Studio Name: Dragonfly Photography
Website: www.dragonflyphotography.ca
Q. What influenced your decision to become a wedding photographer?
A. I’ve been a photographer for most of my life, but always saw it as a hobby or a creative outlet. I used to have a very sensible job working for government, but after my children were born, I realised I had to live my life with creativity and passion, and compartmentalizing my work, which consumed 8-plus hours of my day, away from my “real life”, was no way for me to live. A friend suggested opening a photography business, and a light went on in my head (and my heart!) I had an amazing mentor (Chris, from CU Photography) who helped me get started, and it’s been all sunshine and daisies since then! Every single time I make a connection with a new client, I send up a little thank you to the universe in gratitude for this amazing job.
Q. Describe your wedding photography style:
A. Freestyle, but creative. A little bit mad-scientist. I studied microbiology at university, and I think the training in observation influences my work. I like to put people in a situation, and see what happens. I’ve been described as a ninja photographer – I like to blend in with the scenery and record the emotion that is happening – husband and wife, mother and daughter, father and son. On the creative side, I love finding interesting backdrops. But even in posed photography, I only give small nudges of direction.
I like to laugh a lot and often say the most embarrassing things, which I think helps to relax people. This is good, because I know that being in front of the camera can be nerve-wracking.
Q. Describe your perfect client:
A. A couple who says “I trust you. Do whatever you want”. It’s such a leap of faith to turn that control over, but when they do, they love their pictures. We work as a team to turn the magic of their relationship into photographs. I love working with people who have a sense of humour and are not afraid that they might look silly doing something.
Q. What is your favourite part of the wedding day(s)?
A. Two things – watching the families interact, and my time alone with the bride and groom. I also love working with couples after the wedding designing their albums, which will last for a lifetime.
Q. Where are your favourite places to shoot in Edmonton?
A. Can I first just say how terribly unhappy I am about the new anti-graffiti move in this city?
Ok – places I like. I live in the inner city and I love the aesthetics here. Cool old buildings, awesome paint jobs, lots of colour, vibrancy and life. On the completely opposite end of the scale, I get all weak-kneed over the Alberta prairie landscape. I love big skies, fields of (non-GMO) canola, stands of aspen trees, summer thunderstorms.
Q. Do you photograph weddings outside of the Edmonton area, and if so, where are you able to travel?
A. You bet. Whereever you want me to go. I have two current passports (British and Canadian) and also love road trips.
Q. What makes you different from other wedding photographers?
A. My ninja, mad-scientist, say embarrassing things self! Really though. I think the most important part of photography is the relationships we create with people. It’s so important to click with your photographer and really trust them.
Q. If you were getting married (or if you were to do it all over again), who would you choose to photograph your wedding, and why?
A. Oh boy! There are so many great photographers to choose from both locally and internationally – I think I may have a paparazzi-style wedding! Photography would be the first thing on my budget. Flowers are beautiful (and add to the ambiance) but they die. The cake gets eaten, the dress gets stored, and any location can be beautiful. I often tell my couples about my photographs from my wedding. Even though I am no longer married, I still value my wedding photographs. The ones that (are still) the most meaningful to me are those that my mother-in-law took. She’s brilliant at catching the emotion of a moment. However, I wish I would have hired a professional to get creative, posed shots too. For my next wedding, I want someone who can get the emotion shots and create beautiful artsy shots.
Q .Do you photograph anything else other than weddings?
A. My love of recording the emotional interactions between people translates well to family photography. I love photographing all stages of the family journey from babies in the belly to kids who are bigger than their parents.
