PART 2 | Pregnancy loss & shooting weddings with Stefanie Buma

Podcast
Written By Lei Lei Clavey


Stefanie Buma is a Perth based Editorial Wedding Photographer. Establishing her brand in 2012, she is one of the West-Coast’s best photographers. Stefanie’s work is featured in Vogue and The Wed and she is known for her signature style; she mixes day-dreams and nostalgia, shooting in a reportage style and on film. 

Stefanie is also a Mumma-to-be, business owner, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for nurturing your creativity and bringing love to our work as photographers. In Part 2, Stef goes into her experience navigating the last two years of shooting weddings while going through multiple pregnancies and recurrent miscarriage. Stef speaks candidly about her experiences and we hope that by sharing this episode during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month that we bring awareness to the topic and that if anyone is going through this they can feel a little less alone. The episode includes sensitive topics which may not be right for you at this time including miscarriage and pregnancy loss. 

I hope you enjoy this Part 2 episode of Life & Lens with guest interviewee, Stefanie Buma. 

Lei x

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • “It is not up to anyone else to decide what you’re capable of (or not capable of)” in context when it comes to shooting while pregnant/with a newborn

  • You can’t plan for anything; take on the wedding bookings and figure it out later. There is no optimal time to have a family and have a business. 

  • Learn to slow down and say ‘no’. When navigating extreme physical, mental and emotional trauma, you need boundaries, rest and to look after yourself. You can’t do it all.

  • Life has unexpected turns and challenging life events, in these times communicate proactively with your clients if there are going to be delays to manage your stress and pressure.

  • The mentality of ‘hustle’ can be dangerous. Rest is not something that needs to be earned. It’s just something that is required. Make reducing your ‘stress’ a priority for you.

SUMMARY

Stefanie Buma is a Perth based Editorial Wedding Photographer. Establishing her brand in 2012, she is one of the West-Coast’s best photographers. Stefanie’s work is featured in Vogue and The Wed and she is known for her signature style; she mixes day-dreams and nostalgia, shooting in a reportage style and on film. 

Stefanie is also a Mumma-to-be, business owner, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for nurturing your creativity and bringing love to our work as photographers. 

In this podcast Stef goes into her experience navigating the last two years of shooting weddings while going through multiple pregnancies and recurrent miscarriage. We also talk about being pregnant while shooting, trying to plan for a family and running a business in general. We talk about some sensitive topics in this episode which may not be for you at this time including miscarriage and pregnancy loss so please if you are not in the right space right now to listen that’s ok.

If you haven’t already listened to Part 1 of this podcast with Stef, we go deep on ‘creativity’ as a concept and construct in our daily practice; where we find inspiration and how we channel it in our craft. Then we talk about the very ‘Australian’ phenomenon where couples aren’t naturally affectionate or confident in front of the camera. Stefanie shares her experience and tips on how to master ‘intimate and relaxed’ couple portraits. I learnt a few new tips and can’t wait to try them out.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Lei Lei Clavey

Hi, my name is Lei Lei. I am a wedding and editorial photographer. I love to have a fun relaxed time with my couples and capture your day discreetly as if I were a fly on the wall. No posing, only gentle guidance from me when needed. My job isn’t only about being at your wedding but in the months leading up to it to get to know you and your love story. This is so I can capture the day as it naturally unfolds, staying true to who you are as a couple. Every love story is unique and I want to tell yours organically and honestly through my images.

https://www.leileiclavey.com
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In conversation with Johanna Rosenlew
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PART 1 | Creativity and shooting intimate couple portraits with Stefanie Buma