Melissa LaValley Photography

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Melissa LaValley Photography

Fort Saskatchewan & Alberta Documentary Style Photographer: Couples, Families, Western Lifestyle

08/18/2026

How do you find the sweet spot between “we want beautiful wedding photos”, and “we don’t want it to feel like a day long photoshoot 😅”?

I’m glad you asked 😏

When every single detail is planned around the camera, when the inspo board consumes your mind (understandably so btw), it’s easy to accidently spend your day worrying about if it’s meeting the vision rather and putting on a performance rather than soaking in the happiest day of your life 🥹

Don’t get me wrong, your Pinterest inspo is NOT going in the garbage. Here’s my tips on how to find the balance I love:

1. Build in intentional photo time. Give your photographer enough time to create beautiful work without having to steal moments from the rest of your day. Getting ready, portraits, family photos, golden hour… you want breathing room for these. They should help you plan out the timing needed!

2. Then let the rest belong to you. Eat your dinner. Talk to your people. Get your dress dirty. Hug your grandma. Dance badly. Wander away from the crowd for five minutes. Let things happen that were never on the shot list. This is where your day comes alive and becomes you. 🥹

3. Choose a photographer who knows when to step in, but also when to step back. You shouldn’t feel like you’re performing for a camera all day. A documentary-inspired photographer should be able to guide you when guidance is helpful, then take a step back and let your day happen. 🥰

The goal isn’t to have a perfectly documented day. But to have a day that was so good, so real and so you that the photographs bring you right back to it. 🤎

Edmonton & Alberta wedding photographer | documentary-inspired wedding photography | intentional wedding planning | candid wedding photography

07/07/2026

since we’re entering back into alberta’s rodeo days… 🤠

05/28/2026

gosh… I am obsessed with this night and with these three 🥹 spending the evening chasing the last bit of light, and got the best reminder just how much bringing your pets lets us feel so present and in the moment. Romantic, heartfelt, we got alllll the feels 🥹 thank you for letting me capture this incredibly beautiful time for you 🤍🤍

Fort Saskatchewan Photographer, Alberta Engagement Wedding Photographer, documentary-style, dog engagement shoot, cinematic photographer, elopement photographer, YEG weddings

05/23/2026

A new chapter, a new vision, a refined space. The new website is finally LIVE. 🤎

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know how much I value the messy, marvelous, beautiful reality of real connection. This new space is the culmination of a massive pivot toward what matters most: capturing frames that feel like a memory. Less performance, more presence.

For months, I have been working on how to bring this vision to life and honing it in to structure my business around what truly, truly matters to me. I knew I needed a little help with this, and , I owe so much of this to you and your own creative vision. To have seen it so clearly and help get it out of my head into reality, I will forever be grateful for your jaw dropping talent and kindness. Edit after edit, you never failed to be my non stop supporter 🥹😭

I am stepping into a space of deep intentionality, focusing on a select fewer sessions so we can slow down, chase the moody horizons, and create a cinematic record of your union, your family, or your craft. 🤎 Link is in the bio, go flip through the pages, the new archives, and I would LOVE to know your thoughts 🥹

This community may be small, but it is mighty. Thank you to each and every one of you for being here 🥹

Alberta western photographer, yeg family lifestyle photographer, storytelling photography, documentary style, cinematic, nostalgic, business rebrand

05/19/2026

just a casual roundup (in no particular order) of extremely specific things that will make us get along just grand 😉Honestly, the best part of this job is meeting you guys- you each bring your own unique energy and interests, and getting the photos done is to capture the essence of you!! so let’s get to it 📸

04/10/2026

SO EXCITED FOR THIS. Mothers Day minis, but a little reinvented… 🤍🌸🧺

Im not the biggesttttt fan of the 15-20 minute sessions, because if you have kiddos, it can take them 15 minutes just to warm up and feel comfortable! This is why I set aside 40 minutes to give us that breathing room, to avoid feeling rushed and trying to soothe your kids at the same time! Kids are upset and need to take a break? No problem. Want to be more efficient and slam them out in 25 mins? On it. We use the time in the way that works best for you and your family. 🫶 The vibes for this one are picnic and earthy, I’ll bring the baskets, flowers, and blankets 🧺💐🥰 Inspo photos are from Pinterest!

Dates are May 2 + May 3, in Fort Saskatchewan AB with some limited availability left, two slots left on May 2 (3:45 + 4:30pm, and two slots left on May 3 (4:30pm and 5:15pm)! 🌸

DM me to claim a spot, sessions are $220 and require a $50 deposit to secure your place! 🥰

04/08/2026

Ever wondered what the course of a wedding day typically looks like? 🤍 the goal is to not pack in as much as you can in the shortest amount of time. We want it to feel intentional and meaningful, and we create that by giving what your priorities are the space it deserves, whether that’s more time to capture you having a slow paced morning, or more time showing your loved ones dancing and having the time of their life- or both!🥹 Not everyone has the same wants and needs. We structure the timeline for you, and you entirely 🥰

04/07/2026

No feeling awkward at your photoshoots around here ;) and don’t worry, I think my doggy has the prettiest and least awkward smile out there 😉😉

03/24/2026

I used to think confidence would come before the action, and I used to be one anxious little kid and sometimes that part of me still comes out. therefore the plot twist: the anxious girls building careers around meeting new people and doing entirely new things. 🤍 there’s a version of me who almost didn’t go to my first networking event, who had to pullover for a pep talk for my first shoot. 🫣And now? I seek out the connections. It’s easier to stay comfortable, but is it easier to stay where you are, knowing you’re capable of truly so much more?

03/21/2026

A little idea of how I like to approach things 🤍 there is always room for posing, especially when it’s your first shoot and you’re just exploring that comfort zone. But trust the process, trust your connection, and give it a chance to speak for itself. Less forcing moments, more space for them to play out. 😊 Edmonton Alberta photographer | couples, engagement & lifestyle sessions

Address

Fort Saskatchewan, AB
T8L0G3

Website

http://melissalavalleyphoto.com/

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