Fine Art Wedding Photographer in Edmonton, Alberta, & Worldwide
Meet Lily Laidlaw- Founder & Lead Photographer at Lily Laidlaw Photography
Does this sound like a perfect match?
Contact me so we can begin planning something truly inspiring!
Lily Laidlaw Photography (LLP) is based out of Edmonton and Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. My team and I have significant wanderlust and also love to shoot destination weddings, engagements, editorial and branding photography sessions.
I founded Lily Laidlaw Photography from a desire to create photographs that hold the full spectrum of human emotion: profound and polished, playful and endearing, artfully composed yet deeply alive.
Based in Sherwood Park and serving Edmonton, Alberta, and destinations beyond, I specialize in wedding, commercial, branding and portrait photography. Across every service, I combine thoughtful creative direction with intuitive observation to create elevated, emotionally resonant imagery that feels authentic to the people and stories in front of my camera.
My motto is, “All you need is love”—and a photographer who understands when to guide, when to observe and how to compose an image without interrupting the moment unfolding within it. Whether I am documenting a wedding celebration, developing imagery for a brand or creating meaningful portraits, my approach balances refined visual storytelling with genuine human connection.
A true romantic at heart, I believe photography is a living, breathing art form—one that requires curiosity, discipline and continual refinement. My perspective has been shaped by years behind the camera, as well as a life immersed in music, travel, nature and the arts.
From studying abroad in Europe and refining my skills as a classical and jazz musician to sipping Brunello on an Italian palazzo and exploring destinations throughout North America, Europe and Southeast Asia, I have developed a deep appreciation for natural elegance, thoughtful detail and experiences that awaken the senses. My daughters, our rescue animals and the world around me continue to inspire how I see and create.
Whatever the subject, I photograph with intention, imagination and an enduring appreciation for the moments that make a person, relationship or brand unmistakably its own.
"“All art should inspire and evoke emotion. Art should be something you can actually feel.”
- Chris DeRubeis
Lily Laidlaw Photography is an experienced Edmonton wedding photography team known for refined imagery, genuine storytelling and attentive client care. Every associate photographer works closely with me and is personally trained to deliver our signature photographic style and the thoughtful, polished experience our couples expect.
For each wedding, Chelsea Catling, Kelli Jahn, Yulia St. Dennis or I will serve as your lead photographer. Your lead takes an active role in planning your photography timeline, scouting portrait locations, providing natural posing direction and communicating with you throughout the celebration. From the beginning of your day to the final reception moments, we help you feel comfortable, confident and fully present.
Our second photographers and photography assistants provide essential creative and logistical support. While your lead photographer documents each defining moment from the primary perspective, the second photographer captures complementary angles, candid reactions and events unfolding simultaneously. This layered approach allows us to preserve a more complete visual story—including the meaningful interactions you may not have witnessed yourself.
During your reception, our team works together to create polished, dynamic images in changing and low-light conditions. We manage equipment and strategically position off-camera lighting behind the scenes, allowing your lead photographer to continue documenting the celebration without interrupting its natural flow. The result is sophisticated flash photography that captures the atmosphere and energy of the evening while remaining consistent with the Lily Laidlaw Photography aesthetic.
Because our team works together throughout the year, we have developed an intuitive and efficient rhythm. We anticipate one another’s needs, adapt quickly and communicate discreetly so your photography experience feels seamless rather than staged or intrusive.
Above all, we want you to experience your wedding—not manage the photography. Our team will guide you when needed, support you throughout the day and preserve its most meaningful moments with artistry and care. While the celebration may pass quickly, your photographs will allow you to savour its emotions, relationships and unforgettable details for a lifetime.
Chelsea Catling
Photos are memories that last create your legacy.
I joined Lily Laidlaw Photography in 2020 and cannot imagine a more inspiring team with whom to share this journey. As an associate Edmonton wedding photographer, I am drawn to genuine connection, fleeting emotion and the privilege of preserving the moments that become part of a couple’s history and a family’s legacy.
When I am not behind the camera, I am a mom to two wonderful boys, Everett and Luca. Our family loves spending time outdoors—travelling to the Canadian Rockies, exploring Edmonton’s River Valley or enjoying a picnic while watching our boys discover the world around them. Motherhood has given me an even deeper appreciation for how quickly life changes and how meaningful photographs become with time.
Originally from Ontario, I moved to Edmonton in 2018. Although my educational background includes nursing and dental studies, my connection to photography began much earlier. I was around ten years old when I held my first disposable camera and discovered the joy of preserving a moment that might otherwise pass unnoticed.
Photography has always been woven into my family’s story. My grandmother and great-aunt rarely went anywhere without their cameras, carefully documenting the milestones and everyday moments of our large family. Because of them, my childhood lives on through lovingly assembled scrapbooks, full photo albums and framed photographs covering the walls. I could not have known then that their example would one day inspire me to preserve those same kinds of memories for other couples and families.
What I love most about wedding photography is its ability to tell an honest, emotionally layered story. I am inspired by the chemistry between people, the quiet interactions and the joyful reactions that reveal the heart of a relationship. I cherish these moments as though they belonged to my own family, and it is an honour to become a small part of each couple’s story.
Being part of Lily Laidlaw Photography has been an extraordinary gift. I am deeply grateful to every couple and family who trusts us to document their most meaningful moments and create photographs they can revisit, share and treasure for generations.
Sources
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"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.
Kelli Jahn
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” – Dorothea Lange
Originally from South America, I am an associate Edmonton wedding photographer with a vibrant personality, endless energy and a genuine love for documenting people in love.
To me, photography is about far more than creating beautiful images. It is about connection, emotion, movement, laughter and the fleeting interactions that make every story unique. I bring my whole heart to each wedding and engagement session—and I am always willing to go the extra mile. Whether I am fixing your dress, calming your nerves, making you laugh or chasing the perfect light, I want you to feel supported, comfortable and fully present.
My creative background began long before I became a professional photographer. I am also an experienced CAD jewellery designer and have spent years creating pieces in which every curve, proportion and detail matters. That training has shaped the way I see and photograph the world. I notice subtle details, appreciate thoughtful design and am naturally drawn to composition, texture, movement and light.
Outside of photography and design, I rarely sit still. I love challenging myself through long-distance hikes, spending time at the gym, prioritizing self-care and travelling whenever possible. I am curious about the world and happiest when I am learning, exploring, creating or pushing myself toward something new.
Each of these experiences influences how I approach wedding photography. Travel has taught me to recognize beauty in unexpected places. Hiking has shown me that going a little farther can lead to something extraordinary. Fitness has strengthened my discipline, while jewellery design has trained my eye to recognize the smallest details. Life has taught me that some of the most meaningful moments happen when we stop pursuing perfection and allow ourselves to be fully present.
That is the energy I bring to every wedding and engagement session: joy, creativity, experience and a whole lot of heart.
I do not simply want to document what your celebration looked like. I want you to remember how it felt—the anticipation, electric energy, uninhibited laughter, quiet glances, intentional details and everything in between.
Your story deserves more than beautiful photographs. It deserves to be felt, preserved and remembered.
[View more of Kelli's Work HERE]
I believe that life is all about people, moments, and emotions that we cherish and remember!
Yulia St. Dennis
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." Ansel Adams
Hello, I’m Yulia—an Edmonton wedding, branding and portrait photographer with more than ten years of professional experience. As part of the Lily Laidlaw Photography team, I combine technical expertise with creativity, curiosity and a genuine desire to connect with the people in front of my camera.
I believe photographs form an important part of the legacy we leave behind. They preserve how a story began, who we were during a particular season and what those moments felt like. Over time, these images may be shared with children and grandchildren, becoming some of a family’s most meaningful possessions. I approach that responsibility with intention, care and a deep respect for every story entrusted to me.
Born and raised in Central Asia, I bring an international perspective to photography, visual storytelling and creative editing. I am based in Edmonton, Alberta, where my spouse and I relocated in support of his military career. Experiencing different places and cultures has shaped how I observe people, interpret beauty and create imagery that feels distinctive, polished and emotionally honest.
What inspires me most is watching people become comfortable enough to reveal their true personalities in front of the camera. I love discovering the qualities that make each person, relationship and business unique—and translating them into expressive photographs that feel true to who they are.
Whether I am documenting a wedding celebration, creating strategic Edmonton branding photography that connects a business with its ideal clients or preserving a family’s story through timeless portraits, my goal remains the same: to create personal, powerful images with lasting meaning.
Outside of photography, I am a passionate painter, enthusiastic gamer and devoted cat mom to Chip and Tina. I also love animals, travelling, excellent coffee and discovering local cafés where I can slow down and appreciate the character of a place.
Yulia is currently photographing weddings throughout Europe, including Latvia, and expanding her experience as an international destination wedding photographer.
[View more of Yulia’s work here.]
I believe that life is all about people, moments, and emotions that we cherish and remember!
