A Rarity in the Ottawa Skies
As an Ottawa Wedding Photographer, I live for those moments when nature creates something extraordinary, adding a magical or moody touch to wedding days. The right lighting or dramatic skies can transform a photograph, turning it from simple documentation into an unforgettable piece of art. I’ve photographed in all sorts of conditions, but there’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a moody sky to amplify the emotional impact of an image.
Yesterday, I was lucky enough to witness one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena: Asperitas clouds. These rare, wave-like formations took over the sky, swirling and flowing like the ocean above me. My jaw dropped as I watched them appear, and I knew this would be a moment to remember—not just as a photographer, but as a mom too. I grabbed my daughter’s hand, and we set off for a little walk in our neighborhood, heads turned skyward as we admired this ethereal scene.
The Beauty of Ottawa Skies: A Photographer’s Dream
Ottawa, with its four distinct seasons and varied weather patterns, offers a rich canvas for wedding photography. The sky is ever-changing, and I’m always watching it closely on wedding days. Some days, it’s the golden hour casting that perfect warm glow over newlyweds; on others, it’s the soft, diffused light of an overcast sky that brings out the intimacy of a moment.
As a wedding photographer, I know how important the weather is in shaping the atmosphere of a wedding day. The skies become part of the backdrop, an integral piece of the story. A bright blue sky is beautiful, yes, but sometimes it’s those overcast, moody days that truly make the photos stand out. There’s something undeniably cinematic about a storm rolling in during vows or the sun breaking through clouds as a couple shares their first kiss.
But there’s something even more magical when the skies open up and reveal something rare, something extraordinary—like the Asperitas clouds I saw yesterday.
What Are Asperitas Clouds?
Asperitas (from the Latin word for "roughness") is a rare and dramatic cloud formation that resembles the surface of a churning, turbulent ocean. These clouds create an illusion of movement and depth in the sky, with undulating waves that seem almost surreal. Unlike other clouds, Asperitas don’t typically bring rain or storms. Instead, they form under specific atmospheric conditions and are known for their distinctive, wave-like appearance, giving the sky a mysterious, almost otherworldly quality.
