Nordica Photography » Vancouver Wedding Photographer

Taylor, a photographer from Waterloo, Ontario emailed us about doing a workshop while she was in Cambodia. Her travels through Asia had her on the road living out of a small bag with her camera on her side, and she was interested in making a stop in Vancouver before heading through to Ontario. Big thanks to the two sets of couples - Mathias and Chelsey / Jeff and Cat - for volunteering to model for the two sessions.

If you are interested in learning more about the 2-on-1 workshops, email us to info@nordicaphotography.com and we will provide you with all the information. The workshops are a full day and the focus is entirely on you and your business. We’ll share the entire backend of our business (editing, administration, online marketing strategies, etc.) and follow an itinerary for the day that revolves around whatever you would like to focus on. Also, we have two photography sessions with couples – one to start the day and one to finish the day.

Below is what Taylor had to say about her time with us in Vancouver. To read about a few other recent workshops we hosted, check out what Rik Pennington and Erin Wilson had to share about the Nordica workshops they attended.

What are the three most valuable things that you took away from the workshop?

Definitely the prep of scouting something I never really considered before. I always would just show up and shoot but being prepared can make all the difference.

Also the keep it simple mentality – when shooting, and communicating with clients. Cole and Jakob you guys are so laid back and it is so nice to see that come through in your work and in your business. I always felt flustered going into meetings and sometimes even writing emails and it was great to see that just being yourself and saying what you believe is all you need.

Finally the shoots were awesome. I did both shoots with only my 35mm lens and I loved it. I think that seeing what I was hoping to shoot before I actually raise my camera and clicked made for a better picture, and it is less about gear and more about what you see.

Were all of your goals/expectations met with the workshop?

For sure, I didn’t have many expectations going in. Being out of the “wedding mindset” for the last couple months I was really hoping to get back into shooting with clients, and transition from the travel work I was doing back into the wedding world. I would say that was 100% accomplished. I now can’t wait for my first shoot in two weeks and I have been scouting for the best locations in my area since I’ve been back. I also have been looking for detail shots and transition images that would be great to add to a story-line which is something else I wanted to get better at.

Was there anything that surprised you about the workshop that you didn’t see coming when you signed up?

I had only ever done one workshop before and it was in a group setting. I can’t say how much of a difference being one on one was. It first of all is great to be more in a conversation than in a class setting. It is less intimidating to speak up, interrupt (I know I did that a lot! ahah) to ask questions and make anything you don’t understand clear. PLUS I think you guys got a feel for who I was too and on the fly tailored (no pun intended) the workshop for me too.

What would you say to another photographer who was considering a workshop with Nordica based on your experience?

DO IT. I left motivated and excited about this coming wedding season. Cole and Jakob are fun, helpful and are willing to share everything they have learned. I especially loved to hear what they were thinking when setting up a shot, because well if you a considering a Nordica workshop then you probably already love their work and to see and hear what goes on before they take it well that is invaluable.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Vancouver is an awesome city. Great location for a great workshop.

And a few behind-the-scenes shots.