Oh, hey!I'm Laura.
PEOPLE WATCHER .
STORYTELLER .
MOTHER .
FLORAL ADDICT .
POWERED BY TEA + CAKE
Hello
This is me! I live in beautiful Burley in Wharfedale and am so lucky to be surrounded by gorgeous Yorkshire countryside, and also only about 90 mins from the beach! I live with my slightly* nutty 9 year old Rose and our two rabbits, two guinea pigs and one goldfish. We tried to have more than one goldfish but now have a large fishy graveyard for our efforts. Tiddles doesn’t like to share her space.
*I say slightly, she once told me that traffic lights are the bane of her life, and she went through a phase of naming everything "Cantameen". Send help!
I shot my first solo wedding in 2011. I was studying for a PhD in Osteology at the time, but I eventually made the tough decision to give that up and start my business, and I haven’t looked back. Sometimes something just “fits” and for me that thing is photography. I’d be lost without it (and I got proof of that during Covid, yikes). Which is actually mad if you consider how much of my life I spent avoiding the camera myself! But then maybe that’s what makes it the thing for me, I know how you feel and want to change that! I genuinely cannot believe how lucky I am that I get to call this my job.
As well as photography I’m know for my love of cake & donuts, my ability to kill a houseplant, quoting too much from Friends, and my unashamedly bad taste in music (Hanson, anyone?). I learnt the 50 US states and their capitals for a quiz when I was a teenager and can still remember them. Yet I still frequently lose my phone in my own house. My favourite colour is green and my favourite smell is Christmas tree.
I bloody love weddings and could talk about them all day. I also bloody love babies and nothing makes me happier than when I get to engineer a snuggle with your little one during your newborn shoot!
Most of all of course I love photographing people. Whether it's your wedding day, you're expecting or have just had a baby, or you simply want to capture your loved ones the way they are right now, my aim is to document unique moments in time to create a beautiful set of images that you will treasure for many years to come. My style combines photojournalism with beautiful portraits, and my fun and relaxed approach makes you feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera – I want you to actually enjoy having your photograph taken!
Although I’m based near Ilkley I cover all of Yorkshire and I’m actually happy to travel anywhere for weddings and portrait shoots. So if you have any questions then please get in touch using one of my contact forms. In the meantime, grab a cuppa and browse through my wedding or portrait galleries, or take a look at my most recent work on the blog.
I can't wait to hear from you x
More Random FACTS about me
LIKES
· Being by the sea.
· Dogs at weddings.
· Seaglass
· Flowers – I know some great florists too, ask me for my faves!
· Winter light
· Frosty mornings
· Autumn leaves – my favourite season
· Toadstools
· Scary movies
· 90s sitcoms
· Saying hello to random dogs on a walk (especially when their owners think I’m talking to them. I’m not!)
· Cherry blossom time
· Family time
· Catching up with friends over a G&T
· Tea & cake
· Donuts
· Hot chocolate with the works
· Christmas mugs
· Golden hour
· Long drinks receptions (2 hours would be lovely, thanks!)
· Glasshouses
· Yorkshire puddings (still trying to find the best vegan recipe, send me tips!)
· Newborn baby toes (I’m a baby photographer too, it’s not that weird...)
DISLIKES
· Being too hot
· Ghosting
· Blue cheese
· People who don’t pick up after their dog
· Sports (I’m not coordinated!)
· Endless group photos (let’s keep it quick, painless & fun!)
· Taking down the Christmas decorations
· Raw onion
Recent WORK
2025 Wedding Season in 25 seconds (ish) //
The year I finally remembered to (inconsistently) record some BTS footage 🥳 An absolutely glorious year of weddings, family shoots and even some time off!
My annual highlights blog is pending so watch this space 🧐
If you’re planning a wedding in 2026 and still looking for a wedding photographer please do get in touch soon, I’ve got 3 spaces left 🤘The 2027 diary is open too, and I’ve even had a couple of 2028 enquires. Let’s gooooooo!
Yorkshire Wedding Photographer | Best Wedding Venues UK | Leeds Wedding Photography
Best 9 of 2025 //
I’ve been a bit quiet on here towards the end of the year as the photographing time went down and the editing time went up 🫠 Loads to share in the new year but for now here’s my top liked posts of 2025 ❤️
Massive thank you to all the couples and families who’ve booked me this year and beyond, and who make my job so special. My 13th year in business, 11th year as a mum, and my 40th year on the planet! I’ve fully milked the birthday celebrations this year with lots of trips away (big love to my legend of a neighbour who might have spent more time feeding my animals than I have this year 🤣). I’m hoping to keep that momentum going in next year!
I’m nearly fully booked for weddings in 2026 with just 3 spaces left, can’t believe it! I’m looking forward to them all, plus meeting loads of new families.
Happy New Year folks ✌️
Yorkshire Wedding Photographer | Baby Photographer Leeds | UK Wedding Photographers
IMOGEN & ALEX // A foggy, chilly, Christmas-y weekend turned magical for these two ❄️💍
Married at the beautiful Pannal Church (which was full to the brim with flowers) they were then showered in mountains of paper confetti (so much I could barely see them!) 🎉
After the ceremony, we headed to Newby Hall, arriving just as the light was fading. The rest of the afternoon was spent warm and cosy in the library for drinks, before exploring all of Newby’s gorgeous indoor spaces for couple photos – the staircase, the Bridal Suite and the Tapestry Room ✨.
The celebration continued in the orangery with heartfelt speeches, a delicious wedding breakfast, and a dance floor that didn’t stop moving thanks to their fab band, Truly Medley Deeply 🎶💃. A perfect, festive day full of laughter, love, and all the cosy vibes.
Suppliers:
Venue: @weddings_at_newby_hall
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Content creator: @thehighlightreeluk
Florist: @tanya_smithh
Hair & make up: @loismorrowhairandmua
Make up assistant: @adelabortes_mua
Dress: @carolinecastigliano
Cake: @hg1cakecouture
Band: @tmd_band
Newby Hall Wedding | Winter Wedding Yorkshire | Harrogate Wedding Photographer
EMMA & SAM // Last month I had the absolute joy of photographing Emma & Sam’s big day right in the heart of York ❤️
They tied the knot at the registry office, then we wandered the city capturing a few of their favourite spots — the Minster, Chapter House Street, and the Museum Gardens — before heading back to the Guildhall for drinks and dinner. 🍾✨
After heartfelt speeches, the evening kicked off with a ceilidh that had EVERYONE on the dance floor 💃🕺 (Emma & Sam even swapped a first dance for a joint ceilidh with the whole wedding party — and yes, it was epic!)
Swipe through for all the love, laughter, and twirls from their perfect York city celebration 💛
Suppliers:
Venue: @guildhallyork
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Second photographer: @lissaalexandraphoto
Hair & make up: @facesbylaurenrippin
Flowers: @theartisandriedflower
Dress: @bridal.rogue.gallery
Suit: @editsuits
Band: Fiddlers Wreck
York City Centre Wedding | The Guidhall York Wedding | York Wedding Photographer
MEGAN + JACK // Delivered this gorgeous gallery today!
Megan & Jack filled the Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey with so much joy — including dancing their way back up the aisle after the ceremony, which I’m now convinced should be standard practice. Their whole day had this brilliant, upbeat energy that just never dipped.
Megan got ready at Meadowcroft (still one of my favourite prep cottages), with gorgeous hair by Emily Hawkes and makeup by Amy George. Meanwhile my ace second shooter Lissa joined Jack and the groomsmen over in Addingham, where they were looking incredibly sharp in black tie. The bridesmaids were beautiful in green, and the green-and-white flowers by Charlotte`s Floral Design were the perfect finishing touch.
It was also such a treat working alongside Matt from York Place Wedding Films again — one of the loveliest videographers and so discreet you hardly notice he’s there (in a good way!).
Southwest Band kept the dancefloor busy all night, but honestly, these two didn’t need much encouragement. They’re the kind of couple who make everyone around them feel at ease — warm, lovely, and completely up for a laugh. A day full of fun, happiness and all the good stuff 🖤💚✨
Congratulations Mr & Mrs S! x
Venue: @thetithebarn @crippsandco
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Second photographer: @lissaalexandraphoto
Videographer: @yorkplacefilms
Florist: @charlottes_floral_design
Make up: @amy.george.makeup
Hair: @emilyhawkeshair
Dress: @ thewhitecloset
Band: @southwestbanduk
Tithe Barn Wedding Bolton Abbey | Barn Wedding Venue Yorkshire | Yorkshire Wedding Photographer
Beautiful, timeless wedding photography across Leeds, York, Harrogate, Ilkley. I have experience at some of Yorkshire's top wedding venues including The Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey, Denton Hall, Goldsborough Hall, Allerton Castle, Carlton Towers, Rudding Park, Crab & Lobster, Sun Pavilion, East Riddlesden Hall, The Hawkhills, Sandburn Hall, Swinton Park, Bolton Abbey, and The Coniston Hotel to name a few!