When Naiomi Murphy was sixteen, she got her hands on a Canon Rebel T3i and never looked back. What began as self-portraits and Photoshop experiments slowly evolved into something bigger: a lifelong creative pursuit rooted in emotion, storytelling, and a deep love for fleeting moments.
Today, Naiomi runs Naiomi Lynn Photography out of Carman, Manitoba—a small town that offers just the right mix of wide-open prairie skies and meaningful connection. She photographs 8–10 weddings a year, balancing her business with raising three young children and working at a local floral shop. It’s not a life built around hustle. It’s a life built around presence. And it shows in her work.
From Farm Roots to Finding Her Lens
Naiomi grew up just outside Elfros, Saskatchewan—where a trip to the Co-op counted as going out and radio stations served as a way to measure distance. “You could watch your dog run away for three days,” she jokes, remembering the flat prairie landscape.
Her love for photography came early but unfolded slowly. It wasn’t until 2021, years after becoming a Red Seal-certified hairstylist and working in floral design, that she found herself photographing her first wedding—a family member’s big day that sparked something unexpected. The experience was chaotic, beautiful, and transformative. She was hooked.
And it turns out, photography runs in the family. Her dad, an avid traveler, used to document his adventures on a film camera. “The way he talked about those memories was almost poetic,” Naiomi recalls. He eventually passed that same camera on to her—a gesture that deepened her connection to storytelling. “Now I get to carry on that story through my own lens.”
A Self-Taught Eye and an Emotional Heart
Naiomi didn’t learn photography in a classroom. She learned it through self-portraits, YouTube tutorials, and countless hours of trial and error. She credits her early growth to curiosity, persistence, and the vulnerability that comes with figuring things out in public.
Her first official shoots? Friends modeling for fun. Then a few grad sessions. Then, unexpectedly, that first wedding. Over time, she began second shooting with more experienced photographers, gaining hands-on mentorship that proved invaluable. “That’s where everything really started to shift,” she says. “Watching seasoned pros work taught me more than I ever could’ve learned on my own.”
Style That Tells a Story
Naiomi’s work leans into what’s real. Her photography blends documentary-style storytelling with a gentle editorial touch—rich in emotion, warmth, and soft movement. She isn’t chasing perfection. She’s chasing feeling.
“I want my images to take you right back to how it felt in that moment,” she explains. Her post-processing style is central to that vision. Cropping, colour grading, and blur are used not just for aesthetics, but to highlight a moment’s emotional texture—sometimes soft and dreamy, other times bold and defined.
Though she shoots mostly full-day weddings in Manitoba, she dreams of traveling more in the future. “A wedding in the mountains or by the ocean? That would be a dream,” she says.
Why She Shoots Weddings
There’s a deep intentionality behind Naiomi’s work. It’s not just about beautiful portraits—it’s about helping people feel seen.
“I love being behind the scenes, witnessing all the joy and little chaos that a wedding day brings,” she says. “Sometimes that means fixing a veil, fluffing flowers, or calming nerves. But most of the time, it’s just being present and capturing the day in a way that feels honest and heartfelt.”
And it’s not just the couples who inspire her—it’s her family too. “Motherhood has taught me to see beauty in the in-between moments,” she says. “It’s these little fleeting pieces of life that I now feel even more passionate about capturing for others.”
Balancing Passion and Presence
Naiomi is the first to admit that wedding photography isn’t always glamorous. The work is physically demanding and creatively draining. But she’s learned to protect her energy by setting boundaries and carving out sacred space for family.
“I’ve learned that it’s okay to say no,” she says. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Most of her clients come through word-of-mouth and social media—a reflection of the personal relationships she builds. Her clients often say they felt completely at ease with her, like they’d known her for years. It’s that trust and comfort that allow her to capture such raw, emotional imagery.
Looking Ahead
As Naiomi continues to grow her business, her goals are rooted in artistry and adventure. She hopes to expand into destination weddings, explore film photography more deeply (especially with her dad’s camera), and maybe even host a workshop one day to connect with other creatives.
But above all, she wants to remain present in both her art and her life. “I want to create beautiful work while still showing up fully for my family,” she says.
In a world that often equates success with scale, Naiomi Lynn Photography is a refreshing reminder that depth matters more than volume. Her work is slow, soulful, and intentional—capturing not just how a wedding looks, but how it feels.
Website: naiomilynnphotography.mypixieset.com
Instagram: @naiomilynnphotography