Cedna Portrait Stories

28/03/2025

Today at 12pm, Live stream panel discussion on Linkedin. Come and join us if you can!

She leads. She inspires. She impacts. Join us as we celebrate the unstoppable force of Alberta’s women! 🌟 Women of Impact: Celebrating Alberta’s Icons of Inspiration 🌟 In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting dynamic women who are shaping communities, industries, and ...

07/03/2025

"With multiple projects and companies in my world, I knew it was time to update my professional photo. I couldn’t think of anyone better to do it than Cedna. After meeting her at a networking event, I was immediately drawn to her unique style. My daily work usually involves phone calls, client meetings, or zoom sessions about anything real estate. I wasn’t sure how I would manage to smile and pose for this session, but Cedna made the experience fun and exciting! She made me feel at ease and truly comfortable. I was able to be myself, and that really showed in the photos.

She has a remarkable ability to bring out the best in people, capturing not just their appearance but their personality. Professional photos should be more than just a picture of your face, they should reflect who you are. Cedna knows how to make that happen! I’m beyond thrilled with the outcome of these photos. I’ll be using them across our company websites, business cards, and social media profiles."

Stella is a powerhouse & we both believe that expertise matters, not all services are created equal, details make the difference, and above all, clients come first. With a background in applied mathematics and years of top-tier performance in banking and mortgages, Stella has built a career on strategy, precision, and helping clients make smart financial decisions—whether as a mortgage broker, developer, or real estate agent.

That same level of intentionality is what I bring to my portrait sessions. A great image is more than an image just showing what you physically look like, it’s a strategic asset—a way to show the world who you are, how you work, and the confidence you bring to your industry.

It was a privilege to work with her to create images that reflect her depth of expertise, leadership, and dynamic presence. If you’re looking for someone who understands the numbers, the market, and your financial future, she may be the one you want to talk to.

06/03/2025

I recently had the opportunity to photograph Sean Clark, a distinguished professional in Calgary's commercial real estate sector & Associate Vice President at Avison Young. Consistently tanking among the top brokers across the city, province and nationwide is a testament to his dedication and exceptional service to his clients.
Beyond his vast and incredible professional achievements, Sean is also deeply committed to supporting local charities & nonprofit organizations, reflecting his passion for community involvement. Our shared dedication to these causes led him to my studio.

With no shortage of professional images, I didn't see value in creating another professional headshot. My vision was to depart from traditional corporate imagery & craft a range of more soulful portraits that capture him beyond the corporate identity. Although we still did a range of professional images, I wanted to offer a slightly deeper insight into the individual & character behind his business accolades.

What's the absolute most rewarding part of what I do? Meeting diverse and interesting people and being able to portray them in a way they have never seen before. Crafting images that are not just practical or for functional use but images that we have a desire to gift to our families, spouse and our loved ones. Images that leave us feeling excited about the new & curious way in which we suddenly see ourselves.

Photography is more than just a skill—it’s a fusion of technical expertise, composition, posing, lighting principles that can be learned & replicated across industries. But beyond these fundamentals lies something intangible: the photographer’s unique perspective, emotional intelligence, and way of seeing the world. It’s this personal interpretation that gives life to an image, adding depth, nuance, and a dimension that cannot be duplicated. While techniques can be taught, the ability to translate a moment into something that moves us the individual artistry that belongs to the photographer and nuanced moments between them and their subject.

Sean, thank you or your trust and openness to do something quite different from what you were used to.

05/03/2025

Chris Artibello is a seasoned real estate development professional with over 20 years of experience in construction, development, strategic analysis, and due diligence. As the President and Founding Partner of Belterra Land Company, established in 2007, Chris has been instrumental in shaping communities across Alberta, including Calgary, Sylvan Lake, and Red Deer. Under his leadership, Belterra's projects are poised for a combined valuation of nearly $350 million at full build-out.

Chris also leads the One Seven Group of Companies, which encompasses Belmor Mortgage Corp. & Bella Developments.

Recently, he took the leap to update his long overdue professional images — a task he approached with considerable apprehension due to his discomfort and I would say down right distain for being in front of the camera. Despite his initial reservations, the experience turned out to be remarkably positive I would say (for both him and myself), resulting in images that he for once genuinely loves and an experience that didn't feel like getting a root canal done.

I experienced him as very down to earth and personable human being and loved hearing a little bit about his exciting world travels coaching Team Canada Ultimate Frisbee. Whether he’s mentoring players or breaking ground on a new project, Chris brings a very hands-on, people-first approach to everything he does, which I admire.

04/03/2025

Time’s Gentle Hands

Time is a thief, it's often said,
It steals the days as we look ahead.
Yet in its hands, so light and true,
It shapes the past, the me, the you.

It takes the curls, the baby’s grin,
And trades them for the strength within.
It turns small steps to steady strides,
And fills young hearts with dreams so wide.

Time moves fast, it’s ever bold,
Yet every moment is worth the hold.
For though it flies, it also leaves
A trail of love in memories.

So grow, my Tasi, embrace the light,
Chase your dreams, take fearless flight.
Time may steal, but love remains,
A gift untouched by years or change.

Happy birthday my dear Tasi!

01/03/2025

27/01/2025

Your kids are the greatest art form

22/01/2025

Updated professional images for .

New year, fresh perspectives.
Who said professional portraits have to be cookie cutter? Who said you can’t do it differently.
Inject some colour, energy and personality

Own who you are. Define it. Put yourself out there with new purpose.

15/01/2025

Branding photography session for Compassionate Beauty Compassionate Beauty in Calgary. Crystal Crist is the amazing owner of the store - leading with values of compassion and care in everything they do. Compassionate Beauty has been around for quite some time but with Crystal's new leadership and the team that supports her they have created a space for individuals going through cancer treatment or who have alopecia to receive loving support and be heard and served while going through their personal journeys.

From a diverse range of high quality products to services such as loving head shaves, natural hair wig fittings/styling, this team never ceases to amaze me with their patience, expertise and genuine care for the individuals they serve.

It is my pleasure and honour to continue to work with them over the years creating visual content that aligns with their brand mission, vision and values. This particular session is part of their website rebrand coming up soon.

11/01/2025

Happy new year dear friends!

I hope it brings you all that you yourself desire and things you may not even be aware of that you need. I hope your holidays were filled with love, peace and small moments that matter. I also hope you don't need another holiday from the holidays as is often the case 😂

It’s been a hectic few weeks over here also and this week with our Orthodox Christmas celebrations and Patron Saint holiday where we hosted a sit down dinner for close to 40 people - I am officially back in the studio starting Monday!

This recent image reminds me of what truly matters & what I will be striving to focus on this year. Never been one for new year resolutions but I absolutely believe in forming new mini habits quarterly that grow into new subconscious habits, new patterns and thus new identity.

Wishing everyone more joy, connection, greater presence and living in the moment.

✨ *More joy* – finding it in the simplest of moments, laughter of your loved ones, doing what fulfills you, even daily annoyances because you have the luxury of having people in your life to annoy you.

✨ *More adventure* – whether it’s a big leap or a small step into something new, peioeitize experiences over things

✨ *Being present* – put down the phone when sitting in a doctor’s office or waiting for an appointment, ask the person next to you about their day, give your kids undivided attention not always in passing. Observe things around you more.

✨ *Celebrating small wins* – acknowledge the small accomplishments & the seemingly irrelevant. Consistency builds progress, small habits build your personality & character.

✨ *Gratitude for the ordinary* – this practice has changed more of my mindset than anything else. It’s so easy to focus on what we don’t have, can’t have rather than paying attention to all we do have to be grateful for. Gratitude = abundance

✨ *Checking in on loved ones* – yes life is busy and so is everyone but being intentional about checking in with those around you goes a long long way

✨ *Seeking inspiration* – in new places, new faces, new experiences & things never done before

What’s one habit or mindset you’re bringing into 2025? Would love to hear!

29/12/2024

Alma.

22/12/2024

Rowan.

Photographing children brings me exceptional joy. Before the world starts affecting their personal views of themselves, their demeanour and nature, expression is pure and unforced. They just are who they are.

Their personalities and sense of self morphs and transforms with each passing year and stage & before you know it they enter the self-consciousness phase and nothing is quite the same again.

This lovely girl still owned her sense of self. In love with theatre, acting & Taylor Swift, she confidently expressed her ideas and views. We created portraits with her mom and some of her alone. I could photograph children all day every day!

17/12/2024

The Last day of our Client Love 4 day event is here and today’s promotion is our signature Worthy Woman Series portrait session.

In 2023/2024 we photographed 38 women of diverse backgrounds, experiences and personal stories and had an exhibit in March 2024, which was part display of their soulful portraits and stories and part fundraiser for Women in Wings Society.

It was a beautiful evening with over 40 local business donating to the silent auction; we raised money for an organization that helps women fleeing domestic abuse. It was an evening filled with diverse perspectives, inspiration and connection. The series was meant to end after one series but the response was humbling so we decided to bring it back for one more installation.

2025 will be the LAST time we do this project and last exhibit so this is the prime opportunity to take part in this experience that has been so wonderfully received and so meaningful.

Experience includes:

- custom portrait session
- design consultation
- professional hair and makeup
- multiple set changes
- review appointment
- one ticket to the 2025 exhibit
- one copy of a custom magazine
- 3 complimentary portraits
- $1000 credit towards product purchase

- experience investment $1490+ Gst

- offer is valid until end of Day tomorrow Dec 18th
- booking link in stories or reach out directly to Chedna 403-829-4716 OR

comment “Worthy” for a link to all the details, behind the scenes, 2024 exhibit footage, testimonials

08/12/2024

An emotional experience the other week doing a branding session for . Two women who are going through their individual cancer journey graciously steppes in front of the lens, their resilience, resolve and outlook on everything was both moving and deeply human. One of them came for a loving head shave which the wonderful ladies offer.

Watching her lose her long brown hair was very difficult for her and I stood trying to hide my face behind the camera & trying to wipe my tears non conspicuously. Being an empath I often find I am imagining myself in other people’s circumstances and their shoes and often I wonder how I would react, respond, feel if I was them. More often than not I admire them deeply and stand in awe of their courage and composure.

As she stood up from her chair to see herself, she instantly compared herself to an animal (and not in a positive way) and we all rallied to dispel that view but it was her experience and her perception. Who is anyone to say what layers and depths of emotion she was experiencing that made her feel that way and whether it’s right or wrong. I walked out into the hall quietly and then caught the reflection of her standing with her freshly shaved head trying to see herself with acceptance & snapped this image.

Life is a b***. There are people out there fighting all kinds of battles we cannot even begin to comprehend. Be grateful for everything the day brings you today.

19/11/2024

A session that was completely out of the norm for me and not a genre I photograph. However when this beautiful woman came to me and expressed her desire to work with me & the project she had in mind I took it into consideration. Constantly grow and challenge yourself and learn from everything. Why did I choose to work with someone I don’t know on something I have never done? Because when someone has explicit trust in you and is respectful of your style and process and parameters - it’s a beautiful collaboration and energy.

Any time you are doing something for the very first time it’s terrifying. Laying all the cards on the table and in full transparency I said there are no guarantees here that I can execute this in the way that I envision it and I will not under any circumstance do anything cliche or tasteless.

Lucky for both of us that she trusted me enough and that some higher power is always looking out for me. I could not share all the images however here are a few we both loved.

Her albums are even more beautiful.

All natural light in client’s home

Thank you for your trust and collaboration. It was quite the leap 😉

HMUA by ever talented

***irphoto ***irphotographycalgary ***ir

14/11/2024

From the time she was little she has always loved dressing up and taking on different personas. I have always been in charge of having to execute her vision, alongside hair and makeup. This year we did the Halloween gig multiple times between , school dress up and Halloween trick or treating. Some attempts were better than others, the attention to detail and patience on my part started to fade after attempt 2 but all things aside I love this side of her. I love her quirky nature, her willingness and openness to try different things, to endure pain and try things that don’t work, commitment to search ideas and not give up until her vision feels it’s been fulfilled. I love her ability to get into character and the fact she is not embarrassed to go all out in a school of kids where most don’t consider Halloween dress up to be “cool” anymore.

Her two different colour eyes really stand out, one green and her lens implant one almost yellow in tone.

She is my favourite muse - my daughter