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Another day, another fabulous local supplier to share with you.  That’s the point readers: local.  These talents are home grown, on your doorstep, and ready to go above and beyond to make your wedding day the most wonderful of your lives.  If you haven’t already, check out the Brides Up North Directory (soon to be a little more all singing, all dancing… watch this space) for the details of the best wedding industry suppliers in your regional locality.

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Today it’s the turn of fabulous photographer Laura Calderwood Photography, whose gorgeous images are gracing the wedding blog’s swirly silver pages this morning.  Not only is Laura’s work clearly amazing – clear, romantic, capture the moment stuff – but she’s a lot of fun too.  Plus, she’s offering every Brides Up North reader who books her for their 2013 wedding before 31^st May 2013 a super generous £100 off her basic wedding package!

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Lets’ meet her. 

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How did you get into wedding photography?

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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!

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Why wedding photography specifically?

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There’s something magical about weddings. It’s the most important day in people’s lives and you get to share it with them, could there be anything better than that? Plus I get to read wedding magazines and play on Pinterest as part of my job!

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What is your favourite thing about being a wedding photographer?

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So many things! Getting to meet so many wonderful couples and their families. The excitement and nerves on the morning of a wedding. Seeing the look on the groom’s face when he sees his bride for the first time. The dress. The shoes! There’s such an incredible atmosphere, and the happiness is intoxicating – I always leave a wedding on such a high and babble at my husband about it for hours afterwards!

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How do you get couples to relax on the day?

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I like to meet couples a few weeks or months before their wedding for a pre-wedding shoot. It’s a great way for us all to get to know each other better, and for brides- and grooms-to-be to practise being photographed together. It really does help you to relax and feel comfortable in front of the camera, that way when the wedding day arrives you know exactly what to expect and it’s like having another friend there. A slightly bonkers friend with a cupcake obsession…

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I’m also on hand on the wedding day to give advice and support to nervous brides and grooms, to sort out wonky buttonholes, to help things run on time, and to make people laugh. And I always carry an emergency stash of safety pins, Kirby grips, and tissues. And Haribo.

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Any advice to any brides who don’t like to have their picture taken?

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Almost every bride I’ve met has warned me that they’re not very photogenic, or that they feel awkward in front of the camera and want to run away and hide. Grooms too. And I know exactly how they feel! My advice is always to make sure 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. A pre-wedding shoot is a great way to get lots of practice in front of a camera, and gives you a chance to see that you actually look great in photographs. Trust me, I’ve been there!

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What sort of makeup should a bride wear to look great in her pictures?

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To be honest I would say wear whatever makeup you like! It’s your wedding, so do it your way. If you’re thinking of booking a professional makeup artist then I would recommend having a trial beforehand so that you know exactly what you’ll look like on the day. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable.

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Anything to avoid which might look bad in the wedding pictures?

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Your photographer should give you tips on how/where to stand, where to hold your bouquet, what to do with your hands and so on. I think the only thing that makes for bad wedding pictures is when people look awkward or uncomfortable. Wedding photographs should be as individual as you are, and they should reflect your relationship and the two of you as a couple. If you’re not the nuzzling and smooching in public type (unlike my husband and I, who really are!), but your photographer is asking you behave that way, then your discomfort will show in your photographs. Again that’s why I like to get to know brides and grooms really well before their wedding, and to give them lots of practice at being photographed together.

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Which celebrity wedding would you most like to photograph and why?

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Hmm, probably 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.

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Any really memorable weddings that you have captured?

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Sick buckets at the ready folks: I really do think that all weddings are beautiful in their own way (I warned you!).  Although I photographed my friend Sally’s wedding last year, and that was wonderful. Sally has been one of my closest friends for years, and it was great to be able to share the whole day with her and her lovely husband.

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Are you married? Tell us about your day.

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You’ve probably already worked it out but yup, I sure am! My husband Jamie and I were married at Fountains Abbey in September 2009. It really was perfect, despite the best man with a hangover and a pageboy who farted during the ceremony! My dress was huge, as was the chocolate cake! There wasn’t a theme really, although there was a lot of purple and butterflies. Of course if I could do it again it would be completely different. That’s one of the great things about being a wedding photographer – I get to live vicariously through other people’s weddings, which makes me less disappointed that I can’t have a wedding of my own every year!

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Any funny stories to share?

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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!

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What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?

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Straight to the point: me!  I hope that doesn’t make sound arrogant, because I’m not in the slightest! What I mean is that every photographer is unique because of who they are and this translates into how they work. I have a very relaxed and 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.

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Oh, and I usually supply homemade cupcakes and/or cookies!

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What can a couple who book you expect on the day?

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My job is to tell the story of each couples’ wedding, so I will be there all day – from the bridal preparations right through until the first dance, or longer if there’s anything extra planned. I try to be discreet and unobtrusive, capturing moments as they happen without getting in the way of the bride and groom and their guests. At some point in the day, usually while guests are enjoying champagne and canapés (or in the case of my wedding, tea and cupcakes!), I like to take the newlyweds away for a short while to capture some beautiful shots of them together. This is also a chance for you to relax and take a breath, and let it all sink in – you just got married, eeek!

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And of course most important of all, we’ll have fun!

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What is included in your "package"?

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I like to keep things simple, so I offer one basic wedding package, and then albums, prints and so on can be added to that. My basic package includes:

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- Detailed consultations where we can discuss all the little details of your wedding, what you’re looking for from me, and get to know each other better.

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- A pre-wedding engagement shoot where you spend some time practicing being in front of the camera, I can help you to feel comfortable being photographed together, and we get some great photos of the two of you. The pre-wedding shoot usually takes place during the week when it’s quieter but that’s not set in stone!

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- Online gallery and slideshow of your pre-wedding images (usually around 30 – 40). 

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Coverage of your wedding by little ol’ me from the bridal preparations until at least the first dance.

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- An on-the-day slideshow of your wedding so far (facilities and time permitting).

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- Careful and professional editing of all of your images, with retouching if required.

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- A secure online slideshow and gallery of all your images on my website (usually between 300 and 400).

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- High-resolution digital copies of all of your pre-wedding and wedding images on disc, with personal printing rights

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In addition to this basic package I also offer a range of wedding albums, coffee table books, framed prints, canvases and more!

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Can you give us an idea on price?

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My basic wedding package costs £1250. Coffee table books start at £200, and albums start at £450.  If any Brides Up North readers book me for their 2013 wedding before 31^st May 2013 I’ll knock £100 off my basic wedding package!

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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ see more examples of your work?

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The best way to get in touch with me is by email at lauracalderwood@hotmail.co.uk or by phone on 07763 153047. You can see more examples of my work on my website http://www.lauracalderwood.co.uk and on my blog (http://www.lauracalderwood.co.uk/blog). And I’m always happy to meet with couples to show them some sample albums, and chat about their wedding and what they’re looking for from their photographer, with no obligation to book me.

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Anything else we should know?

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I could happily live on cake, biscuits and tea. And chimichangas. Plus I always do a little dance when I say chimichangas. I want a Dachshund. Actually two. I quote Friends way more than is normal. I know all 50 US states and their capitals – I just can’t seem to un-learn it! In other words I’m a bit of a nutter-butter, but it’s very endearing!

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © Laura Calderwood Photography

Laura Calderwood Photography is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

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