Are you your family historian? You know what I mean… that person in the family who documents all.the.things in photos, driven by a desire to not forget a single thing. Not to mention it’s a tangible way to ensure your future generations know your family’s story. From the big things to all the little everyday things in between, you’re the one with camera in hand capturing it.

Vicki Cardilini is that person in her family… and it’s a big family! She’s a wife, mother, grandmother, fur mum. And as a child of 6 herself, she’s also an aunt and sister to many. And when I say many, I mean loads.

 

Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to Vicki, one of our gorgeous Advanced Grads. She lives on the stunning Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, with her husband and fur babies. And as beautiful as that life in sunny Queensland is, Vicki misses her family – especially her grandchildren – who all live down south in Melbourne.

Her story is one of a growing family with really strong connections, and a drive to capture it all in beautiful photos. But who better to tell it than Vicki herself…

 

Meet Vicki!

I have five adult children, and I’m a grandmother to two beautiful granddaughters (and two more grand babies due in July this year!). Oh and I have have three fur children – Saylor our Cobberdog pup, and Koa and Lani my two Burmese cats. Three years ago my husband and I did the big sea change move from the Yarra Valley in Victoria up to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

I love it, but all our kids still live in Melbourne and it’s hard to be so far away from them, especially now that the grandchildren have come along.

Empty nest syndrome

So I am officially an empty-nester and yes it is a thing!! I’ve struggled with it, but photography has been my saviour and creative outlet. I travel down to see my kids as often as I can, and always with camera in hand. However Covid has restricted those visits significantly, which makes photos that much more important.

Make time to learn…

I had always enjoyed taking photos and I still remember being in grade 6 (around 11 years old), when I was given my first camera for my birthday. I had a DSLR but it sat in the cupboard for ten years and it came out very rarely, and I was capturing my children on a point and shoot in snap shots. But that whole time I had good intentions of learning how to shoot in manual mode… I just didn’t make the time.

Then one day I decided to get serious about learning photography so my husband bought me a new Nikon DSLR and it felt so good in my hands. I found Click Love Grow through my niece Melissa, I had loved watching her photography journey and I was very proud of her. I asked her how and where she was learning and she highly recommended CLG.

So I checked it out and signed up to their Enthusiast Photography Course straight away!! I was immediately hooked and craved to learn more, so I signed up and did the Advanced Photography Course later the same year.

 

There’s more to photography than manual mode

When I initially decided to start learning photography, my original goal was to learn to shoot in manual mode.

But once I sank my teeth into the CLG courses I realised there was so much more to photography.

The advanced exposure lesson, which explored high and low key photography, and the lessons on backlighting and portrait light were big takeaways for me. They really opened my eyes to just how important light is in photography, and I learned how to work with all kinds of light.

I also loved the editing lessons, and that was the beginning of my journey into Lightroom. I finally feel I can start calling myself a photographer… my brain is always checking out light and nice backdrops for photos!!

My goals change as my photography skills grow, and my goal this year is to really step out of my comfort zone and set up a photography business.

 

Official family photographer

I love that there is so much to learn about photography and for me it plays a very important role within my family unit.

Now I am a mum, nanna and aunt I absolutely love being able to take beautiful photos of my family, and when we travel I can document it all in beautiful photography.

I also capture all the Christmas and family events and gatherings, as well as the every day moments that tell our story.

I actually print photos and the kids loved receiving them at Christmas. My plan is to do yearly books for each of my children and their growing families. My sons aren’t too fussed but my daughter-in-laws love having me take photos of them.

 

Capturing my granddaughter’s birth

I was very privileged to capture the birth of my first grandchild, Hazel. It was amazing…. and surreal …and exciting… and emotional.

My daughter-in-law was standing when giving birth and I was the first one to see Hazel’s little face… of course with camera in hand and snapping away!

It was such a fulfilling experience, I would love to do birth photography and intimate work with mothers and their bubs and children. They’re due in July with their second baby, and they want me to capture that too (Covid allowing!).

Learning with Click Love Grow

Learning through CLG is so easy and fun! I could do it at my own pace within the 12 weeks, and I will always have access to the lessons to look back on if I ever need to.

I also love that CLG is women only, and that we all support one another. I have met some wonderful women through this community and now have an amazing and supportive group of photography friends.

If you want to learn in a friendly, supportive environment and you want your photography knowledge and skills to grow then definitely sign up and do the Advanced Course!! You will not regret it!!

Before and After

You know we love a before and after set of images as it’s such a perfect way to show far our students come in their photography after learning with CLG!

 

A very big kiss of gratitude to you Vicki for your generosity in time to share your story and images. If you want to see more of Vicki’s work, check her out here.

Watch my live chat with Vicki here!!

If you’re already shooting in manual mode, on our Advanced Photography Course you will learn to shoot with confidence in any scenario, and push yourself creatively to find and develop your style through intensive 1:1 critique on your work.  Our next course is starting soon… join our wait list to get an email when we go on sale!