We LOVE sharing our CLG Grad Stories with you… we’re so lucky to have some of the most lovely and amazing women as part of our community AND talented to boot!

Our Click Love Grow Story this week is shared by Kristin Calder and Toni Laws from Western Australia, who found themselves shooting a wedding together!

Tell us the story of how it came about…

Toni: My long-time friend Ellie contacted me in regards to her upcoming marriage, and asked me to shoot it for her. I just about died. I’m not a portrait photographer, and didn’t feel at all confident about shooting a wedding!

I put the call out in the CLG group, asking if anyone was interested in coming along as a photographer for experience only (the bride has been very ill and budget was non-existent). I truly didn’t expect anyone to respond, but Kristin immediately volunteered her time, even though we’d never met, and she didn’t know anyone at the wedding.

Kristin: When Toni posted asking if anyone would be willing to travel south to help her out, I said I was willing and able.

I am only a one hour drive from where the wedding was to take place. Funnily enough, it worked out that I shot a wedding, my very first, the week before. The more experience and exposure to these events the better was my thinking.

 

Wedding Highlights

Toni: Working with Kristin was just so rewarding. She’s super-organised, and totally professional, from the way she spoke to everyone and conducted herself throughout the day, down to even having brought along a ladder to get some different perspectives! Her friendly and calm manner helped settle my nerves, and it was just so good to have someone who is as obsessed with photography to bounce off.

I did step in front of her a few times (oops!)  but mostly we didn’t even have to speak about what we were doing, or who was going to do what, as we could see what was happening and work around each other, in step with each other. I’ve never had that kind of collaboration before, and it was energising and gratifying.

Kristin: My highlight without a doubt was to meet Toni face to face and share the day with her. It was amazing. I had someone next to me who was as crazy about photography as I was and I think we complimented each other well. It was also lovely to spend the day with Ellie and Gary and their family and friends. Such a heart warming story and nice family.

Best Moments…

Toni: It was pretty intense but loads of fun. The bridal party were really relaxed and we were able to have some fun, joking around.

Kristin: Finding Toni at the meeting spot, not knowing what she looked like but peering into the Cafe and seeing a Fremantle Dockers (Australian Rules Football team!) water bottle on the table was a dead give away! It was hard to know what to look for when someone’s profile picture was usually a purple anchor (Docker’s logo)!  I got a few candid shots of Toni doing her “thing”. There was a dress malfunction that caused a few issues for the bride.

Let Chat Photography Gear

Toni: Kristin! She really helped settle my nerves, took the pressure off me, and got some gorgeous images into the bargain!
Apart from her though, I found my Pez gun was REALLY useful. I have it attached to the shoe on my camera, and it helped keep the littlest guy involved with the bridal party shoots.

Kristin: The lens I used the most was my 24-70mm and then my 135mm. Because Toni was there also, there was no point us both having 50mms on our cameras. Also a step ladder…Toni and I are both on the shorter side so I think this was a good piece of equipment to have handy!

Do you have any plans to do more weddings?

Toni: My style isn’t conducive to wedding photography, I do a lot of art photography. But I’d love to have the opportunity!

Kristin: At this stage, I have had no more weddings booked and will probably wait until I have my extra camera body before I take another one on. I have been doing families sessions and newborns since April.

Wedding Photography Tips

Toni: Know what you want, and then set out the steps you need to attain it. Otherwise, it’s not a plan, it’s a dream.

Kristin: If you want to get into the field, approach photographers who might be able to give you work experience and even take you on as a second shooter. You may have to do a few weddings to make sure it’s for you. You never know until you put yourself out there. Tips for wedding photography that I had read and decided to put into place myself are:

• Make sure you have the couples “must get shots” listed and a note of all the combinations of family shots that you need on the day. The bride and groom are not going to be able to tell you on the day.
• A small list of the shots that you want to achieve too, because time is short and you may need the reminder in the whirlwind that is a wedding. You can’t go back and ask them to do their vows again or the best man to redo his speech.
• Be prepared and even be three steps ahead.
• If you can get someone to be a helper on the day, it may take some of the pressure off you to lug bags, ladders or get people organised. If the couple can provide a person who knows most of the people present and can be a “family wrangler” . They can help getting family members ready so your time is not wasted waiting for Uncle Bob to come back from a toilet break.
• A timetable of the day I did turned out to be very handy. I gave it to my first couple just so they could see how tight time would be and how to make it easier for us all.
• Scope out the locations before the day at the same times so you are prepared for what your lighting and backgrounds will be.
• If you have a second photographer, make sure you are both clear as to what you are each concentrating on. No point doubling up too much. eg. one take the bride’s and one take the groom’s side during the ceremony. One stay tall, one crouches to get a different angle.
• Take snacks and water.

 

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