Chinook photography specializes in outdoor weddings in Banff, Canmore, and Calgary area with beautiful landscapes and candid photos. Originally from Alaska, they are amazing at making people feel comfortable in front of the camera with games, conversations and an air of no stress. Whether you are planning a huge wedding or something intimate, if it has stunning views involved consider Chris and his team.

Chinook photography has a special place in my heart. They took my wedding photos before I ever started planning weddings for other people. They gave us such a great experience and my wedding party could not say enough good things about them. I am so lucky to know this incredible team.

I asked the owner of Chinook Photography, Chris Beck to answer a few questions for me about himself and how he got into this industry in the first place.

How long have you been working in the wedding industry?

I have been a full time wedding photographer for 13 years now.

What can a couple expect when they work with you?

I tend to be very laid back. I think most people are surprised about how easy going we treat the wedding day. I believe whatever happens on your wedding day is what happens. The best moments and photos are the ones that just naturally happen.

Canmore Wedding Photographer Silvertip Resort71

What is your favourite type of photos to shoot?

Outdoors, and adventure. We often explain our style as “Landscape Infused” wedding photography. We take couples out into amazing locations and take landscape photos with couples in them.

What was your most memorable moment at a wedding?

I have so many to talk about, but one that was the most memorable was in Juneau, Alaska. The couple had a ceremony out on a remote island. They ferried the guests out and on the way, we saw killer whales and other whales. The next day the bride and groom packed their dress and suit in a bag and we Kayaked and hiked up to a glacier, and into an ice cave. The couple had met at this glacier. They volunteered as a mountain rescue and trained each week while getting to know each other. We had to take a photo with the glacier that someway paid tribute to them and the glacier. I had no idea how much attention the photos would get. In 2014 it was chosen as one of Cosmpolotan Magazines’ top wedding photos.

What was your first wedding photography experience?

I lived in a town where there weren’t any full-time wedding photographers. I knew a couple that was having a big wedding but didn’t have a photographer. They asked if I would do it, and I told them I have my limits, that they really should hire someone who does this for a living. They insisted and asked if I would do it. We had a great time and got some amazing photos. The photos ended up being published in a wedding magazine, and my phone started to really ring off the hook. Instead of calling myself a wedding photographer, I ended up calling a friend who was a full-time photographer and asked if I can work from him, and learn how to do it right. I spent 3 years with him shooting weddings and learning from an expert before starting out on my own.

How do you feel when you are in front of the camera instead of behind it?

Ha! Great question!! Uncomfortable! I get it!

What is your favourite part of your job?

I love being a fly on the wall. The best part of my job is when people forget I am there. I call it observational photography. This is when you get real emotions and unfiltered moments.

Why did you decide to move to Calgary?

My wife is Canadian, and I am American. When she suggested we move, she first took me to Canmore and Banff. I knew right away this would be an amazing place. At that time I owned a wedding studio in Seattle, Washington, and am originally from Alaska. Canmore and Banff were like Alaska without the ocean. I love it here.

What do you do when you aren’t taking photos for weddings?

I teach a lot of photography classes. I used to guide for wildlife tours and photoshoots in Alaska. I do love wildlife photography. We live in an amazing place for that.