CARMEN MACDONALD | PHOTOGRAPHER BIO
“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”
Hi, I’m Carmen.
I grew up right here in Central Alberta (Sylvan Lake), and I carry the small-town spirit of community, connection, and care into everything I do. Life asked me to grow up fast — growing up as the child of a disabled parent, I stepped into the role of caregiver early on. That experience, of course, shaped me. It taught me empathy, patience, and understanding — qualities that still guide me today, especially behind the camera.
Before photography, I spent 13 years as an emergency dispatcher. It was intense, eye-opening, and deeply human work. It reminded me again and again how important it is to be seen, heard, and supported — and how fleeting and precious life really is.
Now as a portrait photographer, I get to be there for people in a different way. I know what it's like to feel like you don’t quite fit the mold, to have a version of yourself in your head that you wish others could see. Photography became the outlet that helped me step into that version of myself — and now, I try to help others do the same.
When you book a session with me, you’re not just getting photos — you’re getting an experience that’s all about you. You’ll feel supported, guided, and absolutely celebrated for exactly who you are. Whether you're camera-shy, quirky, bold, soft, or still figuring it all out — you belong here. And together, we’ll create something beautiful that reflects the real you.
I can’t wait to meet you.