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
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
AMY & CALUM // Saturday at The Hovels on the Harewood Estate was pure magic ✨ Amy + Calum’s day was filled with laughter, love, and so many personal touches. From Calum’s dad stepping up as best man 🥂, to the incredible blooms by Leafy Couture 🌸, every detail felt so special.
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Amy’s dad even sourced a vintage Mercedes for the ultimate wedding car vibes 🚘, and Chris Stewart the magician kept everyone wowed during the drinks reception 🪄. The speeches had everyone laughing (and a few happy tears!)—especially when Amy’s dad handed out some hilarious gag gifts 🎁😂💛.
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We tried tracking down Cyril the pig 🐷 (he was hiding!), but still managed some dreamy couple shots down the tree-lined lane leading to the venue 🌳💛.
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Swipe through for a peek at this unforgettable day!
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Venue: @thehovelsatharewood @harewoodholidays
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Accommodation: @harewoodholidays
Florist: @leafycouture
Hair & make up: @amberlouisemakeup
Dress: @wed2b
Music: @faydonaldsonmusic
Magician: @westyorkshiremagician
Stationery: bride and groom!
Suits: @yorkshiremenswear
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The Hovels at Harewood | Leeds Wedding Venues | Harewood House Wedding Photographer
FRAN & JAMES // Last Friday’s wedding at my favourite venue — the incredible Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey — and what a day it was 😍
Fran & James have been together since sixth form, and honestly, you could feel every year of that history in the way they looked at each other. James was the most emotional groom (not even gonna pretend I didn’t tear up behind the camera 🥹), and their friends? Just the best kind of people — close-knit, hilarious, and so ready to celebrate.
Stunning flowers by Bureau Botany, cakes that looked (and smelled) heavenly by The Flamingo Bakery, and the ever-lovely Simon Manning on video — always a dream to work alongside. 🎥 Marc and Abi had everyone up dancing in record time, and the atmosphere was pure joy from start to finish.
The whole day just had that feeling — easy, joyful, full of emotion and laughter. The kind of wedding that reminds me exactly why I love doing what I do.
Here’s a little peek into Fran & James’ beautiful, emotional, laughter-filled day 🩵
Venue: @thetithebarn @crippsandco
Second photographer: @lissaalexandraphoto
Videographer: @simonmanning_weddingvideo
Hair & make up: @makeupartistsyorkshire
Florist: @bureaubotany
Cake: @theflamingobakery
Dress: @theaislebridal with alterations by @the_bobbin_bridal
Band: @marcandabiband
Stationery artwork: @natalienewsomeillustration
Jeweller: @evansjewellers
Tithe Barn Wedding Photographer | Best Barn Wedding Venues Yorkshire | Bolton Abbey Wedding
Lauren & Lewis // The kind of wedding where everything just flowed – no stress, no rush, just a laid-back day full of proper emotion and big laughs 🖤
Venue: @ruddingparkhotel
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Florist: @coletteflorist
Make up: @emilybunkermakeupartist @shellytatemakeupartist
Hair: @bridal_hairby_kayleigh_
Videographer: @adamdoesweddings
Dress: @bluebowbridalcompany
Cake: @hg1cakecouture
Music: @adamlynch87
Venue styling: @chairandtablehireyorkshire @the_whole_schbang
Rudding Park Wedding | Harrogate Wedding Photographer | Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Hannah & Daniel’s Fig House wedding — full of colour, emotion, and the most beautiful gardens 🌸✨ What a day.
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!