Modern Portrait Photography in Red Deer

What is the real meaning of a photograph?

In the modern world, photography has become a new way of communicating. If we participate in any form of social media, we are constantly surrounded by imagery. Photographs are being used to influence and entice us, to shape our neighbours’ opinions of us, to modify the reality of who we are. Photography is used as an escape and an artform. With digital cameras at our fingertips, we are living in the most photographed age. Why then, when so many photos exist, do so many people feel so unseen?

The meaning of a photograph is more than what is apparent, what is printed on the page. A photograph can have many purposes, each stemming from our human desire to be seen and understood. Whether we want to recognize ourselves again after devoting our lives to children with a motherhood photo shoot; to acknowledge our dedication to or be acknowledged by the ones we love with a couples photo shoot; to be seen as a leader in our business community after dedicating our lives to building our brand or product with a headshot session; to reclaim our identity after trying times with a Come as You Are portrait photo shoot; or to celebrate a life well lived with a custom photo session - my goal as a professional photographer is to produce a portrait of a human that encompasses within it a story about who that person is.

As a photographer serving Red Deer and Central Alberta, the photographs in this gallery were created right here in my Red Deer photo studio, in collaboration with the subjects within them. They are maternity photos, family photos, couples photos, photos of children, and soulful portraits. They are the product of much time and conversation, they were often borne of a motion toward self-love and understanding. They are the cherished moments and memories of my friends and dear clients, frozen in time.

Pregnant woman wrapped in flowy gauze fabric, black and white portrait by Red Deer photographer at Carmen R Photographer photo studio.
Woman in black dress with tattoo on arm, resting face on hands by Red Deer photographer at Carmen R Photographer photo studio.
Woman seated on a stool, wearing a beige dress, with a floral braid, against a textured background by Red Deer photographer Carmen MacDonald.
Black and white photo of a woman with long blonde hair, wearing a sheer top and a necklace, looking contemplative, with tattooed arms by Central Alberta photographer Carmen MacDonald.
Portrait of a woman with pink lilies beside her face, wearing a turquoise dress, light wavy hair, and neutral makeup in Red Deer photo studio.
Pregnant woman wrapped in a knit blanket, black and white portrait by Central Alberta photographer Carmen MacDonald.
Portrait of a man with a beard and blue shirt taken in photo studio in downtown Red Deer.
Black and white portrait of a woman in profile, wearing a dark sweater, with hand resting near her chin, looking contemplative by Red Deer photographer at Carmen R Photographer photo studio.
Two women, a mother and daughter, one with medium-length wavy hair in a light blue dress, and the other with long blonde curls in a turquoise dress, embrace in a portrait setting in Red Deer photo studio.
Black and white portrait of a pregnant woman wrapped in fabric, showing her belly by Red Deer photographer at Carmen R Photographer photo studio.
A woman in profile view with braided hair styled in an updo adorned with a large white flower. She is wearing a white top and a long shiny brown skirt, standing against a plain background by Central Alberta photographer Carmen MacDonald.
A close-up of a couple with the woman smiling gently, eyes closed, and leaning her head towards the man who has a beard and a serious expression in our Red Deer photo studio.
Professional studio portrait of a man wearing formal clothing taken in studio.
Black and white portrait of a woman seated beside a wooden stool, wearing a jacket and pleated skirt taken in studio in Red Deer.
Woman with long hair resting on wooden table, wearing blue shirt, posed in front of neutral background by Red Deer photographer Carmen MacDonald.
Monochrome image of a woman hugging a young boy, both wrapped in a knit blanket, sitting closely together with affectionate expressions.
Woman with tattoos in a green top sitting on an armchair.
Pregnant woman in a dress with a flower crown, side profile.
Profile of a woman with short hair wearing a black spaghetti strap top, posing against a light background.
Smiling woman sitting cross-legged, holding hands up in a playful gesture, black and white.
Pregnant woman with flowers posing covered in dark fabric.
Man with beard in navy jacket sitting and staring off camera.
Black and white photo of a woman in lace lingerie and a necklace, sitting with a fur garment.
Two women smiling in a portrait, one seated and the other standing behind her, wearing casual clothing.
Person smiling with curly hair, wearing a floral dress against a neutral background.
Pregnant woman wrapped in flowy gauze fabric with whimsical light flare across photo.
Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy hair wearing a black sheer top and necklace.
A man sitting on a stool, embracing a woman who is leaning against his leg, both wearing casual clothing.
Person lying on tulle fabric.
Black and white photo of a woman with long hair, eyes closed, wearing a light off-shoulder top and bracelets, posing with her hand in her hair.
Person wearing a light-colored sweater posing against a gray background.
Close-up of a woman touching her face, wearing a black top.
Pregnant woman wrapped in wet gauze fabric with wet hair, black and white portrait.
Black and white portrait of a woman with long hair and bangs, wearing a turtleneck, looking at the camera.
Woman with long brown hair wearing an off-the-shoulder sweater.
Professional black and white studio portrait of a man wearing a dress shirt.
Elderly man with white beard wearing a green jacket, sitting, with hands clasped, against a gray background.
Older couple posing for a portrait; woman in floral shirt and man in button-up shirt with glasses, neutral background.
Person joyfully dancing in a light blue floral swimsuit and beige flowing fabric, with arms raised and eyes closed.
Pregnant woman lying in water surrounded by flowers.
Woman with red hair sitting on a wooden stool, wearing a green shirt and blue jeans, against a dark green background .
Pregnant woman wrapped in wet gauze fabric with wet hair, black and white portrait .
Pregnant woman in jeans and black bra posing, arms crossed over chest, on a gray background.
Person with wavy hair holding a DSLR camera.
Woman in a red dress standing against a brick wall, smiling.
Woman in a light dress holding a sheer fabric, with a tattooed arm and flowing hair.
Black and white portrait of a woman with dark hair, looking down.
Professional studio portrait of a young man in formal attire.
Person with dark hair and a black top sitting at a table, arms crossed, against a dark background by Red Deer headshot photographer Carmen MacDonald.
Pregnant woman in a light, flowing dress holding her belly.
Smiling woman wearing a beige cardigan and white shirt, sitting against a gray background by Red Deer headshot photographer Carmen MacDonald.
Black and white photo of a woman sitting on a stool, wearing an off-the-shoulder blouse and jeans.
Smiling woman sitting backwards on chair in black and white photo.
Person partially covered by flowing red fabric on a dark background.
Black and white portrait of a bald man in a dark shirt sitting on a stool, with hands clasped.
A woman with curly brown hair wearing a black leather jacket and sitting with a contemplative expression.
Black and white portrait of a 50+ woman in an off-shoulder dress seated on a stool, looking upward with crossed hands and bare feet on a wooden floor.
Woman in pink gown sitting on a block.
A woman in a black dress with silver embellishments standing in front of a large octagonal light.
Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy hair, wearing a collared shirt and necklace.
Black and white photo of a pregnant woman wearing a flowing dress and a floral crown, gently holding her belly by Red Deer maternity photographer Carmen MacDonald.
Woman in brown leather jacket sitting on a patterned armchair next to a vase with decorative branches.
Young woman with medium-length hair in black t-shirt and jeans reclining on a box against a plain background.
Black and white portrait of a woman sitting on the floor with tattoos on her arms.
Portrait of a woman with long brown hair, wearing a beige outfit, leaning against a beige curtain in soft lighting.
Woman with curly hair in black off-the-shoulder dress.
Black and white photo of a woman with curly hair holding a large tropical leaf, partially obscuring their face. The woman has tattoos on their right hand and forearm, wearing a dark top and an ornate necklace.
Black and white portrait of a person with curly hair, wearing a nose ring and layered necklaces.