The Hunger Games Styled Wedding Shoot

This week has been full of excitement with the launch of the fresh new Courtney Clarke Photography website and blog! Today the excitement continues with an announcement I have so been looking forward to!

Back in September, Lindsay and Mark were married in a beautiful ceremony on Thetis Island. I adore this couple, so when they told me how the Hunger Games book series played a part in their proposal (Mark custom altered a copy of the third Hunger Games book and had Lindsay’s engagement ring hidden inside!!!), I decided I had to start reading the series before their wedding day. And I’m so glad I did! Not only is the book series compelling (read: addicting!), but a dream was born to create a two part styled shoot taking inspiration from the books! And throughout this process, which began in December, I’ve been blessed to meet and connect with some amazing local creatives whose talents absolutely shine in these images. I cannot get over the wealth of talent we have in our area!

I’m beyond ecstatic that The Wedding Chicks (click the link!!!) have chosen to exclusively feature images from the bridal portion of our shoot! Jocey & Amy (the editors) have both read the series, which is actually why I chose to submit this session to their website in the first place! Sure, the images are pretty, but I think it really takes a fellow Hunger Games fan to appreciate all the details from the shoot that are right from the books! Right down to the decision to have our Katniss photographed with her very beloved younger sister Prim, instead of having a groom in the shoot to be our Peeta.

I cannot post the images without a thank you to each of the following AMAZING professionals. When the idea for creating my first styled shoot started out, my vision was so much smaller than what has resulted from creative collaboration. I’ve been completely overwhelmed by each person’s dedication to this dream and cannot thank you enough for the hours of effort you contributed to creating the magic I witnessed on our shoot day! Thank you for choosing to work as a part of a stellar team and for driving this shoot further than I could have ever imagined. XOs to you all. Seriously people, if you have need to hire any of the professionals below, I’d highly recommend it. I’d even suggest you find a need for you to hire them, just so you can experience their talents first hand.

Photography Assistant, Moral Support, and BIG TIME Cheerleader: Rachel Broughton
Floral Design: Erica Smolders of Rook & Rose Floral Design Boutique
Table & Food Styling: Erica Smolders & Ellie Chapple of Rook & Rose Floral Design Boutique
Makeup Artist: Lindsay Archdekin
Hair Stylist: Danielle Bennett
Model (Katniss): Jill McQuary
Model (Prim): Grace with Coultish Management
Stationery Design: Joann Lee of TingTing Paperie
Furniture Sourcing: Leanne McKeachie Design
Cake: Ooh La La Cupcakes
Bridal Gowns: Blush Bridal Boutique
Bridal Gown Designer: Pronovias
Stylist: Khloe Campbell
Stylist Assistant: Whitney Buczkowski

Thank you also to my handsome husband John and my amazing Dadio, who were instrumental to transporting ALL the furniture out to the field. And also a HUGE thanks from everyone involved to my beautiful Mom, who generously donated her time during the day to prepare snacks and food so we could keep our energy up and focused. I love you Mom! Thank you! xo

Thank you also to the owners of the beautiful private property who graciously lent us use of their field; the location was absolutely perfect for what I had envisioned and I’m so grateful to have been allowed to photograph at such a gorgeous and fitting area!

It’s been so, so difficult to keep the details of this shoot on the down-low with talk of Hunger Games popping up all over the place, but I knew it was super important to not just plan this shoot well, but to be the FIRST! The first to get our images out there and to enjoy everyone’s excitement for the novel series through our imagery. I hope you love the shoot as much as we do!

Let me invite you to share in the lovely details leading up to Katniss & Peeta’s wedding (as we imagine it)!

 Share this post if you love The Hunger Games and leave a comment if you’re excited
the first Hunger Games movie coming out on March 23, 2012!!!