WTW Wedding Supplier: Laura Calderwood

Morning morning lovely WTW readers. It’s that time where I get to introduce you to some of the wedding industries finest. And today it’s my total pleasure to introduce to the rather fabulous Laura of Laura Calderwood Photography. A talented wedding photographer based in Ilkley, Laura covers the Yorkshire area but is happy to travel wherever her lens takes her. Lets get to know Laura and her wedding photography a bit better…

WTW readers would love to know about you and your photographic journey…

Who or what inspired you to become a wedding photographer?

I always wished I could be one of those people who knew exactly what they wanted to do when they left school, but I really wasn’t! I have always loved taking photographs, but it was a hobby and I mostly photographed flowers, animals, textures – anything I thought was pretty basically! Then I got married and our wedding photos were so amazing, I remember thinking “I wish I could do that”. So a couple of years later I decided to attend some photography workshops so that I could learn about photographing people rather than things and that was it, I was hooked!

How would you describe your particular style of photography?

Relaxed. Fun. Soft. Romantic. Vintage (sometimes!). Contemporary (sometimes!). Natural. I have a very laid-back approach to photographing couples, and as a result I produce relaxed and natural images. And they’re the kind of images that I love. The ones that say something about you both and your relationship; whether it’s a sneaky kiss when you think no one’s looking, or a bride giggling after her husband tells her a dirty joke! That’s why I like to get to know couples before their wedding, not just during the pre-wedding shoot when I’m mostly behind a camera, but talking over tea (and cake) about how they met, the proposal, and all the little details of their big day. I also love to spend some time with couples at their wedding venue to see what’s happening where and if they have any ideas for locations for photographs and so on.

If you could go anywhere in the world and photograph any couple who would that 
be, why and where would you go?

Hmmmm, I’d probably travel back in time so that I could photograph Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco! So glamorous. And her dress was incredible! Although I also absolutely love Ellen Degeneres, I think she’s hilarious, and her wedding to Portia de Rossi was beautiful. The images I’ve seen are gorgeous – I wish I’d taken them! It might just be me but I think that a lot of celebrity weddings tend to be quite posed and “look at me!”, but Ellen and Portia were very much “look where you like, I’m only looking at her”, and that’s what I love.

And where?

Almost anywhere – Rome, Paris, Sydney, New York, Barbados, you name it! Honestly, I really can’t get enough of weddings! But whether it’s in a castle or a teepee, what really makes a wedding special is seeing a bride and groom completely in love with each other (I know, I know, what a cliché but heck, I’m an incurable romantic and proud of it!).

What’s your most memorable wedding moment so far?

It always makes me giggle when a groom can’t get the wedding ring on his bride’s finger. It happens quite a lot! Oh, and a piece of advice for anybody getting married at The Saddleworth Hotel near Manchester: if the wedding breakfast is taking place in the room downstairs, do NOT stand on the glass bridge above in a wedding dress because everyone downstairs will be able to see your undercrackers!

Give us 5 facts about you...

I’ve been (very) happily married for nearly 4 years, so I can reassure you that yes, you will have to pick up more socks, and no, he won’t notice that something needs cleaning until you tell him it does, but it’s all worth it!

I have only sweet teeth – if I could live on cakes, cookies, ice cream and chocolate then I would be deliriously happy!

I love Dachshunds

I drive a powder blue Beetle named Dusty (because he is – I never clean my car!)

I’m a bit of a nerd – I love to knit, I know all 50 US states and their capitals, and I’ve seen every episode of Star Trek: Enterprise (though it wasn’t out of choice, it was my husbands idea. Plus then I made him sit through every episode of Ally McBeal – it’s all about compromise!).

When it comes to selecting a wedding photographer, what advice would you give 
to brides and grooms?

There are so many things to consider when you’re trying to choose a wedding photographer. And there are so many great photographers out there to choose from, it can be pretty overwhelming! I would start with the basics – how much of the day do you want to be photographed, do you want one photographer or two, and are you happy to have a male photographer with you in the morning while you’re all getting ready? Those sorts of things will help you narrow the field down a bit! Then start to take a good look through their online galleries to see if you like their style. Think about what you are wanting from your wedding photographs. Do you want a lot of family group photos and formal portraits, or would you prefer a more photojournalistic approach – someone who blends into the background capturing moments as they happen.

But I would say the most important thing to consider is do you like actually the photographer?! This person is going to be with you for the most important day of your life, so it’s really important that you choose a photographer who you think you will get on well with, and who will listen to you and help to calm your nerves.

Finish this sentence. Keep wanting...

Oh heck, so many possibilities!

True love.

New shoes.

Chocolate cake.

Happiness.

Dachshunds (that might just be me!)

Ha ha! What a brilliant interview Laura. I’ve loved getting to know you and your photographic style a bit better. So ladies, what are you waiting for? Go forth and explore Laura Calderwood Photography website and blog. She could just be your perfect wedding photographer.