Katya Nova Photography » Vancouver Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer | Lifestyle Portraits { Intimate Narrative Documenting Your Love }

I flew in to Edmonton on the coldest weekend of the year. The temperatures soared in low 30’s and 40’s C, the snow squeaked under the boots, and face - threatened to fall off within seconds of ‘fresh air’ exposure. But sitting at Three Bananas cafe with a steaming soy latte somehow held the promise of an amazing weekend with the beautiful couple I was about to meet. 

Zeina and Zak made me forget all about the disastrous weather - we found not only refuge but also beautiful light all over downtown - City Hall, city center, and of course the cozy coffee shop you may remember from Kathy & Rob’s engagement session. This Friday afternoon’s celebration of their love was followed by an outrageously fun wedding on Sunday… I was rushing to break my own record of the fastest turnaround time for these winter engagement photos - and guess what … they made a great slideshow for the guests on the wedding day!! 

I love the texture of the city hall walls … and Zeina & Zak look like movie stars. 
One of my favorites. Was I even around?
Another one before moving outside…
The snowball is past Zak’s head - Zeina was too quick for me! 
They were so brave to slow down with me… and we jolted to warm up!
Love the boots!
It was so great to see them leave the stress of last minute wedding touches and enjoy each other. 
“You say it best … when you say nothing at all” - jumping ahead of myself a little… Reminded me of their song for the first dance.
Another one of my favorites in black and white.
For this one, I stepped outside the cafe to creep in from the outside. The blurred curtain to the left is actually my red glove, blocking the mirrored shadows.
Back to the city hall, to wander the empty hallways.
Another few favorites taken from the outside looking in…
… I felt so lucky to be near them and share these beautiful moments. 
view portfolio || katya@katyanova.com

They came by my booth at the Fall Vancouver Bridal Show - and before they even left, I was Sherry & Matt’s wedding photographer. I couldn’t be more honored - they are such a beautiful couple. So sharp, funny, and real. Their story has always been knowing what they want and finding a way to get it - as Matt happily recalls, Sherry was the hottest girl in the Engineering Faculty… and he knew he wouldn’t be letting her go! 

We decided not to wait till spring for our engagement shoot, relying on the mercy of this gloomy Vancouver Sunday - and it was a gorgeous one. I finally got my fix of shooting by the ocean (for now), and even got a little more than I bargained for, having relied on my rain boots to be ocean boots. To spice up the experience, we even had an ‘encounter’ with a lady who stripped down to her bathing suit for what seemed to be her regular November (!) afternoon swim. Somehow she found our presence on the beach intrusive… Perhaps she was getting her groove on for the Olympics :) Nothing could spoil our mood, set to the soothing ocean murmur and Buddha Bar beats from by little boom box. I couldn’t wait to share some of my favorites with you!

To Matt & Sherry - you guys rock and I can’t wait to document your wedding next May! Love, K.

I was so honored to get Santana and Bryan in front of my lens, especially since Santana is no stranger to working it in front of the camera (please admire her on her page HERE). 

The day was chilly, gloomy, and pretty hectic for all three of us, but Santana and Bryan created warmth and magic… Their dynamic is fiery and playful, yet the moment they get close, they melt in tenderness. 

Check out our urban celebration of their engagement below! And if you come out for a wicked night out at Edmonton’s premier corporate lounge & nightclub The Bank, you may even congratulate Bryan, the GM, in person!

They say an engagement ring in the pocket of a man ready to propose can almost ‘burn a hole’ through it… So many emotions, sweaty palms, and the weight of just the right moment to blind the one you love with it. Tom not only picked the ring of Mandy’s dreams, but waited for them to climb a mountain together at Lillian Lake. Her eyes sparkled even more than the ring itself as she retold the story!

For the engagement photos we decided to explore the back alleys of Whyte Avenue - and had so much fun. Mandy rocked a bouquet of sunflowers - they just popped off the lazy autumn surroundings… 

I can’t wait to document Mandy & Tom’s wedding in July! Congratulations, my beautiful people. From the bottom of my heart. 

He is her rock. And her eyes are full of love. He is her Everything Forever - it even said so on the U of A classroom blackboard! 

I was really excited for this session particularly because Mona shared with me that their engagement party was quite formal, and she wanted some fun and casual portraits to celebrate their new beginning. Although the October cold was setting in, she spiced it up with her fabulous yellow jacket and purple shoes - I love the contrast with the gloomy day! Mona is going to be a school teacher, so we hid away in the empty cozy classroom at the university… and had so much fun. See for yourselves!

Ahmed and Mona, you are such a beautiful couple … congratulations! 

Having met Alicia and Scott for the first time a few months ago left me with an overwhelming feeling of joy and gratitude. Just being around them made me feel a little bit more in love…

Their engagement session was such a treat, right before my trip to Vancouver. We got to explore the U of A grounds like no one else - Scott’s dad works with the university and graciously offered to give us a magical tour! We first hung out in the setting autumn sun, wandering about … ignoring the October cold. As usual, I jumped around to the beats of my boom box. I had no idea we would get a chance to shoot in U of A’s very own greenhouse! Photographers in other parts of the world (or country!) may be luckier in this regard, but I got overtly excited with so much tropical greenery around. And the orchids! The orchids! Ironically, a few days later I saw the same orchids sold in little corner stores all over Vancouver It was such a fantastic time - I couldn’t wish for a more radiant couple to be there with! 

 I’m really looking forward to Alicia & Scott’s winter wedding… and have so many ideas. I hope it snows!

When it comes to Yulia, sharp, smart, and funny just don’t cut it. In fact, her humour is what I admire most. I remember how she made the time fly in those chemistry labs … 

And a few days ago I was lucky to see her in entirely new light - in love… *I could just see her making a joke about this one, right about now… * She glowed, her quirky self, beside a man who gets her. And amplifies her love for life. Justin was such a sport during the shoot - and lovingly absorbed himself in his other half, following my instructions much to his delight! (and mine, hehe). The light was amazing and I got to play with sun flare to my heart’s content! I was so pumped with the location choice - a cemetery!! Not so scary after all, is it?

I can’t wait to document their Wedding in Kelowna in the spring!!

Check out what we’ve pulled off without music or wine…

“I love you. I can’t wait to marry you,” they whispered and muttered to each other. Over and over again. It was the last sunset before a beautiful beginning. We strolled down the gravel paths of Lily Lake resort and caught the last moments of sunshine. Aline and Mark even got to practice their moves for the dance floor! And I got to climb a tree… Here are some of my favorite moments:

They make it look so easy. Making the best of every moment together, that is. They are lovers and friends. Friends who happen to be lovers. Soul mates who happened to have found each other. That easy. Ryan makes Nicole laugh so wholeheartedly, the sun comes out. Their world ticks - she reads books, he plays guitar. But what really makes their world is their precious daughter Emma - I’m sure you’ll see her smiley face on my blog in a few weeks, as she will be dimming the sunshine with her presence on their wedding this coming July! 

It’s time for me to share the news of my most special and anticipated day of the summer - August 1st. It’s always been a little special, as it is my Birthday. But this year it’s also the day my best friend Polina is getting married!! They’ve always been one of those couples that Polina’s single girlfriends dream of being in and treat as a paragon. Rightly so.

I remember a wonderfully incoherent phone call from Polina - something about a surprise trip to Vegas from Justin, romantic dinner, the perfect Italian vino, tears, and a shiny diamond… ‘congratulations’ from strangers… We cried and laughed. 

For the engagement portraits we decided to pay tribute to the place where Polina and Justin met … and spent many diligent hours … University of Alberta’s beautiful Rutherford Library.

Thank you for letting me be such a big part of your Day and your life. I promise not to be a Photozilla!