Tony & Caitlin's Wedding - September 29th, 2012

(Tony and Caitlin as the sun sets on their wedding day. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

Long before I'd set foot on their ceremony site, we'd all already bonded over beer at Central City Brew Pub. Tony and Caitlin were friends with my intern Lauren and she recommended me since she wouldn't be able to play photographer and bridesmaid at the same time. We hit it off great. In that meeting, we realized our respective personalities were the perfect match and moved right on to prep for the big day.

(Tony and Caitlin's wedding party. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

The wedding was in Gibsons, BC. I'd always remembered Gibsons fondly, having gone on numerous high school camping trips there with my best friends. My assistant Jason booked the ferry and I booked the hotel. We'd stay one night, then wake up fresh to shoot without having to worry about arriving late. We even brought props, some of which we had to wrestle into cooperation. I was striving for a top-end commercial look to Tony and Caitlin's wedding portraits. Thanks to our on-the-go Profoto AcuteB 600, our lighting was exceptional.

(Caitlin and the groomsmen. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

It was a four-hour shoot; getting ready, portraits, ceremony and family shots. Through our extensive prep work, we stayed on schedule and had a great time doing it. Even though this was a shorter shoot than most, it didn't feel like it. We came back with loads of material and I look forward to updating my portfolio with some of our best wedding party shots yet. I deliver the photos this Friday. In the meantime, see even more from this wedding on our WedOverHeels.

(Wandering hands lead to genuine smiles. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings is available for assignment at BLPwedding.com.

Check us out on WedOverHeels!

(WedOverHeels is a new social network for engaged couples and wedding professionals. © WedOverHeels.)

As we look to find even better footing in Vancouver's booming wedding industry, we hope to connect with every vendor in the area capable of meeting our high standards. Luckily, local Bean Benson saw the need for an engaging online community specifically for us and started up WedOverHeels, a place for us wedding pros to exchange ideas and even share them with our clients in a design-savvy space. Click here to see my WOH profile and leave some feedback. Whether you're a fellow pro, newly engaged, a past client or simply a fan, you'll find yourself at home. I look forward to watching the site grow and can't wait to see what new ideas are just around the corner.

Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings is available for assignment at BLPwedding.com.

Andrea & Rob's Wedding - August 11th, 2012

(Andrea getting ready for the ceremony. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

Andrea and I first met to talk about her wedding at a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant on the outskirts of Greater Vancouver. We'd had numerous mutual friends, but didn't know each other well on a personal level. However, she trusted my vision and knew I'd be the perfect fit for her wedding. When the day came, I couldn't have felt more at home. Her and her now-husband Rob were more traditional folk with a more traditional wedding mindset, but we were able to put a more contemporary spin on some of their images. To see more from this wedding, give us a call and book us for a personal consultation.

(Andrea and Rob relaxing as newlyweds. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings is available for assignment at BLPwedding.com.

James & Tory's Wedding - June 9th, 2012

(James and Tory got married in Santorini on June 9th, 2012. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

Sometimes I get assignments that seem too good to be true. Most of these involve travel. And though I've technically shot in Hong Kong and San Francisco, this opportunity to travel to Greece and stay there for a week getting to know the couple I'd be photographing on their wedding day was far too good to pass up. So flights were booked, hotels called and bags packed. I set off on May 31st for the adventure of a lifetime.

(One of our locations was Atlantis Books, located in the small Greek town of Oia. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

After a short engagement session at the Acropolis and numerous days of drunken misadventures (where we learned exactly what the best man's alcohol tolerance was and why you shouldn't be standing on a national treasure during a hangover), we took a ferry over to the majestic island of Santorini. It was picture perfect. Beautiful blue skies, crystal clear water and cold craft beer awaited us. Moussaka and gyros greeted us at every turn. And my camera practically never left my side.

(One of the many beautiful doorways and alcoves in Santorini. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

Then the wedding day came. Since our budget couldn't accommodate an assistant, it was up to me to wrangle the 22 pounds of gear I bring to every shoot. Rushing from the hostel we were all staying at in Kamari up to the peak of Oia, I had my first encounter with every destination photographer's worst nightmare: heat stroke. With the ceremony only minutes away and fighting back waves of nausea, I hydrated as quickly as I could and carried on. This first kiss photo is proof I survived and stayed at the top of my game.

(The best 'first kiss' photo I've ever shot. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

I stayed for dinner and the post-wedding party at Dom (where I snapped many an inappropriate first dance photo), but took off the next day for a flight back into Athens where I stayed for two more nights. Not ready to end my adventuring yet, I found my way to Paris before heading back home to edit. These five photos you see here are only the tiniest percentage of gorgeous shots I got while in Greece. For the real deal, you'll want to book a private appointment with me to see more and talk to me about your upcoming wedding.

(Sunset on Santorini. © 2012 Benjamin Luk.)

Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings is available for assignment at BLPwedding.com.

Ashley & Andrew's Wedding - October 22nd, 2011

(Ashley and Andrew standing at the altar. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

I remember the exact moment I knew I'd be able to make things work with Ashley and Andrew's wedding. We were holed up in a casual sushi restaurant not far from my apartment and I'd just given them a great deal on account of their wedding being in the off-season. Their gratitude was immediate. They even bought me lunch right then and there, so I knew they wanted amazing photos and were going to do what it took to get them. Like always, I went into this with 100% and followed it through for the weeks to come.

(The only way holy matrimony is supposed to be. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

What came first was the client meeting. I laid out plans for what was to come and planned every facet of the shoot down to the last detail, keeping in mind that unpredictability will always be a factor. Ashley and I went on a location scout around her venue and found the unlikeliest of places to represent her wedding portraits: a parkade. It was under cover, it had great lighting and most of all, it was a place that symbolically represented where she was tying the knot. This wasn't a million-dollar glamour wedding featured in Vogue. This was urban, down-to-earth and humble.

(Ashley and the girls getting their giggle on. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

By keeping the location local and accessible, we were able to spend more time focusing on our clients' personalities. One extremely portable Profoto AcuteB 600 and a reflector piloted by assistant Cynthia was all we needed for lighting. We also scheduled plenty of time for creative exploration of each scene. It's easy to get amazing portraits when you're right in front of your subject, but how about environmental portraiture that employs different angles, unconventional perspective and architecture as design?

(Ashley and Andrew, lost in each other and urban New Westminster. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

With each wedding, we're only getting better. Between me and my main wedding assistant Jonathan Evans, we bring over a decade of photography experience to your wedding. If you want wedding photography that evokes the true spirit of your location, come to us. Destination wedding photography is upcoming as well. For the first time, I'll be shooting in Greece for Summer 2012. Booking for 2012 and 2013 now.

(Ashley and Andrew's first dance as husband and wife. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings is available for assignment at BLPwedding.com.

Kashka & Kathleen's Wedding - August 19th, 2011

(Kashka and Kathleen, photographed moments before wreaking havoc with pump-action water guns. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

Saying I've known Kathleen a long time is an understatement. What I recall most is spending Math class with her in Grade 9. We were both approximately 4' 11" and had our whole lives ahead of us. To guess that I'd be photographing her wedding over a decade later would've been insanity. That having been said, I consider having done so a great privilege. On a side note, Kathleen is now a tattoo artist and I happily gave her a price cut on the condition she give me a tattoo. I'll be remembering this wedding for the rest of my life.

(The humble gazebo where the ceremony took place, plus guests. © 2011 Jonathan Evans, Benjamin Luk Photography.)

The ceremony took place in an unassuming rose garden in New Westminster's Queen's Park. Words were exchanged about past generations' challenges with same-sex unions and the guests applauded that they were able to witness one today. Bridesmaids teared up during the exchange of vows. Kashka held Kathleen tightly during their first kiss as life partners. We were able to capture it all.

(A moment captured on the bus ride to our portrait location. © 2011 Jonathan Evans, Benjamin Luk Photography.)

The bus we took to our portrait location may or may not have been outfitted with stripper poles. Kathleen's brother may or may not have performed a full-blown striptease complete with standard acrobatics. Jonathan's expertise with event photography ensured that not a moment was missed and I can safely say this may have been one of the wildest weddings of our entire career. To see the full slideshow, book an appointment with us and see the whole thing. We're currently booking for 2012 and 2013.

(Smooching tends to happen at weddings. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings is available for assignment at BLPwedding.com.

Janell & Aniket's Wedding - July 16th, 2011

(Janell and Aniket, photographed at Eagles Estate in Burnaby, BC. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

One of the many reasons I love what I do is that I get to meet interesting and lovable people all the time. Janell and Aniket are prime examples of that. As animators based in France, I knew their artistic eye would be tough to please, but I was ready to rise to the challenge. I first met the couple over breakfast with Janell's family and it was immediately obvious that there were real connections between them. Their family was so tight-knit and so caring that sitting elbow-to-elbow with them and asking them to pass the potatoes felt natural. I struggle to recall another time when I felt so welcomed.

(Janell cozying up to Aniket at Burnaby Art Gallery. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

Because Janell and Aniket were in France leading up to the wedding, most of the planning I did was with Janell's mom, Amandah. In an extensive preproduction phase, we worked out schedules, shot lists, locations, etc. Armed with all the information I needed, this turned into one of the few weddings I've shot that actually ran on time. It's for exactly this reason we now request an information package from our wedding clients to keep as on schedule as possible.

(The wedding party channelling their inner rocker. © 2011 Benjamin Luk.)

Janell and Aniket were one of my favourite couples to shoot in 2011. Affectionate, playful and goofy, we were able to capture something really special of both their personalities. And unlike most relationships where one person clearly wears the pants, Janell and Aniket came across as real equals, friends before lovers. There is no doubt in my mind they'll be happy together for a very long time. I wish them the best for a bright and hopeful future. Besides, I may need a couch to crash on if I ever wind up in France again.

(Janell and Aniket taking their first steps together as husband and wife. © 2011 Jonathan Evans, Benjamin Luk Photography.)

Benjamin Luk Photography Weddings is available for assignment at BLPwedding.com.