Australia 

www.dvphotography.com

Vanessa operates an exciting business out of a charming, art-filled home in a fairly remote valley north of Sydney. D & V Photography began in 1998 as the joint dream of Vanessa and her husband David.

All photos © Vanessa Blagden

Their goal was a business that allowed them the freedom to do what they both loved, photography, and yet left time to spend with their children and travelling. To Vanessa that meant a business that was not wholly dependent on her or any one else, and one that was from the start team based. The studio now has four fulltime employees and nine contract photographers, and focuses as it always has, on wedding photography (photographing over 110 weddings each year).

If that sounds sterile and commercial, we’re painting the wrong picture. David and Vanessa built an environment in which family and business, photography and conviviality came together. They lined the walls and garden with artwork and ceramics. We particularly remember their amazing kitchen table, carved within an inch of its life by all those who’ve enjoyed their hospitality (we added our mark).

Creativity flowed out and all around, and D & V blended this with technical ability, solid systems and training, and a very genuine love of people. The quiet bush setting in a valley of 150 homes made it all the more magical.

The foundations were tested by David’s sudden death in May 2003. He left behind Vanessa, two boys and what Vanessa calls “an awesome D & V team”. Everyone pulled together, including her professional colleagues in NSW photography who offered their practical and moral support.

D & V maintained its commitments and credibility through difficult and emotional times. Besides losing David, over the next several months two other photographers moved on, as did the lead production manager. The team’s continuing strength showed that systems and training make the difference. This year D & V will photograph more weddings in one year than ever before.

Vanessa is a vivacious, engaging and passionate about life, photography and the arts. Her personality lifts the people round her and the results are there to see in both the images she captures and the business and team that she’s built.

We first met Vanessa some years ago when, with David, she came looking for albums. She was looking for something different, something her competitors couldn’t match. At that stage their studio was a spare room in their house. Now she’s one of our most successful clients. She’s always ready to share her ideas and inspiration, so we’ve also been proud to sponsor Vanessa at various speaking engagements.

Over the last few years Vanessa has spoken for the British, New Zealand and Australian Institutes of Professional Photography. Currently she’s Vice President and sponsorship liaison officer of NSW AIPP. She spoke at WPPI in Las Vegas in February 2003 (as part of the Australian group, Mercury and friends) and has presented to various business-related organizations in New South Wales. Besides winning three local business awards on her own account, Vanessa is proud that a current staffer is “on her way to being Hunter [Valley] Trainee of the Year”.