Fine Art Wedding Photographer in Edmonton, Banff, & Worldwide
Meet Lily Laidlaw- founder & Lead Photographer at Lily Laidlaw Photography
“All you need is love”… and a photographer who can help you compose the best possible images to capture all of your joyful emotions. I am a true romantic and have been enthralled with love, weddings, and profound human connection for as long as I can remember.
I reside in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, Canada, but have significant wanderlust and feel honoured that my career as a professional photographer enables me to work on-location shooting destination weddings, elopements, and other important milestones.
I've always enjoyed connecting with people and watching them evolve, and I believe that this is why my transition to fine art photography happened so naturally. My dedication and discipline to the arts - whether this was when I was studying music & education in university or dance, fine art, fashion & design in my earlier years, has provided me with essential foundational skills. Pursuing excellence in artistic transformations eventually led me to pursue a career in photography that allows me to document the beauty of human connection through my lens. My background as an educator and an artist has also enhanced my ability to connect and communicate with my clients; guiding them into poses that feel natural, making them feel at-ease, and also leaving space to observe and capture meaningful spontaneous moments.
Does this sound like a perfect match?
Contact me so we can begin planning something truly inspiring!
"“All art should inspire and evoke emotion. Art should be something you can actually feel.”
- Chris DeRubeis
Emotion, meaning, and compassion go into everything I do. All of these things continually to shape my approach to photography as I see it as a true living-breathing art form. From sipping a gorgeous Brunello on a palazzo in Italy to adopting as many rescue animals as I can, honing language & cultural skills through a study-abroad term in Germany, refining my skills as a classical & jazz pianist & vocalist along with adventuring and viewing the most incredible destinations around North America, Europe, and South-East Asia & beyond-- I put a high value on soaking up natural elegance, honing in on the finest details of my craft, and ultimately, living life to the fullest. I make it a priority to create every day and use travel and adventure- as well as my daughters- to fuel my inspiration which ultimately translates to how I direct and compose my photographs.
It is through a deep desire to both direct and candidly document profound and polished, yet also playful and endearing moments that has resulted in the founding of Lily Laidlaw Photography. As both a local Alberta photographer as well as an international destination photographer, my team and I look forward to helping you create a uniquely beautiful vision that captures your most cherished memories and preserves your legacy.
Meet The Rest of the LLP Team
My team works very closely with me, and I have personally trained them to match my style, brand, and client experience. Chelsea Catling, the other lead photographer at LLP, or myself, plan the wedding timeline, scout the locations, pose and communicate with my couples, and shoot all of the photos from the primary angle. Our second photographers plays a vital role in capturing all of the other essential angles simultaneously to highlight different aspects of a single moment that cannot be re-created later in the day. Another important aspect of their roles is during the reception when we are working in different in-door lighting situations' in order to create beautiful dynamic lighting with flash photography (as opposed to the harsh on-camera flash) my associates are constantly moving my gear set up around so that I never have to stop shooting. Since we work together all year, my team and I have developed seamless methods of communication, often knowing what the other one needs without even having to say it. We want you to soak in all the extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime memories you will make on your big day without worrying about anything related to your wedding photography. Trust me; this day will go by so fast! But we will be there to support you and savour every moment!
Meet Chelsea - Second Lead Photographer
Photos are memories that last create your legacy.
Hello dear friends! I have been with Lily Laidlaw Photography since 2020, and I couldn't imagine walking this journey with anyone else.
When I am not behind the lens, I am a mom to an amazing little boy named Everett. My family loves being outdoors; we travel to the Rockies and explore the great River Valley as often as possible. We love picnics and watching our little boy explore the world.
Originally from Ontario, I moved to Edmonton in 2018. My educational background is in Nursing and Dental. What led me to photography? My passion started when I was about ten years old, and I held my first disposable camera. Taking photos was important to my family because there were so many of us, and everyone grows up in the blink of an eye. It all started with my Grandma and her Sister. They always had a camera in hand, making sure not to miss a single moment. There are piles of family scrapbooks, photo albums, frames covering walls; they did not miss a single moment of my childhood. Thinking back to those days, I had no idea that I would end up on a "dream team," helping others capture their fleeting memories.
Being able to tell a story through photography is why I love what I do. The chemistry, the love, the genuine connection you witness make you feel alive. I truly cherish these moments as if they were my own. People become family, and you feel like you're a part of their story.
This opportunity has been such a blessing, and I am forever grateful for the chance to be part of something extraordinary. Let us help you capture memories that will last a lifetime!
"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything."
– Aaron Siskind.
Meet Kennedy - Associate Photographer
I believe less is more and beauty can be found in so many things!
Hello friends️!
My name is Kennedy, and I have been a part of the Lily Laidlaw Photography team since 2019 capturing family portraits, second shooting at weddings, documenting couples in love and taking on personal passion projects and milestone sessions.
I have been married for eight years to my husband Ronnie and have a three-year-old daughter named Kinley. In additional to photography, I am happy to announce that I just completed my nursing degree to become an RN! My other full-time job is operating a private care facility with my mom, which houses and provides care for individuals with physical and mental health needs.
My husband and I are both suckers for pets, and both dream of having a hobby farm with rescued animals of all types! Three years ago, we both decided to go vegetarian and have been exploring many wonderful plant-based recipes and restaurants. I love to cook and create new dishes, and my favourite spice is garlic powder, as it goes with everything!
My favourite season is garage sale season, and when that is over, I love thrift store shopping!
I love being creative and making things look pretty - This is what pulled me to photography: the ability to design and bring a vision to life. I love designing and creating our mini session sets- most recently my creation was our "Cozy Camper Christmas" which was a huge fan favourite!
My Motto: "It's A Good Day, For A Good Day" I always strive to create good for others and myself and want to make each day count.
Meet Yulia - Associate Photographer
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." Ansel Adams
Hello! My name is Yulia and I'm an Edmonton wedding, branding and portrait photographer from Alberta, Canada. You can view more of my work here.
I believe it is important for any professional to not only be great at what they do but also be passionate about it. I want to help you preserve your special moments so you can share these beautiful memories with your children and grandchildren. To tell them how it all started and what life was like when you were growing up. Your photos will be one of your most cherished and dear possessions. That is something I value and promise to bring to life. I am a professional wedding and lifestyle photographer with 10 years of experience. I am based in Edmonton, Alberta as my spouse and I have recently moved here to pursue his military career.
I was born and raised in Central Asia and bring a unique, international perspective on photography and creative editing. I love animals, travelling, and good coffee. I enjoy spending time in local cafés and experiencing the place and moment I am in. Besides being a photographer, I am also a passionate painter, enthusiastic gamer, and loving mother to two beautiful cats, Chip and Tina.
My passion for photography comes from seeing you open up in front of the camera and allowing me to capture all of the great qualities that make you unique. I am very excited to help you tell your love story, create powerful branding images that speak to your clients, or capture heirloom family portraits that will preserve your legacy.
I believe that life is all about people, moments, and emotions that we cherish and remember!
