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
A few more from Chelsie & Frank’s wedding in Ilkley last month. I loved having plenty of time during the drinks reception to wander around and capture everyone chatting, laughing and catching up, without having to interrupt anything.
With their two little ones there to share it all with them, it was a lovely day bringing everyone together.
Thanks again for having me along to capture it all 🤍 x
Venue: Kings Hall & Winter Garden Ilkley
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Florist: @gordon_rigg
Hair & make up: @beautyinbloom
Cake: @bellasbakes_yorkshire
Dress: @avarosehamilton with alterations by @bettylavinia
Band: @highwayhearts_band
Ilkley Wedding Photographer | Kings Hall Wedding Ilkley | Yorkshire Wedding Photographer
A black tie dress code, white roses, a beautiful Orangery, and two people who claimed they were awkward in front of the camera... The photos suggest otherwise! 📸✨
Venue: @hotelwoodlands
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Content creator: @toldbytiah
Make up: @jessicaleymakeup
Hair: Beth @bowandblush
Florist: @houseofbloomfloral
Dress: @confettiandlaceleeds
Cake: @julieparrishtopclasscakes
Pianist: @yorkshireweddingpianist
Stationery: @bruskiandbunnsweddings
Suits: @slatermenswear
Illustrator: @harleysindall
Woodlands Hotel Wedding | Leeds Wedding Photographer | Black tie wedding Yorkshire
Lara & Jack ✨
Back to the Tithe Barn for this one, where Lara and Jack brought all their favourite people together for a brilliant day.
The rain made a few appearances, but we got our chance to head down to the abbey for photos, and the rest of the day was full of those little moments that make every wedding its own. A ceremony with a personal touch, an impressive seven speeches and a first dance with an outfit change thrown in for good measure.
A few more from this lovely day. 🤍
Venue: @thetithebarn @crippsandco
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Florist: @heatherandmossflowers
Hair: @westrowilkley
Dress: @avarosehamilton and @cinderellas.skipton
Suit: @charlestyrwhitt
Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey | Tithe Barn Wedding Photographer | Barn Wedding Yorkshire
LOTTIE & TOM // I think it`s fair to say Storm Boele wasn`t on the guest list for Saturday, but it turned up anyway 😂 From confetti onwards, the rain barely let up, although we did manage to get outside for sparklers later that evening.
Lottie got ready at her family home just outside Harrogate, which has the most amazing views. Their 3 family dogs kept everyone company, with Louise Lunn on make-up duties, and Lottie`s uncle doing her hair. A pretty lovely way to start the day.
After a ceremony at the local church, where their vicar (a family friend) was amazing and so accommodating with us taking photos, Lottie and Tom headed off in her dad`s VW Beetle convertible. The drizzle started just as we left the church for confetti, and pretty much didn`t stop for the rest of the day.
Thankfully, the Tithe Barn feels extra cosy in the rain, especially in autumn with all the fairy lights. Their bridal party were so much fun, there were some great speeches, plus Marc & Abi did their usual thing of keeping the dance floor busy all night. We even managed to get outside for sparklers after dark, which felt like a small miracle by that point! Also, always a pleasure working alongside Oliver Mitchell on video. He`s brilliant at what he does and just so lovely to work with.
Lottie and Tom, thank you for having me along to capture it all. Rain and all, it was a brilliant day! 🤍
Venue: @thetithebarn @crippsandco
Photographer: @lauracalderwood (me!)
Videographer @olivermitchellvideography
Florist: @leafy_couture_craven
Make up: @louiselunnmakeup
Bridesmaids hair: @synergy_hair_harrogate
Band: @marcandabiband
Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey | Tithe Barn Wedding Photographer | Barn Wedding Yorkshire
JESS & JO // I spent last Friday in beautiful York celebrating Jess and Jo, who tied the knot at the registry office before heading to No 1 by Guesthouse for drinks with their favourite people. They finished their day with pizza at Rudy’s - a pretty good way to spend a Friday if you ask me!
York is full of brilliant spots for photos, and this time of year makes it even better. The autumn leaves were showing off in all their reds, oranges and yellows, and we had a lovely wander around the Museum Gardens with Jess and Jo for some photos of the two of them.
Autumn is hands down my favourite time of year, and York might just be one of the best places to enjoy it. Add in two lovely people and a very good amount of pizza, and you’ve got a pretty perfect Friday. 🍂
Congratulations Mrs & Mrs M!
Venues: @yorkregisteroffice @guesthousehotels @wearerudyspizza York
Florist: @kiddal_quarry_farm
York Wedding Photographer | York City Centre Wedding | Autumn Wedding Yorkshire
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!