Carla Lehman Photography

Carla Lehman Photography Equine, Brand, Wedding and Portrait Photographer Carla photographs weddings, families and graduates, equine and pet photography. I am everything purple.
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Carla Lehman is a visual storyteller focused on celebrating the essence of profoundly personal moments and telling authentic stories to transform connections, celebrations and everyday moments into a lifetime legacy of memories. Her mission is in service of others, to tell stories about life events; to find the wonder and magic of every day connections and transform then into heirloom memories to

treasure for generations. With 17 years of experience, Carla connects with her clients, sees their emotions and uses that to tell their story. Carla also crafts engaging visual campaigns for personal brands, business brands, knowing that helping them to create brand recognition is a way to help them serve their clients by starting compelling conversations and creating an authentic connection. Located in rural central Alberta, my photos reflect my country roots, with a wee bit of SassNflash added in! I'd wear horse perfume if they made it.

PPOC, Professional Photographers of Canada Member
Master Photographers International Member

Sometimes a session takes on a life of its own.The rain drove us indoors, and while I usually prefer outdoor environment...
06/03/2026

Sometimes a session takes on a life of its own.

The rain drove us indoors, and while I usually prefer outdoor environmental portraits, what we created inside Edmonton's Citadel Theatre felt like pure magic.

Abby has Audrey Hepburn vibes. Part waif, part princess, and every inch the leading lady.

Before every grad session, I ask graduates to fill out a questionnaire. One question asks what they feel their best feature is.

Abby's answer?

Her brain.

I loved that.

An artist, creator, dreamer, and future video game designer, Abby approached her session with imagination and intention. She shared memories of performing at the Citadel as a child, showed me old photos of her in costume as a little girl, and suddenly this beautiful building became much more than a location. It became part of her story.

We photographed favourite spots, visited the Pinocchio Ice Cream kiosk where she recently started working, and created images that felt playful, artistic, and uniquely her.

At one point I told her to stop thinking and simply create.

That's when the magic happened.

We found a little set of stairs, and I commented "Stairs to nowhere?" Abby posed on them, and when I saw the image - I thought to myself - not to nowhere. To her future. To Abby's future, which is vast, unexplored and unknown. And she is right there, stepping into it with utter confidence.

As the session ended, we photographed her with the giant ARTS sign.

I found myself saying something I hadn't planned. It just came out.

"Abby, you are art."

I can't wait to see what she creates in the world next.

Carly Kincaid Williams thank you for choosing me, trusting me, to tell your daughter's story. It's a good one. Can't wait to see her next chapters unfold.

When I saw Odessa, I was shocked.Like take my breath away shocked.The last time I photographed her, she was still a swee...
05/30/2026

When I saw Odessa, I was shocked.

Like take my breath away shocked.

The last time I photographed her, she was still a sweet and cute child.

Before me stood a vision. An absolutely gorgeous young woman, red hair glowing in the sun, full of poise and confidence.

She saw my face and laughed. She knew exactly what I was thinking - that she was all grown up.

Odessa Cox, you are stunningly beautiful, full of grace and plans for the future.

Our session on the family farm was centered around the barn, a beautiful structure weathered by time, standing strong through seasons, storms, and generations. It felt fitting somehow, creating memories at a place built on hard work, family, and roots. Memories layered on memories.

As we wandered through the yard and fields, the setting sun wrapped everything in gold. Her dress sparkled with every movement, as if to emphasize her vivid personality.

I loved watching her parents look on from the loft of the old barn, smiles on their faces as they witnessed another milestone in their daughter's story.

Of course, no farm graduation session would be complete without the family dog Bella making an appearance. Photos with Bella were the only request that Odessa had while we were planning. Bella was a little star, happily joining in and reminding us that the best stories are always the real ones.

Congratulations, Odessa. Your future is bright, and if the young woman standing before me is any indication, you're more than ready for it.

When I'm photographing a wedding, I'm always looking for story.I'm searching for moments.Sometimes the stories that impa...
05/30/2026

When I'm photographing a wedding, I'm always looking for story.

I'm searching for moments.

Sometimes the stories that impact me the most aren't the perfectly posed portraits.

They are those moments. Those in-betweens.

Like the way the bride checked out her makeup in her phone on the way to get married.

The way the couple each touched their new wedding bands as they posed.

The way that he helped her gather her wedding gown because it was getting wet and sandy.

Or......

It's the way a very newly minted pair of newlyweds started down the forest path away from the beach where they committed their lives together. Walking down the path to start their new lives.

Just ahead of them; a couple who have been walking side by side for a lifetime.

A story within a story. A reminder that a wedding is but a day. A marriage is a journey.

These may not be the images that end up hung on the wall.

But they are often the images that will you pause.

The ones that cause you to draw ina breath and remember the moment.

These are the images that bring you exactly back to how it felt.

05/28/2026

The wonderful thing about operating a business in a rural area is the versatility.

I love to photograph different events, animals, milestones.

Today I'm celebrating the Holden 4H Beef club.

By the way, cows smell soooo good. I love the sweet smell of their breath. Really.

I'm so impressed at how competently the 4H members care for and interact with their cattle. They've been well raised and trained. The kids, and the cattle.

Celebrating Karissa.A graduate's story is one of accomplishment, personality, favourite places, people (and puppers).It'...
05/28/2026

Celebrating Karissa.

A graduate's story is one of accomplishment, personality, favourite places, people (and puppers).

It's a story of the road they've walked, and the road to come.

We told Karissa's story in one of her favourite places, the river valley in Camrose, Alberta. It's a place where she wanders, with family and friends and has deep meaning for her.

Karissa is a musician, a writer, a reader, a beloved daughter.

For every graduate that I photograph, the goal is always to show them, their personality, their passions.

It's never going to be a cookie cutter session, and this session was one for the books - so unique.

From puppy Angel's matching dress to the way the backlit bugs and poplar fuzz seemed to create little airy diamonds around Karissa as she twirled, to the train crossing the bridge, to the backlit fog; together, we created a lifelong memory for Karissa and her parents.

Oh, and huge thanks to mom Trudy K-i and dad JP for the BTS shots and video, and for hauling my cart and gear which weighed more than me.

Thank you for choosing me to tell your daughter's story.

Karissa, here is to your graduation. Here is to your future.

xo

Carla

This is a love story.It's a story of a woman's love for her man.It's a story of a mother's love for her children.It's a ...
05/27/2026

This is a love story.

It's a story of a woman's love for her man.

It's a story of a mother's love for her children.

It's a story of a family, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest member of their family.

It's a story of life in the country, surrounded by horses, roots dug deep into the soil, children smelling of fresh air, a little dirt, and sunshine. The very best smell.

It's the story of a woman's love for her horse, with so many chapters already told, so many more to come.

It's the story of legacy in progress. Building a life not of simplicity, but of intention. Of focusing on the simple truths of what matters most. The love shared. Bringing new life into the world. Coaxing life from the earth. Sowing seeds that bring forth abundant harvests, both literal and metaphorical.

It's a story of hard working hands and gentle hearts.
Of horses grazing quietly beside growing families.
Of little boots running through grass.
Of hard work, soft moments, and the kind of love that is so powerful, it only has to be seen to be heard.

Now?

Now they wait, for just a little bit longer.

For tiny cries, those beautiful little newborn sleep yawning stretches. For another little soul to love and protect fiercely. For another chapter in a love story already so rich in meaning.

This is so much more than a maternity session.
So much more than beautiful Amy growing a baby.
It's growing of their legacy.

With so much love in my heart, thank you for choosing me, time and again to tell your story Amy Dalen

xo

Carla

On Saturday, I attended and photographed a celebration of life.This one hit close to home, as it was for my friend, Bev....
05/26/2026

On Saturday, I attended and photographed a celebration of life.

This one hit close to home, as it was for my friend, Bev. Bev was the beloved wife of my friend Richard.

Every session I do fills me with emotion, no matter the subject, but on this day, I was saying goodbye to a wonderful lady who was part of my life, and supporting my friend in his loss.

The family wished for unobtrusive, low key coverage, so my goal was to tell the story of Bev, with celebration and memory.

Bev so loved her tea, and she was a talented baker and cook. Her family supplied shortbread cookies, made from her recipe. Bev's tea set, treasured photos of her family and momentos collected over her lifetime were on display.

It was a trip through time, seeing photos of Bev as a bride, young mother, wife, and friend. I learned things about Bev that I hadn't known, and thought back on our visits, her saucy sense of humour and our laughter.

Bev was caring and giving - she had Richard drive out to my house one Christmas season to bring us baking. I was in the middle of a photo session and couldn't stop - but it didn't matter, she simply wanted to bless us and was happy to drop her incredible edible artistry.

That's who she was.

Bev, I'll miss your laughter, the comments that would catch me by surprise and leave me doubled up laughing alongside you.

I hope that I've done you proud telling a very small part of your story.

My Child.My wild, gritty, efferscent, vivacious, incandescent child.You chase adventure in this world in a way that make...
05/25/2026

My Child.

My wild, gritty, efferscent, vivacious, incandescent child.

You chase adventure in this world in a way that makes me think you are tasting it, rolling flavour on your tongue.

You have a deep love for exploration, connection, stretching experience to the limits.

The deep affinity you hold for nature comes from your grandfather, and from him though me. Your roots are dug deep deep down in the prairie soil. Yet your heart soars in the peaks, and you love your mountain view every morning. Best of both worlds.

The need to keep family close, care for them, comes from your grandmother, her mother, and again, down through me.

A natural, gifted athlete like your father, you've never met a sport that you didn't like. Hockey, baseball, dancing, and going to ski for the first time - coming home and telling me you were a pro. Of course, you breathe horse like you breathe air.

Your education, your jobs, they've all led you to where you are now, on a little patch of heaven in the country, in a job that feeds your soul, and a side career that fills your adventerous heart, love of all things horse, and the rodeo lifestyle.

The night you were born, I stayed up all night, filled with adrenaline, endorphines and oxytocin. Or. Maybe. Maybe it was simple overwhelming love for you.

I held you in my arms and watched over you all night, dreaming of who my little Callen would become. My wildest dreams, hopes and prayers didn't come close to the powerful presence that is you.

So. I continue to dream for you, pray for you, and watch over you. I ever will.

I love you Callen Lehman, happy 26th birthday.

Now, that she's officially graduated, let's celebrate Mercede!!I didn't want to share any photos until the big dress rev...
05/24/2026

Now, that she's officially graduated, let's celebrate Mercede!!

I didn't want to share any photos until the big dress reveal, but now I can share about this incredible young woman, her passion for soccer and her love for family.

We started her session in the Camrose river valley, Mercede, gorgeous in her emerald gown, equal parts elegance and confident power move.

Mercede turned around and showed me her shoulder, a tribute to her Mom.

As she closed her eyes, I snapped the shot, it felt like, in the middle of the valley, surrounded by people, she was completely removed from the light, the noise around her, and just in this moment with her Mom. I could feel it. I think the photo shows it.

This girl is a fierce competitor, and I wanted something different that showed it. Her grit. Her drive. Her strength.

We headed to the underground path near Mirror Lake to light it up, and I loved these images. A little sauce and sass.

I also snagged a few shots of a cute little dude, her brother. What a charmer!

To finish the session we headed to Mercede's favourite soccer spot to tell her story.

Fierce, fine, female.

Congratulations on your graduation, Mercede, here is to a lifetime of possibility.

xo

Carla

Today? Today I photographed a funeral. It is a first. I have another to photograph on Saturday. Interesting how som...
05/22/2026

Today?

Today I photographed a funeral.

It is a first. I have another to photograph on Saturday. Interesting how something completely new reaches itself out to me twice in one week.

After receiving the request, I started planning, thinking and praying on how to best capture an event of this magnitude, this importance.

The family wanted moments. They wanted story. They wanted remembrance. They wanted to honour their mother. They wanted to remember their guests.

My approach for this event was to photograph it as I photograph every event, take a documentary approach and tell a story. It was incredibly easy to fall into. Incredibly emotional.

I only knew of Carol in passing, briefly meeting maybe only a few times over the years. What impacted me was her kindness. If, only after a passing encounter, I could see this, imagine the impact she had on those who loved her dearly. What an inspirational lady.

What an inspirational story.

A small country hall was filled. Packed, actually. Those that came to celebrate Carol included her children, their spouses, children and grandchildren and extended family. Family, her legacy. There were neighbours and friends. Over a lifetime well lived, neighbours and friends also become family.

I watched seasoned farmers, heads bowed and hard working hands folded in prayer. I watched a son and two daughters connected by a lifetime of love and family, connected in grief, supporting each other, and supported by every member of the congregation today.

During the slideshow, when a photo of Carol appeared on the screen, a little great grand-daughter's voice rang out "Oh, there's Grandma!". This brought on laughter, and then tears.

Beautiful, poignant, vulnerable. Heartbreaking. Also loving.

What do all of us want, at the end of our journey? To know that we made a difference, an impact. Carol has certainly done that, as a mother, a friend, a neighbour, a saviour of animals.

We should all strive to be like her.

To Carol's family, thank you for choosing me to tell her story today, for allowing me to bear witness to the tears that flowed, the grief that showed, but also the memories. The love. You did your Mother a great honour today, and I'm grateful to have had a small part in telling her story.

Carla

Address

50106 RR 200
Tofield, AB
T0B4J2

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17809186241

Website

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