wedding story
Professional Photographers of Canada accreditation is a peer-reviewed designation. To become accredited, photographers must submit a body of work that is critically assessed by experienced, qualified professionals within the industry.
Images are judged on:
Lighting and exposure
Composition and storytelling
Consistency across multiple images
Technical accuracy
Professional presentation
Only photographers who meet or exceed these benchmarks earn the title Accredited Professional Photographer.
In short:
You’re not guessing what you’ll get.
You’re hiring proven skill.
FAQ
artist's statement
A wedding day is not a series of posed moments.
It is a living, breathing story—one that unfolds in motion, emotion, and connection.
This ten-image sequence was created from a single wedding day and is intentionally ordered from beginning to end to reflect the natural rhythm of the celebration. The story moves through preparation, ceremony, portraiture, and reception, drawing from multiple locations to provide a complete and cohesive narrative of the day as it was lived.
My approach to wedding photography is documentary at its core. I prioritize authentic moments over perfection, allowing emotion to lead the frame. Quiet anticipation, unguarded laughter, stillness before vows, and the uninhibited joy of the reception are all given equal weight. Formal portraits are created with intention and respect for light and composition, while candid images are captured with patience and awareness, allowing moments to unfold without interruption.
Technically, I work to maintain consistency across varying lighting environments—indoors, outdoors, and evening reception settings—while preserving the integrity of the moment. Composition, timing, and light are used to guide the viewer through the story, but never at the expense of authenticity. Each image is designed to stand on its own while also contributing to the larger narrative.
This wedding took place within a rural, western setting, which naturally informs both the visual language and the emotional tone of the story. Rather than treating location as a backdrop, I use it as a character—one that grounds the images in place, culture, and meaning.
Together, these ten images are not simply documentation of events, but a visual narrative of connection, commitment, and celebration. They represent my ability to observe, anticipate, and capture a wedding day as a complete story—honest, emotional, and deeply human.
PRESS RELEASE
2023/06/26
Press Release
The Professional Photographers of Canada is pleased to announce that:
Carla Lehman ,
has just earned an accreditation in Wedding Story, at our most recent Accreditation judging.
Accreditation is the first elevation above the general membership level and is achieved by submitting samples of the
applicant’s photography to a PPOC Board of Examiners. Accreditation demonstrates that the photographer is capable of
delivering professional quality photography in a chosen category. In assessing Accreditation Submissions, the judges will
consider the following criteria: Vision, Impact, Composition, and Technical Merit.
Along with other requirements for service, image, and education merits, a minimum of one Accreditation is required to
qualify for a Craftsman of Photographic Arts (CPA) and two Accreditations are needed for a Masters of Photographic Arts
(MPA).
For more information, please contact:
PPOC Accreditation Chair
Jay Terry MPA
London, ON
519-619-3237
Email: accreditation@ppoc.ca
The Professional Photographers of Canada is a diversified group of creative artists dedicated to the highest standards in
professional imaging. We welcome photographers of all genres to join our community of dedicated professionals.
Our Vision: To be Canada’s leaders in developing and maintaining the highest level of photographic excellence.
Our Mission: To qualify and support photographers to become industry leaders and to inform the public of the value in
hiring an Accredited Professional Photographer.
www.ppoc.ca
The Professional Photographers of Canada is a diversified group of creative artists dedicated to the highest standards in professional imaging. We welcome photographers of all genres to join our community of dedicated professionals.
Our Vision: To be Canada’s leaders in developing and maintaining the highest level of photographic excellence.
Our Mission: To qualify and support photographers to become industry leaders and to inform the public of the value in hiring an Accredited Professional Photographer.
www.ppoc.ca
