Jeff Cooke Photography

I have been to Chester, Nova Scotia for many sailing trips with my best friend’s family over the years so I knew it would be an amazing place for photos when Andrea and Mark asked to meet there for their engagement session. Mark’s family cottage is in a sweet spot overlooking a little cover off the Chester Basin, so this was definitely the obvious spot to get some great photos of the two with an amazing backdrop that only Nova Scotia can provide. I’ll be seeing Mark & Andrea again this fall when they tee up at Ashburn Golf Course for their I DOs!

On the way home, Jenn and I drove past an old motorcycle parked on a quiet Quinpool road in Halifax and I had to stop to try out a shot idea that I had been thinking about for an upcoming trash the dress session. This is another example of why I love having Jenn on board.

Usually engagement sessions are scheduled in the months leading up to a wedding once a couple becomes engaged. But in this case, Andrew took the idea of engagement session literally. He was planning on popping the question to Mairead where they met at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, so we strategized a few days before and came up with a plan to have the moment captured with photos. The plan basically involved me being out of sight spying on the couple as things unfolded. I’m sure that I looked out of place – standing in the wet weather, dressed in black, tucked behind a tree with camera gear in hand, waiting … and as they approached, I noticed their umbrella read “merde, il pluet” – how fitting. She said yes and it was a perfect moment – and thankfully, campus security didn’t stop by and ruin my cover …

Those who have worked with me know how I love to capture those “real” moments, so I have to say, it was a pretty exciting shoot for me – I’m sure Andrew would agree for his own reasons! Congrats guys and I look forward to ringing in 2011 with you at your New Year’s Eve wedding.

Gayle and Brent were visiting Halifax from Ontario to celebrate Gayle’s graduation from Law school. Although their wedding isn’t till 2011, the couple took a moment away from their busy weekend to meet up for a few engagement photos. With Brent being a Professor and Gayle a recent Law student, I thought the Dal Library would be a perfect spot for a few shots.

Speaking of Law Abiding Citizens, within 24 hours of this shoot, my wife and I managed to rack up a total of 5 tickets from the Halifax Regional Municipality: 1 traffic ticket, 1 ticket for talking on a cell phone, 2 tickets for lack of paperwork in the car and 1 ticket for failing to obey a traffic signal or sign. Not bad for a day’s work – I guess the Halifax police were out in full force before the long week-end!