Hi and thank you for dropping by. I am a Calgary-based photographer with a passion for photographing people.
What is my style? Mainly, I capture emotion and what I see in people... My style is clean, direct, elegant, classic and timeless, with a slight vintage feel to it. My goal is to capture and re-create the feeling you lived throughout that special day. It could be while having a good time with your children or on your wedding day.
My inspiration comes from people. I observe them, I learn from them, I laugh with them, I joke with them, and sometimes, I cry with them.
On a personal note, I am a big fan of Starbucks and bookstores, mainly Chapters. I read a lot. This is where you will find me in the winter (when not working on an album, session, or website), enjoying a decaf coffee (always!). These places are a great source of ideas. I become the observer... without a camera.
The next step is for you to give me a call ...so we can go for a coffee and chat! :o)
Enjoy the browsing!
Just got news today that I won the Canadian Bridal Network’s Best Engagement Photo contest of 2009! Over 500 photographers had entered that contest across Canada, so I feel absolutely privileged to be a winner! 
These were their criteria in searching for their favorite photographs:
Winning photo:
Runner-up:
To read more about this award contest, click here.
Thanks to all these beautiful couples for letting me capture their love for each other!
March 5, 2010 - 5:49 pm - Claire, here is exactly what happens when we deserve it, and YOU deserve it. Congratulations, I'm proud to know you. Regards, Laurence.
I am an animal lover, but like many other people out there, I grew up with dogs. When I adopted KC, two years ago, I never knew she was going to be such an important part of my life. I didn’t know much about cats really… but just that they “do not need you” like dogs do. Well, I was wrong about that. Cats do need love and attention. Some, more than others. Mine: a LOT!
When I wake up in the morning, she is next to me. Whatever I do around the house, her eyes follow me everywhere. When I work on the editing of my photos, she is on my lap… or sitting in front of my monitor. When I go out, she is waiting for my return by the window.
Every evening, she calls me from upstairs to let me know that she wants to play. If I ignore her, she’ll bring her toys to my office, downstairs. It’s actually funny to watch her do that … she carries her toy in her mouth and drags it down the stairs, slowly, while meowing to let me know that she is coming and that she wants to play. After 2 years, you become very familiar with your pet’s habits.
Today, I was just about to start wrapping a couple of gifts for this weekend’s birthday party. I wasn’t away for more than 5 seconds. When I returned, she had ”parked” herself comfortably on the wrapping paper. Cute. She’s now 3 years old. This post is dedicated to animal lovers.
Natasha and Shahin!!
They were courageous enough to brave the crazy cold we had on that day. You wouldn’t believe how cold it was because they just look so natural on these photos, but brrrrrrr… It. was. cold.
Thanks to Laurence, for assisting me out with the lights. We all froze together, but the awesome connection between Natasha and Shahin made it easy.
“Thank you for the pictures. We love them! And so does our family!… It took us hours to decide!“… is what Natasha wrote to me after seeing her online gallery … below, is the one they finally chose as their 8×10. I think it is a fantastic choice as it portrays exactly the loving connection between these two. Thanks so much for posing for me Natasha and Shahin! Enjoy your portrait!
I would like to thank all the brides to-be, grooms to-be, their friends and relatives, for stopping by my booth yesterday at the Wedding Show! It was so much fun to meet you all face-to-face and chat away!
The lucky winner of my FREE engagement session (worth $500) with an 8×10 will be contacted between today and tomorrow.
Many of you have asked me if I was willing to travel with you on your destination wedding… absolutely! I love to travel, especially for such great occasion: your big day!
For brides and grooms who are getting married outside of Calgary or in Calgary in 2010 or 2011 and have many more questions for me, email me to set up your consultation. This is a great way for you to get to know me better. 
Last but not least, for those of you who chose to receive my newsletter via email, stay tuned for the BIG announcement of the opening of my Boudoir Noir studio! My studio will also be used for maternity and baby photography. Many gread deals will be available then! If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet, it’s not too late. Email me at info@weddingphotoscalgary.com and I will just add you to my list.
Thank you ALL again for the great laughs and your kind words! I look forward to seeing you again soon!
… and because a blog-post is not a post without a photograph, here is one of the lovely couple, Joanna and Eric, who got married in July 2009.
Brides and grooms: I will be displaying my photos at the Wedding Show on February 6, 2010, at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino, from 10AM until 6PM.
Here is your chance to meet with me and ask all the questions you want! Don’t forget to enter my draw to win a FREE engagement session (worth $500) with an 8×10 print of your favorite photo. There is more: all couples who book their wedding with me receive a FREE guestbook (worth $300) along with their FREE engagement session!
To get more details, come see me at Booth #39, (across from the stage, in the Sundance ballroom). I look forward to meeting many of you there!
Happy New Year!
Why not start the year with new memories? Winter sessions in the snow are so much fun! If you are a small family (up to 5 direct members - weather permits if small children) with or without pets, or a couple in love, don’t wait! Inquire about your session today at claire@clairephotoflash.com
This can make for a great gift for Valentine’s Day!
For a full price list, visit my Portraits website
All sessions are done outdoors in the morning (around 10 am) or afternoon (around 2pm). We could go to the Zoo, a park, or downtown Calgary… the options are great!
Nicole and Jordan are getting married in Newfoundland next year and already have a photographer there. Both wanted an engagement session done in Calgary with a cool place for their dogs, Kali and Mylo. What better location than Fish Creek Park! 
After the session, I asked Nicole and Jordan to give me 3 of their favorite photos (not an easy task … ”too many favorites”, I am told, and that’s music to my ears!), below is one of them, the “family” shot.
A little bit of modeling…
A little bit of fun…
Jordan’s favorite photo and one of my fav too…
One of my fav.
Nicole’s fav, and one of my fav too.
One of my fav… this shot looks very romantic (although Nicole assures me that Jordan is not)!
My fav! I always have a soft spot for couples who are kissing…
… obviously! … Thanks Nicole and Jordan for allowing me to capture your love for each other! All my best to the both of you!
February 22, 2010 - 5:13 pm - greeeeeat engagement session!
November 13, 2009 - 12:32 pm - ... if only I could fit in their suitcases!... Thanks Virginia!
November 13, 2009 - 12:27 pm - Claire, I could look at your photos all day! This couple is going to want you to travel to Newfoundland to shoot their wedding! Great session!
Christine and Mike’s wedding took place at The Ranche in Fish Creek Park, Calgary. This was my last wedding of the year 2009 and I couldn’t have asked for better weather or better bridal party. All my best wishes to you, Christine and Mike, and thank you for letting me capture your very special day!
We started off with some getting ready shots followed by some creative portraits of the beautiful bride… The make up was created to give a “1960s” feel to match the hairdo.
Half-hour later… et voila! Ready and beautiful.
The ceremony was set to start late in the afternoon so Christine and Mike agreed to have their photos taken before, while the light was still good.
This ought to be the coolest ring bearer!
… married!
Below is a glimpse at what I do with family photos …
Just a couple of more shots… I promise…
November 5, 2009 - 2:52 pm - Nice!!! Nice, nice, nice, nice, nice!!!! Love the ring-bearer and family photos!!! Beautiful work again Claire. Great way to end your season!
These two were so wonderful to photograph! What a great connection! They just adore each other and couldn’t stop looking or smiling at one another (or kissing!). Sandi and David are getting married next year, in July, and already, I can’t wait to photograph their big day! They will be having a traditional Chinese wedding. Love those!
I had a hard time choosing just a few photos for this blog, so I came up with a few… more. Get ready for a big blog-post!
Many kisses… a lot of love …
Sexy and steamy! Woohoo!
October 9, 2009 - 1:36 pm - Thank you for such nice comment David! It was my pleasure! :)
October 9, 2009 - 1:20 pm - i just wanted to take the time to thank you once again for the memorable engagement photos/slideshow. The finished product of the engagement photos was so much more than we ever expected. All credits goes to you; you made all the photos taken so pleasurable throughout the engagement session. i am freak out (in a BIG good way) at the quality and creativity of your photos. Thank you again for leaving us such amazing photos of our engagement that we will cherish forever.
October 9, 2009 - 12:19 pm - Aww thanks Virginia! I give all the credits to Sandi and David for "forgetting" that a big camera was pointed at them the whole time...lol
October 9, 2009 - 12:00 pm - Claire, these are amazing. They are going to freak out (in a good way) when they see these. I'd say your best session yet :o)
October 8, 2009 - 2:48 pm - David, thank you for such kind words! You and Sandi are one beautiful couple. I'll be posting more photos tomorrow. Stay tuned! ;)
October 8, 2009 - 1:59 pm - I couldn't stop looking or smiling at Sandi and NOW I just can't seem to take my eyes off those two pictures!. It look amazingly beautiful. Claire, the quality of work you do and the passion you have truly shrines through. Thank you so much
October 8, 2009 - 12:45 pm - WOW, WOW, WOW! I love these! How did you get in there?! So cool!
October 8, 2009 - 11:52 am - Thanks Anna! Sandi and David got these jerseys made for them. Great idea indeed!
October 8, 2009 - 11:26 am - I LOVE it, Claire!! What a lovely location, and awesome idea with the jerseys!
A beautiful wedding and a great connection. Christina and Ryan got married by the river just off downtown Canmore. It didn’t matter that the sky looked more gray than blue: Christina and Ryan were determined to get married outside, rain or shine.
Here is their story…
It did rain a bit eventually…
… but rain wasn’t a problem … did I mention their very cool sense of humor?
The bridal party was… well… a little bit wild … Oh but just a touch!…
The boys … on their best behavior… and I can assure you that THIS is their best behavior!
The girls (I call them the “innocent” bystanders) had their rubber boots on to fully enjoy the water! I thought that was a great idea.
The reception took place at The Radisson, in Canmore.
The challenge for the bride and groom was to do exactly what their guests wanted them to do… in this instance, the bride & groom had to kiss and make that kiss a “hawt”, sexy, and real one… I’ll let you be the sole judge of that!
The cutting of the cake…
The first dance…
Lately, I have been experimenting with my lights during the first dance… not an easy task as this dance is usually quite short… but this is what I came up with below.
Christina and Ryan gave me extra time for their photos during the reception… YA! That’s every photographer’s dream!… So we drove downtown to get a few more shots below. I was sooo happy!
This shot below is my favorite of the bunch… it is grainy, dark, and yes, it looks like a snap-shot, but I don’t know … it just captivates me. That being said, Christina and Ryan: many thanks to you and your bridal party for all the fun and all my BEST to the both of you!
October 21, 2009 - 8:28 pm - Claire what a beautiful wedding! Great use of lighting. Wonderful as usual!
October 9, 2009 - 5:44 am - Claire, these are AMAZING!!!!!!! I can't wait to hire you for my wedding! Oh by the way my son was born that following Thursday. He's now 7 weeks old. He's all yours when/if you still want to shoot him. Email me and let me know :)
October 6, 2009 - 10:08 pm - Thank you for your kind words :)
October 6, 2009 - 9:30 pm - Really nice images. Great variety. Love so many of them.
October 6, 2009 - 9:06 pm - Wow, wow, wow, wow!!!! This is clearly your best work to date Claire. Absolutely amazing!!! I am in love with the look, feel, emotion and composition of these images, they really exert a sense of love. Well done and congrats to your couple, they are beautiful and you helped to bring that out in every shot! Gary
© 2010 Claire Cocheme :: Calgary wedding photographer Blog ProPhoto Photo Blog by NetRivet
by Claire Cocheme
1 comment
add a comment link to this post email a friend