When the Magic Happens : An Interview with Tina Vedrine

In the realm of wedding photography, where moments of love and joy intertwine with artistry and storytelling, one name stands out as a beacon of inspiration—Tina Vedrine. With an unwavering passion for capturing the essence of love through her lens, Tina has carved a remarkable path in the industry, redefining what it means to document the most cherished moments of a couple’s journey.

Tina’s journey as a photographer is a testament to the power of following one’s true calling. From the very beginning, it was clear that her heart belonged behind the camera, where she could weave narratives and freeze fleeting emotions in timeless frames. Armed with a keen eye for detail, an infectious enthusiasm, and a natural talent for connecting with her subjects, Tina has elevated wedding photography to an art form, transcending boundaries and creating breathtaking visual stories that resonate with hearts around the world.

What sets Tina apart is her unwavering commitment to authenticity and capturing the raw emotions that make each love story unique. With every click of the shutter, she effortlessly encapsulates the quiet glances, tender embraces, and unabashed laughter that make weddings such profound and beautiful celebrations. Her ability to blend into the background, while simultaneously capturing the most intimate moments, is a testament to her artistry and dedication to preserving memories that will be cherished for generations to come.

But her impact extends far beyond her technical prowess and artistic eye. She is a guiding light for aspiring photographers, offering valuable advice and insights, and reminding them to embrace their own creative journey. Through her words and actions, she encourages others to pursue their passions relentlessly, reminding them that mistakes are stepping stones to growth and that there is always room for improvement.

As we delve deeper into Tina’s captivating world, we invite you to join us on a remarkable journey, where love, art, and the human spirit intertwine. Prepare to be inspired, as we unveil the extraordinary talent and visionary mind of Tina Vedrine a photographer who continues to redefine the landscape of wedding photography, one frame at a time.

Tell us about the journey that led you to becoming a wedding photographer.

I was always the friend who would bring their small digital camera out with them, and I can honestly say that I enjoyed going through the pictures the next day and editing them for my friends as much as I enjoyed dancing all night!

As long as I can remember, art and modern dance have been my escape. During my degree, I realized I could combine them. This inspired me to turn to photography and make my first investment in a DSLR camera.

As I grew older, I realized how much I enjoyed making people feel good about themselves, whether through makeovers, new hairstyles, or photo shoots! These projects helped my loved ones feel more confident, and they appreciated the art I was creating. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment because they trusted me with my own creations.

The idea of becoming a wedding photographer was born when I saw someone I knew doing it for a living. I had completely fallen in love with capturing the beauty and joy of a wedding day. The photos were stunning, and I was in awe!

You have an incredible flair for photography, and your work portrays elegance. How did you develop this skill?

Thank you! I truly believe it stems from what brings me the most joy in my job, which is creating beauty from everyday things and having the artistic freedom to do so in my own unique way.

There are specific aspects of a wedding day that excite and inspire every creative photographer. My favorites are unquestionably seeing the dress for the first time and observing how the light interacts with it throughout the day. I have always appreciated femininity, and as a result, I enjoy exploring composition and contrast, which has developed my distinct way of telling my couples’ wedding day story.

How do you want people to feel when they first see your photography?

Honestly? My goal is for couples to connect with my work and experience the warmth and love within them in the same way I do. When a potential client reaches out to express why they’re drawn to my work and shares their own feelings about it that match my own, that experience for me is unrivaled.

They are my dream clients.

Being a wedding photographer is a high-pressure job as you’re responsible for the biggest day of someone’s life. How do you manage to deliver on your promises, keep clients happy, and not feel the pressure?

It’s difficult not to feel the pressure at a wedding. You’re fully invested in the day from start to finish, and emotions can be running high all around you.

When I start to feel the pressure or any self-doubt (which is totally normal!) during a wedding day, I remind myself of who I am, what I bring, and why this couple has chosen me to be there. I focus on my main goal, which is to always give them my best work possible.

I give my heart and soul to every wedding. I bring my perspective, experience, knowledge, talent for creativity, and a friendly, approachable demeanor.

That being said, I’ve learned during my career that if you find those clients who sincerely adore your style and trust in what you do, it’s like you’ve been given an unspoken ‘go-ahead’ to truly be yourself. This relieves pressure, fosters creativity, and makes it possible to capture the day more spontaneously and freely as it unfolds.

And that’s when the magic happens.

If you didn’t pursue this career, what else would you have liked to do?

If I hadn’t pursued a career in photography, there are a few other paths I would have been interested in exploring. One of them would be interior design. I’ve always had a keen eye for aesthetics and creating beautiful spaces. I enjoy playing with colors, textures, and furniture arrangements to transform a room into a visually pleasing environment. Interior design allows for a similar creative expression as photography, but in a different medium.

While I’m grateful that I followed my passion for photography, I can’t help but wonder what could have been in these alternate paths. Nonetheless, I feel fortunate to have found my calling as a wedding photographer, where I can combine my love for art, storytelling, and capturing special moments in people’s lives.

What advice would you offer any Photographers who are struggling to get started?

Shoot everything! Just say yes to anything which comes your way and experiment as much as you can. And have fun doing it! My second piece of advice is allow yourself to be inspired by other photographers which you’re drawn to in the industry – but try not to compare yourself to them. You’re at the very beginning and they’ve more than likely spent years of groundwork to get to where they are – there’s so many components to their journey which you aren’t able to see in their polished portfolio.

When the time comes you’ll find your own voice in the industry and develop the skill and art to be more selective to the work you take on. It may take some time to find your own aesthetic. There’s many different ways for a creative to intemperate a wedding through their lens. However, as long as you maintain a high standard of work, are on-it with your social media and marketing, create a portfolio of work which you feel accurately reflects your style – you will inevitably draw the right clients to you.

Shoot everything: Be open to any opportunity that comes your way and experiment as much as you can. By shooting a variety of subjects and styles, you’ll learn more about your preferences and strengths as a photographer.

Find inspiration without comparison: Look to other photographers in the industry who inspire you, but avoid comparing yourself to them. Remember that they have likely put in years of hard work to reach where they are now, and their polished portfolios may not reflect the entire journey. Focus on your own growth and development.
Discover your own voice: As you gain experience, you’ll find your unique style and perspective in the industry. Don’t rush this process. It takes time to develop your own aesthetic, and it’s okay to experiment and explore different approaches until you find what resonates with you.
Maintain a high standard of work: Regardless of the subject or genre, always strive for excellence in your photography. Consistently producing high-quality work will help you build a reputation and attract the right clients.
Embrace marketing and social media: Establish a strong online presence by actively engaging with social media platforms relevant to your target audience. Showcase your work through a well-curated portfolio and regularly update your social media channels to stay connected with potential clients.
Develop essential business skills: While you may not have studied business, it’s important to acquire basic skills to run your photography business effectively. Familiarize yourself with billing, scheduling, client communication, and equipment maintenance. Pay attention to the financial aspects of your business and invest time in brand development, marketing, SEO, and website design.

Who is involved in the brand and what are their roles?

Just me, so far! Despite not having studied business, as the years have gone by I’ve picked up the necessary skills to run one. Behind the scenes you’ll need a basic understanding of billing, keeping track of your schedule, developing questionnaires, setting up meetings, professional gallery delivery and generally making sure you have the optimal gear which is kept serviced and up to date. I’m in charge of the finances, the accounting, the ongoing brand development, the creation of blog entries and daily social media marketing, SEO, and website design. I of course photograph the weddings, too!

I’m also the sole editor of the photographs – this is an aspect of my business that I absolutely thrive in, I’m totally in my element! I know many other photographers who out-source this part of the job to help streamline their workload but I genuinely couldn’t see myself making that decision.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

I could talk you through an editing day but it wouldn’t be half as dynamic and interesting as a wedding day so I think I’ll go with the latter.

Most of the weddings I shoot are over 2 hours away from me – I’m based in the Midlands and it’s not uncommon for me to be in Devon one week then Scotland or Ireland the next, so I usually wake up super early in a hotel somewhere and start getting ready for the day. I’ll have done all the prepping of the gear back at home the day before, such as formatting the memory cards, cleaning lenses, making sure settings are correct on all of my cameras and that I have backups for literally everything! Over breakfast (mainly a strong coffee!)

I’ll look at the timeline of the day ahead, go over my distances to the bride/groom preparation location then to the venue, which I’ll then have a little Google of again so that it’s fresh in my memory of what to expect on arrival. Once I get there I’ll give myself time to have an explore and also capture some outdoor venue shots before going in to see the bride/groom and their party! I love the environment of preparations, I always have. Everyone is just so excited and psyched for the day ahead and hyping each other up! If I hadn’t had a chance to meet my couple prior to the wedding (which is common for me due to distance) this is a great opportunity for me to see how they engage with their closet friends and get to know them a little before the day kicks off!

As soon as I get to the ceremony location I usually introduce myself to the bride/groom, get some stylish shots of them and their party before we get into place for the main event. I would say this part of the day is the most stressful, I’m continuously checking to make sure my camera settings are appropriate for the ceremony space and it’s lighting (or dare I say lack of – sometimes!).

There’s a slight sigh of relief once this part of the day is wrapped up I must say. It’s then time to capture the guests congratulating the couple and usually a confetti shot thrown in, which are always fun. After standing at a distance to capture the guests this is usually the time I’ll do some line-up/family photos then on to take my couple off for a 20 minute portrait session. This is also a chance for them to both have some quiet time alone and take everything in – whilst I take some cute photos! Speeches and the wedding breakfast are usually up next and at this point I’m ready for a sugar hit of some description (usually a full fat coke does the trick…) – my legs are especially tired but my head will still be on full alert looking for the next moment to document and continuously considering what’s coming up for the rest of the day.

If I’m not finishing too late I’ll drive home that evening and be sure to take stops on my journey home to stay awake. Though I’m often buzzing for hours after a wedding day – so that usually keeps me going! As soon as I get home I back up the images (twice) and quite literally fall into bed…

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

Looking back on the journey since launching my business, there are a few things I would approach differently.

Firstly, I would be less critical of myself and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. In this field, every day is a chance to learn and improve, and I now realize the importance of that mindset. Hearing an established photographer say this when I started out would have been incredibly beneficial.

I have found great joy in immersing myself in the knowledge and insights of other creatives. It motivates me to push myself to be better, especially during slower months when I have more time for self-improvement. It’s important to seize those moments and use them as a window of opportunity for personal and professional growth.

As a destination wedding photographer, I have a deep love for travel. Bali is at the top of my bucket list for capturing a wedding. The thought of experiencing a wedding in such a stunning location is truly exciting. I would also love to go back to South Korea, where I grew up, and photograph a wedding there. It would be a special and meaningful experience for me.

What does self care mean to you?

Running a business can be non-stop, but I have found ways to switch off and recharge. Mindfulness practices have been incredibly beneficial for quieting my busy mind. I enjoy watching my favorite TV shows, like Eastenders, while sipping a creamy coffee and snuggling up with my bengal X, Tidge. Spending time with friends, going for walks in the open air with my son Leon, and watching him play also bring me joy and help me reconnect with reality.

Self-care has become increasingly important to me. Taking time for myself, prioritizing my needs, and stepping back to absorb everything have become my refresh button. It allows me to appreciate what I already have and create my own little happy bubble without falling into the trap of comparison, which can be damaging to mental health.

Where do you hope to see the brand in 5 years from now?

In five years from now, I envision the brand continuing to thrive and evolve. Bridal fashion is a great passion of mine, and I would love to collaborate with one of my favorite bridal designers. I have some exciting editorial projects lined up this month that I can’t wait to dive into. In the future, I can imagine The Vedrines Photography expanding to employ and mentor independent, aspiring wedding photographers who capture weddings in our signature style. However, since editing and presentation are integral to the brand, I still see myself personally handling that aspect, as it’s something I truly enjoy.

And let’s be real, I’ll always be that friend who brings a camera to capture the good times and spends endless hours editing. There’s no stopping that side of me!