Good place to take pictures of a stone wall + engagement pictures

[DoubleF]

So I've been hoping to find a good place to do engagement photo shoots. In particular I am interested in finding a stone wall or some structure that looks like a castle in Calgary. I know there are some heritage sandstone buildings around I can probably seek out, but does anyone know if there are other public ones out there or any nice areas for a good photo shoot for fun? Hoping to find unique locations and structures within city limits. I'm open to going to a small town nearby as well, depending if the structures are worth it.

Looking for:
Stone structures (less so concrete)
Old castle
Classic fairytale style locations and looks is a huge plus
Less so nature (but having it around near by the structures is a plus)
Less so settler heritage stuff

My fiance and I have a lot of nature ones already and are leaning more towards old castle/fairy tale and ruins to try something new. A good cluster of locations would be great too, or a clear route to follow would be nice as it would lessen the burden on the photographer. Also, less emphasis on settlers (ie: Heritage park or steam engines etc.) fiance isn't a huge fan of the western theme, but if it can be sneaked in as a sort of medieval fairytale type, I'm ears for recommended tricks.


Locations considered:

Calgary zoo - Been here a few times, already maxed out. Not sure what we have not taken a pic of already
Heritage park - Not quite what we are looking for. Stone > Wood; horse carriage > train
Memorial park - The Statue in the middle has a stone pedestal which may work. The Memorial park library is an interesting one as well.
Stephen ave - The arches by the Bay are nice. Not really sure what else is along this road.
Olympic plaza - Not sure if anything here that s worth posing around.
Museums? - Not sure if Glenbow or the war museum is worth contemplating.
Rotary park - has the arch and a view of down town...
Sien lok park - Lions and nothing else?
Mount royal - water fountain/lake in back... not much else?
U of C - Too much concrete and such, not sure if anything good there.
SAIT - Never been here, no idea what is available.


Other: (I don't mind going up to an hour out, but prefer not to)
Banff - Fairmont = Great. Parks has some nice stuff too.
Canmore - mainly nature here. Not bad, but have a plethora of that style already. But would not mind hitting up here if I'm missing something
Okotoks - ?
Sundre - ?
Chestermere - ?
Nanton - ?
Cochrane - ?

Thanks in advance.


EDIT: I'm unaware of one near by, but the fiance loves ferris wheels.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

If you want stone and castles...its tough to beat Banff

Other ideas if you want the background to be a feature is the Leighton Centre out by Millarville

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

SAIT - Never been here, no idea what is available.

I went to SAIT so I might be able to help out a little. Heritage Hall would be a great option:

This is the front view of the building


This is what the side doors of the building look like


Has a very castle like look from the front (including a big wooden door and stone steps with sandstone accents). Truly a gorgeous building and being so large, you should have many options to get different looks and spots to take photo's.

As for other Calgary options, maybe Old City Hall?



Or Lougheed House (many, MANY spots to take photo's. And this would be the closest "castle" I can think of in Calgary)?

EDIT: I'm unaware of one near by, but the fiance loves ferris wheels.

Heritage Park has one!

http://www.heritagepark.ca/plan-your...ris-wheel.html

[Minnie]

You'll need to check if any of these locations charge a fee - I'm sure I recall a photog friend saying a couple places charge.

I don't know if it's precisely what you're looking for, but there are those ruins by Inglewood. Also, there are some "ruins" in Banff on the Minnewanka loop - Bankhead. There are the old church steps left, and then some down the hill. You could utilize the Parks Canada building at the end of main street in Banff too.

[SebC]

If you want ruins, there's the Rundle Ruins close to the Saddledome.

However, my advice is that you're only gonna do your engagement shoot once, so if Banff Springs is what you want, make the effort and do it.

[Acey]

Nobody would really say something to you at Heritage Hall unless you set up a ton of production equipment.

[Kolbe31]

We just had pictures done at a hotel near Priddis called Azuridge. Had never seen or heard of this place until a few weeks ago, but it's absolutely beautiful. Lots of stone work (including a large castle-like stone structure with a spiral staircase), and really nice mountain views.

http://www.azuridge.ca

[Northendzone]

how about some of the older inner city schools? they woukld likely be quiet on a weekend

[terminator]

Those ruins out onf 12th ave? I think

[Bigtime]

Rundle ruins for sure just north of the Saddledome:


Rundle Ruins by alexcgy, on Flickr

While in the area hit up the old sandstone Victoria park school right next to the arriva condo tower. You can get a pretty cool shot with the old school and a modern glass tower rising up above it:


arriVa by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

Across 11th avenue from it is the Biscuit block building, 4 storey red brick with a new modern addition on top.

Also check out the Alberta Ballet building by St. Mary's Cathedral in Mission. A nice long stone wall and wooden boardwalk if I recall. We did some shots there for ours.

[surferguy]

mewata armory?

[tete]

I had my maternity photos, plus an annual photo shoot with my daughter, at the old part of the CBE builing (the former Central High School/Rundle College). It's a really nice sandstone building (and for us, was super convient, as we live in the neighbourhood)

[DoubleF]

Oh wow. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll run it by the fiance. Azuridge looks great too. Rundle ruins is definitely one I'll check out as well.

How could I have forgotten city hall and Lougheed house?

I had no idea Heritage park had a ferris wheel. Great suggestion, thanks.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Oh wow. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll run it by the fiance. Azuridge looks great too. Rundle ruins is definitely one I'll check out as well.

How could I have forgotten city hall and Lougheed house?

I had no idea Heritage park had a ferris wheel. Great suggestion, thanks.

The Rundle Ruins are cool, we had some photos done there.

To be honest, I didn't know waht they were called till I saw Bigtime's post (thanks BT).

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

how about some of the older inner city schools? they woukld likely be quiet on a weekend

Balmoral School:



Crescent Heights High School:

[undercoverbrother]

McDougall Centre

[Rathji]

Colonel Walker

[DoubleF]

Went out to check out some spots today mid afternoon.

Wandered over to Rundle Ruins today. I did not realize there were not just 1 but 2 arches. In case any one was interested in knowing about the arches. Easy area to control the lighting.

Lougheed house was nicely lit. Good for pics, hard on eyes.

Rotary park was terrible for lighting. Nice area though, but the shade kept making pics look odd. The area with a view of DT was spectacular though.

I'll have to check the other locations in a few weeks as I'm a bit busy. But thanks for the help everyone!

[SebC]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Rotary park was terrible for lighting. Nice area though, but the shade kept making pics look odd. The area with a view of DT was spectacular though.

If you're willing to be flexible on time of day etc., a good photographer should be able to make it work. BYO lighting!

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by SebC

If you're willing to be flexible on time of day etc., a good photographer should be able to make it work. BYO lighting!

Ha ha. That's fair. I'm no pro.