50 Essential Portrait Photographers: Audra Colpitts of Audra’s Photography

Audra Colpitts lives in South Surrey with her husband, two kids, their dog and fourteen thousand tiny pieces of Lego.

Why did you get into photography?

I was that girl in high school who always had a camera strapped around her wrist, ready for anything. I was in the Yearbook Club and loved the few darkroom days we had in art class. I loved hanging out with my friends and just doing goofy things for the camera. A lot of my favourite memories are brought back when I look through those old photos! Skip ahead to my adult life and I worked for many years as a photo lab technician. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I learned a lot about exposure, composition, light and colour from sorting through thousands and thousands of photos each day. I never got tired of my job and I truly enjoyed the people I worked with and the regular customers I got to know through the years. Thanks to Facebook, I’ve even been able to reconnect with a few of them since leaving the lab 5 years ago.

Tell us a bit about your company.

I really didn’t start out with the intention of running a photography business – my photography business started itself. The first wedding I shot was for my husband’s brother and his wife – 16 years ago. Shortly after that I shot a cousin’s wedding and then another. One day my cousin gave my phone number to a Mom she overheard in a hospital cafeteria who was talking about needing a photographer for her daughter’s wedding. When the bride called me, my instant reaction was, “Sure, I’d love to!” That bride passed my name on to her friend, she passed my name on to another and so on it goes… I realized shortly after those first few weddings that I could make a living doing what I love to do and stay home with my 2 kids. How awesome is that?! I soon found myself getting requests for maternity and then family portraits from my past couples and realized I love shooting portraits as much as I love the weddings. It seems that every project I take on leads down another windy road that I am excited about traveling. My goal for Audra’s Photography is to knock your socks off with beautiful, vibrant imagery and exceptional customer service. I take on a limited number of weddings and portraits each year so that I can make you feel like you are my only client. 🙂

How would you characterize your style of photography?

I’d say my style is candid, casual and full of life. When you look at your photos I want you to see ‘you’- not a woman who looks like she’s been posed to the point of snapping her spine in order to get that perfect silhouette.

Who are your clients?

My clients are people who enjoy a stress-free photographic experience. I keep my sessions light and fun, often taking cues from the smallest family members as to where the next photo will be taken. Many of my clients have been with me since before their wedding day and I love watching their families grow!

What should your mom clients expect when working with you?

When working with me you can expect to have an experience, not just a photo shoot. Often at the end of a session I’ll hear, “Wow, that was so much fun! I can’t believe how fast that went!” I not only want you to love your photos, but to enjoy the time you’ve spent with me. I want to see you again next year. 🙂 Anything else to add? This has been said before and I can’t agree more – make sure you get yourself in photos. I’m guilty of this myself, “Just get pictures of the kids this year.” Every year my husband convinces me to do a family portrait and every year I thank him as I look back at last year’s photo. Whether it’s a boudoir shoot, a maternity shoot or photos of you and your significant other – get in there!