Jenn Hildebrand

Five weddings and a Second Shooter

This past summer I worked seven weddings in total, five of which I second shot.

Second shooters are so important. I know personally when I work a wedding, I always feel a little lost without my second shooter around. One of the biggest reasons is because I have crazy anxiety, and she helps me settle myself the night before so I don’t go into a frenzy. She’s a real gem (Hannah Richter– go check her out if you haven’t already!) and I’m so thankful to be able to work with her!

This past summer, not only did Hannah second shoot for me, but I was able to return the favour and second shoot for her. What’s so neat about our relationship is that we’re not only partners in photography, but I’d consider her a really good friend. That in itself makes working weddings together an absolute breeze! We completely understand one another and most of the time we don’t even have to say anything to know what the other person needs. I never second shot before I started with Hannah, and I don’t think I’d ever want to work with anyone else. Or have anyone work with me. (Okay, this is getting too mushy…)

I’ve been wanting to share with you a few of my favourite shots from my second shooting adventure this past year and figured it would be easiest to mash them all together in one post.

Enjoy!

J. x

Shauna + David

There is something beautiful and intimate about a beach wedding, and Shauna and David’s late August ceremony is no exception.

I hadn’t met Shauna and David before their wedding. In fact, they had booked me only two weeks before their big day. I had been corresponding through their wedding planner (something I hadn’t done before), and was super curious to meet them. Normally I like to meet up with the couple before hand so I can learn a bit about their love story, and get a feel for them and their style. I was a bit nervous going into it, but I have to tell you – these two were an absolute delight to work with!

Their energy was vibrant and their love is so contagious. They had me swooning and smiling the whole time. The way that David would look at his bride – it’s how every bride wants to be looked at. Full of love, adoration and joy.

They had arrived at the beach together, taking away from the traditional “first look”. But everything about this wedding wasn’t traditional. (And that only made them even more fun to work with!) Shauna rocked a short, lace dress, David – an effortless, rockstar attitude with a simple black suit, and their guests were dressed casual. I mean it is a beach wedding after all!

The ceremony was short and sweet, full of love and laughter. The sun was beating down on us, but that didn’t matter at all. I mean, Vancouver is extra gorgeous in the sunshine.  It was the perfect weather making for a perfect day!

Here are a few shots from their beach ceremony.

Enjoy!

J. x

Eric + Patricia

These two lovebirds are married!

It feels like yesterday that I photographed these two gorgeous people. First their engagement, and then their wedding. It’s already been over a month since they said “I Do” and I’m excited to be able to share with you some shots from their day.

Eric and Patricia are some of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet. They are filled with so much love, affection, compassion and heart. When you meet them, you can’t help but be drawn to their passion for animals and others. They have absolute hearts of gold and I couldn’t imagine a better person for the other.

The day started bright and early at 6:30AM with the girls. Patricia only had a maid of honour – her sister, but a few friends were also there to get ready. Once everyone was looking beautiful, we pilled into a few cars and drove farther up North Vancouver until we hit Grouse Mountain. Known for the “Grouse Grind”, this is an stunning location for an outdoor wedding. Plus, everything is right there. Ceremony, portraits, reception – it’s a wedding dream.

With the sun shining bright, these two said “I Do” in front of seventy of their closest family and friends. There’s something so beautiful about an intimate wedding! After the ceremony, I took them farther into Grouse and towards a dusty road. These made for some textured shots that are to die for. With only their siblings as their bridal party, it made photographing super quick and easy – and the results, amazing. The ceremony had been an afternoon full of vegan food and treats, loads of laughter, tears, and infectious love. It’s undeniable the love that Patricia and Eric’s family and friends have for this couple. All in all, it made for a wonderful wedding between two amazing people.

Also a BIG MASSIVE THANK YOU to Hannah Richter from Hannah Martin Photography for second shooting. This girl is an absolute gem and there is nobody else I’d want to work a wedding with more. If you have a chance, look at her website. She just launched it and it’s gorgeous.

Alright!

Here are some photos from Eric + Patricia’s breathtaking mountain wedding.

J. x

Marta + Cam

Weddings are always an exciting time. However, I find that it increases in excitement whenever the bride is an old friend.

I’ve known Marta since we were in the fourth grade. When I actually think about how we’ve been friends for most of our lives, I need to take a moment to sit. I don’t think neither one of us thought, back when we were only eight years old, that she’d be getting married and I’d be there to photograph it. It’s amazing how life changes and where it can take us. All of our plans that we made up when we were in elementary school changed and morphed into something completely out of the ordinary… but absolutely beautiful at the same time.

Even as kids, Marta always dreamt about being married.

After the ceremony and portraits were finished, we sat down with one another and chatted, and one thing she said to me was, “Wow, I’m married..” and that she is! I think one of the best parts of the wedding, and definitely at the top of the list of most beautiful moments, was seeing Cam and Marta’s little girl Alice laugh and smile at her parents during the ceremony (when she wasn’t running around with grandma at her toes).

Their wedding was small and intimate, but full of love, laughter, and food. (Really, really tasty food… might I add..) It was a DIY wonderland of hand crafted bouquets and decorations. Streamers hung above as the rain poured outside – a Persian symbol for good luck, but was quick to clear up once we stepped outside for portraits. Little Alice’s screams could be heard for most of the day, but was soon drowned out by the giggles and excitement of her newly wedded parents. It was a wonderful wedding for a wonderful couple.

Congratulations Marta and Cam!

Here’s a little peek at their beautiful day…  

Brock + Kirsty

When a friend get’s married, it’s an exciting time. You get to watch someone who is so close to you be joined with their love. It becomes even more exciting when you get asked to be their wedding photographer!

Kirsty has been one of my closest friends for the past six years. When she asked me to be her photographer, I couldn’t not say yes. It’s always an honour to be a part of someone’s wedding. It’s even more special when that bride is someone so close to you. When I first met Brock, I knew that he was the perfect match for Kirsty. They are basically the same as the other! It was pretty neat to see.Their wedding was the epitome of country chic – from the country boots, to the mason jars and twine. Their reception was held on a farm, and guests were guided to their seats by the map of Middle Earth (that’s Lord Of The Rings, for those of you who don’t know). All in all, it was a beautiful wedding fit for a beautiful couple.

They were married on a beautiful October day in Rosedale, BC.
Ceremony: The Church Of Rosedale United, Rosedale, BC
Reception: Shelby’s Pond, Rosedale, BC

Jai + Rhon

Meet Jai and Rhon.

They met in Whistler at a church they were both attending. Jai said that the moment she saw him, she knew that he would like her. Apparently her instincts were right, because now they are married.
Their love is raw, authentic, and Christ-Centred. They are driven in their faith and are determined to make Christ the center of everything that they do. As I got to know them, I learnt that they are super fun and extremely in love. It was beautiful to watch them get married in an intimate wedding on the beach. They only had 19 in attendance.

The ceremony took place bright and early on a Tuesday morning at Second Beach in Stanely Park. The weather was supposed to be crapy – rain was in the forecast for the whole time their wedding would be taking place. But from the moment the chairs were set up to the moment they said I do, the sun was shining.

As we were taking some intimate photos, CTV News had decided to interview Jai and Rhon. They had a couple who had been together for almost 20 years give them advice on a happy marriage. It was also an opportunity for Jai and Rhon to share their story and how they fell in love. They were a natural in front of the camera. I, on the other hand, was given a taste of what a celebrity goes through everyday. Those dang paparazzis, let me tell you.

Afterwards, they shared lunch together as a family at the Tea House which is located at Third Beach. All in all it was a beautiful wedding, full of love, laughter, and memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Here are some snapshots from their special day.

Enjoy!

J.

       

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