Alan Maudie photography Archives - Banff And Canmore Wedding Planner

Today we have the extreme pleasure of chatting with one of my favorite photographers, the immensely talented Alan Maudie of Alan Maudie Photography.

One of the first weddings I ever worked as a lead wedding planner, I was fortunate enough to find myself working with Alan. Not only is Alan one of the nicest guys in the industry, but he is also easy-going, good natured and professional. He is considered one of the premier wedding photographers not only in Alberta, but in all of Canada. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his art, but what strikes me most about Alan is his likeability. In an extremely competitive industry, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone speak ill of Alan. From other wedding photographers to wedding planners, to couples to venues, Alan is highly liked and respected.

If you’re like most wedding couples about to be married, then your wedding day photography likely tops your priority list for your special day. If you’re wanting someone that will put you at ease and make you feel comfortable, then Alan is an obvious choice. One look at his blog, and you will see he has an immense talent for capturing precious moments at every wedding he photographs. Alan is truly the best of the best.

I hope you enjoy our interview with Alan Maudie!

You have a Master’s of Science degree from the University of Calgary (my alma mater as well); how did you get involved in photography and in the wedding industry?

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate degrees I was really passionate about photography. For some reason I still can’t explain, when I finished my Master’s degree I thought I would try starting a photography business. It was really a bad idea, since I had no clue of how to run a business and no income potential. Initially, I didn’t photograph weddings, but over time I was drawn more and more to them. By 2004 I was shooting about 10 a year by word of mouth and had a couple really good ones that gave me a promising look at how rewarding weddings can be to photograph if you have the right couple. In the fall of 2004 we launched our first website and opened our 2005 schedule up to weddings. The rest is kind of blurry 🙂 .

What do you most love about your job in the wedding industry?

I enjoy producing something for couples that is so important to them that if their house ever catches on fire, it will be one of the things they grab on the way out the door.

What’s the biggest misconception about wedding photography?

That we (photographers) only work for a few hours on the weekend. For me, it’s a full time job to book, photograph and produce 20 weddings a year.

Your couples always look very comfortable in front of the camera, what tips do you have for couples on their wedding day?

Don’t plan your wedding on your wedding day. A perfect wedding day should not involve any decision making. You know what you are wearing, where you are going and what time dinner is at, so why add a bunch of stress to your day by making decisions that should either be made in advance or delegated to a planner. It is also really important to trust the vendors you have chosen. Nothing gets a bride or groom more stressed than things going wrong on the wedding day.

From a photography point of view I think my couples look relaxed mainly because by the time the wedding comes around they trust me. All they have to do is have a good time, I take care of the rest.

Your couples are always photographed in unique and creative locations, how do you decide what locations to photograph your couples in?

Lighting is more important than the location. Most of the locations I use are chosen based on the lighting options they provide. I ask couples if they want an urban or natural setting (or both) and then I usually pick a few places that work with their venues and timing on the wedding day.

Other than weddings, what do you like to photograph most?

My family and friends, landscapes, backcountry sports.

When you’re not taking photos, what are your favorite activities to participate in?

It’s been a lot of fun teaching our kids to ski and bike. We camp a lot and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible in all seasons. Mountain biking and backcountry skiing are my favourite two activities.

One of my favorite photos of yours, is one with Scott Niedermeyer holding up the Stanley Cup at the top of Fisher Peak near Cranbrook, BC (my favorite hike as a youth)? That photo is now a part of the Cup’s travel history, how did you get involved with that photo (and did you and Scott hike to the top or did you get a helicopter ride like the Cup)?

I grew up across the street from Scott in Cranbrook, B.C. Fisher Peak is the highest mountain in the immediate area and as young kids it was a big deal when we were old enough to climb it with the rest of the neighborhood crew. In our late teens and early twenties we did a lot of mountaineering together and joked about getting some photos on the summit of Fisher with the cup someday. After Scott won the cup for the second time in 2003 he was scheduled to get his day with the cup in Cranbrook during the summer. He arranged for a helicopter to fly it and us to the top. Hiking wasn’t an option because we didn’t have enough time with all the community appearances he had promised. I took a lot of different photos in the 20 minutes up there but my favorite is the one that gets published the most where his back is to the camera. You say a lot of crazy things as kids, so actually pulling something like that off was so amazing that it was almost kind of weird.

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I go days and weeks without touching a camera. I’ve never been a “camera around my neck 24/7” type photographer.

Enjoy more of Alan’s beautiful images here and on his blog.

A huge thank you to Alan and to his wedding couples for graciously allowing us to share these photographs! To see more of Alan’s amazing work go to http://www.alanmaudie.com or http://www.alanmaudieblog.com (seriously addictive) .

Are you considering a Canadian Rocky Mountain destination wedding? The Rocky Mountains are one of the most beautiful places on earth for a destination wedding! The stunning, scenic backdrops are a huge draw for couples. There’s something serenely beautiful about a couple embracing in front of a crystal clear, lake or set against a rugged peak dressed in their wedding finest. It’s romantic, beautiful and the photos are not only incredible keepsakes, but are gorgeous works of art that you’ll proudly display throughout your home.

Tip #30 – Consider hiring a local photographer or a photographer who specializes in mountain weddings.

Banff wedding planner Naturally Chic shares tips about getting married in the Canadian Rocky Mountains | www.naturallychic.ca

Photo Credit: Carey Nash Photography

Local wedding photographers who specialize in mountain weddings, are a great resource for your wedding photographs. Not only do they know lots of great, outdoor photo locations, but they know which ones are easily accessible in a given time frame. There are so many incredible places for photos in the mountains, but you’ll want to take into consideration the time you have allotted for photos. If you have limited time before your wedding reception, you’ll want to make the best use of your time. You won’t want to spend your time contending with traffic or scouting for locations.

A wedding photographer who is experienced in the area, can steer you away from potential busy areas and suggest alternative locations if the ones you are wanting are all ready occupied or busy. They’ll also know what you can expect at the various locations. They’ll know if you can safely navigate the area in heels and if not, they’ll suggest you bring comfortable walking shoes. They’ll likely have experience with what position the sun will be in at a particular time of day, if the area is prone to windy conditions or other factors you may have to consider. In short, your time will be spent taking photos in gorgeous locations.

If the photos you’re wanting are a little more off the beaten path, it’s important to have a photographer who knows the area well and is comfortable in the outdoors. This is especially important if you are wanting photographs of an adventurous nature such as on a ski slope or hiking trail. There are many area photographers who are active in the outdoors and are comfortable on skis or in remote areas that are accessible only by helicopter.

Take the time to select a photographer who’s work you adore, but is also right for the type of wedding photos you have in mind. Meet with potential photographers and look at their portfolio. Ensure you are comfortable with their personality. Do they have work that is similar to the type of shots you want? Discuss with your photographer the types of shots you want and what you can expect at the various locations. You’ll know doubt have incredible photos to display for years to come!

You can also read more about tips for wedding photographs in the mountains here. Here are some photographs courtesy of some of our favorite photographers who are incredible mountain photographers, know the area well, are comfortable in the outdoors and willing do do mountain destination weddings: