South West Australian photographer Clare Day of Clare Day Photographic Design has always won me over with her fun, bubbly sense of humor and the beautiful images she captures. So it’s a pleasure to have Clare on Polka Dot Wisdom today with her own story and some essential wisdom for wedding photography!

Where and how did you learn your craft?

I’ve been in the industry now for 10 years, starting way back in 2001 when I did my very first Camera Course and got a job as a minilab manager. In 2003 That moved into full time training at Central TAFE school of Art and Design and a part time job assisting a Master Wedding Photographer. In 2005 I did a year working as a resort photographer on Hamilton Island, and shooting 8 hours a day 6 days a week certainly hones your skills pretty quickly.

Even though I did study photography full time at TAFE, I learned most of my usable skills doing a kind of Apprenticeship with a couple of big photographers in Perth. On the job practical training really enforced the theory I learned at TAFE.

I have been running my business full time in the South West now for 5 years, averaging 25 weddings a year.

What is your mission statement for Clare Day Photographic Design?

To create not only amazingly beautiful images, that really show the couples personality, love and connection, but also create an awesome joyful experience that makes a lasting impression. To me, the experience is just as important as the final product, and if you’re not having fun on your wedding day then I’m not doing my job properly!

What inspires you about Australian brides? Is there a special ‘Australian’ quality about brides from this country?

Brides here in the South West are very laid back. They either live in the country or come here to experience the casual cruise-y feel of The South West. It’s a totally different feeling to the ‘Big Smoke’. Brides down here are generally more relaxed, happier about things not being ‘perfect’ take more stuff in their stride and are generally just more awesome all round!

And of course the Brides who get me to come up to Perth (or further afield) are just the same as they choose me because they are cruise-y laid back awesome chicks! (just like me….)

What should brides look for in a photographer?

1)    You should LOVE the images. Check out websites, blogs, Facebook pages, your friend’s wedding albums and walls in their homes. Find a style or a photographer whose images jump out at you and speak to you.

2)    They should LOVE the photographers personality! You will be spending a great deal of time with this person, before during and after the event. The only person you spend more time with is your Hubby! If you don’t get along or they are annoying, painful, too bossy, not bossy enough, don’t fit well with your own personality, then its going to be a difficult day and a difficult process. If your not sure, then do an Engagement Session so you can get used to the way it all works.

3) The photographer you choose should be more than just someone with a fancy camera who has a happy trigger finger. Anyone can push a button on a camera and nowadays EVERYONE has a fancy camera. It takes someone with experience, training, an excellent eye, an awesome sense of timing and a great sense of humour.

Do you take traditional photographs of brides or do you strive to be different? What sets you apart from others?

My style is full of joy, colour and love. I do a great combination of the more ‘traditional’ style poses along with fun happy candid images that show off everyone’s personality and throw in a few ‘OMG’ moments showing off the awesome South West landscape. My Brides choose me because I love colour, I love happiness and I LOVE WEDDINGS! I’m not one for following all those ‘current photography fads’ that do the rounds every so often, so our images are always timeless.

Where do you find inspiration to keep your photography cutting edge and your interest in it fresh?

My inspiration comes from my weddings! Every wedding is different, and every couple has their own awesome quirks that make photographing them fun.

We also travel a lot for work, and for fun, which opens our eyes up to new and interesting things that bring new ideas into our business. We recently spent 2 months doing a massive road trip around the whole of the USA, and that trip has brought up a HUGE amount of new ideas.

How do you keep on learning?

I’m a member of the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) which holds some awesome workshops, conferences and competitions which ensures we are always learning and keeping up with the latest and the greatest. Entering the APPA’s (Australian Professional Photography Awards) every year helps to keep us on our toes and strive for excellence. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a silver and 2 silver distinction awards for my entries this year, so I’m pretty chuffed about that.

What is your number one tip for brides when being photographed?

Be yourself and forget we are there! The very best images are the ones where you are interacting with your loved ones and being yourself. The stiff formal smile at the camera is a thing of the past. Its all about love, laughter and interaction.

Also, have an engagement session! It’s a fantastic way to get used to having your photo taken by a professional and to get used to being in front of the camera. It also builds a great sense of trust and an awesome relationship before the big day.

2nd best tip – make sure your wedding dress suits you and fits perfectly. An awesome photograph can be totally ruined by an ill-fitting unflattering dress. It doesn’t need to cost a fortune; it just needs to suit the person wearing it. Photoshop can only fix so much!

What do you love about the industry?

What is there NOT to love about weddings???? Everyone is happy, everyone looks their most beautiful, the love is palatable, the joy is contagious…seriously, it’s the best thing ever…even better then se….oops..’G’ rated blog….

What are your favourite wedding ideas?

Anything that suits the couple in question! My favorite wedding details are always the ones that are unique to the couple, such as a fingerprint signing canvas, portraits with your pet cow, photobooths with funky picture frames, arranging their own flowers into jars,  Lego cake toppers….

What are the biggest mistakes you see brides making?

Worrying too much, copying the latest fads without it being THEM, having an ill fitting dress that doesn’t suit their body shape because its ‘fashionable’, worrying too much, getting stressed when their dress gets a smidge dirty, oh and worrying too much.

Don’t worry!! It will be awesome no matter what

If money were no object, where and how would you photograph a wedding?

My first thought was a tropical island somewhere – but we are doing that next June for a wedding in Fiji – WOOT! The second thought was on top of a mountain in Switzerland complete with fur coats and a husky dog and the third idea would be SPACE!! How cool would THAT be??

What other services do you offer your brides?

We are in the process of expanding our repertoire by offering “Fusion Engagement Sessions” and “The Reception Experience” (heading are pending further brainstorming session)

We also specialise in Portrait Photography, so once the wedding is over…and baby is on the way….. or Fur-Babies if the non furry kind makes you feel a little ill…

What is your dream for Clare Day Photographic Design?

TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!

Nah, I’m happy the way I am! I live in the best part of the world, I’m married to the best man in the world (sorry ladies), I have the best job in the world, what more is there really?

Thanks for joining us on Polka Dot Wisdom today Clare! To find out more about Clare and her work, check out the Clare Day Photographic Design website!