As we wind down this incredible chapter of Cam & Courtney Photography, we’ve found ourselves reminiscing – not just about the photos we’ve taken, but about the story behind them all. This post isn’t about our sharpest images, prettiest light, or trendiest edits. It’s about the moments that shaped our business, the milestones that challenged and grew us into who we are today.

So, in true nostalgic fashion, we’re calling this our CCP Greatest Hits – a track list of the moments that made up the soundtrack of our photography journey.

{ CCP – Greatest Hits }

Track 1: Booking our first wedding

Our very first official wedding (Matt & Cherise) was equal parts excitement, nerves, and a healthy dose of fear. We had no idea how it would all go, only that we loved telling stories through photos and wanted to serve people well. That day was the spark that set everything in motion. Looking back, it’s wild to think how many “I do’s” we’ve witnessed since that one small, nervous “yes” we gave all those years ago.

Track 2: More than a Hobby

What started as a creative outlet slowly grew into something much bigger. It started with a few sessions for acquaintances, the wedding for Matt & Cherise, fun sessions around the house but we realized it could become so much more. The moment we recognized it was “more than a hobby” was when we started taking ourselves, and the dreams we had, seriously.

Track 3: ShutterFest

In 2015, we attended ShutterFest which enhanced our desire to begin this massive change. We met some of our photography heroes, learned under some incredible tutelage, and pushed ourselves way out of our comfort zones. That experience both added to our imposter syndrome but also ignited our passion and gave us a little bit of courage to double down on our business. We left inspired, exhausted, and absolutely certain that this was what we were meant to be doing.

Track 4: Cam joins CLP

For years, Cam had been behind the scenes – second shooting weddings, helping with editing, cheering from the sidelines. But in 2016/2017, he “officially” joined Courtney Liske Photography joining for every session, every shoot, every late-night edit. That’s when it stopped being “Courtney’s business” and became “our business.” What started as one person’s dream became a true partnership, both in marriage and in work, and that changed everything.

Track 5: International Academy of Wedding Photographers

Completing the International Academy of Wedding Photographers program was a huge milestone for both of us. We learned from some of the best in the industry, gained insight and confidence, and felt validated as professionals. It wasn’t just education, it was transformation. Those lessons shaped not only how we shoot but what we learned about posing, business, lighting, and how we serve people with empathy and excellence.

Track 6: Connect Retreat

We had the privilege of attending the Connect Retreat in 2016, 2017, and 2019 at the beautiful WinShape Retreat Center in Rome, Georgia. Designed for couples in business together, it was part marriage retreat, part business workshop and entirely life-giving. We deepened our marriage, made lifelong friends, and met so many of the photographers who had inspired us from afar. Each year we left with full hearts, renewed purpose, and a reminder that this crazy business was about so much more than photography.

Track 7: Showit United

Showit United 2018 was another unforgettable experience. It was a creative getaway filled with hands-on workshops, genuine connection, and a lot of fun. In some ways it was like a reunion with people we’d met either online or at previous retreats/workshops. Those heart-to-heart conversations and creative collaborations reminded us that we were part of something bigger – a global community of storytellers who truly cared about people. Plus it was another fantastic getaway for the two of us to spend time together!

Track 8: De-Stylized Workshop

Hosting our De-Stylized Workshop was one of our most ambitious and equally rewarding projects. Instead of the polished perfection of a styled shoot, we set out to design a workshop that threw photographers into the real life scenarios that we and so many other photographers face on a wedding day. Everything from tough lighting, cramped spaces, unrealistic timelines, less than picturesque venues, etc. We brought together incredible local talent (thank you Starr, Ali, Nicole, and Jessica) to teach, share, and pour into others so that all these photographers could learn to thrive in these difficult situations.

It was a day that embodied what we’ve always believed: the best photographers aren’t just skilled; they’re adaptable, gracious, and steady under pressure. And we have such a cool community of photographers in Regina and southern Saskatchewan that helped us pull it off.

Track 9: Photography friends around North America

As you’ve noticed, over the years this business has introduced us to some of the kindest, most inspiring people from right here in Regina, across Saskatchewan, all throughout Canada, the U.S., and even a few beyond. What started as professional connections became deep friendships. We’ve shared laughs, education, referrals, questions. It’s humbling to think of how this little business connected us to people all around the world.

Track 10: Rebrand

In the fall of 2020, we made it official – Cam & Courtney Photography was born. After years of working side by side, it was time for our brand to reflect the reality of who we were: a husband-and-wife photography team. The new name wasn’t just a logo change, but a declaration of partnership, unity, and purpose. It felt like stepping into a new season together, as always, hand in hand.

Track 11: The people – couples and families

The heartbeat of our business has always been people. The couples who trusted us with their love stories and the families who invited us into their most meaningful moments. We’ve laughed, cried and celebrated alongside you. You’ve let us into your stories, and that has been the greatest honour of all. You’re the reason we picked up our cameras in the first place. And the reason it’s so hard to set them down now.

Track 12: Vendor Friends

Some great friendships were born behind the scenes. Sharing timelines with planners, trading tips with makeup artists, laughing with videographers, and altogether surviving long wedding days together. Fellow wedding vendors, you’ve made every wedding day smoother, brighter, and more joyful. It’s been such a privilege to work alongside so many talented, generous people in this industry who truly care about making magic together.

Track 13: Meeting some of our heroes

From workshops to conferences, we’ve had the surreal joy of meeting and learning from photographers we once admired from afar. What struck us most wasn’t just their talent, but their humility and heart. Getting to thank some of those people in person for how they shaped our journey was an incredible full-circle moment we’ll never forget.

Track 14: ThreeBestRated – 8 years in a row

For eight consecutive years, we were named one of the Top 3 Wedding Photographers in Regina by ThreeBestRated. Each year that recognition reminded us that consistency, heart, and showing up with integrity matter. It wasn’t about chasing awards, it was about serving people well, year after year.

Track 15: The tears – touching people’s lives

There were so many moments that left us teary-eyed behind the camera. From first looks, emotional vows, tender hugs with grandparents, and families who welcomed us like their own. The most meaningful feedback was never about perfect photos but about how people felt with us. Hearing that people’s families were still talking about their interactions with us, long after the wedding years later, was such a blessing. Knowing that our presence and our work touched people’s lives will always mean more than anything else.

Track 16: Shooting our last wedding

Shooting our final wedding for Blayde & Hanna was surreal. A mix of gratitude, pride, and also a deep ache knowing that this chapter was closing. We found ourselves savoring every click of the shutter, every joyful cheer, every moment. And to be completely honest, not allowing ourselves to fully feel everything in the moment for fear of losing it altogether. It was a reminder of why we fell in love with weddings in the first place – the beauty, the chaos, the humanity, the love, the people.

Track 17: Shooting our final session

Our very last session felt completely normal. It was familiar, comfortable, meaningful, heartfelt, and just the right note to end on. We’ve always loved family sessions for how real and unscripted they are. Kids running, parents laughing, dogs stealing the spotlight. That final shoot held all of it – joy, nostalgia, and gratitude for every family who trusted us to freeze a piece of their story in time. As we drove home from that session, we discussed how thankful we were for it all. For how this session wasn’t “different”, but rather just a continuation of how we have always approached our sessions. A feeling that we had finished well.

Track 18: Writing our final blogs

Writing these last few blog posts has been its own kind of goodbye. One filled with reflection and thankfulness. Sharing the stories of our business, our family, our purpose, and our adventures over the years has allowed us to relive them again and again. As we write these next and final blogs, we are reminded that endings can be beautiful too, especially when they’ve been built on years of love, laughter, and purpose.

xoxo

Cam & Courtney