It’s never too old to learn

Mon 9th November 2009 3.46PM

WHEN Sue Gill was approaching retirement after 23 years teaching in Special Education, she knew instinctively that a second career was in the offing. What that might be she had no idea, except that it should be completely different from teaching and education, that it should be creative, and, above all, fun. Married to a photographer, and growing up with an avid amateur photographer for a father, her options soon began to become clear. Smileweddings was born. Sue explains: “I loved teaching, but it used up a lot of energy and resources, particularly with all the administrative, staff and organisational issues to deal with.

“It seemed logical that I help Steve, my husband, with his photography and design business, especially on the photobook album design side. This was rapidly growing by demand into a wedding photography business, and Steve suggested that as well as doing the boring things like accounts and admin, why didn’t I come out on shoots and assist him? “I quickly progressed from trying out a few shots at my first wedding shoot on a compact digital camera, to getting a digital SLR and becoming the second camera. “I love the whole process of being such an important part of a family’s longedfor day.

I’ve been roped in to help in all sorts of ways, from pinning on buttonholes, finding mislaid items, reassuring and counselling when things go wrong, to keeping the cat away from the wedding dress and even, at one point, changing a toddler bridesmaid’s nappy just when they were ready to leave! I wonder how many male photographers would volunteer for that? “But one of my favourite tasks is being able to get the most out of the beautiful details of bridal gowns, jewellery and flowers. I’ve always had a love of fabrics and textiles and thoroughly enjoy getting in close on these.

More information is available from Sue Gill, email: sue@smileweddings. co.uk. Tel: 01204 886173, web: www.smileweddings.co.uk.