Darius & Megan’s Inglis, Manitoba Wedding
Megan’s flat lay was laid out on the floor of an old schoolhouse. The texture and color of the painted ground created a beautiful backdrop that complimented the details that Megan provided.
The reception took place in an outdoor tent with beautiful seating and table arrangements.
Darius and Megan’s wedding was SO full of life. Like, the kind of wedding where you walk in and immediately feel the energy in the room.
There were so many people there to celebrate these two, and you could genuinely feel how loved they are. From the getting ready moments to the ceremony, the laughs, the happy tears, and everything in between—it was just one big celebration of them.
They had records playing, people dancing, and that nostalgic feeling that made the whole evening feel so personal and so them. There was something about watching everyone let loose and just enjoy themselves that I absolutely loved.
And of course…the ceremony took place right on the beach!
Barefoot. Walking through the sand. Laughing. Just the two of them taking a second to breathe and enjoy being married.
Those are the moments I love most.
Not everything has to be perfectly posed or perfectly planned. Sometimes it’s taking your shoes off, running around on the beach, dancing with the people you love, and just being there.
Darius and Megan’s wedding was energetic, emotional, nostalgic, and full of so much love.
And honestly? It was just really, really fun. 🤍
I’m so grateful I got to be there to document it.
These photos turned out so beautifully whimsical. I loved the way the light fell on the brides maidens’ hair.
Some of my favourite moments are these in-between moments that are unposed and truly candid.
Cassandra & Jaydon — A Backyard Wedding in Wadena
Some weddings are grand. Some are elaborate. And some are simply home.
In the heart of Wadena, Saskatchewan, Cassandra and Jaydon said I do right in their own backyard—and somehow, it felt exactly right.
Okay, can we just talk about how beautiful Cassandra and Jaydon’s wedding day was?!
Because honestly, this is exactly the kind of wedding day that I LOVE photographing.
Cassandra and Jaydon got married right in their backyard in Wadena, Saskatchewan, surrounded by their people, and it was just so incredibly them.
There is something about a backyard wedding that feels different. It feels personal. It feels comfortable. It feels like you’re stepping into someone’s actual life rather than just showing up to a venue for the day.
Patiently waiting guests, friends and family of the bride & groom.
Cassandra arriving at the venue…
And I LOVED that about their wedding.
It wasn’t about having everything be perfectly polished or following some kind of wedding formula. It was about them. Their people. Their story. Their day.
And honestly, those are my favourite weddings to photograph.
Groomsmen milling about…
First look of the bride as her parents escort her down the aisle.
I’m always looking for those little moments that happen in between everything else. The way someone looks at their partner when they think nobody is watching. The little laughs. The hugs. The happy tears. Someone fixing a dress. A family member getting emotional. Everyone just hanging out and enjoying being together.
Because yes, I want the beautiful portraits. Of course I do!
But I also want the photographs that make you look back ten years from now and say, “Oh my gosh, I remember this.”
That’s what I want your wedding gallery to be.
Not just a bunch of pretty pictures.
I want it to feel like your wedding day.
And Cassandra and Jaydon’s gallery is full of that.
Their backyard became the place where they started this next chapter together, surrounded by the people who love them most. And I think there is something really special about that.
There’s something about getting married at home that makes the whole day feel a little more intimate. A little more nostalgic. And honestly, a little more real.
And those are the kinds of stories I want to tell.
I want to know your story.
I want to know what matters to you, who matters to you, what you’re excited about, what you want to remember, and all those little things that make your relationship yours.
Then I want to take all of that and turn it into photographs that you can look back on years from now and still feel something.
Cassandra and Jaydon, thank you for letting me be there to document this part of your story. 🤍
Your backyard wedding was beautiful, but more importantly, it felt like you.
And honestly?
That’s my favourite kind of wedding.
Kayla & Joshua’s Romantic Blue Lake, Manitoba Elopement
Josh & Kayla’s intimate elopement in the heart of the Canadian forest was beyond stunning. They chose to get married on one of the beautiful forest trails, surrounded by towering trees, peaceful lakes, and the quiet beauty of Manitoba. It was intimate, romantic, and honestly just really beautiful.
Kayla and Joshua’s Blue Lake elopement was one of those days that just felt so them.
Surrounded by beautiful lakes in the vast Canadian forests
They chose to get married on one of the beautiful forest trails, surrounded by towering trees, peaceful lakes, and the quiet beauty of Manitoba. It was intimate, romantic, and honestly just really beautiful.
Their ceremony location was nestled into the woods
We wandered through the trails, took in the views, and captured all of those little moments in between. There was something so special about being able to slow down and let their day unfold naturally instead of rushing from one thing to the next.
And can we talk about the scenery?!
The trees, the lakes, the light—it was the perfect backdrop for these two.
I love when couples choose to make their wedding day their own, and Kayla and Joshua’s elopement was such a beautiful reminder that your wedding doesn’t have to be big to feel incredibly meaningful.
Sometimes all you really need is the person you love, a beautiful place, and a little adventure. 🤍
Kayla’s dress was the perfect whimsical, flowy, romantic choice for the forest setting. We used the natural beauty and texture of the trees to create contrast, letting all of the beautiful details and movement in her dress really stand out.
Kai-La | A Pageant Portrait Session Full of Confidence & Intention
Kai-La came to me for portfolio portraits as she prepared to compete in a beauty pageant in Ottawa, and her session was nothing short of stunning. Wearing an ornate, custom-made gown from the Philippines covered in vibrant red and yellow sequins and intricate beadwork, she brought so much presence in front of the camera. What made this session especially meaningful was the trust she placed in my direction — together, we created portraits that felt confident, elegant, and completely intentional.
When Kai-La reached out to me, she was preparing for something pretty incredible — she was a contestant in a beauty pageant in Ottawa and wanted to create portfolio images that felt worthy of the experience.
And honestly? I was so excited for this one.
She came to her session wearing the most incredible custom-made gown from the Philippines. It was this gorgeous, ornate piece covered in bright red and yellow sequins and beads, with veiled arms that added another layer of drama and elegance. It was the kind of dress that demanded to be photographed.
But as beautiful as the gown was, what made this session so special was Kai-La herself.
This was a session where posing and direction really came into play. Kai-La was so attentive to every little piece of direction I gave her, which allowed us to create images that felt intentional, confident, and polished without ever feeling stiff.
I guided her through each pose — where to place her hands, how to shift her body, where to look, when to soften an expression, and when to really lean into that confidence. And she trusted me through the process.
That is one of my favourite parts of portrait photography.
You don't have to walk into my studio already knowing how to pose. You don't have to know what to do with your hands or how to stand or where to look. That's my job.
My job is to see you, understand what you're trying to create, and guide you through it in a way that feels easy and natural.
With Kai-La, we were able to really lean into the elegance and strength of her pageant experience while still creating portraits that felt like her. The result was a collection of images that showcased not only this incredible gown, but the confidence and presence she was bringing with her to Ottawa.
And can we just talk about that dress for a second?
The red and yellow sequins, the intricate beadwork, the beautiful detailing, and those veiled sleeves created so much movement and dimension in front of the camera. It gave us so many opportunities to play with shape, posture, light, and composition.
I loved every minute of this session.
It was one of those shoots where everything came together — an incredible woman, an incredible gown, a clear vision, and the trust to let me guide the process.
And that's exactly what I want my portrait sessions to feel like.
You bring yourself. I'll help you bring the rest to life.
How I found my Mission Statement
My mission is to create a space where every person feels truly seen — clearly, honestly, and without apology.
Because every person deserves to recognize themselves in their photos and love what they see.
“I create space for people to feel seen in a genuine, heartfelt way.
My mission is to give you photos that reflect your true self — someone worthy, beautiful, and deeply known.”
-Laura Vaughters
I grew up in a family of twelve — loud, full, busy, loving, but overwhelming in a way that made it easy to disappear into the crowd. I spent so much of my childhood looking for moments where someone would pause long enough to truly seeme. Not as one of the twelve. Not as another face in the group. But as me — Laura.
That longing shaped me more than I realized.
When I became a photographer, I thought my “why” was simply that I loved taking pictures. I loved the creativity, the lighting, the art of it all. But as I photographed more people — mothers, couples, children, women stepping into their worth — I felt the real truth rising:
I wasn’t just taking photos.
I was giving people the one thing I spent my childhood searching for: the feeling of being seen.
I photograph the way I wish someone had seen me back then — with patience, with softness, with curiosity, with honour. I pay attention to the quiet things: the way someone’s eyes change when they talk about what they love, the way their shoulders drop when they finally relax, the tiny moment where they forget the camera exists and just… exist.
Choosing my mission statement wasn’t about branding or strategy. It was about looking inward and naming the heartbeat behind my work.
My mission is to create a space where every person feels truly seen — clearly, honestly, and without apology.
Because every person deserves to recognize themselves in their photos and love what they see.
This mission is personal. It’s healing. It’s the bridge between who I was and who I’m becoming — not just as a photographer, but as a woman learning what it means to take up space with confidence and truth.
And maybe, in showing others their own worth through my lens, I’m learning to see myself too.
Framing the Story around the Subject—My Photography Style
When I photograph, my goal is always to draw your eye — and your emotion — straight to what matters most. Subject isolation is at the heart of how I create. It’s the art of simplifying a scene so the focus falls entirely on the feeling, the connection, or the person in front of my lens. Whether it’s a quiet portrait, a warm family moment, or an intimate couple’s session, I use light, depth, and composition to gently separate my subject from the background — allowing their true energy to shine through. Every image becomes more than just a photo; it becomes a story told through presence, softness, and intention.
Over the last few months, I’ve been paying closer attention to how my work actually feels—not just how it looks. I’ve always been drawn to dark and moody photography, the kind that makes you pause for a second because there’s emotion tucked into the shadows. But recently, especially after a deeper conversation about my editing and posing techniques, I realized how much of my style is shaped by subject isolation.
And honestly… understanding that changed everything for me.
What Subject Isolation Really Means
Subject isolation is essentially the art of making sure the viewer’s eye lands exactly where you want it to.
Through depth of field, lighting, composition, and the way you separate your subject from the environment, you create a moment where one person becomes the entire story.
It’s not just “blur the background and call it a day.”
It’s:
intentional separation
using intentional colour tones to draw the eye and deepen the emotional impact
using shadows to frame emotion
using light to guide attention
creating depth so the portrait feels alive
This clicked hard for me when I looked at some of my images and realized I was isolating my subjects naturally—just without naming it.
Once I understood it, I started doing it on purpose.
How I Apply Subject Isolation in My Work
My style leans heavily into dark, moody, atmospheric storytelling. I love depth, contrast, and letting the subject stand out through light instead of brightness. Here’s how that plays out in my sessions:
1. Depth of Field and Background Control
I use shallow depth of field and background distance to create that creamy separation people describe as “cinematic” or “dreamy.” This is where bokeh and blur become tools—not trends.
2. Shadows as Emotion
A lot of photographers chase bright, airy images. My work is different. I let shadows fall naturally because they add shape, mood, and honesty. This is part of my signature dark and moody portrait photographer look.
3. Lighting That Highlights, Not Washes
I’m selective about how light hits the face and what it leaves behind. This is what gives my portraits that soft but intense glow.
4. Composition That Directs the Eye
I intentionally place subjects where the depth, leading lines, and negative space naturally pull your focus toward them.
When all of this comes together, you get portraits that feel strong, intimate, and deeply human.
What I Learned About My Style This Week
In my conversation the other day, I was asked what I actually “see” in my own photos. It made me slow down and analyze the way I instinctively create atmosphere. What stood out was this:
I don’t just photograph people.
I photograph how they feel within the space around them.
That’s subject isolation.
That’s mood.
That’s my signature style.
Understanding that gave me a new level of confidence. It explained why I gravitate toward darker tones and why I love finding soft pockets of light. It also helped me recognize that my work isn’t accidental. It’s intentional—and evolving.
How This Style Shapes the Client Experience
When clients book with me, they’re getting more than a portrait. They’re getting an experience where:
they are the focus
the environment complements their story
the lighting is chosen specifically for their features
the final images feel emotional, timeless, and personal
Subject isolation ensures my clients are always the centre of attention—literally and visually.
This matters for people who want portraits that feel deep, romantic, bold, or cinematic. It’s the backbone of my entire approach as a Saskatchewan portrait photographer and why my work looks the way it does today.
Final Thoughts on My Evolving Style
Dark and moody photography is more than just an aesthetic for me—it’s a language. And subject isolation is one of the ways I translate emotion into images.
I’m excited to keep learning, refining, and creating portraits that feel powerful and real. If you want to see this style in action, my portfolio is always growing, and I’d love for you to take a look.