Q&A Kelly Tunney
Before embarking on a career as a professional wedding photographer, ACT-based Kelly Tunney originally followed a traditional path, working as a public servant. But not for very long. Fortunately, she discovered photography, and her life’s never been the same since.
Her images embody the way she relates to the world – they’re candid, honest, fearless, and warm; and they always manage to find the amazing in everyone. Tunney relishes in the agony and ecstasy of imagining and creating contrasts to play with in her images. She secretly enjoy the rush that comes with the fear of pushing boundaries as far as they can be moved.
A Master of Photography, with two gold bars, Tunney is the current AIPP ACT Wedding Photographer of the Year – an accolades she’s received five times. She’s twice been named AIPP ACT Professional Photographer of the Year. In 2015, she was named AIPP Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year – the first female to ever win the prestigious title in the organisation’s 40-plus year history. In 2017, she was awarded the NZIPP International Photographer of the Year, and gained First Place at WPPI in the Wedding Creative Category.
Keenly aware of the benefits and importance of working in a collaborative environment, in 2013, Tunney established the wedding collective, All Grown Up Weddings with Dan O’Day. The eight photographers in the group shoot weddings all over Australia, and around the world. In 2017, together with wedding photographer James Simmons, she launched a comprehensive, Australia-wide workshop series, Clarity Project.
Capture: Why did you choose to become a wedding photographer, and
