transform the way you see yourself
Empowering people to embrace their individuality, beauty and potential one portrait experience at a time
Modern Portraits that tell timeless stories
Everyone has a story. How you tell your story is the legacy you leave behind. Cedna Portrait Stories is a Calgary boutique photography studio dedicated to creating intentional portraits of individuals, families and heart-lead business brands. Because time doesn’t stand still, even for our most defining moments in life, we believe in photography with purpose. Celebrate your journey, relationships, redefine beauty on your own terms and distill it into meaningful art. Our custom sessions merge an elevated client experience with fashion inspired details in ways that celebrate individuality and emotionally engaging stories. Through human connection and a belief that everyone deserves to be truly seen, we are empowering people to embrace who they are with compassion and boldness.
“…perhaps beauty can be measured by the distance it has travelled to come into being”
- Nick Cave
Who is Cedna?
Photography SERVICES
Portrait Experience
Regardless of your age, ethnicity, gender or history – this custom, empowering experience of self-connection, expression and love is the best of what we offer.
business BRANDING
Designed for creatives, leaders, bold business owners and professional trailblazers looking to modernize their visual presence, build influence and trust and do it with impact.
Family Photography
Dynamic portraits full of heart, truth and beauty. Wall worthy images and a full service experience so that you can focus on what matters.
CAN YOU RELATE?
You are a woman on your own growth and self-development journey. You want to embrace your story, reconnect with who you are, feel inspired and inspire others.
You are entering a new chapter in life - pregnancy, motherhood, milestone birthday or anniversary, new career, relationship, a child’s graduation…Celebrate the journey and the ones you love with portraits that stand the test of time.
You wish to reclaim your power after a major life event. You are a survivor and have overcome diverse challenges and adversity in life. Your resilience and strength deserve acknowledgment and celebration.
You don’t own a beautiful portrait of your family, parents, grandparents or children. Decades have gone by in a blink of an eye. You want wall worthy family portraits, the experience and quality which goes far beyond seasonal minis & Christmas cards.
You are a passionate business owner ready to elevate your brand and connect with your target audience in an authentic way with impactful, creative images to match.
Have you strayed from self-love? You put everyone else before yourself; you believe you are not interesting enough, photogenic enough, young enough or not at your ideal weight. Redefine your narrative and experience yourself in a new way.
BEHIND THE CAMERA
My name is Chedna and I am the owner of Cedna Portrait Stories, Calgary boutique portrait studio. Dedicated to telling real stories of real people in an authentic and soulful way, my mission is to make people feel seen and heard and to show them a side of themselves they may not see often. Whether you have a new life chapter to celebrate, desire to reconnect or rediscover yourself, a business to lead or a family love story to tell - I strive to create modern, yet timeless art that conveys emotion, depth, beauty and meaning.
I see wonder, potential and beauty in everyone and believe there is infinitely more to us as human beings than the reflection we see in the mirror. In a fast paced and increasingly disposable world, I believe that everyone deserves to exist in mindfully crafted portraits that are rich in truth - deserving to be remembered and passed down through generations. At the heart of each client experience is my human approach and intentional presence, which seeks to engage and connect with people in a way that celebrates their experiences, character and our collective humanness.
I know what it’s like to be a woman struggling to see her own worth and find her voice and the importance of finding your way back to yourself again - to self-love & courage. I believe that self-compassion is not synonymous with vanity and that the relationship we hold with ourselves is the foundation of everything else in life.
Over a decade of diverse experience and skill comes together to deliver a refined and one of a kind experience that captures your essence and truth. It is my hope that my portraits of you will inspire you to stand in your power and see your own worth, beauty and potential. I invite you to experience a session with me, it will challenge the way you see yourself.
I am excited that you have found your way here and I believe you have found me for a reason.
Portrait Experience | Personal Branding | Family Photography
DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY
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From start to finish, everything we do is done with mindfulness and love for the people we serve and our craft. We strive to go above and beyond to offer you a one of a kind experience. Our mission is to make you feel seen, heard and understood while translating your needs or wishes into art you will value for years to come. Our entire client experience is built around meaningful connection, service and forging meaningful relationships with our clients.
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You want to know your story is in the hands of someone who genuinely cares. Leading with empathy allows us to build trust and achieve alignment between our personal and business values.
We value honesty, kindness and vulnerability and know you will feel the difference in working with us.
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Excellence is not variable or fleeting. It is consistent and earned. From excellence in service, to product quality and dedication to constant growth and evolution - we strive for excellence on all fronts and don’t compromise on quality. Neither should you.
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Consider us your master guide in the process ensuring your needs are met and your story told in the most natural and beautiful way. From the very first call all the way through to your portraits selection - we are here every step of the way. We will be a resource, an advocate and we hope your friend.
KIND WORDS FROM CLIENTS
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![Black and white power portrait of a middle aged woman]()
more than a collection of images
I cannot express the impact my images have had on my psyche. Without attempting to sound arrogant or with ego, the image of ‘Me” reflected back is absolutely not how I have ever seen myself before. For the first time, I see a much more beautiful, kind and compassionate “Me”.
My time with Cedna shifted me in ways I cannot explain. It is more than a portrait collection of photographs. It has been a catalyst of this decade to accept and see myself as Cedna has seen me and to continue to embrace my age as a blessing - carrying my wisdom, maturity & adventures in one package.
Candace B.
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![A portrait of a woman with very long hair]()
see yourself in a different light
Cedna really puts you at ease by guiding every moment, creating beautiful images and really building trust along the way. My portraits are very meaningful to me. They are insightful, genuine, and true. Cedna’s artistic style and devotion to bringing out the best in her subjects resonates in every image. Her holistic approach gave me confidence in her ability to capture me naturally as myself, yet in a stylish and elegant way.
The experience inspired me to view myself differently, to approach myself in a less judgmental way and to embrace vulnerability and openness. If you would like to see yourself in a different light, Cedna has the unique ability to capture you at your very best.
Marijana J.
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![soulful portrait of a woman with red lipstick]()
whenever i see her work i feel beauty
Cedna is so gifted and effortlessly expresses that in every photograph she takes. The "Eye" she has to catch a moment, light, angle and the feeling she elicits in one that looks at her photographs is just amazing. Whenever I see her work I feel beauty...everywhere. She is a true professional. Love your work Cedna.
Tatjana T.
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![Black and white portrait of a senior couple in a loving embrace]()
put us at ease & created so much trust
Cedna is amazing. She very quickly put us at ease and created so much trust. She has so much patience and great interpersonal skills. We would have done anything she asked of us. We were so surprised when she showed us the images – we love how she captured us. We haven’t had this quality of photos EVER. We would highly recommend her to anyone. There aren’t enough good words to describe the experience we had, what a lovely human being she is, and how fabulous her work is. She is an artist to the core! Thank you, Cedna”
Keith & Lil
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![Black and white portrait of Calgary fiction author Niall Howell]()
An eye for nuance
Cedna’s gift for setting people at ease made both the family and professional portraits she shot a wonderful experience. With a passion for her craft and an eye for nuance, she has a knack for capturing authentic moments that sets her apart.
Niall Howell
an experience you are excited to partake in
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Start The Conversation
Your time is valuable. We promise to make the most of it. This initial call helps us discover more about you, your needs, what you love and value. Have your questions answered and we will determine how to best serve you.
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Photoshoot Design
During your in-home styling appointment we will collaboratively design and customize the entire experience for you. Purpose is to ensure that every detail is a meaningful reflection & representation of who you are.
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Photo Session
Enjoy a day of self-expression, conversation and self-discovery. You will be guided throughout the entire photoshoot. All you have to do is be present and be unapologetically yourself. Our hair and makeup artists will honor your natural beauty & preferences while enhancing your features for a camera ready look.
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decorate your home with love
After your photo shoot you will have an opportunity to view and select your favorite images. Choose only what you love. We offer a diverse range of state of the art, highest quality products in the industry. Walk away with legacy art that stands the test of time.
Gift Experiences Over Things
CONNECT
ENGAGE
TELL YOUR STORY
CONNECT ENGAGE TELL YOUR STORY