Ampersand Grey – Edmonton Wedding photographer

Technically I shot my first wedding in Banff, pretty lucky huh? It was a gorgeous setting, the bride and groom were amazing, so in love and the ceremony so heartfelt. I wouldn’t know though because I was way to nervous to hear a thing. All I could hear is my heart thumping in my ears. Maybe it was because I had my head on a tilt the whole day – that’s a whole other story. The bride that day was my new friend, Donna. Donna and Terry came as a package deal when I got together with Matt. Terry and Matt have been friends since they were kids and now Donna and I found a new friendship. Yay for double dates! Over the years Donna became more than just a friend.

In the early years of my photographic “budding” Donna started to show interest in my photography and really championed me to push myself. She saw something in me? She likes photography? She craves voyeurism? Perhaps. What is true is her selflessness and how she has such an amazing character to see the buried spark in someone and does everything she can to help pull it out (without even being pushy). She is the best cheerleader and has an awesome positive attitude. She shines light and she loves with her whole dang giant heart. You just can’t not like this girl.

She is the sole reason I did my Wishful Thinking 365 blog and with her and Matt’s support I got through that year with the thirst to start “shooting” people. That year taught me that although I love the quietness behind the lens in an open field amid a snow storm, my heart sings when I get to interact with people. Sorry Mr. Adam’s, you can keep your landscapes, I’m moving onto people! yay. Donna was right there with me. She commissioned me for my first photo shoot, gigantic 5 foot canvas and couples shoot. So that year when she told me she was going to get a ‘big girl’ camera, now it was my turn to be excited for her. We planned photo walks and outings and I excitedly rambled through f-stop and shutter speed as best I could for her to understand. She was like a fleeting butterfly, (that’s just a nice way of saying that she had the attention span of a gnat) when surrounded by pretty light and sparky things–we all do in the beginning. Soon her pictures started to really shine and I saw that things were sinking in with her.

I started Ampersand Grey and Donna was once again right there with me. She joined my weddings in the beginning as my assistant, came to engagement shoots and became my other set of eyes behind her camera. She’d be carrying 3 jackets, our blankets for the clients, reflectors and lights, my bag, her bag and the clients bag–all with a smile and oomph. It seemed to me that the evolution of her position with Ampersand Grey was to be my full-time second shooter and she’s worked so hard to get here. I am beyond proud of how far she’s come and so excited about growing with her through the years. Ampersand Grey just got 2x better and I couldn’t be happier. The 2013 wedding season is going to be a rock our socks off kind of year. We have the most gorgeous, creative and in love couples lined up this year. I Can’t wait to watch you continue to shine, little grasshopper – thanks for joining this journey with me.

Michel xox