Documentary Edmonton Wedding Photographer Represents Canada at the World Photographic Cup

The Olympics of Photography

A Moment I Never Saw Coming

If someone had told me a few years ago that one of my wedding images would represent Canada on the world stage… I don’t know if I would’ve believed them. I’m not in this for awards. I’m in it for the fleeting, heart-bursting, once-in-a-lifetime moments — the ones that disappear in the blink of an eye if no one’s watching closely enough.

But here I am — a two-time member of Team Canada for the World Photographic Cup. And somehow, those quiet moments I love so much are echoing far beyond Alberta.

Being chosen in 2024 and again in 2025 as a representative in the Wedding Documentary category feels surreal. It’s humbling. It’s emotional. And it’s a reminder that real stories told well matter — not just to my couples, but to the world.

What Is the World Photographic Cup (WPC)?

It’s hard to put into words what this event means to photographers. It’s often called the Olympics of Photography — and for good reason. The WPC brings together photographers from over 30 countries. Each of us submits work not as individuals, but on behalf of our nation. That alone gives me goosebumps.

I remember watching the WPC livestream years ago, admiring the finalists and thinking, How incredible would it be to even come close to that level of storytelling? It wasn’t about recognition — it was about emotion. Impact. Art. And connection.

So to now be one of those names, representing Canada with work that speaks to who I am at my core — it’s overwhelming in the best way.

The Moments That Took Me There

My first image, selected for Team Canada in 2024, was born from one of those rare pockets of stillness in the middle of wedding chaos. It was 2023. The bride and groom had snuck away from the dance floor and into a bouncy castle — just the two of them. No guests, no music, no distractions. Just laughter and love suspended in air. I stepped back, gave them space, and captured a single frame. That quiet, joy-filled moment went on to represent Canada in the Wedding Documentary category.

The following year, another image—this time from the back seat of a limo—earned a place on the team again. The bride and groom were soaking in the moment with their wedding party, unfiltered and relaxed. The windows were fogged from laughter. The energy was real. One click, and I knew I had something honest and lasting. That photo became my 2025 selection in Wedding Reportage.

Neither of these images were planned. They weren’t posed or perfected. They simply were. And that’s the magic of documentary wedding photography — finding the extraordinary in the in-between. The unscripted. The true.

More Than an Award — A Reflection of the Stories I Tell

I’ve always believed that the best wedding photos are the ones you didn’t know were being taken. The laugh you didn’t think anyone saw. The glance across the table. The dancing, the hugging, the messy joy of being surrounded by the people who love you most.

That’s the heart of my work.

Being part of WPC isn’t about a podium or a prize. It’s about knowing that those tiny, intimate, honest seconds — the ones that make up your wedding day — have a place in the larger story of photography.

It’s about representing the kind of love I see in Alberta — bold, adventurous, deeply felt — on a global stage. And it’s about bringing that heart into every gallery I deliver, every frame I shoot, every wedding I walk into with two cameras and a whole lot of care.

Want to See What I See?

If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know that what drives me is connection. Not just pretty photos (though I love those too), but meaningful ones. The kind you feel in your chest when you look back on them years later.

If you want that kind of storytelling — the kind that’s slow, intentional, and driven by emotion — I’d love to work with you.

Here’s where you can find me:

💻 Portfolio & wedding info: www.railenehooper.ca
📷 Behind-the-scenes & daily storytelling: Instagram
🗨️ Longer thoughts & community vibes: Facebook
🌍 More on the WPC: World Photographic Cup
🇨🇦 My Team Canada profile: Railene Hooper – WPC

If You’re Dreaming of a Wedding Gallery That Feels Like You

Reach out.

I’d love to hear about your day, your story, and what matters most to you. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or a quiet, cozy elopement — I’m here to document it with heart.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about perfect images.

It’s about true ones.

And those are the kinds of photographs that last a lifetime.