Monica + Billy

September 29, 2024

Monica & Billy’s elopement was born from a shared love of the outdoors and a desire to document their story in the place where their relationship had continued to grow. As hikers, choosing a landscape that felt meaningful to them was essential, and the mountains near their new home in Alberta felt like the perfect setting.

One week after celebrating their wedding with friends and family in Winnipeg, I flew to Calgary to join them for a sunrise hike in Kananaskis. With a 4:00 a.m. wake-up call, we began the climb in the dark, hiking over 400 m toward the summit as light slowly crept over the mountains. Drizzle followed us most of the way up, and for a moment it seemed the sunrise might stay hidden. But we reached the top just in time for Monica and Billy to change, and the sun broke through the clouds, revealing the most incredible view. It was the kind of moment that makes every early morning and steep climb worth it.

From there, we drove on to the most spectacular falls, and somehow the day only got better. To reach the vantage point we had envisioned, we climbed along the waterfall’s edge, trusting our footing as mist soaked through everything we wore. Monica & Billy placed their complete trust in me, and together we embraced the chaos of wet boots, tired legs, and water spraying in every direction. The result was unforgettable: photographs and memories that were worth every sore muscle and rain-soaked lens.

It was the kind of day you dream about as a photographer, a love story I’ll never forget and one I’ll always tell.