her time out
engaged and you could definitely sense that they'd be together forever." In 2010 Rachel also won a Bronze Award at the NZIPP Iris Awards. It was an
encouraging result for the first-timer, who had travelled to Queenstown to receive her award. For her second time around last year, Rachel decided against making the trip to Rotorua
where the awards were held because of the 'draining' lead up to the awards, but hoped for the best. Needless to say she was kicking herself when she learnt she had won a Gold and six bronze awards as well as the Wedding Photographer of the Year title. Last year she entered the South Canterbury Hospitality and Tourism Business
Excellence Awards, which was the first business-orientated awards Rachel has entered. While she didn't win, becoming a finalist – especially being so young – was a huge boost for the 29 year-old's confidence. Rachel's goal is to create a business that is sustainable and can provide a comfortable
lifestyle for her family, so they can focus on giving back to the community that has given so much to them. "Timaru's a lovely little place to be based. Because it's a national award it is bringing
a lot of interest, which is really exciting. Timaru has a lot of young businesses that rally round and support each other. "I have a simple business plan and that is to keep doing what I'm doing, but doing it
better and involving more people in it. "The business is so much a part of me and who I am that sometimes it's hard to separate
it from my personal life, which can help in the wedding industry because it such a personal time for people. It's amazing that something that is so much a part of who you are and love can be a business." www.callandergirl.co.nz All images in this article were photographed by Rachel Callander
104 | February/March 2012 | HER MAGAZINE
