Feature Friday: Laura Nadine Photography
I first met Laura at a YYC Girl Gang networking event. We connected on Instagram and I've been inspired by her gorgeous photos ever since. This girl has some serious visual story telling skills! I chatted with Laura about her business, Laura Nadine Photography; what inspires her work; and how she remains connected to her community.
Tell me a little bit about yourself and your work. Where are you from? What do you do?
Hello! I’m from Calgary - like actually born here! I am a wedding photographer, and I definitely took the scenic route to get here. I graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing, and still work as a RN in the field of psychiatry in the emergency department. When I got married in 2007 I was really inspired by my wedding photographer, and had personal epiphany: I wanted to do what she was doing!! I’ve always loved photography and wanted to learn how to be better at it. In 2009, I finally got the courage to start making my dream a reality and took my first photography course at SAIT. Fast forward to today I’m now a mum to two littles, and I am capturing memories for awesome couples!
What inspires you to do what you do? How did you start doing this work?
LOVE inspires me. I’m ridiculously inspired by my couples love for each other! Seeing the connection between my couples makes my heart happy. I also love weddings. I’m the girl who dreamed of being a bride as much as a bridesmaid. I get giddy when I get a wedding invite in the mail. Subconsciously, I think I may have been drawn to wedding photography so that I can go to weddings! I got momentum when the lovely Natalie of Heart and Sparrow invited me to shoot with her for my own experience. This gave me the confidence boost I needed, and I started shooting my own weddings the following year. I really do feel blessed that couples have asked me document their love story.
What inspires you most about your community?
I am always amazed by the positive energy of Calgary. Living in this city you always have a sense that Calgary has got your back. The Calgary wedding community is phenomenally supportive - we have something special here. I love meeting other ‘creatives’ in the city and women who are making their dreams happen. I don’t see other creatives as competition; I truly want us all to succeed! I’m lucky to have found a diverse group of friends through the wedding industry, as a nurse, and a mum. I have a very different sort of relationship with all of these groups. At the core I try to surround myself with positive, supportive people, and to be that person to others.
If you could give anyone who is starting out in your field (business, non-profit, etc.) one piece of advice, what would it be?
Take what it is you want to do and hone in on precisely what area you want to focus on. For me I found that I was really struggling to grow when I was trying to shoot families, babies, corporate and weddings. I always knew my goal was to shoot weddings, I some how thought anything photography related would move me forward. Once I shut out all the noise and focused on weddings I started to make gains. What you love should be what you do.
Tell me three fun facts about yourself or your organization.
- I have watched the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice countless times; Colin Firth a total babe in this!
- I’m a Star Wars nerd who dressed up her 3 and 5-year-old, and let them stay up past 10 to see The Force Awakens opening night, and on a school night too.
- I really believe Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth.
- I know you said three but I must include that I am slightly Harry Potter obsessed.
Get in Touch
Website: www.mylauraphotography.com
Facebook: LauraNadinePhotography
Instagram: @lauranadinephoto
Twitter: @lauraandcamera
Do you know of a person, business, non-profit or other organization doing amazing work in Calgary? Tell me about it! Visit the Feature Friday page for more information!
