Rookie Wedding Photographer Makes Her Mark

2009 has been a great success for new Wollongong Wedding Photographer, Pamela Aurino. Owner and founder of the new business, Ela Photography, at just age nineteen. Pamela shares with us her journey so far.

Pamela established her Wedding Photography business in small town Wollongong less than a year ago with only a $2000.00 savings account and a lifetime's supply of ambition. One of the very few rookie's in the Wedding photography industry to excel in such a short amount of time, Pamela shares with us her experience as now being a highly respected photographer to date.

"This past year has been so overwhelming for me. Everything has just happened so fast!"
Networking with icons such as Mark Nolan (Photography, Getty Images), Matt Cooper (Centre footballer, St George Illawarra Dragons) & Kimberley Storos (Model, Vixen Management) Pamela describes her experience as "such a rush to have met such amazing people & to actually be part of this atmosphere".

Studying a Freelance Photography Certificate since September 2008, Pamela not only acheived a distinction average in her studies, but has improved dramatically in all areas of marketing strategies, photography skill and of course developed a great business sense.

Deciding to leave the University of Wollongong mid-year 2008, the photographer doesn't regret it one bit. "I've been asked to travel interstate to shoot a Wedding several times. Now when you're living in New South Wales and a local Queenslander wants to book with you because they can't find anything as unique a style as yours, then that's saying something." says Pamela.

Deferring from the honours degree of Medicinal Chemistry in which she was selectively chosen for, Pamela was determined at the time to make a career from creativity. "I was always part of the arts" says Pamela. "I was in the school choir every year of my school life. If somebody was singing the school anthem on presentation nights it would be me." Pamela chuckles. Achieving the highest mark in her Music HSC class of a band 6, 91 mark in 2007, Pamela has no doubts she has the drive to do anything.

Although Pamela's accomplishments to date have been described as "a liberating feeling" the photographer admits it has been a bumpy ride. "My mum cried for a week when I left Uni" the photographer explains.
With friends and family showing little or no support for Pamela's decision to take a different career path, she felt as though it would be just "..her against the world".

Pamela to date has made a mark in the Wedding Photography industry. With rapid increase in Wedding bookings, over 80% increase in portraits sales, great rapport with her clients and on going introduction of new sectors to her existing Wedding Photography business, we are certain there will be more to see of Ela Photography in the upcoming year and many years to come.