SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: CLARE TAM-IM PHOTOGRAPHY

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Hi, my name’s Clare! I live in Watford, Hertfordshire (the home of Harry Potter as I like to call it) and have been shooting weddings for over 10 years now. I’m a mum, a fiancee, a geek, a gamer, a bit of a weirdo.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I always wanted to be a photographer when I was little. It was only when I was made redundant from a job that I decided to go back to education and do a degree which I chose to do in photography. It made me realise how much I loved it and after being able to second shoot at a couple of weddings, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. It also fit nicely around my family at the time and then when I went on to have my youngest, I went full time and just bloody love it.

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

I don’t really do typical days. I suppose if I’m at a wedding, I start with a nice big breakfast (or a McDs on the way there if I’m being lazy which is usually the case!) whilst listening to my Spotify playlist to get me into an awesome mood for when I rock up with big smiles and hugs a plenty. Then spend the day grinning from ear to ear or hiding behind my camera whilst having a little cry, all the while photographing the day, having the best time, counting my lucky stars that I get to call this my career. Then head home, back everything up because I won’t sleep until I do. Days in the office (or the corner of my living room that I call my office) are spent doing emails, social media stuff, working on advertising/website/accounts, you name it, there is so much that goes into running your own business. And when I’m not working, you can either find me on the school run, food shopping, with my family or gaming.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

The absolute privilege it is to be invited into such a personal day in people’s lives. For people to want me for not just my work but who I am as a person. It’s honestly incredible. I am always just so thankful.

AND WHAT IS THE WORST PART?

Accounts. Haha. I would love for someone to do the more business side of things for me and I can just go out and meet couples and shoot weddings. That’s the dream!!

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOUʼVE BEEN GIVEN?

Be yourself. And not just in business, but in every day life as well. As someone that struggled to accept and love myself growing up, it has taken a lot of hard work and time to get to a place where I can say I am happy as me, and that I love myself. And so to be able to plaster that all over my website and social media and work, and for couples to see me and think “yeah, she’s the photographer for us”, it’s just so… can’t even put it into words! Amazing! That’s a word. I just love that I can be my honest and authentic self throughout all aspects of my life including my business and have people accept that and want me to be a part of their wedding. Blows my mind sometimes if I’m honest.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT COUPLES TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

My style is relaxed, natural and fun. I want couples to be able to enjoy their day and not feel like their wedding has turned into a photoshoot. When we do group photos, I don’t like spending ages on them. And the same with the couple’s photos. I’d rather they be with their loved ones, enjoying their day and I’m there capturing all of that. I always say for me, weddings are about the people. I do get photos of the decorations and venue etc, but for me, it’s always about getting those moments between people. The laughter, the tears, the happiness, the emotions, the fun times. That to me is what a wedding is made up of.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR COUPLES PLANNING A WEDDING?

Think about what you want. Look at your personalities, what you love. What do you want to include in your wedding. What’s important to you. There is no right or wrong way to have a wedding. My favourite weddings are always the ones where the couple have their wedding the way they want. Because then they are in their element, they are happy and content. Make sure you have help – give your bridal party or families jobs to help out on the lead up or/and on the day. And whatever happens, just enjoy every moment of your wedding day. They always say it goes by so quick and it does! So just soak it all in and have the best time!!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDNʼT WORK IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY?

I honestly have no clue. I did think if I had to stop shooting weddings tomorrow, what would I do, and I honestly have no answer to that question! The only other thing I thought I would have loved to have done is work in the film industry on costumes and things like that. Or be in a rock band, but I can’t sing or play an instrument so I don’t think that would have got me very far.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR TIME OFF?

Spend time with my family, go on holidays, go eat in our favourite restaurants, draw, game, go to gigs or conventions like Comic Con.

DREAM HOLIDAY?

I really want to go to Japan. I’m obsessed with things like Final Fantasy so to be able to go out to Japan and see their culture and come home with lots of merch would be amazing