Here at Calluna we are always looking for new ways to highlight and honor some of the amazing creative partners we get to work with. We feel incredibly fortunate to work with some seriously talented vendors in the industry, and we want to show them off to you in our Cocktails with Calluna series! We will sit down with some of the fabulous vendors of Colorado and get to know about them, their business and what life is like behind the scenes. Stay tuned for more!
This week for Cocktails with Calluna we caught up with Amy Caroline Cronk of Amy Caroline Photography.
Cheers! Xo, Calluna
Describe what you do!
· In short I am a wedding photographer. But the longer version of that is that I am a story teller. I believe in the power of capturing a combination of emotions, and details, that will tell the unique story of who you are. I hope that my imagery revisits a time in life that needs to be remembered, and cherished. I strive to keep my photography classic and timeless, so that your grandchildren, and great grand children, will look back at your photos in decades to come and know exactly how you looked and felt on that day!
What is your idea of a dream project?
· Anything that involves passion, love, trust, and creativity. The combination of a creative vision coming to life with attention to detail, but with an overarching theme of love is what I thrive on. The passion that makes you who you are is where a dream project begins. Pulling together a project from a deep place of passion and love will always be unique, and true to you! I am not tied to a certain aesthetic, but rather a project that has heart and love within it, that tells a story, and one that is unique. This breathes life into the photos, and allows for freedom of creativity based in story telling. Passion and love are so felt in photographs, if they aren’t there it truly shows. Trust is also such a huge aspect of a dream project. Trusting that you have creatives involved that know what they are doing, and also a deeper trust that allows for some creativity that might be a little “off-the-beaten-path”. When you trust those involved in your project with all your heart, it allows them to create magic! When all these things combine it’s truly a dream come true, and will reflect in the project, and ultimately in the photos.
What has been your favorite wedding that you have worked, or attended?
· Oh goodness! I have so may favorites, being in the wedding photography industry for 8 years, I have just so many favorite memories. I always tell my clients to let themselves to allow themselves to feel whatever they are feeling on their wedding day. And I can say without a doubt that my favorite moments are when I’m standing behind my camera, watching and photographing a true, real, raw emotional moment! Sometimes it’s giddy joy, sometimes it’s that throat-swelling tearful moment of missing someone who should be there but isn’t, sometimes it’s a hand holding squeeze, a belly laugh of excitement, a head on the shoulder, a single happy tear, giggling bridesmaids, a deep breath, and long deep hug! All these things and more are my favorite things about weddings, all the emotions, happening on one day, at one place! It’s a lot to take in, but it’s what makes my job so extra special.
What does your morning routine look like?
· Every morning starts with a cup of tea. I only drink hot black tea(s) with milk, this comes from my Zimbabwean upbringing. It’s not about the caffeine for me, but rather starting the morning intentionally and slow. It also represents something constant in and ever changing world. When things feel a little topsy turvy, I always have tea – it’s a comfort thing. Each day then is different, I usually do my best to respond to emails, and then get down to editing images. That is if I don’t have a photoshoot, or meeting, or wedding that day. My routine is different on the morning of a wedding. Of course it starts with tea ;), but I try to stay away from any other work, and slowly get ready in the morning. I have all my photography equipment cleaned and ready the day before, so I don’t have to worry about all that on the morning of a wedding. I need the morning to be sow and steady, so I can have a clear mind and vision when I arrive on the wedding day. I go over my couple’s questionnaire, and familiarize myself with details that are important to them, and family photo lists, and such to get in the zone. I leave lots of extra time for traffic, and random things to go wrong, so that I can arrive at the wedding fresh, stress free, and ready to photograph for a full day.
What are some of your favorite trends that you are seeing?
· I love seeing that weddings are becoming more and more geared towards the couple. While I have colors and tastes that I love personally, I adore seeing unique personality trends come to life in weddings. Rather than the same “Pinterest” trends over and over, we are seeing couples that dig deep into their own personal styles and tastes and I love that!
What advice would you give to a younger you?
· Stop worrying so much. I am a worrier, often over thinking every little thing. I wish I would have spent more time embracing the changes and the surprises, rather than stressing about every little thing.
What makes you excited to go to work in the morning?
· I am a creative person by nature, and I am so blessed to have a job that allows me to continue to be an artist. Each and everyday I look at smiling faces, I sometimes tear up when looking at emotional images. I just realize that I am so lucky to have a job that saves such important moments and memories., but that also allows my to be creative in the process.
What is your favorite cocktail, or what are you drinking tonight?
· I am a wine girl through and through. So most often you will see my sipping on a glass of red in winter, and white in summer, and to celebrate always champagne!
Follow Amy Caroline on Instagram & Facebook!
