Meet the New Instructors of WPPI: Kelly Tunney

WPPI is proud to be hosting several new instructors at the 2018 Conference and Expo. In an industry that’s constantly changing, our goal is to provide attendees with instructors that are thriving in today’s market and can share some of the secrets to their success. Here, Kelly Tunney shares some background about her business and approach to weddings. Don’t miss her presentation taking place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center in Las Vegas. See you there!

Name: Kelly Tunney
Title: Wedding photographer
Seminar Topic:  Confidence, Trust and Kickass Wedding Photography on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Website: https://www.kellytunney.com.au/

WPPI: How did you get into wedding photography?
Kelly Tunney: Pretty much by accident. I shot my first wedding for my mum’s friend and I remember feeling like I wanted to cry the entire time out of fear. I shot the wedding on film and was nervous about the outcome. But, once it was over and I delivered the final product, I still remember feeling proud of the work. Looking back at those photos now though, my inexperience definitely shows.

WPPI: How would you define your style of wedding photography?
KT: My shots are mostly candid, honest, fearless and warm. I do try and find the “amazing” in everyone I photograph by learning their unique traits and individual personalities. Also, in terms of my approach, I secretly enjoy the rush that comes with the fear of pushing boundaries as far as they can be moved.

WPPI: What can audience members expect to take away from your seminar at WPPI?
KT: For starters, they can expect a few funny Aussie stories! But mostly I’ll provide a lot of honesty and detail. I’ve been in this business full-time for over 11 years now and I think one of the most important things in this industry is longevity. We’ll discuss how you can stay relevant in your own way through reinvention. We’ll explore alternative models of business and, above all, share a laugh or two!

WPPI: What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen at a wedding and what/where was it?
KT: After shooting hundreds of weddings, it can start to feel like you’ve seen it all. But one instant that comes to mind (and this happened recently) is a Jamaica wedding I photographed. The ceremony took place deep in the jungle in the middle of nowhere and, after flying over 35 hours to get there, I still had a 90-minute bus ride to the destination. Needless to say, I had a hard time adjusting! The humidity was overbearing and I was so scared of getting malaria or yellow fever that I applied too much DEET insect repellent. It started stripping my nailpolish and made my skin turn a funny color! On the plus side, it was truly a unique wedding: there was only one single table for the 130 guests that was around 90 feet long and the details were all handmade by the local Jamaicans. It was challenging trying to act professional and be a creative wedding photographer while dealing with the unusual conditions though. Let’s just say that I’m still getting over the experience!

Check out more interviews with the new instructors of WPPI by visiting: rangefinderonline.com/wppi-instructors.