Calgary Family Photography

Because the family you have right now won't stay exactly this way for long.

Your children change. Relationships change. Families grow up. A family portrait session gives you a reason to stop for a moment and create something that preserves who you are together, right now.

At my NW Calgary portrait studio, I'll guide you through everything from wardrobe and styling to posing and expression, creating beautiful family portraits designed to live on your walls and in your home for years to come.

Start Your Experience

More Than a Family Portrait

Of course we'll create the portrait where everyone looks incredible together. But we'll also photograph the relationships that make your family yours.

Parents with children. Siblings together. Each child on their own. Couples. And yes, pets are welcome too.

The result is a collection that tells a much fuller story of your family than a single photograph ever could.

A Fully Guided Family Portrait Experience

Planning & Wardrobe

Before your portrait session, we'll plan everything together. I'll help you choose clothing that photographs beautifully, coordinates without looking overly matched, and works with the portraits we're creating.

Professional Hair & Makeup

Professional hair and makeup is included for one person, with finishing touches for the rest of the family, so everyone arrives in front of the camera feeling polished and prepared.

Fully Guided Portrait Session

You don't need to know how to pose. I'll guide you through everything, right down to your pinky toe, while creating a variety of family groupings and individual portraits.

Same-Day Portrait Reveal

Immediately following your session, you'll see your portraits for the first time. I'll help you narrow down your favourites and choose the photographs you love.

Family & Children's Photography in Calgary

Not every portrait needs a smile.

Of course we'll create the photographs where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. But some of my favourite portraits are the quieter ones.

A thoughtful expression. Beautiful light. A moment of connection. A portrait that shows a side of someone you don't always see in photographs.

I love creating images that feel a little unexpected and a little more artistic. The kind of portrait that can stand on its own as a piece of art, while still feeling completely like the person in it

Portraits Made for Your Home

Your family portraits deserve to be more than files you scroll past on your phone.

From a single statement portrait to a custom wall grouping, album or collection of fine-art matted prints, we'll create something designed for the way you want to enjoy your photographs.

During your planning consultation, we'll talk about what you love, where you might display your portraits and what will work beautifully in your home. I'll help you with sizing, placement and design so you don't have to figure it out on your own.

The result is finished artwork you can see and enjoy every day, and that becomes more meaningful as the years go by.

Your Calgary Family Photographer

I'm Laurie Brown, a Calgary portrait photographer, and I've been photographing people professionally since 2013.

My approach is highly guided and intentionally personal. You don't need to know how to pose, worry about whether you're photogenic, or figure out how to pull everything together on your own. From planning what to wear to directing you right down to your pinky toe, I'll guide you through the entire experience.

My goal is to create portraits that feel like your family, while photographing you with the same attention to lighting, posing and detail that I bring to every portrait I create.

PPOC Craftsman of Photographic Arts • 2025 PPOC Portrait Photographer of the Year Finalist • Associate Portrait Masters • Award-winning Calgary portrait photographer

What Families Are Saying

“Laurie was completely malleable to each of their personalities and captured some beautiful images that represent each of them to their core. I would highly recommend, if you ever get the opportunity to have Laurie photograph you, to do so. It was an incredible experience.” -Shayna James

"Laurie’s warmth, attention to detail, and thoughtfulness were just a few of the things that made my session memorable and special." - Sandy McKillop

“Laurie is an incredibly talented photographer who is so easy to work with. She has a magical way of bringing out and capturing people's raw emotions and beauty. This is exactly what Laurie is able to do. Highly recommend Laurie!!” -Rachel Newell

What is included in the family portrait session?

Your family portrait experience includes a planning consultation, wardrobe and styling guidance, professional hair and makeup for one person, a fully guided portrait session in my NW Calgary studio, and a same-day portrait reveal and ordering appointment.

I'll guide you through the entire process, from deciding what to wear to posing and choosing your favourite portraits, so you never have to wonder what to do next.

Where is your family photography studio located?

My private portrait studio is located in the Collingwood neighbourhood of NW Calgary. All family portrait sessions are photographed in the studio, where I can completely control the lighting and create polished, timeless portraits without worrying about Calgary's unpredictable weather.

What should we wear for our family portraits?

You don't have to figure that out on your own. Before your session, we'll plan your wardrobe together, choosing clothing and colours that coordinate without looking overly matchy and that photograph beautifully.

We'll also consider the style of portraits you'd like to create and where you may want to display them in your home.

How long does a family portrait session take?

Plan to spend approximately four hours at the studio for the complete experience, including professional hair and makeup, your portrait session and your same-day portrait reveal.

Don't worry, that doesn't mean everyone needs to be there for four hours! Young children, pets, or anyone with less patience can arrive just for the portrait session, while you enjoy your makeover without distractions. They can also head home afterward while you stay to view your portraits and choose your favourites.

Do you photograph young children?

Absolutely. Young children don't need to sit perfectly still or perform for the camera. I'll guide them when they need it and give them space when they don't, working with their personalities and attention spans to create a variety of expressions and connections.

We'll make time for the smiling photographs, but also for the quieter, more natural moments that capture who they are right now.

Can grandparents or extended family be included?

Absolutely. Including grandparents or other family members can make your portraits even more meaningful, and we'll plan for a variety of groupings so you have more than just one photograph of everyone together.

Let me know who you'd like to include when we're planning your session so we can coordinate wardrobe, timing and the portraits you'd most like to create. Professional hair and makeup is included for one person, and additional hair and makeup can be arranged for other family members.

Can we include our dog or other pet?

Absolutely. Pets are part of the family too, and they're welcome to be included in your family portraits.

Let me know ahead of time that you're bringing a pet so we can plan the session accordingly. Pets you'd like to include should be comfortable in a studio environment and able to settle with their family between photographs. They can also come just for the portion of the session when they're being photographed.

Do you offer digital images?

I believe a portrait you've invested in creating deserves to be enjoyed in its best form: beautifully printed, displayed in your home and, ideally, large enough to make an impact.

That's why my portrait experience is centred around finished artwork, from custom wall portraits and groupings to albums and fine-art matted prints. We'll design something that suits your home and gives you the opportunity to enjoy your photographs every day.

Digital files are included with the portraits you purchase, giving you a convenient way to share your images while your finished artwork becomes part of your home.