Starting a new chapter with your partner is a momentous occasion full of love and joy. Some choose to hold a traditional wedding, while others forgo the normal and elope!Â
Elopement weddings are very intentional choices that couples make for a variety of reasons: money, family, or simply for the fact that they want this joyous occasion to remain intimate for themselves. Eloping does not hold the stigma that it did before; it simply means the couple have chosen to shift the focus onto themselves and their relationship. From having a big adventure together to exchanging your lifelong vows somewhere meaningful, we have gathered a list of the top 5 elopement photographers in Calgary, AB.Â
Calgary photographer Cass Sarazin understands the importance behind photographs. She believes it is one of the few everlasting memories from your milestone day for years and years to come.Â
“I absolutely love capturing people in love,” she says.
Every time her clients relive those warm fuzzy memories, she wants to invoke smiling faces and happy tears:Â Â
“I like the barefoot, hair blowing in the wind kind of vibes. I’m all about the real, raw, passionate moments. I find beauty in the uniqueness that is your love; the quirks, the goofiness, the sarcasm, the subtle tender moments -- they all tell your story! These are moments and memories you will have to relive and cherish forever.”
Planning an elopement can be extremely nerve-wracking. Through years of experience and a natural love for photography, Sarazin can help guide even the most camera-shy couples while evoking genuine emotions. Additionally, Sarazin can help ease your discomfort from the pressure of elopement planning through amazing vendor recommendations and tons of location and activities choices up her sleeve.Â
“Adventuring with my couples is an absolute dream come true,” she adds, “and believe me when I say it is my pleasure! There will be cuddling, kissing, running, laughing, connection, reflection and a high chance of me saying strange things. The whole idea is for you two to be YOURSELVES; the best photos come from moments where you're truly enjoying yourselves.”
4 Hour Short + Sweet Adventure Elopement Package ($2400 CAD)
6 Hour Half-Day Adventure Elopement Session ($3100 CAD, $1550.00 Deposit Required)
8 Hour Full-Day Adventure Elopement Session ($3800 CAD, $1900.00 Deposit Required)
10 Hour The Great Escape: Adventure Elopement Session ($4600 CAD, $2300.00 Deposit Required)
Short + Sweet Adventure Elopement Package:
Up to 4 Hours of Photography Coverage
Could Be Used for up to a 5 km Round Trip Hiking Elopement
160 - 200 Enhanced and Edited Digital High Resolution Images
Delivery of Final Images Within 60 Days
Personal Use License
Half-Day Adventure Elopement Session:
Up to 6 Hours of Photography Coverage
Could Be Used for Up To a 5 km Round Trip Hiking Elopement
240 - 300 Enhanced and Edited High Resolution Digital Images
Delivery of Final Images Within 60 Days
Personal Use License
Full-Day Adventure Elopement Session:
Up to 8 Hours of Photography Coverage
Could Be Used for up to a 10 km Round Trip Hiking Elopement
320 - 400 Enhanced and Edited High Resolution Digital Images
Delivery of Final Images Within 60 Days
Personal Use License
The Great Escape: Adventure Elopement Session:
Up to 10 Hours of Photography Coverage
Could Be Used for up to a 12 km Round Trip Hiking Elopement
400 - 500 Enhanced and Edited High Resolution Digital Images
Delivery of Final Images Within 60 Days
Commercial Use License
“We were originally supposed to elope in Greece but covid happened and we had to figure something else out. Honestly, I am super happy we had to change our plans because the pictures that Cassie took are SO GORGEOUS. I literally cannot believe that our little elopement looks so amazing. My husband and I keep gushing over the photos. Cassie was also super fun and professional. She was able to capture so many different beautiful moments which really reflects her years of experience.” - Jordan Kruithof
“My experience with Cass was remarkable. We worked together at a past job after she had just moved into town, and was working hard on creating her portfolio. I had the opportunity to see her work once and admired her creativity and ability to capture the most beautiful moments. Years later, when it was time for my special day, I knew I had to have Cass onboard. She sees the beauty in everything and is extremely talented. She was more than just a photographer to us. She actually went above and beyond to give us recommendations on venues, vendors and even weather conditions…lol. And for all these and so much more, we are truly thankful Cass.” - Uzor Okafor
Calgary’s very own and sought-after wedding photographer Nadine McKenney combines years of education and experience with top notch equipment and expertise to provide clients with beautiful photographs that speak to the soul.Â
“Choosing the perfect elopement photographer can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be,” she says.
McKenney's work has been included in marketing for Mikaella Bridal and Fairmont Hotels Weddings and featured in Confetti Bridal Magazine, as well as The Wedding Ring Magazine.Â
McKenney will capture stunning images as well as offer guidance and input. For each session, she provides a list of possible locations as well as outfit suggestions and many other little tips and tricks to get the most out of your photos! If you need other vendors to work with, whether it be hair and make up, attire, or florals; these are all the things that she is willing to help you with if needed.Â
“Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your lives; it should also be one of the most memorable! During your elopement, I capture candid, natural moments. Through casual posing, my passion is to document the raw emotion radiating from your special day! ​All photos are kept true to the colour of your wedding day to preserve your memories in the truest form,” says McKenney.
3 Hour Simple Elopement Photography Session ($1200 CAD)
4 Hour Classic Elopement Photography Session ($1500 CAD)
5 Hour Elegant Elopement Photography Session ($1750 CAD)
Simple Elopement Photography Session:Â
3 Hours of Coverage with Unlimited Digital Photos
One Photographer
USB
Delivery of Final Images Within Three Months (Sneak Peek Within 24 Hours)
Classic Elopement Photography Session:
4 Hours of Coverage with Unlimited Digital Photos
One Photographer
One Unbound Memory Album
USB
Delivery of Final Images Within Three Months (Sneak Peek Within 24 Hours)
Elegant Elopement Photography Session:
5 Hours of Coverage with Unlimited Digital Photos
One Photographer
One Unbound Memory Album
Delivery of Final Images Within Three Months (Sneak Peek Within 24 Hours)
*All packages include all edited images in colour and black & white.
Canvases: Starting at $86 (8"x10" Image)
Professional Hair & Makeup: $225
“We couldn't be happier with our wedding photos Nadine did for us. We had terrible rainy weather on our wedding day and Nadine was able to pivot and alter all our plans seamlessly and stress free. Despite the dark gloomy weather our photos turned out beautifully with a light airness about them. You can tell Nadine is well trained in her craft and has an eye for capturing the moment. My favorite part was receiving a few highlights the night of! It was unexpected but immediately gave us trust and assurance that our day had been well documented by a professional. The engagement photo shoot was really nice as we got to know Nadine and how she works behind the camera. She made sure we were comfortable and posed us, as we had no clue what we were doing. The engagement photos are hands down the best images we have ever captured! The images came promptly and we loved the printed canvas and personalized book. Definitely could not be happier with Nadine and the amazing memories she captured for us!” - Kate Miron
“Nadine was so awesome ! She did a great job and I really appreciate the care and attention she gave me & my husband on our big day! It means so much to have the best memories captured on such a busy day when you can’t possibly take it all in! Nadine had really cool & unique ideas, she was professional and needed no direction. She went with our crazy flow and the pictures turned out absolutely perfect. I highly recommend Nadine!” - Michelle Vandale
A professional photographer since 2006, Sarah Murdoch is an ACAD graduate and holds a BFA in photography. Murdoch started out with film, developing and printing in the darkroom, and her style stays true to those early lessons of getting it right in-camera and keeping her photographs timeless.Â
“I try to stay away from [fads] and just really take beautiful images in my camera. And I try to leave them alone,” she says. “I want people to see the photos, and I want them to see the people and the emotions and the story, and I don’t want them to see a filter.”
Throughout her years of experience, one thing (out of many) that Murdoch strives for is authenticity. Murdoch is inspired by real people and places, and the relationship they have with each other:
“Big, sweeping landscapes and those intimate happy moments are what sets my heart on fire. My goal, first and foremost, is to always make my couples feel comfortable and from there, we make stunning portraits together.”
3 Hour Elopement | Small Wedding Photography Session ($975 CAD, $487.50 Deposit Required)
What to Expect
“Let's chat on the phone, via email or on a video call! From there, we can both ask questions, determine timelines and get a better sense of the day,” says Murdoch. “To book your date, an online contract and 50% retainer is required. After the wedding, you will see a social media sneak peek and your final gallery will be available online. The link and images within can be shared with whomever you choose.”
“Sarah is fantastic! I hate having my picture taken and was nervous about having numerous photos taken on my wedding day. The moment I met Sarah I felt at ease. She is so kind, patient and fun to be around. She is very professional, I highly recommend her. I actually had so much fun and felt so comfortable. My husband and I did a rock the dress shoot with Sarah after our wedding. I consider Sarah a friend for life!” - Katie Lanktree
“We couldn't have asked for a better photographer for our wedding! Sarah was so easy to work with, provided great ideas and beautiful photography, and so much more. I'm not super comfortable in front of a camera, but that nervousness melted away with Sarah. She is extremely professional, well priced, and provides amazing products. I am so in love with our wedding photos; and would recommend Sarah to anyone looking for an incredibly talented photographer with a great ability to connect with clients!” - Jenn Stroeder
Edarous Ismael understands how easy it is to get caught up in planning your elopement that you forget about the things that really matter. Ismael understands the beauty behind a wedding day and aims to capture moments that celebrate love and lasts a lifetime. To meet this goal, Marvelous Photographs’ elopement package is customized specifically for your wedding day with no limit on the delivered images, which means you will have all the small details covered to help you relive your wedding day for years to come!
“Candid photos are our specialty,” he says, “so if you don't like forced and awkward poses we feel the same! We will capture the feelings, the mood, the emotions, the calm/crazy moments and all the details that will make your wedding album unique.”
3 Hour Elopement Photography Session ($950 CAD)
What's Included
Up to 3 Hours
One Photographer
25% Off Wedding Albums
Online Gallery to Share, Download, and Order Prints of Your Wedding Day
“It was a really great to choose Marvelous Photography in our special event. They were kind people to communicate with. They did what we asked. It was a pretty professional thing. I recommend them to everybody who seeks a great photo experience.” - Mikail K
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Carl O and Jennifer Galang are the husband and wife duo behind Conquer your Journey Photography, who offer both photography and videography for your wedding. This power duo understands the value of elopement weddings. They strongly believe that these visual mediums are an opportunity to share the golden memories of our wedding day with your children.
“As a married couple who are deeply in love with each other. We appreciate the luxury - (not meant by the capability to over-spend a huge amount of money but rather, defined as the capability to give importance) of looking back and reliving the moments of our wedding day,” she says. “We encourage all couples to consider investing in memories where couples can re-experience the exact feelings of their timeless romance in years to come.”
Conquer your Journey’s packages are “perfect for micro weddings, mini weddings, or short story elopements. The pre-ceremony, ceremony, portraits, and family photos will be covered with the traditional wedding. The right fit for your wedding with around 20 guests.”
Simple 4 Hours of Celebration // Calgary and Area ($1295 CAD, $647.50 Deposit Required)
Extend to 6 Hours of Celebration // Calgary and Area ($1795 CAD, $897.50 Deposit Required)
Simple 4 Hours of Celebration // Rocky Mountains ($1895 CAD, $947.50 Deposit Required)
Extend to 6 Hours of Celebration // Rocky Mountains ($2295 CAD, $1147.50 Deposit Required)
Simple Celebration, Calgary and Area:
One Photographer
200+ Photos (All Photos of your Wedding Day Will Be Delivered. Extra Photos at No Cost!)
All Images are Professionally Colour Graded with Standard Retouching Included
Sneak Peak Within 7 Days
Online Private Gallery (Digital Delivery & Download)
One Year Access of your Private Gallery
Extended Celebration, Calgary and Area:
One Photographer
300+ Photos (All Photos of your Wedding Day Will Be Delivered. Extra Photos at No Cost!)
All Images are Professionally Colour Graded with Standard Retouching Included
Sneak Peak Within 7 Days
Online Private Gallery (Digital Delivery & Download)
One Year Access of your Private Gallery
Simple Celebration, Rocky Mountains:
One Photographer
200+ Photos (All Photos of your Wedding Day Will Be Delivered. Extra Photos at No Cost!)
All Images are Professionally Colour Graded with Standard Retouching Included
Sneak Peak Within 7 Days
Online Private Gallery (Digital Delivery & Download)
One Year Access of Your Private Gallery
Extended Celebration, Rocky Mountains:
One Photographer
300+ Photos (All Photos of your Wedding Day Will Be Delivered. Extra Photos at No Cost!)
All Images are Professionally Colour Graded with Standard Retouching Included
Sneak Peak Within 7 Days
Online Private Gallery (Digital Delivery & Download)
One Year Access of your Private Gallery
“We love our photos! Working with Jeng was simply amazing! So easy going and made us feel very comfortable! We couldn't have asked for a better person to capture our love!” - Brittney
“Thank you for the wonderful photography and videography experience you gave us on our wedding day. It felt personal and I could feel your passion in what you do. I think if I didn't mention the time, we would have gone on to take photos for another couple of hours =D We appreciated the both of you working in tandem and I think the both of you make a wonderful wedding photo/video duo. Nothing like being in business together to truly showcase a marriage!” - Tansie and Tommy
