Commissioner: Rick Kunelius

Alpine Helicopters

A short helicopter ride from Canmore and we were at the ceremony spot. Surrounded by majestic mountains and approximately 100 million mosquitoes psi. We've had a lot of wet weather here this summer and I think every blood sucker picked this day to hatch. Mosquitoes aside, it was a perfect day for a wedding.

Horsing Around

2010-07-02T16:05:00.003-06:00

Canmore Pet (Horse) Portraits

I have been taking pet portraits in Canmore for a while now. I love animals and I will happily take pictures of anyones pet. Quite a few months ago I donated a gift certificate for a pet portrait to be auctioned off at a silent auction. It was to help raise money for the local SPCA. Not in my wildest dreams did I expect a call from a lady saying she had made the highest bid and would I take some photos of her horse. Sure, I said, wondering how I might pull this one off. I've taken pictures of a lot of things but never a horse!

One of the reasons I love my job is that I get to photograph, well.... everything and anything. Every time I look through my viewfinder I have a different experience and I never want that to change. Here are a few shots from the pet (horse) portrait session.

Many thanks to Ilona for her patience and ummm, horse sense.

Calgary Model Shoot - Annie MacLellan

2010-06-09T11:41:00.004-06:00

More model shots for a secret assignment that I'm working on. Sorry, I can't tell you any more.

However, what I can tell you is that it was actually warm the day of the shoot. Lately, it seems like every time I'm shooting outside its either raining, snowing, windy, or just plain miserable.... and it's almost the middle of June! Come on summer - where are you?

My next blog will probably have a wedding theme. After all, it's that time of year in the Rocky Mountains.

Savana Hume Photo Session

2010-06-03T10:05:00.008-06:00

Here is a little departure from my wedding photography. The other day I was lucky enough to do a photo session with Calgary model Savana Hume. I sound like a broken record when I say that it was a very cold breezy day. Kudos to Savana for suffering through a very cold couple of hours. Here are a few images from that day.

Banff Wedding - Erika and Phil Teaser

2010-04-25T16:59:00.004-06:00

I photographed Erika and Phil's wedding in Banff yesterday. A typical rocky mountain spring wedding (weather wise) snow, rain, and a bit of sun thrown in for good measure. This was my first wedding with RCMP in red serge and was excited about the photo opportunities. This is just a teaser with many, many more to come. Thanks go out to the bridal party who stood around in the snowy conditions.

Venues:

Repunzels Hair Salon

The Juniper Lodge

Canmore Wedding - Colleen and Phil

2010-04-16T15:17:00.004-06:00

"I can easily post something on my Blog every week or two", I said to myself when I first considered having a Blog. This is where I hang my head in shame. Deep, deep shame.

However, Spring has sprung, I have a new studio space, plenty a wedding lined up, portraits of all sorts, magazine story ideas brewing, so I am excited to take on the Blog once more. This time I will be posting at least every 2 weeks religiously. If I don't - kick me (or at least write me an email)

So, on that note, let's start with one of my latest Canmore weddings. Colleen and Phil - officially two of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Here are a few pictures from a wonderful, albeit cold, sometimes snowy, always windy day.

Venues:

Creekside Country Inn

Serendipity Hair Salon

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church

Canmore Golf and Curling Club

Boston in the Fall

2009-12-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

I brought my camera on a recent trip to Boston. This was my first visit and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the city and its surroundings (I’m a small town mountain man through and through)

Here are some of my favourite images from the area.

Wedding - Angela and Chad

2009-12-09T15:50:00.009-07:00

A few pictures from a Banff wedding I shot on August 29th. I can honestly say that shooting the wedding and bridal party was a real pleasure. They were up for anything!

The flower girls at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff.

The bridal party

It just so happened that the graffiti was the same colour as the flowers.

The "Mary Poppins" shot

Vermillion Lakes near Banff

During the ceremony at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge